With a total of 111 exhibitors at HIRE 14, more than a quarter of those exhibitors were new to the show, proving the HRIA national Convention a dynamic showground for new equipment and services for the hire market.
New service providers, new structure providers and new equipment suppliers to the market were all in attendance at the three day event (29 April – 2 May 2014 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre), along with a high level of visitor attendance and a sense of renewed dynamism among operators.
Keynote speakers highlighted the improving market internationally and discussed overall market growth in the rental industry despite continuing tough economic conditions as well as providing insights into how to grow business even during market downturns.
Daily industry seminars focused on current rental industry issues including rental rates; the Personal Property Security Act and its ongoing long-term effects on the hire industry as well as actions taken by the HRIA at federal government level; social media and how it can be positively utilised by all businesses; and benefits of membership in the HRIA, among them ongoing HR support for all HRIA members via HRNet.
New products had strong representation again this year with 15 entrants to the Best New Product award category, proving the HRIA Convention is a great launching pad for new additions to the industry. Taking home the award for Best New Product this year was Makinex for its Powered Hand Truck, the PHT-140.
This year, for the first time, HIRE 14 provided three full days of hands-on live demonstrations and test drives as well as three days of exhibition display across three exhibition halls on the Gold Coast.
Exhibitors across the diverse hire market covered the events, access and wider hire industries, enabling close up opportunity for visitors to experience hands-on evaluation of the vast array of machinery on display.
The hire industry in Australia links an enormous field of industries, providing equipment for construction, mining, arbor and horticultural/landscaping, excavating and earthmoving, road construction, materials handling and working at heights, local councils and government, and facilities management as well as the events industry in Australia, among others.
The three day HIRE 14 event featured a structure and marquee expo as well as a huge exhibition space offering everything rental from mini diggers and loaders and concrete sawing and drilling through to specialised software for the rental market and scaffolding options.
The national industry convention culminated Friday evening, 2 May with the presentation and delivery of the Hire Industry Excellence Awards, which recognise outstanding achievement and industry excellence.
Paying tribute to the exceptional standards of service and innovation displayed throughout the sector, the Hire Industry Excellence Awards cover nine categories, including Rental Company of the Year and Access Supplier of the Year.
For more information contact the HRIA national office: 02 9998 2255 or visit the HRIA web site: www.hireandrental.com.au
Along with industry experts brought in by exhibitors both national and international, overseas guests included delegates Mike Blaisdell, American Rental Association Chairman, New Zealand Hire Industry Association President Tim Mikklesen and Don Ahern, Ahern Rentals CEO and Chairman of the Board and owner of Xtreme Manufacturing and Snorkel.
According to HRIA National President, Mark Scarce: “The three-day convention opened opportunities for linking membership and contacts across all states and market segments in the hire, and associated industries.”
A full HIRE 14, HRIA Convention pictorial review is available online on the HRIA website: www.hireandrental.com.au
For more information contact the HRIA on 02 9998 2255 or visit: www.hireandrental.com.au