The American Rental Association (ARA) this week will select the winner of the grand prize drawing for free travel, accommodations and registration to The Rental Show in Las Vegas in 2011 (value up to US$1,000) from those who have completed ARA’s equipment rental survey and provided contact information to be entered into the drawings.

ARA also will draw one more $100 American Express gift card winner this week after selecting Kitty Thompson of Downey Party Rentals in Downey, Calif., as a winner last week.

Thompson was ecstatic to hear the news. “No way. I don’t think I’ve ever won anything. This is fantastic,” she said, adding that this year’s survey was “quick and easy” to complete.

“I like to do surveys because it feels like I’m doing something that will be helpful,” Thompson said.

Equipment rental businesses can still complete the survey. The main ARA contact person for both ARA members and nonmembers should have received an e-mail earlier last week with a link to the survey. Also, you might receive a call asking you to complete the survey over the telephone. Please contact ARA Member Services at 800-334-2177 or membership@ararental.org if you did not receive the e-mail or have any questions about the survey.

All survey participants will be invited to attend a webcast in November that will present the survey results, which are vital to strengthen the data quality and forecast accuracy of information used to represent the industry and provided in ARA’s State of the Equipment Rental Industry Outlook 2009-2014 Market Monitor subscription service.