Exhibitors and rental companies alike had a lot to say about sustainable and efficient solutions at the 2023 American Rental Association (ARA) Show, held Feb. 11-15 in Orlando, Fla.
On Feb. 12, hundreds of rental company owners flocked to the ARA's general education sessions and panels, which covered topics such as how to become an exceptional leader and mentor, how to develop an inclusive workplace culture, how to recruit and retain millennial and Gen Z employees and more.
As the rental industry has contended with labor shortages for quite some time now, several speakers focused on how rental companies can adjust in a time of ever-increasing change.
For example, in the session entitled "How to Recruit and Retain Gen Z and Millennials," Phil Gwoke, managing director and keynote speaker at BridgeWorks, said rental company owners should be open to new strategies to engage the younger generations, thus enticing them to stay at their companies.
"It's about looking at not what's wrong with the player, but what's wrong with the way in which I'm relating to and coaching them," Gwoke said.
On the show floor, which opened Feb. 13 to Feb. 15, conversations revolved around how manufacturers are producing equipment to meet the sustainability and efficiency requirements of attending rental companies.
Check out their insights below.
Makinex showcased its Portable Power Box, which made its American debut at the ARA Show. Afterward, Rental's Megan Perleberg snagged a shot with John Stewart, global CEO of Makinex, Jim Wilson, vice president of sales and marketing of Makinex and the rest of the team at the show.
LHD Machinery showed off its wheeled, side-dumping buggies, designed to make end users' lives easier and more efficient.
At the Volvo Construction Equipment booth, it was all about the quiet operation of its construction offerings. In fact, the trade show background noise was louder than the machine startup.
The folks at Manitou also walked down Electric Avenue, as they showcased several new products that had an emphasis on electrification.