Super-sized celebration

Clinton Presidential Center anniversary hosted in massive tent.

When Mahaffey Fabric Structures of Memphis, Tenn., was contacted by Party Time Rental and Events of Little Rock, Ark., in early 2014 to provide a structure for the tenth anniversary of the Clinton Presidential Center, the company approached the job as one of the most important in its more than 90-year history.

“The Clinton Presidential Center wanted to celebrate the 10 years since it first opened its doors as a premier educational and cultural venue,” says Catherine Knoll, marketing manager for Mahaffey. “The client wanted a venue to celebrate with not only the community, but with multiple high-level political figures, musicians and friends.”

And the big celebration, held in November 2014, required a big tent. At 164 by 296 feet, the tent was described by planners as the largest tent ever installed in Arkansas.

A new asphalt lot built for the event presented a 300-foot gradual downhill slope, making erecting the structure difficult. Because two sidewalls were entirely enclosed with 17 bays of glass panels that overlooked the library, the Mahaffey crew had to adjust for the slope in the foundation. The crew creatively set panels at a custom angle, adjusting for the 6-foot difference in elevation from one end to the other.

The 43,000-square-foot structure was divided into three rooms: a 33-by-164-foot production room, a 33-by-164-foot rest area, and a 230-by-164-foot event ballroom. The structure was equipped with more than 20 HVAC units and six generators.

Speakers at the event included prominent former Clinton administration figures, as well as Bill and Hillary Clinton.

“This was our first year working with Party Time Rental and Events, and for the customer and their client, and it could not have gone better,” Knoll says. “Everyone was exceedingly happy, which was shown by the huge turnout and excitement of the attendees. According to the customer, it was beyond successful and couldn’t have gone better.”