The Events & Tents educational workshop for those in the party and event segment of the equipment rental industry will help kick off The Rental Show 2011 in New Orleans at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

The workshop starts at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, with the sold-out tour of Event Rental in Gretna, La., an American Rental Association (ARA) member store with a 60,000-sq.-ft. warehouse, and Event Restroom, an affiliate company. Tickets for the industry tour were sold out by Dec. 1.

For those who are not attending the tour, the day will start at 1:15 p.m. with an optional brainstorming and sharing session. This informal gathering will include discussion topics determined by attendees, so those participating are asked to be prepared with questions and ideas to share with the group.

The day will continue with an official welcome session at 3:30 p.m. followed by three educational seminars at 4 p.m. with topics including “Table Talk: Diversifying Your Rental Business with Value-added Services,” a round-table session; “DMX Lighting: Learn How to Be a Control Freak,” a rental industry panel; “Distinctive Tabletop Designs,” by Robin Brocklesby, Creative Coverings, Sparks, Nev.; and “Ease the Fear of Tenting Challenges,” a rental industry panel.

Following the education, a 6 p.m. networking reception will take place at The Foundry, a historic event venue that dates back to 1719. Drinks and appetizers will be available from Chef Horst Pfeifer. Advance registration and a ticket are required. The cost is $25 per Events & Tents attendee and $40 per guest, with a limit of two guests per attendee. Shuttles will be provided to the event.