Company News

B.C. Tent & Awning celebrates 40 years

January 12, 2021

Bob Costa, founder and president of B.C. Tent & Awning Co. Inc., Avon, Mass., began 2020 with optimism for the company’s continued growth and expansion, and its approaching 40th business anniversary. Then COVID-19 struck and changed the company’s trajectory in its milestone year. As the economy reacted to the pandemic, Costa’s company’s services were in …

Industry News

Take IFAI’s survey: COVID-19’s Business Impact in 2020

December 22, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic will be remembered as one of the most challenging and unprecedented periods ever for the specialty, technical and engineered textile industries. As 2020 comes to a close, Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) would like your help in understanding how businesses in our industries were affected by the events of this year and …

Company News

Glen Raven Custom Fabrics announces multiphase expansion plan

December 21, 2020

Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, Burlington, N.C., has announced the latest milestones in a multiphase global expansion plan, representing a $65 million investment to create additional capacity and support sustainability initiatives, according to a company press release. The first phase, initiated at the end of 2019, includes new and upgraded equipment to support the continuing growth …

Industry News

Register for the TRD Virtual Summit

December 17, 2020

Registration is open for IFAI’s Tent Rental Division (TRD) Virtual Summit. The multi-day virtual event will take place January 19–21, 2021, and will include dynamic education, product demos and networking opportunities. Each day of the summit will feature the following themes: Day 1: The Pandemic; How has the last 9 months effected the Tent Industry Day …

Industry News

Pantone reveals Color of the Year selection for 2021

December 17, 2020

Pantone, the global color authority and provider of professional color language standards and digital solutions for the design community, has announced PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating, as the Pantone® Color of the Year selection for 2021, two independent colors that come together to create an aspirational color pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of …

Industry News

ARA releases equipment and event rental revenue forecast

December 8, 2020

The American Rental Association (ARA) is forecasting a 13 percent decline in equipment and event rental revenue this year compared to 2019, dropping to $48.7 billion in the United States. The latest forecast released by the association on Nov. 12, 2020, calls for modest overall growth in 2021, ticking up 0.3 percent to $48.9 billion, …

Profile

An entrepreneurial mindset

December 1, 2020

For Elite Events and Rentals, downtime during the pandemic creates an opportunity for business planning.  by Cathy Broberg In normal times, Brandon Ahlgren, founder and owner of Elite Events and Rentals LLC, would be keeping a hectic pace. “You take every job you can—go, go, go; get it, get it, get it; move more, hire …

Management

Sales fundamentals during a crisis

December 1, 2020

Tips for selling products and services during COVID-19. by Madeleine MacRae Determining the best way to sell and, even more so, how to effectively and appropriately market your products and services at a time of such widespread uncertainty and deep market disruption can be a daunting task. As a leader during this unprecedented time, you …

Inspired!

Inspired! Outdoor gym

December 1, 2020

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, much of California—most notably Los Angeles County—has not been able to break out of the “Tier One” phase of reopening as set forth by the state. Over the past several months, 24/7 Events, a party supply and rental shop based in Castaic Junction, Calif., has worked with a variety of …

Tips and Techniques

Reimagining event space design

December 1, 2020

Guidelines and trends to follow for events and meetingsin a post-pandemic world.  by Kevin Dana Over the past few months event professionals have pivoted quickly to support the new landscape of our industry. From virtual trade shows to micro-weddings, we’ve seen a major shift in how we approach meetings and events as a result of …

Expo News

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 …

Expo News

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 …

Expo News

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 …

Expo News

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, …

Expo News

Rodgers: Textiles are the “T” in STEM

November 11, 2020

How do you create a channel from research to application? How do you create a pathway toward understanding complex human problems across supply chains and market sectors? STEM—a curriculum based on teaching science, technology, engineering and math—has branched out from basic chemistry and biology and physics classes, into collaborative efforts, including textiles, according to Stephanie …

Expo News

Partnerships in smart textile products

November 11, 2020

The second week of IFAI’s Virtual Expo 2020 advanced textiles educational sessions began with a presentation that illustrated the importance of collaboration. “Smart textiles for healthcare and wellbeing: a collaborative approach” had three presenters speaking from different perspectives, but with one, unified message about reaching across geographical distance and areas of expertise to create successful …

Expo News

Welding technology for your business

November 11, 2020

During IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, Jeff Sponseller, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Miller Weldmaster, led a campfire session titled “How to Select the Correct Welding Technology for Your Business.” “Essentially a good weld means that the fabric will tear before the weld does,” says Sponseller. Many types of different materials can be …

Expo News

Guidance offered in commercial insurance market

November 10, 2020

Wildfires, hurricanes, a pandemic and civil unrest have wreaked plenty of chaos on the commercial insurance market in 2020. Steve Christenson, with Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, offered guidance to business owners Nov. 9 at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020. “The business insurance market has been going through several changes this year,” says Christenson, with U.S. …

Expo News

How to make your business attractive to a buyer

November 6, 2020

Thinking about selling your business—either to an outside party or the next generation? Then it’s time to start considering how your equipment and processes fit into your succession plan. Jonathan Palmer, the second-generation owner and CEO of equipment supplier Autometrix, and Autometrix director of global sales Truy Pham, led an educational session at IFAI Virtual …

Expo News

Research and development partnerships work one-on-one

November 6, 2020

The process of working with a research and development center was discussed in Dr. Thomas Stegmaier’s presentation, “Testing and Standards Integral to Timely Product Development.” Dr. Stegmaier is with DITF [Deutsche Institute Fur Textil Und Faserforschung Denkendorf], a large, textile research center located in Germany. It partners individually with industry participants to develop new technologies …

Feature

Tenting for the pandemic

December 1, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the tent industry finds new ways to survive. by Jeff Moravec There are all manner of seasonal ebbs and flows in the tent rental industry, but perhaps none as anticipated as the annual ramp-up to spring, summer and fall events. Staff is hired, inventory is refreshed and contracts are checked. Each …

Feature

2020 InTents’ Premier Product Showcase Part 2

December 1, 2020

It’s all about fast installation, more customization, easy handling and style—the qualities that tent and event rental companies demand.  For the InTents annual 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 …

Feature

InTents “5 under 40”

December 1, 2020

An in-depth look at five young professionals who are helping the tenting industry move toward an innovative and vital future. by Pamela Mills-Senn You can’t discount the contribution of folks who have spent decades in the tenting industry, advancing it through innovation and hard work. At the same time, those at the start of their …

Feature Members only content

Conduct thorough and proper site evaluations to avoid the unexpected

October 1, 2020

by Pamela Mills-Senn There’s a time and a place for surprises—a tent install isn’t one of them. Encounter the unexpected on one of these projects and you risk losing time, money and potentially a customer, not to mention incurring on-the-job injuries. Site evaluations offer the best protection against such unhappy outcomes. Although the unanticipated can …

Feature Members only content

Event decor: pandemic style

October 1, 2020

As celebrations and gatherings are forced to take a back seat during COVID-19, event rental companies find revenue through new opportunities.  by Jeff Moravec By mid-summer in most years, the tented event industry has a pretty good grasp on what design trends have taken hold for event furniture—some anticipated, some out of the blue.  But …

Feature

2020 InTents’ Premier Product Showcase Part 1

October 1, 2020

It’s all about customization, fast installation, easy handling and style—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. …

Feature Members only content

How to ease the heavy burden of ballasting

August 1, 2020

Ballasting done right means going heavy, but industry-developed tools help to ease the burden. by Jeff Moravec Ballasting may seem a necessary evil in the world of tented events. All tents need to be anchored in one way or another, of course, with ballast (weight) being a common method. It requires a lot of planning, …

Feature Members only content

Maintenance practices to extend the life of your tents and equipment

August 1, 2020

by Darcy Maulsby The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” takes on new meaning in times like the current challenging business environment. When tent rental operators are counting every penny, the need to get the longest possible life out of tents and the equipment used to install them is …

Feature Members only content

Tackle difficult projects to elevate your company’s portfolio

August 1, 2020

When a complex and difficult install comes along, resist the temptation to decline. by Pamela Mills-Senn A willingness to tackle tough installs requires steely nerves, can-do attitudes, experienced and talented crews and lots of planning. But when it all comes together, challenging projects not only bring a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, they enhance a …

Feature Members only content

Disaster shelter design competition tests engineering students

June 1, 2020

John Brown University’s disaster shelter contest challenges students to develop and demonstrate solutions for emergency scenarios. by Holly Eamon Global economic losses from natural disasters topped $232 billion last year, rounding out a decade that cost the world nearly $3 trillion, according to the 2019 Weather, Climate & Catastrophe Insight Annual Report published by global …

Company News

B.C. Tent & Awning celebrates 40 years

January 12, 2021

Bob Costa, founder and president of B.C. Tent & Awning Co. Inc., Avon, Mass., began 2020 with optimism for the company’s continued growth and expansion, and its approaching 40th business anniversary. Then COVID-19 struck and changed the company’s trajectory in its milestone year. As the economy reacted to the pandemic, Costa’s company’s services were in …

Industry News

Take IFAI’s survey: COVID-19’s Business Impact in 2020

December 22, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic will be remembered as one of the most challenging and unprecedented periods ever for the specialty, technical and engineered textile industries. As 2020 comes to a close, Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) would like your help in understanding how businesses in our industries were affected by the events of this year and …

Company News

Glen Raven Custom Fabrics announces multiphase expansion plan

December 21, 2020

Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, Burlington, N.C., has announced the latest milestones in a multiphase global expansion plan, representing a $65 million investment to create additional capacity and support sustainability initiatives, according to a company press release. The first phase, initiated at the end of 2019, includes new and upgraded equipment to support the continuing growth …

Industry News

Register for the TRD Virtual Summit

December 17, 2020

Registration is open for IFAI’s Tent Rental Division (TRD) Virtual Summit. The multi-day virtual event will take place January 19–21, 2021, and will include dynamic education, product demos and networking opportunities. Each day of the summit will feature the following themes: Day 1: The Pandemic; How has the last 9 months effected the Tent Industry Day …

Industry News

Pantone reveals Color of the Year selection for 2021

December 17, 2020

Pantone, the global color authority and provider of professional color language standards and digital solutions for the design community, has announced PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating, as the Pantone® Color of the Year selection for 2021, two independent colors that come together to create an aspirational color pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of …

Industry News

ARA releases equipment and event rental revenue forecast

December 8, 2020

The American Rental Association (ARA) is forecasting a 13 percent decline in equipment and event rental revenue this year compared to 2019, dropping to $48.7 billion in the United States. The latest forecast released by the association on Nov. 12, 2020, calls for modest overall growth in 2021, ticking up 0.3 percent to $48.9 billion, …

Profile

An entrepreneurial mindset

December 1, 2020

For Elite Events and Rentals, downtime during the pandemic creates an opportunity for business planning.  by Cathy Broberg In normal times, Brandon Ahlgren, founder and owner of Elite Events and Rentals LLC, would be keeping a hectic pace. “You take every job you can—go, go, go; get it, get it, get it; move more, hire …

Installation Spotlight

SoCal Tents & Events provides tenting for the U.S. vice presidential debate

December 1, 2020

SoCal Tents & Events LLC, South El Monte, Calif., is no stranger to large-scale productions and big-name events. Established in 2007, the company was acquired by PRO EM National Event Services in 2017 and does business as URS (Universal Resource Supply) nationally. Along with its California clientele, SoCal Tents & Events’ reach stretches across the …

News

Baytex wins OFPANZ award

December 1, 2020

For its 2020 Awards for Excellence competition, the Outdoor Fabric Products Association of New Zealand (OFPANZ) announced Mount Maunganui, New Zealand-based Baytex as winner in the category of tents, marquees and inflated structures.  Baytex’s entry, the Hampton pole tent, is a new product for the company. The tent combines a traditional pole marquee with the …

News

Tent CARES Day honors pandemic workers

December 1, 2020

Tent manufacturers and rental businesses around the U.S. celebrated the frontline workers of the COVID-19 pandemic on Aug. 29 with barbeques, food truck fare and lots of sweet treats. Independent Tent CARES Day events were hosted by members of the IFAI’s Tent Rental Division (TRD) and other industry organizations. In addition to honoring health care …

COVID-19

Recommendation for cleaning COVID-19 related tents

April 23, 2020

Brought to you by the Tent Rental Division The COVID-19 pandemic has created concerns with how to successfully disinfect and sterilize tent fabrics, framework, fittings, webs, ratchets, poles and anchoring devices including ballasts—basically any item or piece of equipment that may be on the job site. The Tent Rental Division (TRD) of Industrial Fabrics Association International …

Safety & Codes

Opioids and your workplace

December 1, 2019

A new toolkit from the National Safety Council aims to help employers and employees understand how opioid use affects the workplace—and what to do about it.   For the first time in U.S. history, a person is more likely to die from an accidental opioid overdose than from a motor vehicle crash. The numbers don’t …

Industry News

Working safely in hot weather

July 18, 2019

A new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) alert offers information and resources to protect workers from heat-related illness when performing activities in high temperatures and humid conditions. Symptoms of heat-related illness include fainting, dizziness, nausea and muscle spasms. Keep workers safe by following these simple safety practices: Provide water, frequent rest breaks and shade. …

Industry News

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 …

On the Job

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 …

On the Job

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 …

On the Job

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 …

On the Job

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 …

On the Job

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 …

On the Job

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 …

Projects

Fire-retardant clear vinyl

June 1, 2019

The Visilite™ collection of four clear vinyl options includes Visilite FR, a clear vinyl that passes the NFPA-701 Test Method 2 for fire resistance. The collection also includes double polished, extruded and interleaf styles. The vinyl offers lasting visual clarity and durability for a variety of outdoor applications including tents, patio and marine enclosures, car …

Feature

Getting educated on chair and tent rental for graduations

May 17, 2019

College and university campuses present myriad challenges when it comes to setting up chairs and installing tents for commencement ceremonies. By Pamela Mills-Senn The graduation season provides lucrative opportunities for tent and event rental companies, along with headaches that can try the steeliest of nerves. Take college and university graduation ceremonies, which often require massive …

Event Production

Museum of the American Revolution inspires with a clear top tent

June 1, 2017

For the April grand opening gala of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pa., EventQuip of Lansdale, Pa., installed a 12-by-76-meter Losberger P7 profile with a clear top for the gala dinner tent, a 9-by-6-meter Losberger P7 with a white top for the entrance tent, a 9-by-55-foot clear-top Aztec marquee for building access, …

Project Briefs

Long distance sprint

December 1, 2016

O’Neil Tent Co. installs several structures in a short timeframe 250+ feet from the unloading zone. When Ohio State University needed tenting structures for its fundraising campaign, “But for Ohio State,” an event that raises funds for students to study abroad, it called on O’Neil Tent Co., Columbus, Ohio, to make it happen. O’Neil Tent …

Event Production

Decadent masterpiece

December 1, 2016

A clear tent becomes a speakeasy with “The Great Gatsby” in every detail. Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby may have been left off the guest list, but every other detail of a “Great Gatsby”-themed birthday party under a tent recalled the glitter and grandeur of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece. Inspired by the client’s home and …

Event Production

Building a city

December 1, 2016

Classic Event and Tent Rentals prepared a scenic, suburban golf course for an invasion of hundreds of thousands of fans. When Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., was awarded the 2016 Ryder Cup, planners knew a temporary city would be needed to accommodate the anticipated 250,000 spectators who would descend on the picturesque course …

Event Production

Anything’s possible

December 1, 2016

Over the Top Tents and Events makes events happen in the wild and magnificent Alaska terrain. The largest state in the union is home to breathtaking landscapes. The mountains, rivers and glaciers provide stunning backdrops for unforgettable events—but along with the wild, untamed beauty of Alaska comes unpredictable climates and challenging accessibility for companies like …

Event Production

Creating A Distinctive Atmosphere for Multiple Events Using One Tent

October 28, 2016

There is a reason why so many tented events seem to be cookie-cutter productions. There are people to please and placate, funds to be allocated, tent design and layout to be developed, and complex lighting and flooring elements to be installed. It is no wonder that so many people end up with the same event …

Event Production

Installing a structure on a scaffold

October 1, 2016

New York Tent installs a rooftop structure that couldn’t be attached to the roof. When Citnalta Construction Corp. approached Long Island-based New York Tent to cover a roof that it needed to rip off and replace, the construction firm had one big caveat: because of the work that had to be done, the tent couldn’t …

Event Production

Amazon Originals interactive experience at Comic-Con

October 1, 2016

Choura Events creates an Amazon Originals interactive experience for Comic-Con enthusiasts. Comic-Con junkies are the tastemakers of tomorrow,” actress Kristen Bell once said—and she’s not alone in her enthusiasm for the event that celebrates comic books and other aspects of popular arts, such as films and science fiction/fantasy literature. Comic-Con International takes place each year …