This program allows young rental professionals the opportunity to live and work in another country to learn more about the rental industry internationally.

The first international rental exchange participant was Peter Maginnis, branch manager for American Rentals in South Gate, Calif. Maginnis spent three months in Australia working for Kennards Hire P/L in Sydney. His experience was shared at The Rental Show 2009 in Atlanta.

Two new exchanges were completed this September and October. Todd Daymont, manager for American Party Rentals in Durham, North Carolina, was in Melbourne, Australia, for six weeks working with Harry the Hirer, one of the largest party and event operations in the country. In addition, Michael Hayek, branch manager for Kennards Hire P/L, worked in the U.S. at Eagle Rentals in Seguin, Texas, Taylor Rental in Fort Worth, Texas, and A & A Tents in Shreveport, Louisiana. He also attended two ARA events during his stay. Both international rental exchanges were chronicled on a blog, available at right.

The exchange program is a partnership between the members associations of The Global Rental Alliance to advance careers in rental and increase worldwide awareness of the equipment rental industry. The ARA Foundation facilitates the exchange program on behalf of The Global Rental Alliance.

The initial idea for the exchange developed out of a conversation that Andy Kennard and Peter Lancken of Kennards Hire P/L in Sydney, Australia, had with former ARA Chairman of the Board/ARA Foundation Trustee Carl Newman about the friendships they’ve formed with ARA members over the years. Kennard and Lancken donated $10,000 to the Foundation on behalf of Kennards in 2007 to help create the exchange program. Hire & Rental Industry Association (HRIA) of Australia donated additional funds to the program in 2009.

Click here to view the blog Peter Maginnis kept while in Australia