Rental needs your help — how to advocate for the industry

The following message comes from members of the American Rental Association’s (ARA) board of directors, including Beth Hoff Blackmer, ARA president; John Bibbo, CERP, ARA chair; and Dan Hooks, CERP, ARA president-elect.

2020 was an extraordinary year that saw many ARA members face substantial challenges to their businesses. As ARA’s officer team we did not expect the year we got, filled with sorrow and disappointment for so many ARA members. However, the pandemic also has brought us closer together as an association. ARA’s Coronavirus Discussion Group Facebook page is one of the manifestations of that closeness. We have been able to share our hopes and fears with other rental business owners.

Throughout the pandemic we have worked with the ARA staff to develop programs and to provide information that we hope has helped you survive through these difficult times. One of the things that has kept us busy is following developments coming from Washington, D.C., especially legislation that is designed to help small businesses get the financial help they need to survive.

We have participated in many calls with members of Congress and staff to discuss our industry and the challenges we face, especially by the event rental segment of our industry. Last May, ARA began advocating for the ability of rental businesses to receive second draw loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). We were frustrated that it took so long to finally get legislation that gave us what we have asked for over the past seven months. Going forward, ARA will continue to advocate for more financial assistance that our event rental members will need until people are ready and willing to attend large events. This includes working with Congress to enact legislation with provisions for long-term, low-interest capital loans and grants that will allow event rental businesses to remain viable until the pandemic passes into history.

We have noticed several comments on ARA’s Coronavirus Discussion Group Facebook page asking questions about our lobbying and political activities. One implied question is why other industries got a bigger payout from PPP second draws than rental businesses. Let us be clear, other industries did not get all they wanted. Some were asking for multi-billion-dollar rescue packages for their industry which were not included in the final COVID relief package.

It is important to point out that many industry trade associations in Washington, D.C., have large political action committees (PACs). It is not uncommon for these PACs to raise millions of dollars for political contributions during a single two-year election cycle. Compare this to the roughly $140,000 ARA raised for ARAPAC — the American Rental Association’s Political Action Committee — this past cycle. PAC contributions provide one of the most effective ways for trade associations to develop relationships with members of Congress. Given the size of ARAPAC, ARA is significantly outgunned in relation to other industry PACs. ARA currently has more than 4,500 U.S. based members. Only one in 10 ARA members participate in ARAPAC. If each ARA member gave just $100 annually, we would have a $450,000 PAC every year to assist in building relationships on Capitol Hill. ARA members can contribute a maximum of $5,000 per year to ARAPAC, but ARAPAC contributions must come from you, the ARA members.

Another issue is very few ARA members have developed relationships with their elected officials. Policy officials will listen to the constituents who have developed these relationships. We have always thought that ARA has a government affairs program that punches above its weight, but we must do better. Out of adversity comes opportunity.

This is your opportunity to get involved in ARA’s government affairs program. Start getting to know your members of Congress as well as your state and local officials. You can find your Congressional representatives by visiting ARAvotes.com and clicking on the “Your Elected Officials” tab. You should also consider getting involved in ARAPAC. Many other trade associations have more government affairs resources than ARA because their members are involved and invested in their government affairs programs and PACs. If ARA is going to grow our influence in Washington, D.C., your participation in our government affairs program and ARAPAC is critical. Building relationships with members of Congress will provide a greater chance for success on Capitol Hill. This is an opportunity you cannot afford to miss. Click here to get more information on how to join ARAPAC and support ARA’s government affairs program. We will use the energy and resources you provide to move our industry forward. The time to get involved is NOW!