Frequently asked questions

• Equipment and event rental business owners and personnel (current and retired)
• Manufactures and suppliers of rental equipment, products, and services — must exhibit or qualify for Non-Exhibiting Supplier (NES) or Non-Exhibiting Supplier Exception (NESE). Click here to view the NES and NESE Rules and Guidelines.
• Independent Manufacturer Representatives (who will be working in exhibitor booth)
• Industry trade press

You must be registered, and registered in the appropriate business category, for admittance to The ARA Show, which is a trade show specifically for the equipment and event rental industry. Children under 16 are allowed to attend with a youth badge.

Individuals who cannot document a direct professional affiliation to the industry are not qualified to attend. Proper business identification such as business cards, corporate identification number, business advertisement, etc., may be requested.

Learn more: Passes & Pricing

The ARA Show runs Sunday, Feb. 14 – Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2027, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

• Sunday, Feb. 14: The ARA Show Education (9 am – 3:30 pm), the Future of Equipment Rental program, The Big Game Tailgate Party and the show floor (4 – 9 pm)
• Monday, Feb. 15: Keynote Session (8 – 9:30 am) and the show floor (9:30 am – 5 pm)
• Tuesday, Feb. 16: Show floor (9 am – 5 pm)

See the full Show Schedule for networking events, registration hours and more.

Learn more: Show Schedule

Yes! A new ARA Show app is being built for 2027 and will launch in the weeks before the show. Use it to browse the full schedule, exhibitor list and education sessions, find networking events, navigate the convention center with maps, and connect with fellow attendees and exhibitors. Check back for launch updates.

Be cautious of any company that claims to sell attendee lists or offer show-related services. Membership lists are only available through ARA, and official ARA emails come from @ararental.org or arashow.org addresses. For hotels, onPeak is the only provider endorsed by The ARA Show. If you’re unsure whether a message is legitimate, contact ARA at 800.334.2177, option 3, or registration@ARAshow.org.

Learn more: Travel & Hotel

Yes. Show photographers and ARA staff may take photos of participants for use in publications, newsletters, social media and promotions, and your attendance constitutes your permission and consent. Photography inside an exhibitor’s booth by attendees or fellow exhibitors requires that exhibitor’s permission.

No, you don’t need to be an ARA member, but attendees must be in the equipment or event rental industry to attend The ARA Show. Members receive member pricing on registration, and some add-ons, such as the Keynote Session, are open to members and exhibitors only. Compare member and non-member rates on Passes & Pricing, and if you’re not a member yet, see how to join ARA.

Learn more: Passes & Pricing | Join ARA

Yes, and the Keynote Session is open to ARA members, exhibitors and Independent Manufacturer Representatives (IMRs) only.

New for 2027, the Keynote Session is no longer included with your registration pass. If you’re an ARA member, exhibitor or IMR, you can add a Keynote Session ticket separately when you register. This year’s keynote features Drew Brees, Super Bowl XLIV champion and MVP, on Monday, Feb. 15, from 8 – 9:30 am. Seats are limited, so add your ticket early.

Learn more: Keynote Session | Passes & Pricing

For a full refund, the cancellation must be received by 11:59 pm Central Standard Time on February 6, 2026. Refunds will not be given after this date. To receive a refund, send a cancellation request to registration@ARAshow.org.

If you wish to make changes to your registration, contact customer service toll free at 864.641.0588 or email ARA@Maritz.com.

There are plenty of ways to connect at The ARA Show: Lunch Hosted by Women in Rental, YPN Cocktails & Contacts, The Big Game Tailgate Party, Regional Receptions, the ARA Foundation Auction, the Equipment Town Hall Lunch, the Event Town Hall Lunch and the ARA Industry Awards Dinner.

Events are ticketed, so you can choose the ones that fit your goals and add them when you register. See Networking Events for the date, time, location and what each ticket includes.

Learn more: Networking Events | Passes & Pricing

Yes. ARA offers a discount through United Airlines. Use discount code ZT66527651 when you book online, or call United Meetings at (800) 426-1122 (Monday–Friday, 7 am – 8 pm CT). Booking fees are waived for United Meetings reservations.

Learn more: Travel & Hotel

Standard booths are 10 ft. × 10 ft. minimum, and islands and peninsulas are 20 ft. × 20 ft. minimum. One company can have up to six booths. Height limits depend on your booth type:

• Standard in-line booth: 8 ft. maximum for display materials
• Perimeter wall booth: 12 ft. maximum back wall
• Peninsula and island booths: 20 ft. maximum, including signage

Only island and peninsula exhibits may use overhead items. Hanging signs may not extend past the perimeter of your assigned booth space, and the suspended height is 20 ft. measured from the floor to the top of the sign.

Learn more: Rules and Regulations (PDF)

Food and beverage: You may not dispense food or beverages of any kind without written permission from the Convention Center’s exclusive caterer.

Alcohol: Serving alcohol is permitted on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 4 to 9 pm only. Alcohol is not permitted during any other show hours or during exhibit installation and dismantling. All alcohol must be supplied and dispensed by convention center staff. Exhibitors may not bring in or serve their own. For details and ordering, see the Sodexo forms in the Exhibitor Services Kit.

Events: You may not schedule functions such as hospitality suites, field trips, tours, meetings or receptions that attendees are invited to during The ARA Show hours.

Giveaways and prizes: Products on display and items awarded as prizes or given away may not be carried out of the exhibit area until after the official closing of the show.

Learn more: Rules and Regulations (PDF)

Exhibitors must carry U.S. liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 to cover their potential liabilities under the Contract for Exhibit Space. The policy must name ARA, the official show contractor and the Convention Center as additional insureds for the period of The ARA Show, including move-in and move-out.

Learn more: Rules and Regulations (PDF)