In memoriam: Robert ‘Bob’ MacFarland

August 15th, 2024

Robert “Bob” MacFarland, 91, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, died Aug. 12, 2024. MacFarland — who served as the 28th president of the American Rental Association (ARA) in 1989 — became involved in the rental industry in 1963 when, after spending 10 years in the construction industry, he opened R.H. MacFarland in Halifax. MacFarland helped organize […]

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ARA launches national workforce development campaign

March 26th, 2024

The American Rental Association (ARA) debuted its workforce development campaign – Born for This – at The ARA ShowTM 2024, held February 19 – 21 in New Orleans, La. As a prelude to The ARA Show keynote session, Tony Conant, ARA chief executive officer (CEO), introduced the new campaign titled Born for This, which features […]

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ATA launches Foundations of Safe Tenting course

February 21st, 2024

The Tent Rental Division of Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) is launching the "Foundations of Safe Tenting" course, a groundbreaking educational initiative developed in collaboration with the American Rental Association (ARA) and the Manufacturers and Tent Renters Association (MATRA). All TRD members can take advantage of this course at NO COST.  Designed specifically for tenting professionals, […]

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ARA quarterly forecast shows slower growth, resilient markets

November 13th, 2023

The ARA (American Rental Association) updated forecast indicates that the U.S. equipment rental industry’s growth will soften but still grow. Last quarter, the year-over-year growth was expected to be 7.6% in 2023 and 3.1% in 2024. The most current projections indicate 11.8% growth in 2023 totaling $71.5 billion in construction and general tool rental revenue. […]

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ARA Rental Hall of Fame inductees announced

December 12th, 2022

Each year, the American Rental Association (ARA) honors individuals for outstanding service to the association and the rental industry. This year, two longtime rental industry leaders will become the newest inductees into the Rental Hall of Fame and will be honored at The ARA Show™ 2023 in Orlando, Fla. Doron Broadfoot, The Rent-It Store, Saskatoon, […]

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ARA offers $132,500 in scholarships

December 7th, 2022

Those planning to attend school during the 2023-2024 academic year to pursue a rental-related career can apply for a share of $132,500 in scholarships through the ARA foundation and its affiliate partners. Scholarship applications are available now here. A total of 69 scholarships are up for grabs for students enrolling at trade schools, community colleges, undergraduate […]

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ARA survey shows rental market stable

October 25th, 2022

Both equipment and event rental companies have reached a point of stability after almost three years of a pandemic-induced roller coaster ride, according to the latest quarterly economic impact survey conducted by the American Rental Association (ARA). In answer to the question “Would you say the situation for event rental is getting better, the same or […]

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Webinar | Non-Engineered Ballasting Tool Overview and Demonstration presented by TRD & ARA

September 22nd, 2022

The question of how much ballast is necessary to safely secure a tent is one that tent rental companies have been struggling with for decades. While most newer tents are certified by engineers to require a set amount of ballast, there are still many – particularly older tents or tents that have been modified from […]

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TRD partners with ARA

August 1st, 2022

Dark clouds build ominously on the horizon as the workers finish a large tent installation. Strong winds and heavy rain are forecast. The local fire marshal arrives to issue the necessary permit and eyes the ballast skeptically. A storm is on the way—will the tent hold?  Are you sure? Michael Tharpe, Chairman of the Tent […]

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Event rental industry legend Bick Jones retires

June 21st, 2022

After 36 years of serving the event rental industry, Bick Jones, whose latest adventure in the event rental arena was serving as general manager of CommuniLux in Dallas, Texas, a subsidiary of InProduction, Chicago, Ill., decided to retire May 6, 2022. “I have tried to retire three times, but none of them lasted. I love the […]

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