The vibrancy of New Orleans and Mardi Gras was a fitting backdrop for The Rental Show 2012 last week, as excitement, enthusiasm, buying and selling all exceeded expectations at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The educational seminars, the keynote session and the show floor included a buzz and energy among the show’s attendees and exhibitors up until the close of the show on Feb. 8.

The positive attitudes and outlook at the show this year mirrors the building momentum the equipment rental industry now has, as it outperformed the industries it serves in 2011 and forecasted revenue growth of 7 percent in 2012 is expected to more than triple the gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for the United States this year.

“The Rental Show demonstrated that this industry continues to be a driving force in the economy,” said Christine Wehrman, executive vice president and CEO for the American Rental Association (ARA), organizers of The Rental Show.

“Enthusiasm, optimism, pride and purchasing of equipment were seen throughout The Rental Show, which is the message everyone can take forward from New Orleans. I foresee a very favorable year for the rental industry in 2012 with equipment rental penetration increasing and a fundamental shift toward the value of rental by the customer base. It felt good to experience the upbeat atmosphere and mood of great things ahead for our industry,” Wehrman said.

Attendees and exhibitors agree that there has been a growing change in attitude, bolstering the fact that the equipment rental industry is poisitioned well for continued growth and further market penetration. 

“This show has been real upbeat. The vendors were busy writing invoices. Exhibitors stepped up their game with great looking booths and attendees were very positive. Everyone networked like crazy and many of the seminars I attended were full. Everyone is on their ‘A’ game now,” said Ted Cook, Ventura Rental Center, Ventura, Calif., who is ARA’s new chairman of the board.

“This year, it feels like people are back with money to spend. Now they’re not just doing what they have to do to survive, they’re investing in their business. It’s a big shift,” said Larry Weeman, president, Party Track/Event Rental Systems, Sahuarita, Ariz.

“The mood has been great. I’ve been talking to different people around the country and most people are up over January of last year by a significant amount. The economy and the rental world are turning around,” said John Redwine, Pioneer Equipment Rental, Ponca City, Okla.

Paul Phelon, Timp Rental, Orem, Utah, said attendees and exhibitors couldn’t help but get swept up by the positive feelings.

“I’ve talked to several exhibitors and their sales are up. A lot of people were selling and buying. I was doing a lot of buying. People are excited and that’s what it’s all about,” Phelon said.

Nearly every exhibitor in all areas of the exhibit hall reported good traffic, lots of qualified leads and plenty of sales this year.

“You can see and feel the optimism. It is not guarded, but real optimism now and we found that in our sales. We probably had our best show performance ever,” said Johannes Schulze Vohren, vice president, sales and product support, Wacker Neuson Sales America, Menomonee Falls, Wis.

"We had great traffic and fantastic sales. This was just another great ARA show. The enthusiasm is back," said Jason Sataczyk, multimedia producer for EDCO – Equipment Development Co., Frederick, Md.

John Fuchs, general manager, Anchor Industries, Evansville, Ind., shared similar sentiments. "It's been great," Fuchs said.

“This show has been very good for us. 2011 was a good year for us and we are expecting 2012 to be even better,” said Matt Fearon, vice president,Terex AWP Americas, Redmond, Wash.

“This is our second year and we've quintupled our traffic. I almost didn’t have enough staff to engage all the clients that came by. I am totally energized. It’s mindboggling,” said Rob O’Brien, national sales manager for Wire-FreeLED, Orlando, Fla.

The Rental Show 2013, scheduled for Feb.10-13, returns to Las Vegas, but in a new venue — the Sands Expo and Convention Center.