The American Rental Association last week announced it would again hold live and silent auctions at The Rental Show in Las Vegas to benefit the ARA Foundation. The auctions are scheduled for Feb. 13, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, with Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers sponsoring the live auction for the second straight year.
Fifty-four of The Rental Show’s exhibitors donated new equipment for the auctions, with auction items representing all areas of the trade show floor — heavy construction, light construction/general tool and party/special event. Eleven of those companies donated multiple pieces of equipment to be auctioned as packages, while Allied Financial Services is offering special financing terms for the live auction items. Overall, the auction items range in value from $135 to nearly $18,000.
Qualcomm is sponsoring a reception in conjunction with the auctions.
The 2007 auctions raised more than $91,000 to support the Foundation programs.
“The goal is always to improve on what’s been done previously, even with such a significant sum to top,” said Bill Pedersen, chairman of the Foundation’s board of trustees. “With the support of more exhibitors than last year, I’m confident that the attendees also will come through and show their generosity in bidding as well. The end result will help the Foundation, and the Foundation in turn will continue expanding our programs to benefit the rental industry overall.”
Funds from the inaugural auctions went directly to the Foundation’s program work. As a result, the Foundation awarded an additional two scholarships this summer specifically for technical school students plus expanded the scholarship program this fall by adding eight additional scholarships for the 2008/2009 academic year. A total of 23 scholarships worth $37,000 are now being offered. In addition, the Foundation is developing additional programs that will be announced soon that fulfill its mission to create educational opportunities, build relationships and aid the rental industry.
A brochure detailing the items available in the live and silent auctions will be mailed in mid-December to all ARA general member businesses and non-member companies that have registered for The Rental Show.
The exhibitors that donated equipment or services for the live auction are: ADAPT/AirPac, Agri-Fab, Allied Financial Services, Apex Fountain Sales, Argo Bag, BLS Enterprises, Cherryhill Manufacturing Corp., John Deere, DeWalt, Edco, Enterprising Europa, General Equipment Co., Hilti, Honda Power Equipment, Ingersoll Rand Co., JCB the Americas, JET & Wilton, Magnum Products, McCourt Manufacturing, Meese Orbitron Dunne, MMD Equipment, Multiquip, Powernail Co., Schaefer Ventilation Equipment, Shipp Cleaning Systems, Spectra Precision Laser by Trimble, Stone Construction Equipment, Stow — A Div. of Multiquip, US Praxis, Vermeer Manufacturing Co., Wacker Corp. and Wittur & Co.
Companies that donated equipment for the silent auction are: Bil-Jax, BJM Pumps, BLS Enterprises, Carriage Creations, CE Attachments, Chillin’ Products, Detmer Consulting, Dri-Eaz Products, Enterprising Europa, The Equipment Lock Co., E-Z UP International, Koshin America Corp., Kwik-Covers, Maywood Furniture Corp., MSA Safety Works, ORS Nasco, Power Blanket, Primatech, Sertodo Copper, Service Ideas, Southwest Equipment Sales, Tablecloth Co., TEECO Products, TMI (Timbucktoo Manufacturing Inc.) and Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
The Rental Show 2008 is Feb. 11-14 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
The ARA Foundation is a 501(c)3 philanthropic organization supporting the equipment rental industry since 1976.
