Who’s the new kid?

Having grown up as a military brat, I’m quite familiar with the experience of being “the new kid.” The first few days are always bewildering and a bit overwhelming. You spend a lot of time feeling intensely aware of how much you have to learn, while also trying not to panic about the potentially lengthy list of things you aren’t even aware you don’t know yet. Mistakes are inevitable, but with luck, minor. You learn to smile a lot, ask questions and listen keenly.

Over the last 20 years, I’ve worked with several different trade associations and have found the process of learning a new industry is very similar to moving to a new town. All my familiar landmarks are gone. Industry contacts cultivated over years, suddenly no longer relevant. I’ll spend some time feeling a bit lost, relying on the kindness of strangers to point me in the right direction and teach me all that I don’t yet know. Fortunately for me, the staff at IFAI has been the friendliest and most welcoming I’ve ever encountered. They tell me the members of the Tent Rental Division are similarly good-natured, and I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your industry better in the months to come. 

In this issue, we kick off the start of the wedding season with an in-depth look at the very latest wedding trends. Because of COVID, many couples have been waiting since 2020 to marry and 2022 is being called “the year of the wedding” as those overdue ceremonies finally take place. As a result, guest lists are ballooning and that means more bodies on the dance floors. Check out “The new must-haves” article for a look at the newest options available as well as tips for companies considering purchasing new flooring. And of course, with so many companies booked solid after a two-year slump, event planners and tent rental companies alike could use the tips on working together!