2017 Rental Rally Tradeshow Attendee Feedback
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CRA just completed their 2017 Rental Rally Tradeshow at the South Point Hotel Casino and Convention Center. CRA requested feedback from members, whether they attended or not. Here are the results of the survey.
1. Did you attend?
Yes: 94% (47 responses)
No: 6% (3 responses)
2. I did not attend the 2017 CRA Rental Rally for the following reasons. Check all that apply.
I don't like tradeshows: 0%
Not enough staffing: 75% (3 responses)
Too busy: 0%
No money: 50% (2 responses)
Dislike Las Vegas: 25% (1 response)
No time: 25% (1 response)
Too far to travel: 25% (1 response)
Too expensive: 0%
3. What was your overall opinion of the 2017 CRA Rental Rally Tradeshow?
Great: 67% (31 responses)
Just OK: 26% (12 responses)
Fair: 4% (2 responses)
Poor: 2% (1 response)
Additional comments:
1. Good show. Fun outside activities.
2. It would been nice if there were more venders.
3. Just OK is still a whole lot better than last year.
4. Great venue.
5. Best in last 5 years.
6. Too small, not worth the effort to travel to Vegas.
7. Very small event.
8. You need more party rental vendors.
9. Magnificent trade show.
10. Gets better every year.
11. Plenty of Party vendors. Networking was great, events were great, venue was great. Was able to get almost all my "shopping" done!
12. We're out of room! Can we expand at South Point?
13. Less party rental then I would have liked.
14. Too small.
4. CRA Staff -- Did you find the staff helpful?
Yes: 96% (44 responses) No: 4% (2 responses)
Were any problems or issues you had resolved?
Yes: 38% (10 responses) No: 62% (16 responses)
Additional comments:
1. No problems.
2. No issues. (2 responses)
5. How would you rate the value of the registration fee?
Excellent: 57% (25 responses)
Good: 27% (12 responses)
Fair: 9% (4 responses)
Poor: 7% (3 responses)
Additional comments:
1. Very expensive.
2. I wasn’t responsible for the purchase of my pass.
3. I abstain from being counted in the vote totals, but from my perspective, it was very valuable.
4. Normal reg. fee was ok, Monday night pre-show was a rip off, $35.00 for 1 drink and what food was too much. Then $5.00 per drink after that. The bar on casino floor was only $3.00.
5. Can’t beat the price!
6. Employees liked it.
6. Did you stay at South Point?
Yes: 83% (38 responses)
No: 17% (8 responses)
7. Did you make your reservations through CRA’s website or link?
Yes: 80% (28 responses)
No: 20% (7 responses)
Additional comment:
1. Easy peasy.
8. Exhibit Hall
Did you attend on Tuesday?
Yes: 96% (44 responses) No: 4% (2 responses)
Did you attend on Wednesday?
Yes: 72% (33 responses) No: 28% (13 responses)
Were there enough vendors to make it worth while?
Yes: 82% (36 responses) No: 18% (8 responses)
Do you think the show is too long?
Yes: 7% (3 responses) No: 93% (41 responses)
Additional comments:
1. I would like to have seen more display items per booth.
2. Would like to see all Party vendors together.
3. We need more party vendors.
4. I would have liked to see more Party vendors.
5. We had a big shopping list. We need 3 days of shopping.
6. Need more party rental vendors.
7. Maybe open at 9 on Tuesday, a little longer day, but that is what we come for, especially if any more vendors come.
8. Time was just right.
9. I could not walk, shop, and visit all the show the first day.
10. I’m a party rental only company, no equipment/tools.
9. How would you rate the concessions during the Rental Rally?
Excellent: 11% (4 responses)
Good: 57% (21 responses)
Fair: 27% (10 responses)
Poor: 5% (2 responses)
Additional comments:
1. Didn’t use. (7 responses)
2. Opted for one open bar on the floor during afternoon open hours.
3. Ate at restaurants in casino.
4. Never ate anything off the show floor except Monday night.
5. Nice staff, but quality and freshness of the food needs improving.
6. Concessions at a convention never seem to make the "Excellent" cut, but we were surprised. Food was better than most.
10. Did you participate in the seminars on Monday?
Yes: 28% (13 responses)
No: 72% (33 responses)
Additional comments:
1. First one was excellent.
2. I enjoyed the first one. The second one, on numbers, was inappropriate for our crew attendees.
3. Both speakers were great.
4. Comments I heard were positive.
11. What was your reason for not attending the seminars? (Select all that apply.)
Too expensive: 24% (4 responses)
Too long: 6% (1 response)
Not interesting enough: 82% (14 responses)
Additional comments:
1. Unable to get away for Monday.
2. No need for the topics discussed.
3. Had other plans.
4. I had originally planned to attend the ARA show and not the CRA. Because of my lack of advanced planning, I could only break free for one day.
5. No time available. (3 responses)
6. Still at rental yard.
7. I wasn’t available.
8. Driving to show.
9. Wasn’t given the option by my employer.
10. Had appointments at office.
11. Had other business.
12. Helped with setup instead.
12. How would you rate Tim McCormick: Dominate Your Day?
Great: 92% (11 responses)
Fair: 0%
Poor: 0%
Did not attend: 8% (1 response)
Additional comment:
1. You did not have to be in the rental industry to appreciate the message he was promoting.
13. Regarding Tim’s seminar, please answer the following:
Was the seminar too long? Yes: 0% No: 100% (10 responses)
Did the seminar have value for your business? Yes: 90% (9 responses) No: 10% (1 responses)
14. How would you rate Gary Stansberry: Key Performance Measures for Your Rental Business?
Great: 42% (5 responses)
Fair: 50% (6 responses)
Poor: 0%
Did not attend: 8% (1 response)
Additional comments:
1. Would like to have had different sessions for crew and managers.
2. We brought employees who learned a lot . But as an owner, it would have been nice to have more detail of what great rental companies do to separate them from their competition.
3. Made it short & sweet and got the info across.
4. Fonts on the slides were to small to be read in the rear of the room.
5. It was too basic but good for a brush up.
15. Regarding Gary’s seminar, please answer the following:
Was the seminar too long? Yes: 11% (1 responses) No: 89% (8 responses)
Did the seminar have value for your business? Yes: 100% (9 responses) No: 0%
16. Which of the afternoon events did you participate in?
Equipment Factory Tour at Ahern/Snorkel: 14% (6 responses)
Special Party Event at Lupo’s: 12% (5 responses)
Did not go to either afternoon event: 74% (32 responses)
17. How would you rate the luncheon held at Ahern’s?
Excellent: 29% (2 responses)
Good: 57% (4 responses)
Fair: 29% (2 responses)
Poor: 0%
Additional comments:
1. Guy who spoke about ANSI lost the crowd.
2. Could have had two serving lines instead of one, would have been faster.
3. Repositioning the serving tables where guests could form two lines rather than one line would have reduced the wait time considerably.
18. Was the Snorkel tour worthy of your time?
Yes: 100% (7 responses) No: 0%
Additional comments:
1. Great to see the changes since the first tour and his new plant 2/8/2017 12:05 PM
2. Don Ahern’s comments were entertaining. The guy following Don should be eliminated and his time allotted to the tour.
19. Ideas or comments for future events for the general rental participants?
1. I enjoyed the tours the first time where we hit some of Ahern rental yards.
2. I would like to do the Ahern tour again.
20. How would you rate the luncheon held at Lupo's?
Excellent: 100% (5 responses)
Good: 0%
Fair: 0%
Poor: 0%
Additional comments:
1. Best ever!
21. Was the event worthy of your time?
Yes: 100% (5 responses) No: 0%
22. Ideas or comments for future events for the party rental participants?
1. Good luck trying to top Lupo's.
23. Did you attend the Opening Cocktail Party?
Yes: 51% (23 responses) No: 49% (22 responses)
24. Why didn’t you attend the Cocktail Party?
1. Wasn’t there in time.
2. Had other plans/short time in Las Vegas.
3. Wasn’t interested. (2 responses)
4. Arrived on Tuesday. (3 responses)
5. Not in town.
6. I had taken ill.
7. Couldn’t find time. (3 responses)
8. Don’t know any members.
9. Cost.
10. Still at rental yard.
11. My husband does not drink AA.
12. Arrived late.
13. Don’t feel comfortable, probably better if we’re on 2nd night.
14. Too pricy, had dinner plans with a sales rep who unfortunately had to stay at the show. He paid our dinner bill but could not join us.
15. Other pre-made plans.
16. Had other Vegas activities.
25. Was the type of food at the Cocktail Party good?
Yes: 95% (21 responses) No: 5% (1 response)
Additional comments:
1. We did not eat very much, as we were full from our fantastic lunch at Lupo’s.
2. The menu offerings could be improved. Too much of some selections, not enough of other appetizers.
3. Didn’t eat, too full from Lupos.
26. Do you feel the value of the Cocktail Party was worth the money?
Yes: 76% (16 responses) No: 24% (5 responses)
Additional comments:
1. Might as well have opened the floor. All the vendors were at there booths anyway. Not very social.
2. Yes and No. It’s really hard to say and rate fairly.
27. The length of the Cocktail Party?
Adequate: 91% (21 responses)
Too Long: 4% (1 response)
Too Short: 4% (1 response)
28. Additional comments about the length of the Cocktail Party:
1. Could have started at 5:30.
2. The time of event should be earlier as it interferes with dinner time.
3. The time was just right. Also, good idea to have it on the show floor. Some chairs strategically placed would have been nice to take the load off the feet.
4. Great to have it on the show floor.
5. Being able to preview the show floor was really helpful.
29. Did you attend the Dinner and Awards at the Hofbrauhaus?
Yes: 49% (22 responses) No: 51% (23 responses)
30. Why didn’t you attend the Dinner and Awards at the Hofbrauhaus?
1. Had been there last year, wanted a quieter setting.
2. Had other plans.
3. Have been to the venue too many times.
4. Wasn’t interested in the restaurant.
5. Flew out Tuesday evening.
6. Not in town.
7. I had taken ill.
8. Not my thing.
9. Looked boring.
10. Same.
11. Cost.
12. Still at rental yard.
13. Meeting set up in advance at other location.
14. Too expensive.
15. Had to go to work.
16. Had to leave early but I heard it was a good time.
17. Quick turnaround trip did not stay long enough to participate.
18. No reason.
19. Flew out.
31. How did you find the quality of the food at the Hofbrauhaus?
Excellent: 45% (10 responses)
Good: 36% (8 responses)
Fair: 14% (3 responses)
Poor: 5% (1 response)
32. Additional comments about the Hofbrauhaus dinner:
1. Great time.
2. Ladies with the paddles hit too hard.
3. Very noisy place.
4. The dessert option was very limited and poorly done. One option is no option in my opinion. A baked apple or a McDonald’s style apple turnover would have been nice and not too expensive to serve.
5. The venue is toooooo noisy !!! It is hard to visit and network.
33. Did you ride the bus to the Hofbrauhaus?
Yes: 68% (15 responses) No: 32% (7 responses)
And then did you ride the bus back to South Point?
Yes: 50% (11 responses) No: 50% (11 responses)
Additional comment:
1. Very convenient.
34. CRA’s 2018 Rental Rally Tradeshow will be held Jan. 22-24, 2018 at the same location. Would you consider participating?
Yes: 77% (37 responses) No: 8% (4 responses) Not sure at this time: 15% (7 responses)
Additional comments:
1. Probably going to ARA in Anaheim.
2. Absolutely yes.
3. Sure plan on it.
4. Wouldn’t miss it!.
5. Will pre-purchase for discounts.
35. Do you have any suggestions to improve our show?
1. The economy will always determine that!
2. The cocktail party works better in a social situation not on the show floor. Vendors and attendees too spread out at their booths. Made it difficult to actually socialize... Pub crawl at the LINQ! That was a great event!
3. More vendors if possible.
4. Need more vendors. ARA in NOLA is tough competition.
5. The show was good, plenty of time to talk to vendors. The only thing I had a problem with was lack of good concession food and no place to sit. Had to eat sitting on the floor.
6. More vendors for wedding decor.
7. Keep getting larger.
8. The cost structure was confusing and the prices were too high for what you get. I also thought that party was under represented. Add more education.
9. Tell the union to shove it.
10. Combine the CRA with the ARA to hold one big show per year.
11. Round table of business owner/managers who can ask industry experts questions.
12. Get more vendors, it was just too small.
13. Keep it at South Point.
14. Solve the union thug shake down problem. It’s not fair to the vendors to deal with the intimidation, the added
expense and ill will the unions caused in order to attend our fine show.
15. Come back to California.
16. PA was poor for Awards ceremony.
17. Anything you can do towards event training that would warrant bringing up more employees would be nice.
18. More party rental vendors.
36. You indicated that you are not considering attending the 2018 Rental Rally. Why not?
No responses.
37. How can we better serve you?
1. CRA needs another 3/4 day cruise.
2. Look at other options for the awards dinner in place of the Hofbrauhaus House.
3. Do a trade show viewing fee for much less if you want to just go to the show
4. I cannot attend state meetings. Is there a way to join with a smaller fee?
5. It would be nice to have the seminars during the morning (not too early) or during lunch (this would give the vendors a break also. I was also surprised how many vendors didn’t have pricing on hand when asked.
6. I think the show is getting better every year, but concessions were very poor. Exhibitors were good, but it can be better next year.
7. Change this heading to read, "What could we do better?"
38. Additional survey comments:
1. Keep up the good work.
2. Seemed like an unorganized system checking in for event. Files for people in front of me could not be found causing delays to get in. Seems like a computer might be helpful during checking in process to expedite things and look a little more professional instead of finding a file folder in an old file box.
3. Dale and the entire CRA staff are the absolute best. Thank you one and all.
4. Thank you.
