Practical guidance for IRE, APEX & ERA Convention

There has been a record number of pre-registrations for the IRE and APEX exhibitions that opened in Maastricht, The Netherlands, today (Tuesday 2 June). The exhibition space for both shows is sold out, with more than 200 companies exhibiting.

In addition, more than 420 delegates are confirmed for the European Rental Awards, held on the evening of Wednesday and co-organised by the European Rental Association (ERA) and KHL Group.

There are lots of things happening from 2 to 4 June, with the two shows on all three days and the ERA Convention on 3 and 4 June. ERA is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year having been founded in 2006.

As part of the convention programme, founding president Gerard Deprez and the association’s first secretary general, Michel Petitjean, will be on stage to talk about the evolution of the association.  

Some of these events are free, and others require advance booking. Here is a quick summary:

International Rental Exhibition (IRE) & APEX

• Tuesday 2 June: 09:30 — 18:00
• Wednesday 3 June: 09:30 — 18:00
• Thursday 4 June: 09:30 — 16:00

The two shows are co-located and registration for one gives access to both. Advance registration is free. Online registration can be completed here.

IRE, APEX and the ERA Convention all take place at the MECC venue in Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Included in the exhibitions is a free programme of 10-minute presentations by around 20 exhibitors, covering areas such as aerial platforms, new power technology and rental-related software. Details soon on the two show websites.

IPAF is also giving for demonstrations each day in its outside demo zone. It also has an indoor stand.

See www.IREshow.com and www.APEXshow.com.

ERA Convention

The detailed programme can be found here, but below is a summary of the costs and booking details for the Convention. Costs differ for members and non-members.

ERA Members, IRE exhibitors, sponsors of the ERA convention and awards, members of national rental associations and IPAF: ‎

• Convention and dinner: €490
• Convention only: €330
• Awards cocktail reception and dinner: €250
• Convention Day 1 only: EUR 180 (for BERA, bbi and Verhurend members only)

Non-members:

• Convention and dinner: €990
• Convention only: €800
• Awards cocktail reception and dinner: €300

Boat tour on the Meuse with cocktail and canapés (2 June): €80

To register, visit here.

European Rental Awards

The awards dinner on 3 June takes place at the same MECC venue as the exhibitions and ERA Convention and is preceded by a cocktail reception on the ERA stand.

The 2018 European Rental Awards.

The costs is €250 for members, sponsors and members of national rental associations and IPAF, and €300 for non-members. Book here.

ERA Convention – Summary Schedule

Tuesday 2 June

• 12:30 - 18.00: Committee Meetings
• 18.00 – 19.30: Cocktail IRE and APEX
• 19.30 – 22.30: Boat Tour on the Meuse with dinner (booking required)

Wednesday 3 June

• 09:30 — 12:30: Registration & Breakfast on the ERA Stand at IRE
• 13:30 — 15:30: Plenary Session - Part 1
• 15:30 — 16:30: Coffee break & Networking (ERA stand at IRE)
• 16:30 — 18:00: Plenary Session - Part 2
• 18:00 — 18:30: ERA General Assembly and Election
• 19:00 — 20:30: European Rental Awards Cocktail (ERA Stand at IRE)
• 20:30 — 01:00: European Rental Awards Dinner & Anniversary Party

Thursday 4 June 2026

European Rental Convention 2022 Sustainability Workshop. (Photo: ERA)

• 09:00 — 09:45: Plenary Session – Part 3
• 09:45 — 10:45: Coffee break (ERA stand at IRE)
• 10:45 — 12:00: ERA Workshops
• 12:00 — 13:00: Conclusion of Convention & Guest Speaker
• 13:00 — 14:00: Networking lunch (ERA Stand at IRE)