The Canadian Rental Association is a fantastic resource for Party Rental Companies, Small Tool Rental Companies and Equipment Rental Companies. The association helps improve personal and business development through information, resources, tools and benefits for member organizations. As an associate member company, we can see the benefit of the networking events along with the additional benefits that come with the membership.
On November 18, 2015 we attended a CRA Ontario Local Chapter meeting at McLean Sherwood Party Rental and the Managing Director of the CRA led the group through the benefits associated with membership. Here are some of the lesser known benefits of being a Canadian Rental Association Member.
1. 10% off Mark’s (Formerly Mark’s Work Warehouse)
This is a great benefit to take advantage of for all your staffing safety needs. Mark’s sells hi-visibility vests and shirts, flame resistant materials, different work gloves, hearing protection, metal toed boots and much more. Contact Jenna Lansky at 1-844-643-2333 or jenna@crarental.org to request discount cards for your staff.
2. The ability to register your equipment with the National Equipment Registry (NER)
This program allows CRA Members (Through the American Rental Association) to register their equipment with the registry and allow local law enforcement the opportunity to easily find the owner of stolen equipment. Members can register their equipment with the NER's HELPTech database free of charge. For more information, click here.
3. A Print Incentive Program
There is a program in place that allows CRA members te ability to have a wide variety of custom printed products at discounted rates. This includes items such as envelopes, letterhead, purchase orders, order forms, rental agreements / contracts and return agreements and much more. To learn what else can be printed and learn more click here.
4. The CRA Scholarship Program
The American Rental Association administers scholarships so that rental-related education is promoted and excellence in business achieved.
There are two scholarships exclusive to CRA members:
The ARA Region 10/Dorothy Wellnitz Scholarship – Canada - The US$1,500 scholarship is named for Dorothy Wellnitz, former executive director of the Canadian Rental Association.
ARA Region 10/Doug Mitchell Scholarship – Canada - This CRA scholarship is in memory of Doug Mitchell, past president of the Canadian Rental Association (CRA) and active volunteer in CRA, CRA Saskatchewan and ARA. He was an owner of The Rent-It Store in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, until his death in July 2010. This US$1,500 scholarship is preferred for a student affiliated with a Canadian associate member business due to Mitchell's instrumental role in organizing the yearly CRA Prairie Trade Show.
The American Rental Association is always looking for Canadian scholarship applicants so please find more information regarding how to apply and scholarship eligibility requirements here.
5. CPM Employee Manuals
Did you know you can buy an Employee Policy Manual template which contains all the items that would be important to a rental business in Canada today? This template, being offered in conjunction with CPM Manuals, can be tailored more specifically to your business or location and any sections that don’t apply to your existing business can be deleted. CRA members qualify for the exclusive price of price is $749.00 +tax. For more information contact the CRA Head Office at 1-844-643-2333.
6. Ready2GO Rental Tags
Need to keep better track of your inventory and service records? CRA offers Ready2GO Rental tags. They’re sold in 1,000s and come with plastic ties. There are two tags available: three and four part tags that allow you to track the condition of equipment from the return, through service, to being ready to rent. To download the order form click here.
Any other pros / cons you can think of? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Google+.