United Kingdom - This year's Access Summit, organized by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), will focus on the theme "Rent Clever: Dynamic Powered Access Solutions in Difficult Times." The Summit is free and open to all interested parties. It will be held on April 2, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Northwood in Dublin, Ireland.

The keynote presentation will be given by Michael Kneeland, president/CEO of United Rentals, one of the largest construction equipment rental companies in the world. Kneeland will deliver straightforward strategies for rental companies and observations on differences between the U.S. and European markets. "We have a panel of excellent speakers who will look at strategies for the powered access industry to fight back the recession blues," said IPAF Managing Director Tim Whiteman.

Other speakers include:

John Ball, managing director of rental specialist Height for Hire and IPAF president, will look at how powered access specialists can react to difficult market conditions.

Maria Hadlow, editor of Access International, will analyze the UK powered access market.

Kevin O’Shea, safety and training director for U.S.-based Mastclimbers, LLC and chairman of IPAF’s International MCWP Committee, will examine the development of mast climbing work platforms as a rental business.