I got to thinking the other day, it’s been ten years since The Rental Show was in New Orleans. I know this because 2002 was our first show as an exhibitor and I have a lot of memories.
We packed a few chair samples and some cases of local wine, flew something like 36hrs from Christchurch, a couple of wide eyed Kiwis heading off into the great unknown… It was barely five months since 9/11 and people were jittery. Airport security lines were infinity and we were still learning the art of undressing in public and that a laptop remaining in it’s bag was just not going to happen. We couldn’t afford the ARA suggested accommodation so stayed at St Vincents Guesthouse- a quaint old ex-orphanage with shared bathrooms, and we ate grits for breakfast in the basement served by large African American ladies who called us y’all. At the show we met some of the people that were to become loyal repeat customers and good friends. We gave away lots of New Zealand wine. And we sold thousands of Aluminum folding chairs. I’m not sure what to expect of New Orleans this year, but, if you are around, we hope y’all will come and visit us at our 11th straight Rental Show in booth 4250, Feb 5-8. We’ll ply you with NZ Sauvignon Blanc, we’ll extol the virtues of our super-lite no-rust folding chairs, and we’ll boast about all the customers who’ve bought and loved them in the years between New Orleans and New Orleans. The Rental Show is held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre, New Orleans from Feb 5-8 2012. Register at www.therentalshow.com. If you can’t wait until then and want to know more, go to www.alloyfold.com.