By: Denise Gilmartin, VP, Business Affairs, AICP
On March 12, 2026, AICP and the Production Equipment Rental Group (PERG) held a joint town hall meeting to discuss ongoing issues surrounding equipment rentals in commercial production. The virtual session drew strong participation, with 168 attendees, including 35 PERG members. Participation reflected a high level of interest in the topic and the value of the information presented.
The discussion featured perspectives from experienced leaders across the production and equipment rental community, including John Cini, former President and Co-founder of High Output in Boston; Mark Wofford, former President and CEO of Production Consultants and Equipment in Atlanta; and Andrew Colón, Chief Operating Officer at SMUGGLER.
During the session, Cini and Wofford outlined the many advantages of working with traditional rental houses. Their remarks emphasized the experience, reliability, and professional standards these companies bring to production—qualities that help ensure equipment is properly maintained, supported, and insured.
A key theme throughout the conversation was the importance of support from production company management for the traditional rental community. Speakers noted that the increasing use of nontraditional equipment sources—often arranged informally through crew members—can pose long-term challenges to the rental house ecosystem. Panelists warned that if traditional rental companies are weakened or disappear, productions may ultimately face reduced access to dependable equipment, experienced support, and established safety practices.
The meeting also revisited the AICP–PERG sample terms and conditions for equipment rentals, a resource that many newer industry professionals may not be familiar with. The document was highlighted as a useful framework for parties involved in rental transactions, to help foster clarity, fairness, and an appropriate allocation of risk in rental agreements as the parties negotiate terms.
Safety considerations were also part of the discussion. Images shared during the session—including photos from the Ellenville, New York fire on an HBO production and a lithium battery fire in South Korea—served as reminders of the potential risks productions face, from property damage to serious bodily injury. The examples reinforced the importance of careful equipment sourcing and proper safety practices on set.
Another issue raised during the conversation was the degree of authority sometimes exercised by individual crew members in arranging equipment rentals. Participants acknowledged that this can be a sensitive topic within the industry. Subject to any conflicting terms in applicable union agreements, production companies may consider establishing guidelines for the rental of crew-sourced equipment. To illustrate potential concerns, a sample indemnification provision from a nontraditional equipment provider was shared and discussed, prompting attendees to consider whether such terms adequately protect production companies’ interests.
Speakers also stressed that any company supplying equipment to a production should maintain adequate liability insurance to respond if that equipment contributes to a loss or claim.
Colón noted that traditional rental houses remain a vital part of the production ecosystem. Their expertise, infrastructure, and commitment to supporting productions are essential to keeping projects running smoothly. Maintaining a healthy rental house community, he said, is critical to the long-term success and safety of commercial production.
The town hall provided a forum for open dialogue and practical insights, and both AICP and PERG hope the discussion will encourage continued attention to equipment sourcing practices, risk management, and collaboration across the industry.
If you have any questions regarding this town hall, the AICP-PERG terms and conditions, or any other business affairs issue, please contact me at deniseg@aicp.com.
This information is designed as a service to AICP Members and is intended only to provide general information on the subject covered and not as a comprehensive or exhaustive treatment of that subject, legal advice, or a legal opinion. Members are advised to consult with legal counsel and other professionals with respect to the application of the subject covered to any specific production or other factual situation. Use by a company of any of the options and provisions discussed herein are matters of individual company decision in accordance with its own business needs and nothing contained herein is intended to suggest agreement among AICP members or the adoption by the AICP of a uniform position concerning the content of this article.