A message from your regional director

We’re back, Region Nine members!

While we haven’t completely conquered COVID, we have made great progress, thanks to the vaccines. States are starting to open back up. All rental segments seem to be recovering, and lots of members are telling me they are seeing record numbers. This is so exciting.

• Finding qualified help. With all this increased activity, I know that rental operations are having difficulty finding employees. Be sure to use the American Rental Association (ARA) Job Board. Every member receives five free postings on the site, so take advantage of them. In this issue of In Your Region, learn what else ARA is doing to address this issue and look for additional insights in the August issue of Rental Management. Also, access the new Clean. Safe. Essential. program to see how that can help you onboard and retain drivers. 

• In-person gatherings are here. The ARA of California is offering the chance for you and your employees to take in a great baseball game in a comfortable suite, enjoy barbecue and have lots of fun during its “Night at the Ballpark” Aug. 6 for those in Northern California and Aug. 11 for those in Southern California. See the full story in this edition. Make sure you take part.

• The ARA Show™ will be in Las Vegas this October. This will be the time for everyone in rental to connect, buy and learn. If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time. Go to ARAshow.org. 

• Congratulations to the recent recipients of ARA Foundation and affiliate scholarships, including ARA of California Scholarships, from our region. This is a great achievement and opportunity. Learn more about the receipients in this edition of In Your Region.

• Online lunchtime chats come to a close. I want to offer my thanks to the ARA of California board that just finished its last online lunchtime chat in June. These have been wonderful learning opportunities for the entire region. They allowed us to connect and learn business-relevant information. See the articles in this edition of In Your Region to read about what members gained from these monthly chats. 

As we move forward, let’s not forget what we have been through. Be safe, remain vigilant in your cleaning protocols, stay connected through ARA’s Event Rental and Equipment Rental Facebook pages and get vaccinated, if you’re able, to make this a wonderful reopening. 

Tony Murray, ARA Region Nine director
American Rentals
Long Beach, Calif.
562-630-5896
tmurray@american-rentals.com