Sponsored by Midas Event Supply
This Events & Tents option is always popular with attendees for its unique behind-the-scenes look at successful event rental operations. This year, the tour will visit Event Rental in Gretna, La. – an ARA member store located in a residential neighborhood that covers several blocks with its showroom and 60,000-sq. ft. warehouse.Event Rental’s extensive inventory includes tents up to 80 ft. wide, 75,000 sq. ft. of flooring, a complete HVAC and generator fleet, and dedicated departments for audio visual and scenic products. The company also has a full-service laundry and linen manufacturing service. The tour will visit all areas of the operation as well as Event Restroom, an affiliate company that provides restroom and shower trailers for special events, disaster recovery and more.Transportation will be provided from the convention center. Shuttles will load at 12:15 p.m., then depart the convention center at 12:30 p.m. Buses will return to the convention center at 3:15 p.m. in time for the Events & Tents kickoff at 3:30 p.m. Attendees must be a registrant of Events & Tents and need to pre-register for the tour to attend. The tour is limited to the first 150 people who sign up and is now sold out.
Tour Locations
Event Rental505 Amelia St., Gretna, LA 70053Event Rental is a large and diverse independent special event rental company in the mid-South with three locations, 75 full-time and 35 parttime/seasonal employees, and a fleet of 28 trucks. As a full-service disaster first responder for the past 10 years, Event Rental has responded to events ranging from Hurricane Katrina to the BP oil spill. The company also has supplied movie productions such as “Green Lantern,” “Twilight” and “Battleship.” In addition, Event Rental recently purchased two decorating/prop companies and now has a full-time scenic department, which produces Mardi Gras balls and dance revues. www.youreventdelivered.com
Event Restroom505 Amelia St.,Gretna, LA 70053 Event Restroom has two locations and an inventory of more than 1,500 portable toilets and 50 restroom and shower trailers that are used for everything from festivals and fairs to conventions and corporate events. The company maintains its products with a fleet of more than 12 trucks that service portable toilets, restroom trailers, handwash stations, holding tanks, shower trailers and more. In addition to supplying New Orleans events such as Jazz Fest, the Zurich PGA Tournament and the Sugar Bowl, Event Restroom also rents to construction companies throughout south Louisiana. www.yourrestroomdelivered.com
Not going on the industry tour but want to start meeting others and sharing ideas? Join this informal gathering at the convention center where it’s all about what’s on your mind and your party and event rental questions. Hear what business challenges others are facing or what they are doing to stay competitive and on top of techniques and trends. Discussion topics will be determined by you, so come prepared with questions and ideas you’ve been using in your business to share with the group.
Sponsored by Point-of-Rental Systems
Before the educational seminars begin at 4 p.m., come and meet the other attendees at Events & Tents. This quick introduction and interactive discussion will give everyone the chance to identify themselves and see who’s in the audience. Beverages and a snack will be provided. This is sure to be a fun start to a program that’s designed to help you succeed and make it happen!
Are you looking for a way to supplement your revenue by adding a specialized service or product to your business? Attend this session to learn how other party and event business owners have found success in niche markets. Back by popular demand, this round-table format will provide an informative discussion of opportunities such as:
What, exactly, is DMX? How is it used with LED lighting to create “wow” effects? Once it is programmed, is an attendant needed on site or can the program run independently? In this session, find out the answers to these questions from your peers who are already using DMX to produce unique and creative lighting for their events. Attendees will see equipment up-close and learn firsthand how effects are created. Learn how to:
A limited number of DMX boards will be available on site.
Greg Dugat is president of Prestigious Event Rentals, an ARA general member. • Chase McCloud is AV manager for Event Rental, an ARA general member. • Bob Moisan is vice president of sales and marketing of Intelligent Lighting Creations. He designs special event, corporate and exhibit lighting productions throughout the country.
Last year, Robin Brockelsby dazzled attendees with spectacular table designs. Brockelsby is back this year with fresh perspectives on the newest event design trends in colors, fabrics, textures and prints. Master tricks of the trade from some of the country’s top event designers as she moderates a mini Iron Chef-style tablescape showcase. Attend this session and learn how to:
Robin Brockelsby is president of Creative Coverings. She began her event career in the early 1990s with Hyatt Corp. and has owned and operated multiple event design and rental companies. Brockelsby also is a past speaker at Events & Tents. See www.creativecoverings.com and follow @Cre8ivCoverings on Twitter.
Your tenting challenges aren’t as impossible as you think. Attend this session to hear how other industry experts overcome and build around or over obstacles such as uneven terrain, swimming pools, fountains, power lines and more. You also will learn the necessary steps to take when considering a particularly challenging installation. This session will cover:
Nate Albers is owner of Tentlogix, an ARA general member. • Ed Knight, CERP, is president of EventQuip, an ARA general member. • George Smith is vice president of Mahaffey Tent Rentals, an ARA general member.
Sponsored by Aztec Tents, Event Equipment Sales, McCourt Manufacturing and Shipp Cleaning Systems
There is no better time than following Saturday’s afternoon seminars to make connections and exchange ideas with other Events & Tents attendees. This networking reception is at one of the city’s most historic event venues, The Foundry. In its unique surroundings, you’ll enjoy the soothing sounds of classic jazz and a distinct taste of New Orleans. Located near the Mississippi riverfront in the Warehouse and Arts District, the site dates back to 1719 and has been a plantation, brewery, cotton mill, bank and machinery company before becoming this event venue 10 years ago.The spacious 19th century warehouse features 14 ft.-high ceilings, exposed brick walls and beams, and eclectic décor. You’ll enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages created by The Foundry’s chef Horst Pfeifer. His menu reflects a career that stretches from his family’s farm in southern Germany to restaurant kitchens in northern Italy, Austria, Texas and New Orleans. Pfeifer also runs Middendorf’s, a well-known seafood restaurant and Louisiana favorite in Manchac, La. ARA will provide transportation from the convention center to the venue, then immediately after the reception from the venue to select hotels. Advance registration and ticket required. Tickets are $25 for Events & Tents attendees and $40 for guests of Events & Tents attendees. Limit two guests per attendee.
Sponsored by Avalon Tent Manufacturing; Eureka! The Tent Co.; McCourt Manufacturing; National Event Supply (a Div. of D&K Imports); and Warner Shelter SystemsAs our lives and businesses evolve and progress, so do the colors, textures and styles around us. During this session, father-son event company owners Richard and Jordan Carbotti will discuss the many people, places and things that inspire their Perfect Surroundings team. You’ll learn how color trends influence their design decisions and often shape the foundation of their events. Expect a visual journey with examples of how color and trend inspirations led to new ideas and influenced the final outcome of some of Perfect Surroundings’ latest events. You will learn:
Richard Carbotti is founder and design director of Perfect Surroundings. For more than 25 years, he has produced detailed, custom-designed and themed events in more than 30 states and internationally. Carbotti was selected as the 2000 Designer of the Year at the Event Solutions Magazine Spotlight Awards, has been honored by the Special Event Magazine Gala Awards, and is a founding member and former president of ISES Rhode Island.Jordan Carbotti is the oldest son and partner of Richard Carbotti. As production manager at Perfect Surroundings, he is actively involved in all stages of event design and production, from concept development to installation. He has worked alongside his father for more than a decade and was named Event Solutions Magazine’s Rising Star at the 2005 Spotlight Awards.
How do you make potential customers aware of who you are, where you are, why they need you and what niche services youprovide? Building visibility for your business is an essential piece of your business plan. Attend this session to hear how other rental professionals incorporate the following channels to capture attention in their markets:
Damon Holditch, CERP, CSEP, is president of Marquee Event Group, an ARA general member. • Steve Kohn is owner of Miller’s Rentals & Sales, an ARA general member. • Tiffany Riordan is director of marketing at Atlas Party Rental, an ARA general member. • Mike Savely is Web manager for the American Rental Association.
Linens are an integral and necessary part of your business, and maintaining your linens so they stay fresh and attractive is an important component of your store’s image. Learn techniques used by professional laundries and your industry peers to protect and extend the life of their linens. During this session, rental experts will discuss tips and techniques for:
Gary Gauthier is regional manager for Milnor Laundry Systems, an ARA associate member and 12-year Show exhibitor. • Bart Nye is president of Prime Time Party Rental, an ARA general member. • Murray Vale is a sales representative for International Event Products, an ARA associate member and 14-year Show exhibitor.
Working with event planners and rental stores can be overwhelming for your clients. If you’re not a one-stop shop (or even if you are), this session will explore how to work compatibly with event planners in your market. You’ll discover how to foster relationships with local planners by learning about their needs and expectations – as well as common frustrations and what’s essential for a mutually beneficial relationship. Topics include:
Jennie Keller, CMP, is owner of Weddings in the City by Jennie, New Orleans • Kate Kovalick-Patay is director of national sales for Creative Coverings, an ARA associate member and four-year Show exhibitor. • Keith Ribbeck, CMP, is president of RDS Productions, New Orleans.
Half-Day Session. This program will take place both indoors and outdoors. Advance registration is required - session is sold out.
Every time you set up a tent, your responsibility and reputation are on the line. Attend this half-day session to learn the most up-to-date and responsible methods for securing tents, as well as tips to help you avoid costly litigation. Principles and theory will be taught in the classroom and demonstrated outdoors. Topics to be covered include:
Peter McVey is owner of McVey Tent & Expo, an ARA general member. • Dan Nolan III is owner of Tents Unlimited, an ARA general member. • Maura Paternoster is risk manager for ARA Insurance. • Mike Tharpe is director of sales for TopTec Products, an ARA associate member and 26-year Show exhibitor.
Last year, national wedding expert Susan Southerland taught Events & Tents participants how to market to the four distinct bride personality types (savvy, functional, visionary and bewildered). This year, Southerland returns to teach you how to market and sell to brides during the four distinct phases of planning (analyzing, discovering, shopping and organizing). Every phase is an opportunity to sell, but only with the right messages and methods. In this seminar, you will learn:
Susan Southerland is a national wedding expert for Perfect Wedding Guide and is president of Just Marry! www.justmarry.com). Her weddings have been featured on the Style Network and TLC. Southerland also is a past speaker at Events & Tents. See www.susansoutherland.com and follow @susansoutherlan on Twitter.
Extending the life of your inventory and protecting your investments can be challenging. Attend this session and learn from other party and event rental business owners about how they preserve and protect their inventory and, in the mix, have identified ways to create operational efficiencies. Whether it’s traditional or oddly shaped and unusual products, learn what has worked and what hasn’t. Be sure to bring your own questions and ideas to share. Some of the topics the panel will discuss are:
Mark Hiles is branch manager for Diamond Rental, an ARA general member. • Andy Mattrick is director of marketing for Event Central Rental and Sales, an ARA general member. • Kenny Puff is owner of Party Line Tent Rentals, an ARA general member.
As the event landscape evolves and new products and resources become available, eclectic solutions are more important than ever. Event professionals need to be able to integrate classic design elements and textures with sleek, crisp, contemporary style. In this session, the Perfect Surroundings team will share dozens of photos and experiences as well as some of their best secrets for event design as a whole. You’ll take away creative ideas and new avenues for inspiration in the everchanging world of special events. Topics include:
Richard Carbotti is founder and design director of Perfect Surroundings. Jordan Carbotti is his son and business partner as well as production manager for the company. See the breakfast presentation at 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. for more information about the Carbottis. www.perfectsurroundingsinc.com
Wrap up your visit to The Rental Show with a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity. Pellerin Milnor Corp. (Milnor Laundry Systems), an ARA associate member and 11-year exhibitor, will offer a factory tour after the show floor closes on Wednesday. This family-owned company manufactures washers and dryers used in the rental industry to launder linens and tents.The 400,000 sq. ft. New Orleans operation employs more than 500 people, and machines produced here are shipped throughout the world.This plant tour will offer an up-close look at one of the world’s largest manufacturers of commercial laundry machines, including washer-extractors with capacities of up to 700 lbs., automated tunnel washing systems that can process 7,000 lbs. of laundry per hour or more, plus denim processing machinery, dryers, material handling systems and laundry computer networks. These machines are used in a wide range of facilities, from giant linen and industrial rental plants to textile dyeing and apparel processing plants to coin laundries.
This tour is at an active production facility. Closed-toe shoes are required and safety glasses will be provided.Transportation will be provided from the convention center to Milnor, and from Milnor to the airport and the convention center after the tour concludes. Shuttles will load at 1:15 p.m. and depart the convention center no later than 1:30 p.m. NOTE: Schedule your airline departure after 6 p.m. on Wednesday or on Thursday.
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