Members of the North Carolina equipment and event rental community mixed work and play at the ARA of North Carolina’s Department of Transportation (DOT) Safety Regulations & Go-Karting event at Victory Lane Karting in Charlotte, N.C., on Feb. 17.
“I wanted to network, learn about the [DOT regulations] topic and, plus, I really wanted to check out Victory Lane. Overall, it was a great event,” says Chris Epps, owner, Charlotte Party Rentals, Charlotte, N.C., about what motivated him to attend the event.
First on the agenda was the education. “Safety on the Road” was presented by Michael Conner, fleet safety/DOT compliance manager for Sunbelt Rentals, Fort Mill, S.C. During his presentation, Conner clarified
vehicle capacity requirements based on manufacturer specifications, reviewed DOT safety regulations and detailed what rental businesses need to know to keep drivers on the road and in compliance.
“The presentation was so informative. It was disconcerting to hear from the other attendees all the erroneous information out in the field presently. Connor was knowledgeable and kept the conversation relevant yet interesting,” says Patti Whittaker, owner, Cardinal Rents, Charlotte, N.C., and a member of the ARA of North Carolina board of directors.
“He knows what he is talking about more so than most state troopers,” says Ben Cooke, CERP, manager, Cooke Rentals, Mount Airy, N.C., in agreement about Conner’s discussion. “DOT compliance never gets old. It always opens your eyes to what you should be doing to keep your employees safe.”
Then, the fun began with go-karting action, dinner and drinks.
“I always enjoy networking events, and when you can add in fun, it helps people loosen up and get talking,” says Kim Taylor, CERP, CEO, TCS Event Rentals, Burlington, N.C., and ARA of North Carolina vice president, adding that coming to the event was a thrill for her because “I wanted to race go-karts!”
The networking benefit provided by events such as this motivates Tony Long, manager, Mint Hill Tool Rental, Charlotte, N.C., to participate. “I wanted to attend for the opportunity to meet with other peers in the industry that I knew or didn't know yet. It was a wonderful opportunity to network with old and new friends,” he says.
The same goes for current ARA of North Carolina president, Shannon Thomas, CERP, owner, Creative Solutions Special Events, Belmont, N.C. “It’s always a great experience when we share space with other people in the rental community,” she says.
Bernard Bennett, owner, Party In a Tent – Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C., is glad he went for similar reasons, saying the program was “a very good event that allowed one to learn from others.”
Whittaker sums up the DOT Safety Regulations & Go-Karting event with a clear three-point takeaway: “One: ARA of North Carolina is back and better than ever. Two: To get the most out of your membership, you have to be active in your state chapter. And three: We can all learn best practices from each other and hear how others handled certain situations,” she says.