

In memoriam: Richard Crum
October 8, 2025
E. Richard Crum, 85, died Sept. 7, 2025, in Kyle, Texas. Following a public sector career in social services that spanned two decades, Crum turned to entrepreneurship, launching several business ventures, real estate investments and land speculation projects. Alongside his wife, Delores Crum, he co-founded Premiere Events, Austin, Texas. Crum is survived by his wife, Delores; …
Toast of the Town acquires Alaska Event Services
October 8, 2025
Toast of the Town, Anchorage, Alaska, has acquired Anchorage-based Alaska Event Services (AES). Founded in 2015, Toast of the Town is a women-owned event planning and marketing agency that serves as the only event planning and management preferred provider for the state of Alaska. AES, established in 2004, is a wedding, trade show and convention event …
PRO EM acquires Top Productions
October 8, 2025
Phoenix-based PRO EM National Event Services, a nationwide event rental agency, acquired Top Productions, an event flooring and structure solutions company based in Richmond, Calif. According to PRO EM National Event Services, this acquisition will expand its inventory of flooring, scaffolding, mezz deck and double-deck structures. With locations in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago and Orlando, PRO EM …
Gearing up for glory
October 1, 2025
The Soap Box Derby is back by popular demand and ready to roll at the 2026 ATA Tent Expo, taking place January 27–29 at Margaritaville Resort in Kissimmee, Fla. After a thrilling debut at the 2024 Expo, the derby is now one of the most anticipated events on the Tent Rental Division (TRD) calendar, and …
Industry Concerns & How We Are Handling Them
October 1, 2025
PFAS/ROHS/REACH/PROP 65 We are familiar with all four concerns from the industry. Snyder Manufacturing does not have PFAS detected in our material. We are also compliant with ROHS, REACH and PROP 65 for banned substances. Our quality department is constantly staying on top of any revisions and changes made to the ROHS, REACH and PROP …
Project Showcase: Tentickle Miami tents the Miami Concours
October 1, 2025
In the heart of the 2025 South Florida event season, the 8th annual Miami Concours took place over a February weekend at the iconic Jungle Plaza in Miami’s Design District, a stunning urban backdrop for the intersection of auto, art and fashion. The event that showcased a collection of hypercars and rare vintage supercars on …
Speed is not the enemy, it’s the fuel.
October 1, 2025
In the world of live events, production timelines are getting tighter—but expectations are only growing. The challenge? Creating spaces that feel thoughtful, branded and fully immersive… all at speed, on budget and safely. That tension—between design ambition and logistical reality—is where smart systems and experienced teams make the difference. At its core, delivering a premium …
Raising the bar on safe tent installations
October 1, 2025
Wrangling tents can be a dangerous occupation—a reality that for tent and event rental operators presents a real vulnerability in terms of safeguarding workers and profits. Consequently, skillfully executed tent anchoring plays an integral role in achieving these important objectives. Risky business Consider the potential consequences of inexpert anchoring. For example, an improperly anchored tent …
Power up: rightsizing generators
October 1, 2025
From selecting the appropriate generator size and evaluating its environmental impact to ensuring safe installation, providing the electricity needed for lighting, sound, entertainment and culinary needs at outdoor events requires an in-depth understanding of the nuances involved. Size matters When most people think about power, they may assume “more is better.” After all, what could …
2025 Premier Product Showcase
October 1, 2025
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 companies save time and labor, perform safer installations and turn a profit. This issue includes …

Supplier Spotlights 2025
Innovation, insights at Advanced Textiles Expo and Emerging Technologies Conference 2025
August 30, 2025
The textile industry is evolving fast, and Advanced Textiles Expo® in Indianapolis, IN on November 5–7 is the place to be. This year’s event brings together industry experts covering sustainability, technology, business strategy and regulatory updates. Before the expo, Emerging Technologies Conference kicks off on Nov. 4 at the Indiana Convention Center. This one-day conference …
Registration now open for Advanced Textiles Expo 2025
May 1, 2025
Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) is excited to announce that registration is now open for Advanced Textiles Expo® 2025, taking place November 5–7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. As the industry’s leading trade show for specialty fabrics, advanced textiles, and shade and weather protection, the Expo draws thousands of professionals for three days …
Plan your stay: Official housing for Advanced Textiles Expo 2025 now open
March 11, 2025
We are pleased to announce that Site & Stay has been selected as the official housing partner for Advanced Textiles Expo® 2025, taking place Nov. 5–7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Hotel booking is now open, offering attendees and exhibitors exclusive access to discounted rates at our official host hotels—all conveniently located …
Advanced Textiles Expo 2024 brings more than 4,200 attendees, showcasing innovation and collaboration
October 17, 2024
Advanced Textiles Expo® 2024, the largest event of Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA), concluded with resounding success Sept. 24–26 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Once again held in conjunction with Sun Shading Expo North America—organized by Messe Stuttgart, founders of R + T and the world’s largest trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun shading …
ATA negotiates lower rates for exhibitors at Advanced Textiles Expo
August 14, 2024
The Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) has renegotiated its General Services Contractor contract for the 2025–2027 Advanced Textiles Expo® shows. By selecting Freeman through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, we have secured rates that significantly lower the cost burden on our exhibitors. RFP process Key achievements This successful negotiation translates directly to cost savings for …
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 6, 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 …

Supplier Spotlights 2025
Raising the bar on safe tent installations
October 1, 2025
Wrangling tents can be a dangerous occupation—a reality that for tent and event rental operators presents a real vulnerability in terms of safeguarding workers and profits. Consequently, skillfully executed tent anchoring plays an integral role in achieving these important objectives. Risky business Consider the potential consequences of inexpert anchoring. For example, an improperly anchored tent …
Power up: rightsizing generators
October 1, 2025
From selecting the appropriate generator size and evaluating its environmental impact to ensuring safe installation, providing the electricity needed for lighting, sound, entertainment and culinary needs at outdoor events requires an in-depth understanding of the nuances involved. Size matters When most people think about power, they may assume “more is better.” After all, what could …
2025 Premier Product Showcase
October 1, 2025
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 companies save time and labor, perform safer installations and turn a profit. This issue includes …
Luxury linens
August 1, 2025
In an era inundated with online inspiration, event planners and their clients are continually seeking new ways to stand out while staying on trend—and they’re increasingly turning to customized linens. When every detail makes a difference, a personalized tablecloth pattern or strategically positioned emblem on a napkin or seat cover can help elevate the entire …
Seating styles and trends
August 1, 2025
From weddings and corporate parties to children’s parties, seating drives the design. Events are hosting larger numbers of guests, and for both large and small gatherings, there is a trend toward more seating options. Seating charts are changing, too—all to deliver a superb guest experience. Coast-to-coast trends With new options and approaches, one timeless chair—the …
Industry solutions to industry problems
August 1, 2025
It’s always been important for tent and event rental businesses to operate as efficiently as possible. But as this industry faces the challenges of labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, tariffs and even climate change, the need to do so has grown more acute. Of these factors, the dwindling workforce probably is the most immediately worrisome. …
Bringing in outside help
June 1, 2025
Due to the seasonal nature of the workload, it has always been a challenge for tent and event rental companies to recruit enough employees each year. Since the pandemic dramatically reduced the labor pool, this process has grown even more difficult, leading many to outsource. There are several ways for this industry to obtain outsourced …
Improving ladder safety
June 1, 2025
Familiarity may breed contempt, but when it comes to ladders, it’s more a case of familiarity breeding carelessness. Ladders are such everyday pieces of equipment that people tend to forget how dangerous using them can be. Figures provided by Patrick McAuliffe, vice president of the American Ladder Institute (ALI), illustrate the risks ladders pose. Located …
Tent styles and trends
June 1, 2025
As tents continue to evolve beyond functional backdrops and become more integral to the overall event experience, manufacturers are offering a wider range of styles and options to better meet customer aspirations as well as growing demand. While traditional tent styles are always popular with consumers, there also are always requests for new and different …
Weddings that wow
April 1, 2025
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the historic Bellosguardo in Montecito, Calif., has hosted countless parties and events—but none as large or complex as the 500-person wedding recently executed on a hot August night by 24/7 Events, Valencia, Calif. The estate-turned-museum was built in 1902 and presents several obstacles for even the most experienced event coordinators. “Working …

Supplier Spotlights 2025
In memoriam: Richard Crum
October 8, 2025
E. Richard Crum, 85, died Sept. 7, 2025, in Kyle, Texas. Following a public sector career in social services that spanned two decades, Crum turned to entrepreneurship, launching several business ventures, real estate investments and land speculation projects. Alongside his wife, Delores Crum, he co-founded Premiere Events, Austin, Texas. Crum is survived by his wife, Delores; …
Toast of the Town acquires Alaska Event Services
October 8, 2025
Toast of the Town, Anchorage, Alaska, has acquired Anchorage-based Alaska Event Services (AES). Founded in 2015, Toast of the Town is a women-owned event planning and marketing agency that serves as the only event planning and management preferred provider for the state of Alaska. AES, established in 2004, is a wedding, trade show and convention event …
PRO EM acquires Top Productions
October 8, 2025
Phoenix-based PRO EM National Event Services, a nationwide event rental agency, acquired Top Productions, an event flooring and structure solutions company based in Richmond, Calif. According to PRO EM National Event Services, this acquisition will expand its inventory of flooring, scaffolding, mezz deck and double-deck structures. With locations in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago and Orlando, PRO EM …
Gearing up for glory
October 1, 2025
The Soap Box Derby is back by popular demand and ready to roll at the 2026 ATA Tent Expo, taking place January 27–29 at Margaritaville Resort in Kissimmee, Fla. After a thrilling debut at the 2024 Expo, the derby is now one of the most anticipated events on the Tent Rental Division (TRD) calendar, and …
Austin Barshinger promoted to Herculite quality supervisor
September 30, 2025
Herculite Products Inc., an innovator and manufacturer of high-performance and custom fabrics, announced the appointment of Austin Barshinger as the new Quality Supervisor in York, Penn. Austin has been a valuable member of our team since he joined Herculite in December 2021. Over the past four years, he has consistently taken on more responsibilities in operations …
Atlas Event Rental expands with new central Florida showroom
September 30, 2025
Atlas Event Rental, family-owned for more than 40 years and based in Boynton Beach, Fla., is expanding into Orlando with a new showroom. The company provides rentals for corporate, social and wedding events. “We are thrilled to bring the Atlas Event Rental experience to Orlando,” said Heather Rouffe, managing partner and head of sales at Atlas. …
Minnesota judge disapproves PFAS reporting and fees proposed rule
September 11, 2025
Jim Mortenson, a Minnesota Administrative Law Judge, issued a report Aug. 28 on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s proposed rule on reporting PFAS in products and associated fees. The judge stated his disapproval of the proposed rule due to the agency’s “failure to assess the cumulative effect of the rule with other federal and state …
Designtex adds new image search feature to website
September 10, 2025
Designtex, a designer and manufacturer of applied materials for the built environment, has added a new artificial intelligence (AI) image search feature to its website, designtex.com. The AI feature was developed in collaboration with Stylib, a tech startup. After a user uploads an image or selects a swatch, the system analyzes the content to detect …
Reventals introduces AI-powered event planning assistant
September 8, 2025
Reventals, an Austin, Texas-based online marketplace that connects customers with locally owned event rental vendors, has launched what it called the “first-ever artificial intelligence [AI] assistant built expressly for party and event rental planning.” Evie, Reventals’ AI assistant, recommends tents, tables, chairs, linens, décor and more based on user inputs. Available for free on Reventals’ …
President Trump issues tariff rate modifications
September 6, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued further modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), effective Mon., Sept. 8. The changes were issued in the Sept. 5 Executive Order “Modifying the Scope of Reciprocal Tariffs and Establishing Procedures for Implementing Trade and Security Agreements.” The order further modifies import duties imposed by …

Supplier Spotlights 2025
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 …

Supplier Spotlights 2025
Project Showcase: Tentickle Miami tents the Miami Concours
October 1, 2025
In the heart of the 2025 South Florida event season, the 8th annual Miami Concours took place over a February weekend at the iconic Jungle Plaza in Miami’s Design District, a stunning urban backdrop for the intersection of auto, art and fashion. The event that showcased a collection of hypercars and rare vintage supercars on …
Project Showcase: Tents for Rent
August 1, 2025
When Scranton Rent-All in Throop, Pa., was hired to make wedding dreams come true for a family living on the edge of a golf course in the Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania, the company reached out to long-time partner Tents For Rent in Lititz, Pa., to help make it happen. “We have a long-standing relationship …
Installation Spotlight: Circus Sarasota
August 1, 2025
Barnum and Bailey would marvel at Mexican-based architect Hector Mendoza Uribe’s forward-thinking 2023 redesign of the tent for Florida’s Circus Sarasota. Seeking a new design, structure and complete equipment overhaul, Mendoza Uribe worked with Carpas Y Lonas El Carrusel to create an eye-catching big top, completely redesigning and manufacturing the main tent, an entrance tent …
Project Showcase: Arena Americas tents the U.S. Open
June 1, 2025
Steeped in tradition, North Carolina’s Pinehurst Resort has hosted more golf championships than any other site in America—and providing structures to uphold that kind of history calls for nothing less than tenting excellence. As a provider of event rental solutions, Arena Americas, based in Oak Creek, Wis., specializes in tenting, flooring, seating and event management …
Project Showcase: Element Event Solutions
April 1, 2025
Each summer at Sobeys Stadium, Toronto, Canada, Tennis Canada hosts the National Bank Open presented by Rogers (formerly Rogers Cup)—a tournament that hosts the world’s best tennis players from the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) tours. And for at least the past 20 years, the team at Element Event Solutions …
Tenting a transformation
April 1, 2025
In the summer of 2024, Houston Tents & Events (HTE) joined the producers of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to film a special episode in the Houston, Texas, area. The episode, featuring HTE’s behind-the-scenes contributions, aired Jan. 30 on ABC and is available to stream on Hulu. Known for transforming the lives of deserving families …
CORT Events reveals top event design trends of 2025
February 3, 2025
CORT Events, Chantilly, Va., a furniture rental company for the exhibition and events industry, has announced its top design trends for 2025. “Modern event design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about creating an environment that achieves objectives that resonate with attendees. Every piece of furniture, every detail and every color plays a role in …
Project Showcase: Tenting on ice
December 1, 2024
When a Toronto, Ontario-based marketing firm contacted Fiesta Tents Ltd., out of Montreal, Que., Canada, with a request to install a clearspan tent in February on a frozen lake north of Montreal, it sparked the team’s interest. Each year in the winter, Automobili Lamborghini Canada hosts a multiday on-ice driving program—Esperienza Neve—where preeminent customers across …
Project spotlight: Organic-Concept Tents
October 1, 2024
For a dance-centered festival that encourages freedom of expression, sustainability and human connection, finding a tent and event company that echoes those values is paramount. WECANDANCE at Zeebrugge beach in Bruges, Belgium, is more than a music festival. It’s a full experience focusing on community, design and impact that features six stages, two weekends, four …
Customizing for Coca-Cola
August 1, 2024
What do you get when you combine the rich heritage and innovative spirit of Coca-Cola with the 25 years of experience and creativity embodied by Houston-based Elias Events? An over-the-top customized event that creates wonder and delight. Elias Events created such an event for the Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Association’s 2023 annual meeting that took place at …