PERG's annual Rental House Breakfast once again proved to be one of the highlights of the Cine Gear weekend. Held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the Smoke House in Universal City, Los Angeles, the event welcomed 110 attendees for two hours of networking, camaraderie, and a hearty breakfast before the start of the busy trade show day.
The breakfast brought together an impressive cross-section of rental company leadership from across North America and beyond. Representatives traveled from Oregon, Texas, New York, Miami, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles, while international participation included guests from the Netherlands. Many of PERG's valued vendor partners also attended before heading over to their booths at the Cine Gear Expo.
Guests enjoyed a full breakfast while taking advantage of the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, strengthen business relationships, and catch up with old friends. For many attendees, the breakfast has become a cherished tradition and an important kickoff to the Cine Gear weekend.
This year, the gathering also provided an opportunity to honor the memory of John Schrimpf, a legendary figure in the rental community and longtime head of Panavision Dallas. June 6 would have been John's birthday, and coincidentally was also the day of his Celebration of Life service in Dallas. A special table was set aside for friends and colleagues to share memories and stories about John and the many ways he influenced careers throughout the industry. PERG thanks everyone who contributed photographs to the tribute slideshow, which served as a fitting remembrance of a man whose impact reached far beyond Texas.
At the conclusion of the breakfast, PERG took the opportunity to update the rental community on an important initiative currently underway. Over the past year, PERG has begun engaging directly with producers regarding equipment sourcing practices. At the AICP Town Hall meeting on March 12, PERG raised what many view as an existential question for the rental industry: whether rental companies can continue to provide the level of professional support and service that productions have long depended upon under evolving sourcing models.
The message emphasizes the value that rental companies provide—expertise, depth of inventory, facilities, service and maintenance, proper insurance, contracts, and business practices, testing, and round-the-clock support—that many in the production community have come to take for granted. Encouragingly, PERG's efforts have already proven effective in influencing production company policies and raising awareness among producers. (For additional background, see the April edition of PERG News.)
Mark Wofford delivered the update to attendees. Mark, who led PC&E in Atlanta for more than twenty years and served for many years on both the PERG Council and the ESTA Board of Directors, emphasized that PERG is now in a position to bring this message beyond the commercial production world and to television and feature producers as well.
The event was a tremendous success and reflected the strength, professionalism, and fellowship that define the rental community. PERG extends its sincere thanks to this year's sponsors—Applied Entertainment and Sports, ARRI, NFP, Sony, Taylor & Taylor Associates, CFG, Litegear, and Rental Works—for helping make the breakfast possible.
Most of all, thanks to everyone who attended. It was a wonderful gathering, and a reminder that while our industry continues to evolve, the relationships and shared commitment that have sustained the rental community for decades remain stronger than ever.
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