Supplier Spotlights 2024
ARA launches national workforce development campaign
March 26, 2024
The American Rental Association (ARA) debuted its workforce development campaign – Born for This – at The ARA ShowTM 2024, held February 19 – 21 in New Orleans, La. As a prelude to The ARA Show keynote session, Tony Conant, ARA chief executive officer (CEO), introduced the new campaign titled Born for This, which features …
IAA submission window opens March 15
March 5, 2024
The International Achievement Awards (IAA) are returning for 2024. Entries will once again be open starting this March 15 for the awards program. Seize the opportunity to showcase your work to a global audience! Reasons to Participate: Submissions may be made beginning March 15. Deadline for entries is May 16. Visit iaa.textiles.org. Questions? Contact Tara …
Herculite Products Inc. promotes Jake Ritchie to business manager
March 5, 2024
Herculite Products Inc., a manufacturer of high-performance and custom fabrics, announced the appointment of Jake Ritchie as the new business manager for its Custom Engineered Solutions – Agricultural Barn Curtain division. As business manager, Ritchie will oversee the strategic direction of Herculite’s Agriculture Barn Curtain Sales. Ritchie brings a blend of leadership, industry knowledge and …
Amy Bircher appointed to advisory committee by President Biden
February 26, 2024
President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint nine individuals as members of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, including former Advanced Textiles Association chairman Amy Bircher. The advisory committee provides overall policy advice to the U.S. Trade Representative on matters in connection with the development, implementation and administration of the trade policy …
Airrex USA changes name to TEMP-AIR® Equipment Sales
February 26, 2024
Airrex USA is changing its name to TEMP-AIR® Equipment Sales. The new name reflects the company’s expanded brand offerings, which include portable cooling, heating and air quality products that can be used as permanent or temporary solutions. TEMP-AIR® Equipment Sales, which is based in Waco, Texas, has a nationwide distribution network that sells portable air …
March TRD Bootcamp
February 22, 2024
Think TRD Boot Camps are just for those who do tent installations? Anyone in the tent industry can benefit from attending! It’s a great way to get hands-on experience and knowledge about the products being sold and installed. Join us on Thursday, Mar. 7 for the TRD Boot Camp in Chattanooga, TN. Don’t miss the Pre-Boot Camp …
ATA launches Foundations of Safe Tenting course
February 21, 2024
The Tent Rental Division of Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) is launching the “Foundations of Safe Tenting” course, a groundbreaking educational initiative developed in collaboration with the American Rental Association (ARA) and the Manufacturers and Tent Renters Association (MATRA). All TRD members can take advantage of this course at NO COST. Designed specifically for tenting professionals, …
Point of Rental Software acquires Record360
February 12, 2024
Point of Rental Software, Fort Worth, Texas, has acquired Record360, Walnut Creek, Calif., a rental inspection software solution. The acquisition is designed to fuel Record360’s product development and growth, allowing the team to accelerate the pace of product innovation, increase its global footprint, and continue setting the standard for mobile digital documentation tools, a Point of …
Tent Expo victorious at Daytona
January 29, 2024
Despite the threat of high winds, severe thunderstorms and dangerous tornados causing some delays with tent installations, Tent Expo 2024 kicked off on January 9 in Daytona, Fla. Over 550 attendees and exhibitors came from as far away as China, Poland and even the United Arab Emirates. “It was an incredible gathering of tent professionals,” …
Rekord Structures acquires BATLite
January 23, 2024
Agility and durability are the most essential qualities of a military operation shelter. These shelters must withstand harsh environmental conditions — everything from extreme heat to violent dust storms and snow banks, and be able to be quickly moved to new locations. Rekord Structures has acquired BATLite® (pronounced battle-light) to create a rapid deployable, turn-key, …
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Supplier Spotlights 2024
IFAI Expo 2022 call for presentations
December 20, 2021
The Industrial Fabrics Association International is now accepting proposals for presentations at IFAI Expo 2022. IFAI Expo will take place Oct. 12-14, 2022, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C., with education Oct. 11-14. IFAI is accepting proposals for 50-minute classroom sessions in several categories: Advanced Textiles Shade & Weather Protection Specialty Fabrics Marine …
IFAI Expo: Leveraging rental tents during and after the pandemic
November 4, 2021
Jim Reyen, business director at Johnson Outdoors Inc./Eureka! Big Tents Division, presented the campfire session “Leveraging Rental Tents During and After the COVID Pandemic” at IFAI Expo in Nashville, Tenn. During the session, Reyen explained the changing demands for tents throughout various stages of the pandemic. “The first wave of tent demand ran from March …
IFAI Expo: How to outsell your competition
November 3, 2021
During the education session “Outselling Your Competition: Four Activities Your Sales Team Must Be Doing Post-COVID” at IFAI Expo 2021 in Nashville, Tenn., James Auerbach, vice president—event segment for the American Rental Association, shared four measurable and respectable pillars that all salespeople must excel at in order to outsell their competition. Referred to as the …
IFAI Expo: Shade sail engineering software
November 2, 2021
On Nov. 2, 2021, at IFAI Expo in Nashville, Tenn., Timothy Akes, representative for the Americas, MPanel Software Solutions, and Andrew Askwith, senior software developer, MPanel Software Solutions, presented the education session “Shade Sail Engineering—It’s Not Just a Bunch of Numbers.” According to Akes, there is a tendency for shade sail engineering to be relegated …
Messe Stuttgart’s Sun Shading Expo North America moves co-location debut with IFAI Expo to 2022
July 7, 2021
Messe Stuttgart announced that its new U.S.-based show Sun Shading Expo North America will not be held in 2021 as a separate trade show but will instead contribute its expertise in internal and external sun shading systems at IFAI Expo 2021 in the form of expert talks, open discussions and more. IFAI Expo 2021 will still take place …
Registration is open for IFAI Expo 2021
May 10, 2021
Registration is open for IFAI Expo 2021. IFAI Expo celebrates the 100th anniversary of the show this November, and you won’t want to miss it! After a long hiatus of in-person events, this year’s show is the perfect place to reconnect with your industry. Register now to get the Early Bird rate! Early Bird rates end …
Standard for active illumination developed in Europe
November 16, 2020
In a session at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, “Smart Textiles Standardization, Active Illumination,” Dr. Jan Beringer, senior scientific expert Hohenstein Group, explained the new standard for active illumination that will soon be implemented in European Union countries. Organizations worked together to develop the standards. It is notable, he said that both textile and electronics industries …
Rapid prototyping = faster market launch
November 16, 2020
A presentation at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, titled, “Rapid Prototyping and Textile Product Development” urged attendees to use “sticks and glue … whatever method you have to get your idea out there.” The presenter, Dr. Andre West, director of the Zeis Textiles Extension (ZTE), Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University, may not have meant …
Textile industry leaders call for policy changes to support U.S. production of PPE
November 13, 2020
The U.S. textile industry has stepped up to meet the demand for face masks, medical gowns, wipes and other products necessary to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but it needs policy changes from Washington so that the U.S. is not caught off-guard again in a future crisis, according to association leaders speaking at Industrial Fabrics Association …
The larger issues in respiratory protection
November 12, 2020
Dr. Bryran Ormond, assistant professor, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State explained respiratory protection in an “Ask an Expert” session with Jing Liang, Medical PPE Consulting LLC. Dr. Ormand has typically worked in the area of chemical and biological protective equipment, but with the onslaught of the pandemic, began to focus on respiratory protection generally, …
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Supplier Spotlights 2024
Themed events: transforming venues, transporting guests
December 1, 2023
Every event offers opportunities and challenges, but this is especially true for those designed around a specific theme. On the one hand, having this kind of “outline” can be handy for kicking off the creative process. But on the other hand, themed events typically come with lots of moving parts, relying on details large and …
Going high tech with RFID
December 1, 2023
From cattle to casinos to rental cars, radio frequency identification or RFID technology is making inroads across a myriad of industries, including the tent industry, as manufacturers and event rental companies turn to RFID tags to streamline production and help manage inventory. According to Mathieu De Backer, vice president of innovation and sustainability with Avery …
Multigenerational workplaces: Challenges and opportunities
December 1, 2023
In today’s workforce it’s difficult to bring in new, younger workers and make them feel engaged and productive. And with older workers delaying retirement, companies now must grapple with adapting to multigenerational workforces. Steve Belliveau, sales manager at Anchor Industries Inc., which produces tents, frames and awnings, says the industry cannot survive without what he …
Finding (and keeping) good employees
October 1, 2023
As the world adjusted to life during COVID restrictions, tents were in greater demand; however, finding people willing and able to take on the work during those early months of the pandemic was particularly difficult, says David Darby, wedding and event rental specialist at Colonial Heights, Virginia-based Rent-E-Quip. Eli Tirado, tenting manager at South Jersey …
Tent cleaning & repair tips
October 1, 2023
During the busy season, when parties, events, weddings, festivals and so on have kicked into relatively high gear, tents are going out, coming back in and then going out again. While all of this activity is welcomed by tent rental companies, it does pressure them to ensure their inventories are up to the task, and …
2023 Premier Product Showcase
October 1, 2023
Customization, fast installation, easy handling and style—these are the qualities that tent and event rental companies demand. For the annual InTents Premier Product Showcase, we asked our contributors to send us information about their latest products and services that help save tent rental companies time and labor, perform safer installations and turn a profit. This …
Industry veterans
August 1, 2023
In 2022, we spoke with several of our “Leaders under 40” to find out how they viewed the industry and what attracted them to get involved with it. This year, we wanted to talk to some of our industry veterans and we asked readers to nominate individuals they felt should be recognized for their decades …
Retirement planning: The long road to letting go
August 1, 2023
Owners of smaller, independent tent and event rental companies face plenty of decisions when contemplating their retirement. One of these is how, or even if, the company will continue after the owner’s exit. There are several possible options. For example, a family-owned business may continue on as such if other family members are interested in …
Multistory tents
August 1, 2023
Shawn Smith is sitting in a tent on the 17th green at TPC Sawgrass, a celebrated golf course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. It’s a typical sunny morning in the middle of February, and Smith, who is responsible for product development and quality control for Shaffer Sports & Events, one of the leading sports event …
Readers’ Choice Awards 2023
June 1, 2023
We asked InTents readers to vote for the best of the best in 15 categories. Which companies, products and services do InTents readers depend on to run their businesses? What tent rental industry supplier always comes through when you need them? Which piece of equipment saves time and labor? And what services do you depend …
Experience The Olympic Tent Difference
Supplier Spotlights 2024
ARA launches national workforce development campaign
March 26, 2024
The American Rental Association (ARA) debuted its workforce development campaign – Born for This – at The ARA ShowTM 2024, held February 19 – 21 in New Orleans, La. As a prelude to The ARA Show keynote session, Tony Conant, ARA chief executive officer (CEO), introduced the new campaign titled Born for This, which features …
IAA submission window opens March 15
March 5, 2024
The International Achievement Awards (IAA) are returning for 2024. Entries will once again be open starting this March 15 for the awards program. Seize the opportunity to showcase your work to a global audience! Reasons to Participate: Submissions may be made beginning March 15. Deadline for entries is May 16. Visit iaa.textiles.org. Questions? Contact Tara …
Herculite Products Inc. promotes Jake Ritchie to business manager
March 5, 2024
Herculite Products Inc., a manufacturer of high-performance and custom fabrics, announced the appointment of Jake Ritchie as the new business manager for its Custom Engineered Solutions – Agricultural Barn Curtain division. As business manager, Ritchie will oversee the strategic direction of Herculite’s Agriculture Barn Curtain Sales. Ritchie brings a blend of leadership, industry knowledge and …
Amy Bircher appointed to advisory committee by President Biden
February 26, 2024
President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint nine individuals as members of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, including former Advanced Textiles Association chairman Amy Bircher. The advisory committee provides overall policy advice to the U.S. Trade Representative on matters in connection with the development, implementation and administration of the trade policy …
Airrex USA changes name to TEMP-AIR® Equipment Sales
February 26, 2024
Airrex USA is changing its name to TEMP-AIR® Equipment Sales. The new name reflects the company’s expanded brand offerings, which include portable cooling, heating and air quality products that can be used as permanent or temporary solutions. TEMP-AIR® Equipment Sales, which is based in Waco, Texas, has a nationwide distribution network that sells portable air …
March TRD Bootcamp
February 22, 2024
Think TRD Boot Camps are just for those who do tent installations? Anyone in the tent industry can benefit from attending! It’s a great way to get hands-on experience and knowledge about the products being sold and installed. Join us on Thursday, Mar. 7 for the TRD Boot Camp in Chattanooga, TN. Don’t miss the Pre-Boot Camp …
ATA launches Foundations of Safe Tenting course
February 21, 2024
The Tent Rental Division of Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) is launching the “Foundations of Safe Tenting” course, a groundbreaking educational initiative developed in collaboration with the American Rental Association (ARA) and the Manufacturers and Tent Renters Association (MATRA). All TRD members can take advantage of this course at NO COST. Designed specifically for tenting professionals, …
Point of Rental Software acquires Record360
February 12, 2024
Point of Rental Software, Fort Worth, Texas, has acquired Record360, Walnut Creek, Calif., a rental inspection software solution. The acquisition is designed to fuel Record360’s product development and growth, allowing the team to accelerate the pace of product innovation, increase its global footprint, and continue setting the standard for mobile digital documentation tools, a Point of …
Tent Expo victorious at Daytona
January 29, 2024
Despite the threat of high winds, severe thunderstorms and dangerous tornados causing some delays with tent installations, Tent Expo 2024 kicked off on January 9 in Daytona, Fla. Over 550 attendees and exhibitors came from as far away as China, Poland and even the United Arab Emirates. “It was an incredible gathering of tent professionals,” …
Rekord Structures acquires BATLite
January 23, 2024
Agility and durability are the most essential qualities of a military operation shelter. These shelters must withstand harsh environmental conditions — everything from extreme heat to violent dust storms and snow banks, and be able to be quickly moved to new locations. Rekord Structures has acquired BATLite® (pronounced battle-light) to create a rapid deployable, turn-key, …
Experience The Olympic Tent Difference
Supplier Spotlights 2024
Join the National Safety Stand-Down May 6−10
May 1, 2019
Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 366 of the 971 construction fatalities recorded in the U.S. in 2017 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data). The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country to stop fall fatalities and injuries. What …
Codes set for adoption
December 1, 2016
Code revision process reaches final voting stage. A proposal to regulate outdoor events regardless of the presence of tents or special event structures was approved at the Public Comment Hearing of the International Code Committee (ICC) in October. This proposal (F310-16), submitted by the Fire Code Action Committee, had been disapproved at the code committee’s …
Site survey equals site safety
December 1, 2016
A thorough site survey communicates event needs and flags potential safety issues. Ensuring the safety of tented event participants and the tent installation crew starts at the beginning of the job. Before a single rental item is loaded onto the truck, a site survey should be completed by a qualified professional with set-up experience. A …
TopTec training goes on the road
December 1, 2016
TopTec Event Tents, Moore, S.C., is taking its long running tent installation and safety training program on the road in 2017. The first Tent School On The Road session will be held at Rent-E-Quip in Colonial Heights, Va., March 7–8. “Our goal was to make Tent School more accessible to our customers across the United …
Tent inspections before events ensure safety
October 1, 2016
Inspections will help avoid disaster and add years to the life of a tent. The tent is up and the event is underway. But there may still be work to be done. Especially for installations that will be up for any length of time, inspection and maintenance are top priorities for keeping the tent as …
IFAI’s Tent Rental Division works toward standard
October 1, 2016
IFAI’s Tent Rental Division looks to write an industry standard for tent anchorage. With final voting on tent-related code revisions for the 2018 Model Code set for late October, IFAI’s Tent Rental Division (TRD) is looking ahead to writing an industry standard that could be taken up in the 2021 code cycle. “As the 2018 …
Moving on up with multiple locations
August 1, 2016
Expanding to multiple locations offers numerous benefits, if the timing is right and both will and cash flow are strong. Delores Crum didn’t see that she had a choice. Sure, her party, tent and wedding rental store in south Austin, Texas, opened in 2000, was doing well. But up in north Austin, another rental company …
OSHA fines increase
August 1, 2016
New law directs U.S. Department of Labor to “catch up” penalties to inflation. Fines assessed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) increased by 78 percent as of Aug. 1. OSHA’s top penalty for serious violations rises from $7,000 to $12,471, and its top penalty for willful or repeated violations rises from $70,000 to …
Collaboration yields successful code revisions
August 1, 2016
F-CAC work group is a key factor in the code revision process for tents, membrane structures and outdoor assembly events. The International Code Council (ICC) Committee Action Hearings were held in Louisville, Ky., in April. During the International Fire Code (IFC) hearings, stakeholders representing IFAI’s Tent Rental Division (TRD), the ICC Fire Code Action Committee …
Ballasting for safety and safety when ballasting
June 1, 2016
Learning to ballast with concrete? Follow these steps to ensure safe and efficient jobsite practices. My crew has forgotten how to use a sledgehammer. Well, not really, but it could happen. In my local tent rental market, ballasting is common. So common that the top priority for my management team has been to figure out …
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Supplier Spotlights 2024
Project showcase: Houston Tents & Events
December 1, 2023
Looking at the photographs from the wedding and reception, no one would ever guess just how difficult the installation was for Houston Tents & Events in Houston, Texas. “This couple had the dream of hosting their wedding behind the original ranch home on their 110,000-acre property in South Texas,” recalls Darren Randle, the company’s founder …
TenTen Crew tents the Goodwood Festival of Speed
December 1, 2023
Billed as “the world’s greatest celebration of motorsport and car culture,” the Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place each summer on the famous grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex, England. A 17th-century estate seems an unlikely place to stage a motorsport festival, but it is one of the most prestigious racing events in the …
Project showcase: Premier Event Rentals
October 1, 2023
When clients wanted to create a dazzling—yet challenging—wedding ceremony and reception for their daughter in the lake-filled Canadian region of Muskoka in Ontario, Canada, known as the “Hamptons of the North,” they turned to Brampton, Ont.-based Premier Event Tent Rentals Inc. to pull it off. The lakeside cottage was the perfect venue in terms of …
Installation spotlight: Milestone Event Rental
October 1, 2023
Every event planner knows that trying to book a tent just four months before a wedding is going to be very difficult. Trying to book a tent four months before a June wedding is almost impossible. Fortunately for this particular bride, Marty Haas with Milestone Event Rental in Farmington, Minn., was determined to find a …
Project showcase: Stamford Tent & Event
August 1, 2023
Tent and event rental companies are used to making people’s dreams come true. It’s what they do—making it look easy when anyone inside the industry knows it’s anything but. So when clients request an over-the-top, spectacular, weatherproof environment to house their daughter’s wedding, it’s go-time for seasoned tent and event rental companies. The bottom line? …
Installation spotlight: Traube Tent
August 1, 2023
DoubleTree Hotel in Chesterfield, Mo., announced the grand opening of its new tented event center in April 2023. The tent structure is a permanent building addition to the DoubleTree property that is fully climate-controlled to comfortably host special events and functions year-round for up to 400 people. The tent structure was designed and installed by …
Project showcase: Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
June 1, 2023
With a large hospital fundraiser coming up, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra wanted to temporarily expand its home at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Loane Bros. Inc. was tasked with the project, which aimed to provide a climate-controlled space for cocktails, dinner and dessert for the fundraiser. The Towson, Md., company tented outside the iconic rounded building over …
Design spotlight: Beachside winter wonderland
April 1, 2023
Staging an outdoor event in January can present a number of challenges, from blizzards to ice storms. But at this reception, held at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in Dana Point, Calif., the only white to be seen was on the inside of the tent. From chairs and linens to drapes and …
Project Showcase: Formula One Grand Prix
April 1, 2023
Each year since 1978, the Formula One Grand Prix of Canada has taken place at the Parc Jean-Drapeau, a public park in the heart of Montreal, Que.—and for more than 40 of those years Montreal-based Fiesta Tents Ltd. has provided its tenting and flooring. The international event that takes place on the Saint Lawrence River …
Igloo marquees in Edinburgh
December 1, 2022
When the 2021 Edinburgh International Festival asked Worcestershire, U.K.-based Fews Marquees to provide structures for three of its performance areas, the company had no hesitation in recommending its Igloo marquees for the event. And while the job may have been more than Fews bargained for, it was a challenge worth accepting. “Back in August last …