Rainier Industries announces Michael Tharpe retirement, welcomes Paul Buser to Tent Division
December 14th, 2022
Michael Tharpe, national sales manager, Rainier Industries, discusses staking in a TRD boot camp sponsored by ARA of Minnesota and hosted at Ultimate Events in Plymouth, Minn. in April 2019. Michael Tharpe has announced his retirement from the Commercial Tent Division of Rainier Industries. His last day with the company will be January 16, 2023. […]
COVID-19 and the tent rental industry supply chain
February 23rd, 2021
Michael Tharpe, national sales manager of Rainier Industries Ltd. and chairman of IFAI’s Tent Rental Division, discussed the effects of COVID-19 on the tent rental industry supply chain during his presentation at the IFAI Fabricators Conference & Showcase on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. Before the pandemic, the 2020 forecast for the revenue, party and event […]
IFAI’s TRD Ballasting Tool and the industry
October 1st, 2020
Leather building belt note-books pen hard hat on wooden board construction concept. For decades, the Tent Rental Division (TRD) of IFAI has been an industry leader in the development of tools that promote the safe installation of tents for the rental marketplace. In 2012 the division launched its TRD Ballasting Tool—a calculator that determines the […]
How to ease the heavy burden of ballasting
August 1st, 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, […]
The tent rental industry comes together to fight for survival
June 1st, 2020
As March events canceled and commercial work shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many tent installers, including Classic Tents & Events, Norcross, Ga., shifted to providing tents at medical facilities. Photos courtesy of Classic Tents & Events. Few aspects of the global economy are untouched by the COVID-19 pandemic, but for the tent and […]
Tent professionals enjoy business and fun at Tent Conference 2020
January 27th, 2020
Event tent installation is all about teamwork, and the attendees at IFAI Tent Conference 2020 got to show off those skills last week in an “Amazing Race”-style competition that had them working together to solve puzzles, climb a rock tower and ride a mechanical bull among other fun challenges! A TRD Experience team completes a […]
Register for Tent Conference 2020
November 22nd, 2019
Registration is open for Tent Conference 2020, set for Jan. 22–24 at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo at River Ranch, Fla. Don’t miss out on the leading event for promoting the advancement of the commercial tent rental industry, and the opportunity to experience “Old Florida” at an authentic dude ranch while networking with industry […]
Study time: IFAI tools for better staking and ballasting
August 1st, 2019
IFAI’s staking and ballasting studies have helped to push the tent rental industry forward in terms of safety and professionalism. Here’s how tent rental companies can use the studies to set their business apart, plus anchoring tips from the experts. The IFAI Staking Study and the TRD (Tent Rental Division) Ballasting Tool have improved the […]
Tharpe joins Rainier Industries
February 21st, 2017
Rainier Industries' shelter division named a new sales manger, Michael Tharpe. In his new role, Tharpe is charged with expanding the availability of Rainier tent and tent liner products across the U.S. He will continue to provide support to existing dealers with installation training, tradeshow assistance, and coaching as needed. Tharpe has more than 20 years of experience in […]