Enjoy the colors and sounds of the Caribbean as you treat yourself to food and beverages, entertainment and networking with your fellow Events & Tents participants. This Caribbean-themed reception will take place under a tent outside the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Do the limbo, join the conga line and dance to the “music of the islands” provided by Steel Jammin’, a steel drum quartet. Come dressed island casual if you’d like — the emphasis for the evening is fun!

Tent package provided by Aztec Tents, Torrance, Calif.

It’s time to rise to the creative challenge at hand and — without spending anything but human currency — use your hard-won inventory of props in a newly expanded, ever-evolving manner. In this session, designer Scott Corridan will show you how to “pop” the parasol in a pleasantly surprising way and turn flowers on their heads. He’ll also bring new sheen to a disco ball, shred some finer linens, burn a different kind of wax and use those charger plates in a new, take-charge way — all with boundless energy and enthusiasm. These aren’t your mother’s props!

Linens and fabrics offer a simple way to add extra flair and a touch of elegance to your tabletop décor. This session will present a variety of methods — from basic to elaborate — to arrange linens and fabrics for maximum impact. Fabric samples will be provided for hands-on practice during the session. Among the techniques you’ll learn are:

• Tying beautiful sashes 
• Creating unique folds with napkins
• Pleating tablecloths and other creative ideas
  

Free is never really free — it’s always going to cost someone something. Find out what a donation will cost you or your client and confront the question, “Why am I contributing to this client?” You owe it to yourself to plan a budget for annual donations and learn why not every product or service should be discounted or given away free. Learn why you should:

• Ask clients what amount they are willing to spend
• Have a written policy regarding donations and apply it fairly to everyone
• Use the donation as a sales opportunity
• Ask for something in return

If you like what you see at the opening reception, you’ll love seeing how it all came together. You’re invited to step back inside the Events & Tents opening reception tent for an inside look at the complete setup process. From assembly to accessories, learn what steps were taken to produce this impressive venue. Learn how a team of rental professionals:

• Surveyed the area for tent placement
• Obtained permits
• Installed the tent
• Used CAD layout for interior design including staging, flooring and seating

Note: This session will be held in the opening reception tent.

Using real-life examples of parties and special events, this session will look at pre- and post-costing for jobs of various sizes. Panelists will discuss all aspects to be considered — labor, travel, vehicle expenses, overhead costs and more — when pricing an event. Standard forms and step-by-step instructions to help improve your job costing skills also will be covered. You’ll leave knowing:

• Whether a job will be profitable or should be turned down
• If an up-charge should be added 
• What to include when pricing an event 
• Percentage of profit per event

Steve Anthony is president of American Event Rentals, an ARA general member.

Deborah D. Borsum, CERP, CSEP, CMD, is CEO of The Meetinghouse Cos., an ARA general member.

Rick Rutherford is branch manager of Diamond Party and Event, an ARA general member.

Professionals of all levels are judged on their etiquette. Do you have the skills required to leave lasting and positive impressions on those who matter most? Learn what messages you are sending and leave with a seven-point checklist that provides you with the strategies and skills necessary to enhance self-confidence and professional presence in any situation. This interactive seminar will cover:

• The handshake — how does yours measure up?
• Introducing yourself and others
• Deciphering dress codes for professional and casual attire
• Hosting a business meal
• Cocktail/networking and dining etiquette
• Small talk

While you can’t change your warehouse’s physical footprint or structure, there are some economical things you can do to improve its design. In this session, a panel of rental experts will explore various ways to reconfigure or remodel your warehouse and use the space more efficiently — from basic techniques to more advanced tactics. Whether your inventory is large or small, this session will help you identify factors to consider before spending any time or money. Learn about:

• Handling, storing, labeling and tracking inventory (including using software)
• Optimizing the space for efficient flow
• Long-term planningDesign tools
• The importance of a warehouse manager

Matt Gershaw is general manager of All Seasons Rent-All, an ARA general member.

Mark Hiles is store manager of Diamond Party and Event, an ARA general member.

Don Peterman is operations manager of Ducky-Bob's Event Specialists: A Classic Party Rentals Co., an ARA general member.

A creative flooring and staging plan can enhance an event without hampering functionality. Examples of flooring systems and stage designs — from simple to complex — that balance creativity with practicality will be discussed. You’ll also explore the Events & Tents opening reception tent as a real-life example. Learn how to:

• Create unique designs and shapes
• Include rental add-ons such as handicap ramps, stairs and skirting
• Make selections to best fit the event
• Use upselling to dress the stage and add ambience 
• Choose the right product for the job

Note: This session will be held in the opening reception tent.

David McDonel is national sales manager for Bil-Jax, an ARA associate member and exhibitor at The Rental Show.

Arnon Rosan is president of Signature Fencing and Flooring Systems, an ARA associate member and exhibitor at The Rental Show.

Eric Short is Western regional representative for Bil-Jax, an ARA associate member and exhibitor at The Rental Show.

You’ve seen the designation and heard about the Certified Event Rental Professional (CERP) program, the only certification program specifically created for those in the party and event rental industry. Hear how these CERP-member panelists benefit from their designation, as well as what you need to do to obtain your CERP designation. This session will cover how earning the CERP designation:

• Can provide you with a marketing tool that signifies your expertise in the industry
• Helps employers increase productivity and profits
• Increases employee loyalty and commitment
• Aids your personal growth and development

Back by popular demand, David Halsey and Ira Mitchell-Steiman will wow you with new and innovative design and color trends. This session will incorporate leading color analysts’ predictions and provide take-home information on every aspect of event design. Learn about:

• Tabletop design
• Lighting
• Centerpieces
• Linens
• The psychology of color

Take a comprehensive and up-to-date look at customer service in the special events industry, with a special concentration on weddings. Learn how understanding today’s bridal demographics, statistics and culture — plus the needs of today’s “e-world” bride and corporate event client — can help take businesses to the next level. This session will explain:

• The renowned Nordstrom customer service model and its relevance to business owners today 
• Why pre-event communication determines 90 percent of the success of the event 
• Key wedding marketing and customer service secrets, including a sample of an actual training program

Whether you’re a beginner or have some basic experience with PartyCAD, this session will provide an intimate, hands-on setting to learn more about this powerful design tool. Attendance is limited to 36 people, so register early for this session. Three distinct areas of instruction will cover:

• Bringing a simple design to life — showing clients what your company can create
• Adding lighting, liners, doors, sidewall and even corporate logos — it’s a snap when you know the tricks
• Building custom furniture and unique items to bring your designs to life — the secrets to accessorizing a CAD design

Note: Advance registration is required, plus a $10 lab fee — see the registration form. In addition, you will receive a form to rate your current knowledge level of PartyCAD. ARA reserves the right to re-assign individuals to the Intermediate to Advanced session if their knowledge level exceeds this more basic course.

*Please bring your own laptop to the session. Demo copies of the latest PartyCAD version will be mailed approximately two weeks prior to the seminar. Software should be loaded before attending.

How extensive is your knowledge about supplying power for an event? This session will cover the basic functions and features of power distribution and generators, as well as maintenance procedures, safety precautions, grounding techniques and calculating appropriate generator size for the load. This program will help you understand:

• Basic terminology
• How to size a generator
• How generator and power distribution work together
• Applicable OSHA regulations relating to grounding and fueling
• Equipment maintenance

Are you ready to do more with PartyCAD? This hands-on session is for you. Learn techniques and tips that will help you create high-end, sophisticated designs. Attendance is limited to 36 people, so register early for this session. Three dynamic areas of instruction will cover:

• Importing backgrounds and blueprints into your PartyCAD designs
• Creating visual effects that will wow your clients
• Integrating PartyCAD with other software such as Photoshop or Microsoft Office Suite

Note: Advance registration is required, plus a $10 lab fee — see the registration form. In addition, you will receive a form to rate your current knowledge level of PartyCAD. ARA reserves the right to re-assign individuals to the Beginner to Intermediate session if their knowledge level does not meet the demands of this session.

*Please bring your own laptop to the session. Demo copies of the latest PartyCAD version will be mailed approximately two weeks prior to the seminar. Software should be loaded before attending.

Branding is more than a buzzword — today it’s a business reality. But the greatest tagline, logo or advertising campaign won’t help you win and keep customers if your employees don’t support the company’s core beliefs and promises. This session will focus on “selling” your brand to your employees to create an authentic culture of clarity, consistency and trust. You’ll discover how living the brand translates into outstanding customer service to differentiate your business from the competition. Learn:

• How to communicate your brand to employees
• The power of your brand and why it keeps employees motivated
• How to implement programs and activities that reinforce your brand
• The importance of speaking and writing in consistent brand language, for all in your business

Do stress, tight work schedules, multi-tasking and busy times of year contribute to lax safety precautions in your company? Unlock the secrets of creating a valued safety leadership culture — and a matching workplace climate of personal responsibility — to instill safe behavior that minimizes liability and reduces the risk of injuries to employees and ultimately customers. Attend this session and learn:

• How to develop a comprehensive safety culture employees support
• How to inspire and train employees to work safely
• How to create an environment of safety leadership and employee accountability

Improper methods of securing tents can have far-reaching implications for you, your business and your customer. In fact, improper staking methods can result in accidents that can be costly and dangerous to all parties involved — yet most of those accidents are preventable. Join industry professionals for this session on proper staking techniques and the importance of developing a systematic approach. Panelists will discuss:

• Engineering principles of staking in layman’s terms
• Different types of staking
• Causes of staking failures
• Pullout capacity of tent stakes
• Liability issues
  

Note: This session will be held in the opening reception tent.

Alex Kouzmanoff is sales/marketing manager for Aztec Tents, an ARA associate member and exhibitor at The Rental Show.

Tom Markel is vice president of Bravo Events Expo Displays, an ARA general member.

Maura Paternoster is risk manager for ARA Insurance Services.

Mike Tharpe is national sales manager for TopTec Products, an ARA associate member and exhibitor at The Rental Show.