9 equipment rental events to look out for in 2024

2023 was a big year for in-person exhibitions, with the likes of ConExpo, IRE and APEX taking place. That trend is continuing in to 2024 with a full slate of industry events going ahead. Below you will find a list of just some of the major events for equipment rental companies to look out for in 2024.

Executive Hire Show
When: 14-15 February
Where: Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry, UK
First launched in 2007, the Executive Hire Show is an exhibition designed for the tools, equipment and plant hire industry. The trade show brings together manufacturers, suppliers and dealers. Exhibitors at the show, which is now sold out, include Bobcat, Atlas Copco, JCB, Mecalac and Skyjack.

ARA Show

The ARA Show returns in February. (Photo: American Rental Association)

When: 18-21 February
Where: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, US
Bringing hundreds of exhibitors together, the ARA Show is an annual event and one of the biggest to take place in the US. Keynote sessions, regional receptions and educational sessions (on the 16-17 February) will be held prior to the trade show and will explore a range of topics impacting the rental industry.

IPAF Summit 2024 and International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs)
When: 13-14 March
Where: Scandic Copenhagen Hotel, Denmark
Organized by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Access International (AI), both the summit and awards bring together key leaders within the access market. Day one will give visitors the opportunity to visit a local worksite (location to be confirmed) before the welcome networking reception kicks off in the evening. Day two will see the Summit and awards take place.

Intermat
When: 24-27 April
Where: Parc des Expositions de Villepinte, Paris, France
Held every three years, Intermat is taking place for the first time since 2018 after the 2021 edition was cancelled due to the pandemic. Organizers say the themes for this year will be low carbon and sustainability. A pre-Intermat event is also being held from 18-19 January.

European Rental Association Convention
When: 15-16 May
Where: Epic Sana Marqês hotel, Lisbon, Portugal
The future of rental solutions will be a key theme at the European Rental Association in May, where leaders from Europe’s biggest rental companies gather to discuss the key issues facing the industry such as sustainability, skills shortages and regulation. 

European Rental Awards
When: 15 May
Where: Epic Sana Marqês hotel, Lisbon, Portugal
2024 marks the 17th time the European Rental Awards, which is organized by the European Rental Association (ERA) and International Rental News (IRN), has been held. Seven awards are up for grabs, including Large Rental Company of the Year and Rental Product of the Year. Details on attending or nominations can be found on the European Rental Awards website.

IPAF Asia Conference & Showcase
When: 1-2 August
Where: Nanjing City, China
Just like the IPAF Summit and IAPAs, IPAF Asia Conference & Showcase visitors will visit the site of a local MEWP rental company/manufacturer and hear from the wider global powered access community. Last year the event focused on several areas, including the outlook for the MEWP rental market in China and MEWP safety. 

Platformers’ Days
When: 6-7 September
Where: Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre, Karlsruhe-Rheinstetten, Germany
A variety of exhibitors, live demonstrations and keynote presentations make up just some of the program for Platformers’ Days, which features OEMs from the crane, access, components, transport equipment and material handling sectors respectively. 

European Rental Week
When: 14-20 October
Where: Online and across social media
Last year saw the European Rental Association launch European Rental Week, an annual event dedicated to promoting the equipment rental industry. The 2024 edition will take place on 14-20 October, with themes set to be confirmed closer to the event. Click here to find out what ERA President Stéphane Hénon thought of the first European Rental Week as well as his predictions for this year.

International Rental Conference
When: 25 November
Where: Shanghai, China
Just one year after it celebrated its 10th event, the International Rental Conference (IRC) returns to Shanghai the day before Bauma China. Expect to see some of the leaders of the rental market in Asia sharing insight and expertise. 

Bauma China in 2020. (Photo: Messe München)

Bauma China
When: 26-29 November
Where: Shanghai, China
Having been cancelled by organizers Messe München in 2022, November will see Bauma China return for the first time since 2020. Visitors will be able to obtain insight into the Chinese and wider Asian markets, while also looking at the latest innovations in the construction industry,