June 30, 2005 — It began in 1955 when 21 business owners gathered in Illinois to discuss joining forces to strengthen their equipment rental businesses. Today, the American Rental Association is an international trade association of more than 7,500 rental businesses and 1,100 manufacturers and suppliers of rental equipment. Its purpose has expanded to serving as the source of information and business growth tools for the rental industry, which includes the world's largest rental trade show.
The association officially launched its 50th anniversary celebration on June 1, which will run through The Rental Show in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 6-9. Available online for all general and associate members to use, special anniversary logos are now being used (see above). Visit www.ARArental.org and www.TheRentalShow.com to download logos.
These special logos are only one of the ways the 50 years of the association and The Rental Show will be commemorated. A 50th Anniversary task force convened at ARA headquarters in Moline, Ill., in March to define elements and activities to honor the milestones. Tom Fouts, ARA chairman of the board from Bledsoe Rentals, Lee's Summit, Mo., led the committee of ARA general members, associate members, retired members, and staff.
“Our goal is to recognize the accomplishments of all those who have built the rental industry and the association into what it is today • to honor our past, while also looking ahead to a continued strong future,” Fouts said. “The task force developed a wide variety of ways to do this, from features in all of ARA's publications starting this summer to special events at The Rental Show and keepsake items that are sure to generate pride for the rental industry.”
