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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 may not last the duration of the event, fully or partially collapsing, resulting in a furious customer at best and harm to guests at worst. Or during the install process, an inadequately trained crew member could be injured, leading to project delays, a labor shortage due to the employee needing time off work and/or a potentially costly workers’ comp claim.
These are just some of the reasons why training crews on this aspect of operations is so critical for avoiding damage to people, property and reputation, says Nick Deninno, Chief Operations Officer of B&R Innovations (also known as Block and Roll®). Located in Bethpage, N.Y., the company provides a complete tent ballasting system for tent rental professionals and other related accessories.
However, the negative impacts of poorly implemented anchoring often are discounted or ignored, which Deninno says is a “dangerous oversight.”
But the need for crew training and education isn’t limited to anchoring. A more comprehensive approach is required to enhance safety and ensure optimal outcomes. This inspired a collaboration among several longtime industry members of three organizations: the American Rental Association (ARA); the Tent Rental Division (TRD) of the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA); and the Manufacturers and Tent Renters Association (MATRA). These associations joined forces to create a certification program promoting safe tenting practices. Although the effort is ongoing, two courses are currently available, with three others poised (as of this writing) for release by the end of this year/early 2026.
The first module, Foundations of Safe Tenting (FST), was released in January 2024. It serves as an introductory program, with the free online course providing the basic knowledge necessary to work safely on an installation site.
“This was the first one we put together,” says Matt Smith, president of Virginia Special Events, a full-service turnkey tent and event rental company located in Portsmouth.
“It provides a kind of 10,000-foot snapshot of the entire tenting industry,” says Smith, who is a member of both ARA and MATRA. “It covers the different kinds of tents, different storage methods, tent handling and so on. It is very safe-centric and serves as the prerequisite for everything else.”
After wrapping up this module, they “zeroed in” on tent anchoring, says Smith, explaining they felt this should be next since anchoring is such an important part of any installation. Deninno, who is a member of all three associations, agrees.
“We chose tent anchoring because it truly is the foundation of safe tenting,” he says. “Regardless of size or style, every tent installation relies on proper anchoring or ballasting to ensure safety and stability. Starting with this topic sets the tone for the entire program, reinforcing that safety isn’t just an add-on, it’s essential.”
Anchoring nuts and bolts
Dubbed Essentials of Tent Anchoring (ETA), the course was designed over multiple meetings between members of the three organizations. The content is derived from their personal experiences and manufacturers’ instructions and manuals, as well as the ARA’s Foundation course and the TRD’s Safe Installation of Tents, says Steve Belliveau. An outside sales manager for Anchor Industries Inc., headquartered in Evansville, Ind., Belliveau’s involvement with the anchoring course came through his affiliation with TRD. He also is a member of MATRA.
Development began in early 2024, officially launching at that year’s MATRA Tent Show. According to Sean Willich, safety training manager for ARA in Moline, Ill., nearly 200 participants completed the course in its first eight months.
“Its core content was put together by Matthew Smith and Steve Belliveau, then carefully reviewed and refined by a panel of industry experts,” Willich says. “This course consists of a classroom portion, a written test and a practical demonstration, ensuring that participants gain both theoretical and hands-on experience in tent anchoring techniques.”
Because of the depth of what is covered, Willich doesn’t consider this an entry-level course. Rather, new employees on up to “seasoned veterans” would benefit, he says. Taken after the FST, it serves as a prerequisite for the certification courses to follow, says Belliveau, describing the ETA as “critical for tent installers and future leads and those who want to pursue certification.”
What to expect
So, what can course takers expect to learn?
They’ll receive a thorough education in tent anchoring encompassing both “traditional staking methods and modern ballasting techniques,” says Deninno. Among the discussion topics are anchor selection, load requirements, proper strapping, soil conditions and industry standards.
“It also features a hands-on demonstration on how to safely and effectively anchor into concrete using specialized hardware, giving attendees real-world skills they can apply immediately,” Deninno adds.
In addition to understanding the different tent anchors and factors affecting the “holding power” of “ground-penetration anchors and ballasting systems,” other skills Belliveau mentions include the ability to:
Identify the proper installation, maintenance and removal methods of tent anchoring.
Determine the appropriate tools
for specific anchoring situations as well as the correct anchoring methods for various field conditions.
Conduct anchoring inspections to identify both safe and unsafe practices/potential failures and proactively making corrections.
“This course will make a huge difference for safe tent installations and will benefit the installer, the rental company, other companies involved at the tent site and of course, overall safety for the customer,” says Belliveau. “Simply said, a tent is only as good as how it is anchored. The best tents in the world will not perform to their full potential without being properly secured.”
Structure, recognition, safety
Involving the three associations in the certification program’s development made sense for several reasons, not the least of which was establishing greater credibility industry-wide, says Deninno. Cohesiveness was another objective.
“Each was doing some form of training, but there was no uniform standard,” he says. “By coming together, we created a consistent, recognizable program that speaks for the whole industry. And when three leading organizations stand behind a program, companies take notice.”
Bringing everyone together wasn’t without challenges. A “major hurdle” was the need to overcome regional differences in terminology and methodology, requiring the creation of a common glossary of terms and a unified approach to training, Deninno says. Development of the ETA module took a bit longer than anticipated, but maintaining quality and accuracy was the top priority.
Next in line are individual courses covering pole tents, frame tents and structure tents, says Willich. In order to take these three tent-specific modules, participants must complete the FST and ETA. Additional courses beyond these are being considered, but plans haven’t been finalized. The associations are also currently evaluating offering Spanish-language options, but this is still “a work in progress,” Willich says.
The ultimate goal is certification and providing those in the industry with a viable career path forward, says Belliveau, explaining there are two different levels of certification: basic and master. The FST and ETA courses are just the first in the broader Safe Tenting Professional (STP) certification program intended to “elevate the professionalism, training and education” that has long been desired by the industry, says Willich.
This program and the certification that comes with it offers multiple advantages. In an increasingly regulatory environment, certification provides concrete evidence of a tent/event rental company’s qualifications and expertise, Smith explains. It also improves the perception of the industry’s professionalism among clients and those who work in it.
“Also, most companies don’t have their own in-house training, so this is an opportunity for them to train their staff without having to develop their own programs,” he adds. “Plus, it can make the entire operation safer. The installers who take the course come back and pass that information along; there is definitely bleed-over.”
The certification program not only provides a training tool for companies, it helps with employee retention and building reputation, showing clients the company is committed “to doing the right thing,” says Deninno.
“Tent installers are among the hardest-working and least-recognized trades,” he continues. “They face tough conditions, deadlines, weather and logistical hurdles, but the show always goes on. This program provides the structure, recognition and safety to support them.”
Pamela Mills–Senn is a freelance writer based in Seal Beach, Calif.
SIDEBAR: ETA course details
With content created and curated by industry professionals, the Essentials of Tent Anchoring (ETA) module includes a classroom portion, a written test and an interactive demonstration, says Sean Willich, safety training manager for American Rental Association (ARA) in Moline, Ill.
“After the classroom and written tests are completed, the instructor takes the class outside, where two tents have been installed, typically a pole tent and a frame tent,” Willich explains. “The tents are installed using multiple different types of anchoring methods, all of which were discussed in the classroom.”
Classes are held by each association at its specific events, such as the Manufacturers and Tent Renters Association Tent Show and Spring Training as well as the Tent Rental Division’s Boot Camps, with each association’s website listing the dates for upcoming classes.
The average course completion time is around five hours, says Willich, adding that duration can depend on class size and participation level. Available to anyone, the ETA course costs $199 for association members and $299 for non-members. The introductory course, Foundations of Safe Tenting (FST), is free for members and non-members alike.
SIDEBAR: Meet the developers
Steve Belliveau is the outside sales manager for Anchor Industries Inc. and a member of the Manufactures and Tent Renters Association (MATRA), American Rental Association (ARA) and the Tent Rental Division of the Advanced Textiles Association (TRD/ATA). He is current past chairman of TRD; prior to January 2025, he was TRD chairman (2022-2024). He has served as an instructor at several course offerings.
Nick Deninno is COO of B&R Innovations (Block and Roll®). Currently the sitting chair of ATA’s Tent Rental Division, he is a member of ARA and MATRA. He has been involved with numerous MATRA committees, spoken at MATRA conferences and training events and has presented at ARA’s regional seminars and national trade shows.
Matt Smith is president of Virginia Special Events. He is currently on ARA’s Safe Tenting Initiative Committee and is vice president of the Virginia chapter of ARA. He is a member of the MATRA board and is co-chair of its education committee.
Sean Willich is the safety training manager for ARA. He has spent nearly a decade in the safety-related field and works closely with TRD/ATA and MATRA.
Additional industry volunteers include Liz Wilson (Sunbelt Rentals), Steve Campbell (L & A Tent Rentals), Kevin Vasquez (Made in the Shade Tent Rentals) and ARA’s education team. All contributed their knowledge and expertise to help build the certification program.