An obvious change in attitude was evident among attendees and exhibitors at The Rental Show 2010, held Feb. 7-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

“It seems much more intense on the show floor with more traffic. People are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and are more positive,” said Mike Flesher, Taylor Rental Center, Vestal, N.Y. 

“It’s a great show. This is the first I’ve come to the show in two years with a list. I think business is turning around. I don’t know that I’m seeing the light yet, but I’m in the tunnel,” said Wayne Shirey, United Tool Supply, Duluth, Ga.

The bright glimmer of hope seen on the exhibit floor mirrored the renewed optimism for a better 2010 found in the just-released results of the American Rental Association’s (ARA) Fourth Quarter 2009 Economic Survey (see story on page 10).

More than 53 percent of those responding to ARA’s latest quarterly e-mail survey in January 2010 expect their rental revenues to increase this year. More than 74 percent of these same respondents said their rental revenue in 2009 compared to 2008 had declined.

Nearly half of those responding to the January survey also said they expected to be buying more equipment in 2010 and many show attendees were making deals on what proved to be a busier than what may have been anticipated show floor.

“We’ve had some good customers, some good decision-makers. There’s some cautious optimism out there. Overall, things are looking up,” said Brian Delahaut, MK Diamond Products, Torrance, Calif.

“There are a lot of people and a lot of international rental companies here. The traffic has been great,” said Carol Fontius, Creative Tent International, Weed, Calif.

“Optimism has been the watchword at the show this year,” said Christine Wehrman, ARA’s executive vice president and CEO. “Obviously, there is interest in buying and previewing equipment, and exhibitors are quoting prices and looking forward. There is a strong sense of everyone building for a better future.”

“Everyone knows 2010 will be challenging, but there is a feeling of optimism here,” said Mike Blaisdell, Bunce Rental, Tacoma, Wash., and ARA Region Eight director. “It’s all about your attitude and how you approach things.”

“I’m seeing people flowing up and down the aisles and it is awesome,” said Chris Ruddy, Ruddy’s Rental & Party Supply, North Branch, Minn. “I’m feeling very good about the show. We’re buying more and I’m going to bring it on in 2010.”

Clay Eubanks, Takeuchi Manufacturing (U.S.), Pendergrass, Ga., said he and his company were very pleased with the results this year. “The traffic and buying were both up and above our expectations. We really liked the smaller show floor as it created a ‘buzz’ of traffic and noise that increased the excitement level for everyone,” he said.

“This is a step forward. People are enthusiastic and we hope it continues,” said Joe Jabbour, national sales manager, Doosan Portable Power, Statesville, N.C.

Last year, Michael Tharpe with TopTec, Laurens, S.C., passed out “I refuse to participate in the recession” buttons and followed up his efforts to promote positivity this year by giving attendees “I survived ‘09” buttons with the word “recession” covered by a red circle with a slash international symbol as well as fudge for a “sweeter 2010.”

“It was a great show. The attitude of the buyers was good and they were buying. The flow into my booth area was such that I didn’t have time to eat or take a break. I also like what one new vendor told me. He said, ‘It’s not necessarily the quantity of people you see, it’s the quality.’ He said he came here with a goal in mind and found much more to open his eyes to other opportunities to market his product,” Tharpe said.

Various other exhibitors reported good traffic as well as more requests for credit this year versus last year when companies were selling assets to maintain cash flow.

“I think it’s going to be a good year. I have a good feeling about it. I believe this is going to be a better year for everyone in the party and event rental industry,” said Sue DiGennaro, California Portable Dance Floor Co., Camarillo, Calif.

The revamped schedule and new Business Management Series workshops also received positive reviews from attendees.

“I like the new format and I like the smaller show floor. It’s more compact, but it’s still, ‘Wow, look at all this stuff’ when you see the exhibits for the first time,” Flesher said.

Beth Hoff-Blackmer, Aspen Rent-All, Aspen, Colo., said each of the new Business Management Series workshops — “How to Increase Your Company’s Bankability, Performance and Value” presented by Carl Forssen, Business Resource Services, Seattle; and “Extreme Leadership at Work and Beyond” presented by Steve Farber, Extreme Leadership, Poway, Calif. — went very well. “It really helped people in the financial area to have a full day with Carl Forssen and people really liked the leadership workshop,” she said.

“People seem to be in a better mood,” said Buddy Stubbs, Busylad Rent-All, Tupelo, Miss., who became ARA chairman at the conclusion of the show. “There’s been a lot of activity, including on the first day. People also liked the new reception on the show floor and the ARA Foundation auction was very good.”