Rental Industry Gears Up for The ARA Show's Return to Anaheim

This marks the first time in 16 years The ARA Show has been held in Anaheim, CA. The city hosted the ARA annual convention seven times previously, between 1973 and 2003.

Ara Show Logo New

The rental industry is gearing up for The ARA Show 2019, the 63rd annual convention and trade show serving the equipment and event rental markets. Hosted by the American Rental Association, the show runs from Sunday, Feb. 17 through Wednesday, Feb. 20 in Anaheim, CA and is expected to draw approximately 6,000 attendees representing some 2,700 rental businesses, based on last year's numbers. 

This marks the first time in 16 years The ARA Show has been held in Anaheim, CA. The city hosted the ARA annual convention seven times previously, between 1973 and 2003.

The outlook for this year's event is positive, as the industry continues to exceed growth forecasts. The ARA five-year forecast updated in late October currently forecasts equipment and event rental revenues in North America to exceed $71.7 billion in 2022, including $65.4 billion in the United States and $6.3 billion in Canada.

The latest quarterly forecast again projects greater revenue gains than the previous forecast released in late May for each year from 2018 through 2022. 

“We continue to see strong growth in rental revenues through 2018 and into 2019 due to the strong performance of the U.S. economy,” John McClelland, Ph.D., ARA vice president for government affairs and chief economist reported in November. “Our forecast for 2019 does indicate slower growth than we have experienced in 2018 because the U.S. economy is projected to grow at a slower rate than in 2018. However, in both cases, rental revenues are expected to grow at higher rates than the economy.”

After the conclusion of the 2018 show, ARA CEO Tony Conant said, “There is a tone of optimism in the industry. Everybody I spoke to in the construction segment said [the 2018] show was as good or better than [the 2017 show] and it was the largest show floor in 20 years. Many said it was one of the best shows they’ve been to.”

This year, the show officially kicks off at 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 18, with the traditional keynote session, this time featuring Kevin O'Leary, the "Shark Tank" fan favorite, who will speak about how to succeed in business. Sponsored by Ditch Witch, the keynote will be held in the ACC North, Level 2, of the Anaheim Convention Center. Following his address, O'Leary will host a meet-and-greet at the ARA Resource Center, Booth 4571. 

Following is a show schedule:

NOTE: The location is the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., unless otherwise noted. 

Friday, Feb. 15

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exhibitor move-in

1 – 5 p.m. Registration open 

Saturday, Feb. 16

7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration open

7:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Events & Tents

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exhibitor move-in

6 – 8 p.m. Events & Tents Reception 

Sunday, Feb. 17

7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration open

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The ARA Show educational seminars - View complete details on the show seminars

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exhibitor move-in

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. ARA Industry Awards Lunch

5:30 – 7:30 p.m. ARA Young Professionals Network Reception - The FIFTH (Grand Legacy at the Park Hotel)

7:30 – 10:30 p.m. Canadian Rental Association Hospitality Reception - House of Blues  

Monday, Feb. 18

7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration open

8 – 9:30 a.m. Keynote Session - Presented by Kevin O'Leary

9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exhibit hall open

10:45 – 11:25 a.m. Meet and Greet with Kevin O'Leary - ARA Resource Center, Booth 4571

4 – 5 p.m. Canadian Rental Association Annual General Meeting

5 – 6:30 p.m. Regional Receptions

7 – 9 p.m. ARAPAC Reception - Katella Terrace at the Anaheim Convention Center  

Tuesday, Feb. 19

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration open

7:45 – 8:45 a.m. Women in Rental Breakfast

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exhibit hall open

5 – 6:30 p.m. ARA Foundation Charity Auction and Reception

5 –  7 p.m. International Reception

7 – 10 p.m. ARA Block Party - Anaheim Convention Center Grand Plaza  

Wednesday, Feb. 20

8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Registration open

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Exhibit hall open

1 – 9 p.m. Exhibitor move-out  

Thursday, Feb. 21

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.Exhibitor move-out    

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