MOLINE, Ill. (Aug. 24, 2015) – In March 1955, a group of 21 rental business owners from throughout the Midwest met in Moline, Illinois, to establish what is today the American Rental Association (ARA). As the fledging association continued through its first year, they made plans to meet for a “general convention of rental operators” the following January in Kansas City, Missouri. They decided if the convention was well received, they would hold it annually.