Award-winning tent on tour

InTents
April ▲ May 2006
The magazine for the tent–rental and special–event industries
High fashion
High drama
Award-winning tent on tour
Seek unconventional
markets for unlimited profits
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New Products
In
Tents
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Volume 13
Number 2
April ▲ May 2006
34
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Page 30: To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Louis Vuitton brand, Fabric Shelter Systems Ltd. was charged with designing and fabricating a custom tent
without obvious connections, protrusions, poles, or any flappy fabric. Page 6: Starting with the acquisition of the rental business of Torrance, Calif.-based Aztec
Tents & Events, Classic Party Rentals, El Segundo, Calif., has grown at a robust rate over the last six months. Page 34: Some of the more prominent (yet rarely
discussed) applications in the industrial market involve construction coverage, warehousing, greenhouses, agricultural storage, military supply line protection, and
emergency relief. Page 40: Save money and time with 47 new and improved structures, accessories and hardware.
features
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The best of tents
The 2005 International Achievement Awards displays amazing ideas
for tent installations in the party tent rental, commercial tent rental,
tent manufacturing, miscellaneous, and interactive and cold-air
inflatable categories.
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Expanding markets: Industrial tents,
unknown potential
The industrial market for tent and fabric structures is wide open, but few
firms count on it.
By Chris Kelsey
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2006 New Product Showcase
Save money and time with new and improved structures, accessories and
hardware.
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departments
Editorial
News & Views
Events
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6
18
Tent Rental
Division News
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IFAI Tent Expo 2006 report
Your Business
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Staying ahead of the employment gap
On the cover:
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
Custom round tent creates buzz
for charity event
The Louis Vuitton fabric structure manufactured by Whangarei,
New Zealand-based Fabric Shelter Systems has all the assets of a tent:
versatility, light weight and movability, and yet it doesn’t look like a
tent at all. The company wanted to challenge perceptions at its 150th
anniversary celebration. See page 40 for details. Design by Cathleen Rose.
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Calendar
Ad Index
Raising the Stakes
Yurts to the rescue
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55
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OnStage
Lagging labor
Why is it so difficult for tent-rental and special-event companies to find and keep qualified
tent installers? How can we change perceptions of the tent rental business?
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
T
The survey is anything but conclusive, is ongoing, and not exactly scientific. But
you don’t have to be an economist or labor expert to know that around the world
it’s getting harder to employ qualified, steady tent installers.
As I walked The Showman’s Show at the Newbury Showgrounds in Berkshire,
England last October, I talked to many marquee hire firms from around the country
who said that their main concern is hiring tent installation crews that are reliable. At IFAI Tent
Conference 2006 this past January, tent rental companies said they are growing, their services are in
demand more than ever, but despite increasing pay and benefits it has become more difficult to retain
quality installers. Event and tent-rental firms at The Rental Show in Orlando last February stopped
by the InTents/Tent Rental Division booth to talk about what’s happening in their part of the industry,
and the comment I heard again and again was, “We can’t find or keep good employees.”
So far, I haven’t found the answer. Swapping stories and comparing ideas is a good place to start.
But what can we do to solve the employment gap? The following points are ideas I’ve generated during
my tenure at InTents.
1. Change the perception of the industry. As clients become more sophisticated, tent renters and special event companies have met and exceeded their expectations. Everything about this business has
changed in the past 20 years, from fabric structures to business practices. (If you don’t think things
have changed much, take a look at the pages of InTents. This magazine has existed for only 12 of the
5,000-year-old history of tents.) This is no longer a seasonal business. Tents are employed throughout
the world, all year long, no matter the season or use. We need clients and employees to understand
that although our structures may be temporary, our businesses are here to stay.
2. Raise standards. Some tent rental companies undercut prices, have poor safety records, and their
dissatisfied customers tell everyone they know about the bad service and product they received from
the disreputable tent rental company. This devalues the work of many outstanding rental firms. Clients and employees have to understand that some tent manufacturers are ISO certified, that some
tent-rental companies have rigorous safety practices, and that some companies demand 110 percent
customer satisfaction from all their employees. This industry is unevenly regulated, so as a result we
must regulate ourselves in terms of customer satisfaction, safety, and pricing.
3. Open the discussion. We need to invest in employees that believe in the previous two points. At
The Rental Show, one Canadian company said that it was hard to get people to put up tents when the
McDonald’s in their town was offering a competitive wage. If it was just a money issue, some rental
companies could afford to keep quality employees. But it appears that physical labor is actually keeping
people away from trying out tent installation or sticking with it.
Tent installation is tough, physical work. By and large it’s been done by men and a sprinkling of
women who have the strength and endurance to raise frames and pound stakes for 14 hours a day. Is
it possible to work smarter? Could we come up with ways that make tent installation more efficient?
Or do we need to launch a massive public awareness campaign to show potential employees that oldfashioned physical labor builds muscle and character?
I’d like to share your ideas with other readers. Please call (+1 651 225 6970) or e-mail (kjharholdt@
ifai.com) and let me know what you think.
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Katie Harholdt, Editor
www.intents.info
In
Tents
Publisher
Editorial Director
Editor
Contributing Editors
Contributing Writers (this issue)
Production Manager
Senior Designer
Mary Hennessy
mjhennessy@ifai.com
Susan R. Niemi
srniemi@ifai.com
Katie Harholdt
kjharholdt@ifai.com
Melissa Kaudy
Jeff Barbian, Amy Garvin,
Chris Kelsey, Galynn Nordstrom
Russell Grimes
rdgrimes@ifai.com
Jennifer Oswald
Graphic Designers
Heidi Hanson, Kari Norland,
Cathy Rose
Graphic Designers
Heaven Kebret
Advertising Sales Manager
Advertising Sales
Advertising Sales Coordinator
Circulation Manager
Assistant Circulation Manager
Bookstore Manager
Published by the Industrial
Fabrics Association International
President
Tent Rental Division
Managing Director
Sarah Hyland
schyland@ifai.com
800 319 3349
Jane Anthone, Suzanne L'Herault,
Karen Lien, Mary Mullowney,
Sue Parnell, Elizabeth Welsh,
Dawn Westermann
Trisha Allex
Mary Moore
mjmoore@ifai.com
Sue Smeed
subscriptions@ifai.com
Barbara Connett
bjconnett@ifai.com
800 225 4324, +1 651 222 2508
Stephen M. Warner
smwarner@ifai.com
Jan Schieffer
jmschieffer@ifai.com
InTents Advisory Committee
Thomas Simpson
Alex Kouzmanoff
Leo and Brian Gould
Fred and Linda Tracey
Shari Graye
Kurt Goeman
William Pretsch
Ted Ewing
American Tent & Awning Co. Inc.
Aztec Tents and Events
Christian Party Rental
Fred’s Tents & Canopies Inc.
Great American Tent
J.K. Rentals Inc.
Mahaffey Fabric Structures
Skyway Event Services
InTents
InTents promotes the use of tents and
fabric structures by showcasing innovative
products and state-of-the-art installations.
InTents is the official publication
of IFAI’s Tent Rental Division
April ▲ May 2006
In Tents (ISSN 1090 8366), is published bi-monthly by the Industrial Fabrics
Association International, 1801 County Road B W, Roseville, MN 551134061. Post master send address changes to IFAI, County Road B W, Roseville,
MN 55113-4061. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to Station A,
PO Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5. Subscription inquiries, orders and changes
contact: Sue Smeed, Assistant Circulation Manager, In Tents, 1801 County
Road B W, Roseville, MN 55113-4061 Phone 800 225 4324 or +1 651-222
2508, fax +1 651 631 9334 e-mail: subscriptions@ifai.com. 1-year USA
$40, Canada and Mexico $52, all other countries $74, payable in U.S. funds
(includes air mail postage). Reprints: call 800 385 9402, rdgrimes@ifai.com.
Back Issues: call 800 207 0729, bjconnett@ifai.com, www.bookstore.ifai.com.
www.intents.info
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&Views
News
Classic Party Rental
Classic Party Rentals now offers an even more extensive selection of tents for rent in addition to all the details found under a tent.
Acquisitions unfold
Classic Party Rentals heats up the Western U.S. market with recent acquisitions and some big ideas.
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April ▲ May 2006
InTents
S
Starting with the acquisition of the rental business of Torrance, Calif.-based Aztec Tents & Events, Classic Party Rentals (CPR), El Segundo, Calif., has grown at a robust rate over
the last six months. On November 18, 2005, CPR acquired the
rental business of Aztec Tents & Events. This new tent rental
company is now named Classic Tents and is located in Torrance. The manufacturing aspect of Aztec Tents & Events has
changed its name to Aztec Tents to more accurately describe
the company’s focus on manufacturing tents, fabric structures
and custom structures. Performing a dual role, Chuck Miller is
the president of Classic Tents and the owner of Aztec Tents.
John Campanelli, CEO and president of Classic Party Rentals, says that the integration of the new rental company is different than the integration of two competitors. “[There are] no
cultural issues. The values that we share, the focus on customer
service has always been there,” says Campanelli. He says clients
won’t see or feel a difference in service as the company is focusing on a seamless integration. Classic Party Rental locations
enjoy autonomy while giving their clients
access to the company’s $30 million rental
inventory. With a total of 1,500 employees
across CPR, the company is poised to make
waves in the tent and event rental market.
Broadening horizons
Classic didn’t stop growing with the acquisition of Aztec Tents’ rental assets. The company went on to purchase Ducky-Bob’s Party
& Tent Rentals in the Dallas area, and Abbey
Event Services in Montebello, Calif.
Ducky-Bob’s provides rentals for prestigious fundraisers, the Texas Motor Speedway, John Campanelli, CEO and
Texas Stadium, and area universities. (A point president of Classic Party
of interest: Ducky-Bob’s is named for Adele Rentals , El Segundo, Calif.
“Ducky” Firnberg who had a gift for table
top design, and her husband Bob Firnberg
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encouraged this skill. They bought out
their Taylor Rental franchise in the mid
70s and renamed it Ducky-Bob’s.)
Abbey Event Services is now known
by the Classic Party Rentals name and is
a big player in the Los Angeles special
event market and specializes in fantastic
table top design. The company provides
Hollywood studios including Disney,
Sony and Universal, and Dodger Stadium with event
rentals.
Although CPR
rented tents previously, a major
strength of the
company focused
on renting the
items that were
inside a tent:
linens, china
and décor. The
newly-acquired
Chuck Miller is the president companies allow
of Classic Tents and owner of CPR to offer customers a broad
Aztec Tents.
inventory of structures, equipment and
accessories. Classic Party Rental can
service a booming geographic region
with its 14 locations. Combined annual
revenues top $140 million, and with such
an impressive list of clients, one might
think CPR occupies an elite niche in the
industry; however, Campanelli says that
the company’s bread and butter customers are private party clients.
Customer service and codes
How does an event rental company
covering such a diverse geographic area
deal with codes and permits? CPR has
employees dedicated to working with
code officials and municipalities. Campanelli admits this takes a lot of time
and resources, but to be 100 percent
compliant with codes, people with expertise are needed. Having dedicated
tent rental resources “makes us more user
friendly with local municipalities,” says
Campanelli.
Miller, who heads up Classic Tents,
still owns Aztec Tents and has been in
the business of tent rental and manufacturing for over 25 years. He says that he
saw CPR as an organization with strong
direction. CPR and Aztec Tents struck up
a relationship as event partners years ago.
Miller says CPR came to Aztec Tents for
larger structures that they didn’t stock.
The mutually beneficial relationship has
flourished. Customer service is still a top
priority and Miller says that sales staff are
being trained to ask the right questions
with the expanded inventory in mind.
For now it seems CPR is settling in to
its new locations and inventories. The
company has been busy with the World
Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif., where they installed an overwhelming 800,000 square
feet of tent, and Superbowl XL in Detroit
where 250,000 square feet of tent hosted
the Tailgate Party for National Football
League team owners and their guests.
Looking ahead to the busy season,
Classic Party Rentals is excited about
its new role as one of the largest event
rental companies in the U.S. Campanelli sums up CPR’s growth spurt and the
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
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News
company’s future strategy in a threefold
way: increase market growth, expand
geographically, and expand services.
Classic Tents helps support all three legs
of the strategy. As a company with one
foot solidly in the future, CPR exemplifies the aspirations of the tent-rental and
special-event industries.
In memoriam
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
Bill Bie, former vice president of national tent manufacturer Aztec Tents,
lost his three-year battle with pancreatic
cancer in March at the age of 68. Bie
retired from Aztec Tents in 2003 after 15
years of dedicated and decorated service.
Known as a visionary and a leader in
the tent and event industry and as the
man who helped elevate Aztec Tents
(formerly Aztec Tents & Events) to national stature, Bie will be remembered as
a positive, motivational and pioneering
business person, family man and friend.
While with Aztec Tents, Bie combined his marketing expertise and extensive technical knowledge to manage sales
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Bill Bie, former vice president of Aztec Tents will be
missed. His innovative designs contributed to the
technical development of Aztec products.
and production for the company. Bie was
a driving force behind Aztec’s continual
growth and innovative designs, contributing to the technical development of
Aztec products, including expandable
frame and pole tents and fabric structures. He was instrumental in Aztec’s
transition to an exclusive manufacturing outlet, which ultimately resulted
with the sale of its rental division last
November.
“Bill was a wonderful man who always
gave far more than he received,” said
Chuck Miller, owner of Aztec Tents. “It
was obvious that he cared more about
the success of the overall industry than
his own personal accolades. Bill will be
tremendously missed by his family, his
community and by the entire event and
rental industry.”
Bie served on the board and is an honored life member of the Industrial Fabrics
Association International, and also spent
more than 25 years as a senior marketing
executive for the Atlantic Richfield Co.
Following his retirement from Aztec
Tents, Bie remained in the Southern
California area to perfect his golf game
and spend time with his family. He is
survived by his wife Carrie.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141
Rosecrans Ave., Ste. 7000, El Segundo,
CA 90245; 877 272 6226.
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Cool anniversaries
Chicago Party Rental, McCook,
Ill., acquired Events Chicago in a move
that makes Chicago Party Rental an
all-in-one provider of event equipment,
services and support. Events Chicago
has over 25 years of experience in the
Chicago special event market, with an
emphasis on complete tent environments
for short and long term installations.
“We significantly increased the depth
and breadth of our products and also our
sales coverage,” says Gary Braun. The
company will operate under the Chicago
Party Rental/Events Chicago name with
Ben Shipper IV as president.
This latest move follows Chicago
Party Rental’s October 2004 purchase
of Theme Machine Inc., a leader in the
prop and décor equipment rental segment. All inventories will be combined
in the 101,000-square-foot facility in McCook. An additional 72,000-square-foot
facility was purchased to accommodate
additional equipment.
Highlighting a few of the accomplishments of major players in the fabric structures industry: Memphis-based
Mahaffey Tent Co. turns 80 years old;
Cooley Group, Pawtucket, Rhode Island,
celebrates 80 years; and Ehmke Mfg.,
Philadelphia, heads into the future following an anniversary year marked by
many accolades.
• A family-owned company, Mahaffey
Tent Co. celebrates 80 years serving
North America and the Caribbean.
Mahaffey was the first company in the
U.S. to erect large clearspan tents and
has since covered memorable events
including the summer and winter
Olympics, presidential inaugurations,
Super Bowls and PGA Tournaments
in addition to business conferences,
weddings and parties.
In 1924 brothers Owen, Gene and
Earl Mahaffey started making canvas tarpaulins, awnings and cotton
pick sacks. When a request came for a
tent, the brothers obliged, only to have
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
Chicago acquisition
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their client fail to pick it up. The tent
remained unused until they received a
call from the Tri-State Fair. That call
resulted in their first tent rental.
Mahaffey has provided tents for
movies that are filmed in or around
Tennessee, including “Walk the Line”
and “Hustle & Flow.” When called
upon to manufacture tents to exact
historical specifications, Mahaffey was
able to replicate tents for a Smithsonian Institute diorama of a civil war
battlefield. With over 55 employees, Mahaffey is poised for growth.
President William Pretsch and Vice
President George Smith head up the
company.
• A supplier to many industries including
the awning, tent and fabric structure
markets, Cooley Group, now headed
by Chairman P. Robert Siener, Jr.,
and President Jeff Flath, was originally
formed by Arthur Cooley to finish
cotton cloth into awning fabric. The
company has been at the forefront of
technical and specialty fabric innova-
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InTents
April ▲ May 2006
tion. In 1953, Cooley made a move
into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with
the installation of gas-fired high-heat
ovens to process organisols and eventually plastisol-coated products. Ten
years later, Cooley entered the rubber
business after the purchase of a neoprene and hypalon production plant.
In 1965 the company began to weave
its own substrates. That same year an
extruder for use in industrial coated
fabrics was purchased, becoming the
backbone of the company’s products
for years to come.
In 1993, Cooley entered the digital
printing market with a focus on billboard substrates. Super-wide substrates
were eventually added to the Cooley
portfolio as the digital printing market
continues to boom.
• 2005 was a banner year for Ehmke
Mfg. Co. During its 75th anniversary
year, the company was named National Prime Contractor of the Year
by the Small Business Association
(SBA). The award is presented to
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one small business that provides the
government and industry with outstanding goods and services. Other
awards garnered by Ehmke include
being named Manufacturer of the Year
by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber
of Commerce, and an Award of Excellence from the Industrial Fabrics
Association International.
Established in 1929 as a fabricator
of tarpaulins for major league baseball
fields, Ehmke Mfg. today is primarily a military defense contractor. The
company makes the acoustical blankets that line the inside of Boeing’s
Chinook helicopters and produces a
host of items soldiers carry onto the
battlefield.
Changing of the guard
Sold last October, St. Louis-based
Lawrence Fabric Structures has seen a
change in leadership. Bob Helmsing is
now vice president and Jerry Grimaud is
president of the company. Grimaud, previously the minority owner, bought out
Helmsing’s majority interest. The company fabricates awnings, exhibit booths
and custom metal fabrication.
Spreading the keder
One of the world’s largest producers of keder, J & J Carter Ltd., signed
with Halifax Vogel Group Pty. Ltd. as
their distributor of keder in Australia.
Halifax will distribute various types of
keder and assist customers with custom
made grades.
Already a key player in the textiles
market, Halifax will offer keder and
accessories to digital printers, tent and
structure manufacturers, and awning
fabricators. Halifax currently distributes
material from Verseidag Indutex in the
Australian market.
J & J Carter can now offer fast turnaround times with two keder manufacturing facilities; one just opened for production this year. The company has an
annual production capacity exceeding
two million meters of keder.
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The Lightweight, Very Rapid Erect Shelter for battlefield containment or frontline attack helicopters is
manufactured by Ably Shelters.
Name change
Ably Shelters, Waterlooville, England, a designer of support shelter systems for military, avionics, marine and
humanitarian applications has been renamed Denholm Defence Ltd. as part
of its ongoing market expansion. Ably
Shelters will continue as the trading
name for Denholm Defence Ltd. for the
design, supply and support of relocatable
shelters for combat support applications.
The company will continue to develop
non-shelter and non-combat structures
and services. This name change, which
took effect last November, is the first
in a number of expansion plans to be
implemented within the year.
sales team members include Emily
Brusky, Anne Marie Dain, Mike
Fettig, Sara Mallinger, and Nicole
Rubio.
• In his new position at the Industrial
Fabrics Association International
(IFAI), Claude Levy-Rueff is responsible for generating new business in
Europe as the IFAI representative in
Europe. Previously Levy-Rueff served
as the publisher of Technical Usages
of Textiles (TUT) for 10 years, and
also published other magazines and
textile reference books. His company
also co-organized the International
Conference on Textile Coating and
Laminating, which still alternates
yearly between Europe and the U.S.
IFAI is a non-for-profit trade association whose member companies represent the international specialty fabrics
marketplace.
Custom Covers 1984 Ltd., Southhampton, Hampshire, England, displayed a variety of tent liners at
the The Showman’s Show. Black and white twinkle
light liners, and flat liners for a clean look are musthaves in the English market.
Winter opportunities:
education, buying and
networking
Trade shows have long been the hub
for like-minded businesses and individuals, hungry for information, education
and new products. With everything
under one roof (or one tent) buyers can
easily connect with sellers, and as always,
you can catch up with old friends.
Employee news
The Showman’s Show. Located at
the Newbury Showground in Berkshire,
England, The Showman’s Show attracts
a hardy breed of visitor: the outdoor
The clouds broke the second day of The Showman’s
Show at the Newbury Showgrounds in Newbury,
Berkshire, England. The Showman’s Show provides
outdoor event organizers with the products and
services they need to do business.
event organizer. During two days of exhibits and performances over 4,500 attendees braved the rain to see a variety
of 400 exhibitors, including 100 new
exhibitors. Five of these new exhibitors
formed the new Ethnic Village of tents,
April ▲ May 2006
The Rental Show. The 50th anniversary of the American Rental Association and The Rental Show last February
in Orlando, Fla., was a blockbuster event.
The world’s largest rental equipment
trade show topped out at 12,600 attendees from more than 50 countries. Preshow educational workshops, including
Tents & Events for the special event
professional, gave attendees a chance to
expand their network and learn about
trends, safety and tent staking. A Ford
F-250 pickup truck give away created a
lot of buzz amongst visitors; Champaign,
Ill.-based Rental City drove it home.
The next show will take place in Atlanta
in February of 2007. For more information, visit www.ararental.org.
InTents
New team members expand company
capabilities:
• Earl Drake is a delivery assistant for
Mullins Special Occasions, Huntsville, Ala. His duties include loading and unloading trucks, assisting in
deliveries and aiding tent crews with
installation and removal of canopies.
• There are lots of movers and shakers
at Karl’s Event Rental, based in the
Milwaukee area. Mindy McPherson,
an 11-year veteran of Karl’s sales and
client service team now assumes the
sales director position. Dawn Beiley
has been promoted from customer
service specialist to event consultant.
Pam Leshok will also assist clients as
an event consultant.
Sales team additions at Karl’s include Mike Jones, director of sales,
Mike O’Shea, is now the warehouse
manager, and Megan Duffey is the
new human resource manager. New
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Mike Tharpe, TopTec Inc., Simpsonville, S.C., was
honored with the Grateful Appreciation Award to
recognize his support of MATRA, his hard work and
continued dedication during his many years as a
MATRA board member.
which created a big draw for those event
planners looking for unique structures.
Medieval and traditional Indian tents,
and tipis used authentic furnishings to
create themed events. The Showman’s
Show takes place entirely outdoors, with
smaller exhibits under one big tent. Many
tent hire companies and tent manufacturers exhibit their products and fabric
structures. Cutting-edge tent décor could
be seen in every tent.
Entertainers for hire wowed crowds
with death-defying stunts and funny acts,
including jumping bicycles through flaming hoops, wild car chases, horse teams,
robots and clowns. As the Newbury area
is accustomed to a fair share of rain,
thousands of square feet of temporary
flooring kept visitors out of the mud. For
more information on The Showman’s
Show, visit the Web site www.showmansdirectory.co.uk.
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
2005 MATRA conference. The the
fifteenth annual Mid-Atlantic Tent
Renters Association’s (MATRA) conference last November at The Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., drew
more than 500 attendees to the sold
out exhibitor spaces. This year MATRA
united with the board members of the
Tent Renters Association of New England (TRANE) to produce the largest
trade show in the history of either organization. Seventy vendors displayed
their wares and tent manufacturers
erected 16 tents for display. Three days
of seminars and classes and an award
dinner rounded out the offerings.
The MATRA awards dinner honored Mike Tharpe, TopTec Inc.,
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Bob Graves, left, a founding member of MATRA,
receives the Hall of Honor Award for his dedication
to the association.
The winner of the MATRA Golden Sledgehammer
Award went to Marlin Senseing, Tents for Rent LLC,
Ephrata, Pa. Sensenig won first place over 4 in the
two man stake drive with Lamar Sensenig, side pole
throw, and all purpose canopy categories.
Simpsonville, S.C., with the Grateful
Appreciation Award to recognize his
support of MATRA, his hard work and
continued dedication during his many
years as a MATRA board member. The
Hall of Honor Award was presented
to Bob Graves, a founding member of
MATRA 18 years ago, and formerly
of Main Line Party Rental, King of
Prussia, Pa. Graves’s dedication and
vision helped to build MATRA and
the tent rental industry as a whole.
The MATRA Games, also known as
the Tent Olympics, saw some tough
competition on every contestants part,
however, the winner of the MATRA
Golden Sledgehammer Award went to
Marlin Sensein, Tents for Rent LLC,
Ephrata, Pa. The location of this year’s
MATRA conference is yet to be determined. To learn more about MATRA,
visit www.matramembers.org.
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Quick shot
Bernie Hyland, president of Aable Rents Co. in Euclid, Ohio, wrote to say this annual job in Cleveland
provides a unique backdrop for The American Society of Metals’ health fair. The 40-foot module Anchor tent
provides a stark contrast to the architectural metal structure in the background.
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
If you have a stunning photo you’d like to share with InTents readers, e-mail a high
resolution digital image that is 300 dpi at four by five inches to kjharholdt@ifai.com,
and include a short description of your photo and your contact information.
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Grants help rental stores
The American Rental Association
(ARA) Foundation distributed grants
totaling $190,000 to 20 rental businesses
that sustained sever damage from Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. The
grants were distributed last November
and were intended to provide immediate
relief and help restore the rental businesses to full operation. The contributions came from 98 donors to the Rental
Industry Relief Fund.
“This is a significant humanitarian
effort on the part of the donors, ARA
Foundation, and the entire rental equipment industry. It’s the first of its kind
for our industry, where we are providing
financial aid directly to rental businesses
that suffered losses form a natural disaster,” says Skip Evans, ARA Foundation
chairman. He went on to say that the aid
was focused where the need was greatest.
Any rental equipment store that had
incurred hurricane damage and had less
than 100 employees was eligible to apply
for the funding. ▲
Events
All photos EventStar
Artful vision
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
How do you tent around a fountain and delicate environmental factors?
18
Sometimes the most interesting projects come out of striving
to work with the existing environment. Miami-based EventStar
had to do just that when approached by event planners Visionz
on behalf of the National Foundation for Advancement in the
Arts (NAFF). Visionz asked EventStar to design and build a
wheel-shaped structure to fit around a fountain in a bay-front
park, among other custom tent structures in Miami last January.
NAFF thought the fountain would make a beautiful focal
point for their 1,800 guests as they dined surrounded by views
of the bay. “HTS Structures supplied the aluminum hardware
and EventStar designed and manufactured all the tops and
custom sections,” says Alain Perez, president of EventStar, of
the wheel-shaped tent. The clear and white tops of the structure
were fabricated after the structure was assembled to ensure a
perfectly smooth fit.
The unwavering standards and precise nature of the customer’s needs makes this 15-day installation remarkable. The
project took four days to take down although it spent eight
months in the planning and manufacturing stages.
“We brought in a new 20-by-20-meter with five-meter uprights Revolution building, manufactured by Walter in France,
to utilize as an entrance/valet area. The front of the building
was cantilevered over the street, allowing guest to drop off their
www.intents.info
vehicles under a covered structure,” says Perez.
Three separate kitchen structures were installed around the
wheel-shaped dining tent to give wait staff quick access to the
dining area. A 10-by-360-foot tunnel marquee linked the reception and dining tent, allowing wait staff and guests to bypass
the performance tent. The 50-meter and 25-meter Revolution
structures were partially secured with 4,000- and 8,000-pound
concrete blocks where underground utilities did not allow for
staking. This and approximately 550 feet of custom guttering
completely connected all structures, allowing the guests to
enjoy this incredible evening without any weather concerns.
Gutters or custom “fitter” sections connected all structures for
a seamless appearance.
Other details:
• Glass walls created a behind-the-scenes look in the technical
control areas.
• A black ceiling and wall liner in the performance tent enhanced the lighting effect.
• Vinyl pole wraps created a finished look disguising plain
looking poles.
• Upright and skid HVAC units and generators made guests
comfortable in any setting.
• All structures had flooring and carpet, from turf to plush
carpet.
Events
InTents
• Eight luxury restroom trailers with handicap facilities were
located throughout the site.
• A 44-by-64-foot roof was built to cover an existing park
structure that was used as a production area.
All fabric structures had to conform to existing park landscaping and structures. For instance, staking in areas with
granite floor was not allowed, so alternative means of anchoring were employed. “Our main challenge was dealing with the
underground utilities that were all over the site,” says Perez.
Four thousand- and 8,000-pound concrete weights along
with steel plate extensions were utilized where staking was not
possible, especially on the legs of the two 50-meter Losberger
structures and the Revolution building,” says Perez. This proved
to be a safe alternative to staking. On the day of the event, 45
mph winds damaged some trees, however, structures, lighting
and sound rigging was not harmed.
Perez says that many EventStar projects require some level
of customization to the structure. EventStar is now able to
guarantee and turn these projects around in a timely manner
because of the company’s in-house engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
The nine-year-old company has provided cutting-edge
designs for special events around the world and partners with
rental firms across North America, South America and the
Caribbean. EventStar offers its customers CAD drawings upon
request. ▲
April ▲ May 2006
www.intents.info
19
Tent Rental Division News
Raising the bar:
IFAI Tent Conference 2006
Tent and event professionals increase memory, learn outrageous marketing skills and improve their
aim at the value-packed conference.
A
A high-energy IFAI Tent Conference 2006, Jan. 26–28 at
the Tempe Mission Palms Resort in Tempe, Ariz., sparked ideas
and created an efficient way to accomplish some mid-winter
learning and networking.
Work and play
The Tent Rental Division’s (TRD) task force groups were
hard at work for the membership and industry at large at the
conference. The Membership/Marketing Task Group created
a campaign to make the industry aware of TRD membership
and its benefits. The Life Safety Issues for the Tent Installer task
group discussed a poster that has been sent to all TRD members
showing the safety equipment needed to safely install a tent:
hard hat, ear protection, safety glasses and steel-toe boots.
Both groups have significant member participation and lots of
momentum as they work on these important projects.
The opening reception, held in the Tempe Mission Palms
courtyard, sponsored by Eureka! The Tent Co., Binghamton,
N.Y., and John Boyle & Co., Statesvile, N.C., was the perfect
kick-off to the conference. The crisp evening air was refreshing
as attendees sipped cocktails and renewed friendships next to
the large outdoor fire place.
Ron and Sandy Wilson of Sterling Awnings & Tents, Batavia, N.Y., discuss business
with Richard Martin, (facing).
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
What’s next for tents
20
The next morning, several interesting presentations caught
the attention of those in attendance. Ed Knight, EventQuip,
Pipersville, Pa., discussed his findings in “The Tent Rental
Industry in Review.” Boiled down from Knight’s anonymous
survey of tent rental industry veterans, his broad and in-depth
analysis of the rental industry provided necessary market information for tent renters and special-event companies. How
the tent industry views itself is an indicator of what the future
may be like.
A window into the disaster relief efforts of tent renters in
the wake of Hurricane Katrina was provided in the form of a
clip from the short film “InTentCity,” by Saroj Bains, an independent producer from Canada. Bains and her photographer
were on the scene in New Orleans—hours after the hurricane
damage became apparent—filming tent installations to cover
people who had lost everything and the first responders who
were there to help. The film’s tag line is “disaster relief for the
disaster relief.” People who view this film come away with an
understanding of the impact tent renters and fabric structures
www.intents.info
Kathy Schaefer, vice president of the TRD and president of Glawe Awning & Tent
Co., Fairborn, Ohio, Leslie Haddad, Herculite, Memphis, Tenn., and Rand Ledbetter
enjoy the reception.
have on a devastated area in a short period of time. The film,
(in need of funding to complete the project as of press time),
may be aired in two 22-minute segments on a television station
in Montreal in May. The president of Montreal-based Event
Labor Works, Robert Megeney, collaborated with Bains. They
saw a need to draw attention to the massive need for fabric
structures and labor in the wake of a disaster. Another point
the film made was that the tent industry is ready to go at a
moments notice.
The film was followed by a keynote speech, “Challenges of
Weather,” by Ed Phillips, a noted Arizona meteorologist. His
Tent Rental Division News
interactive presentation answered questions for attendees and debunked myths
of weather. Phillips says the Internet is
the best place to get weather information, but information differs from site to
site due to differences in source information such as radar reports. Phillips also
told attendees to look for and listen to
experienced meteorologists who have
spent significant time in the weather
market. Other weather tips:
• Watch for wind tunnels. These predominantly show up wherever a large
building forces the wind to move
around it.
• Have a cancellation and evacuation
plan.
• Explain wind hazards to clients (like
the bride who insists the tent is installed on the top of a hill.)
Taking in Tempe
On Friday afternoon, attendees had
their choice of networking at the Annual
Golf Tournament at the Karsten Golf
Course (sponsored by Anchor Indus-
The WestWorld tent in Scottsdale, Ariz., is 315 feet wide by 380 feet long and covers 119,700 square feet. The
city-run venue holds the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction but has come under fire from residents that think
the huge tent, emblazoned with the U.S. flag, is an eyesore.
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
www.intents.info
21
Tent Rental Division News
At Phoenix-based A to Z Classic Events employees work to keep the inventory spotless. The facility included a
large warehouse space and adjoining showrooms and sales offices.
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
tries Inc., Evansville, Ind.), or taking a
Tour of Tempe and Tents (sponsored by
American Turf & Carpet LLC, Cerritos,
Calif., and Event Flooring Professionals).
As always, everyone was a winner at the
golf tournament. The tent tour started
out with a catered lunch and tour of the
facilities at A to Z Classic Events, and
22
www.intents.info
moved on to a state-of-the-art shade sail
installation designed by architect G. H.
Bruce at the Univision Communications
Inc. Spanish-language television station, which was housed in rammed-earth
building. The tour ended up at the West
World fabric structure, which has been
touted as the world’s largest tent.
Tent Rental Division News
Mark Rosenberg teaches conference attendees how to improve their memories and use this skill in developing
relationships with customers. The session included memory tricks for every day use.
No one missed out on the Westernthemed dinner looking out over the
Tempe-Phoenix area at Rustler’s Rooste
that night. Entertainment sponsored
by Losberger US LLC, Frederick, Md.,
included a quick draw contest and comedian Mark Finney’s magic and humor,
compliments of Peerless Event Partners,
Tempe, Ariz., got the crowd laughing.
Memory tricks
Save the date: IFAI
Tent Expo 2007
More than 100,000 square feet of
tent and fabric structure displays are offered with learning programs focused
on education and training for owners,
end-product manufacturers, suppliers,
designers, engineers and installers for the
tent rental industry.
IFAI Tent Expo 2007, Jan. 26–Feb. 2,
2007, will be held at the Comfort Suites
Inn of Kissimmee, Fla. Adjacent to the
Old Town Entertainment, Shopping
and Dining Complex and minutes away
from all of Orlando’s famous attractions,
the Comfort Suites Inn is one of the
newest hotels in the area. Visit www.
comfortsuitesfl.com for hotel details on
the host hotel.
Old Town Shopping, Dining and
Entertainment Attraction’s eight acre
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
The Saturday morning business meeting, led by Chairman Kevin McBride saw
the election of a new chairman, George
Smith of Mahaffey Tent Co., Memphis,
Tenn. McBride was commended for his
outstanding service to the TRD and industry at large.
The highlight of the morning was
Ron Rosenberg’s “How to increase you
memory in 90 minutes” and “The Inner
Secrets of Outrageous Marketing,” sponsored by Herculite Products Inc. The energy in the packed conference room was
tangible as attendees strived to remember
a list of 15 items, which Rosenberg committed to memory with obvious ease the
first time he saw it.
By the end of his memory session, attendees had gained valuable tips on how
to remember names of people, even if
they only meet for a brief moment. The
marketing session helped tent renters
and event companies identify the mistakes they make in their own marketing
efforts by asking them the question, “So
what?” If a marketing piece does not
immediately answer this question for a
customer, customers will look elsewhere
for their products and services.
Immediately following the memory
and marketing presentations, lunch with
the vendors, sponsored by TopTec Inc.,
Simpsonville, S.C., employed speed marketing as a quick way for attendees to
connect with manufacturers and service
providers. Creating a buzz for the much
anticipated IFAI Tent Expo 2007, the
IFAI Tent Conference was a complete
success with so many tent renters filling
the conference room, additional chairs
had to be constantly added.
www.intents.info
23
Tent Rental Division News
exhibit field will host the tent installations, educational sessions and trade
show activities. Old Town offers 75 specialty shops, eight restaurants, and 18
rides. For additional information visit
www.old-town.com.
For more information on IFAI Tent
Expo 2007, Jan. 29–Feb. 2, visit www.
tentexperts.org, e-mail jmschieffer@ifai.
com, or call 800 225 4324.
Jan Schieffer, managing director of the Tent Rental
Division and expert tent rustler, prepares for a dual
at Rustler’s Rooste in Phoenix.
Top 12 reasons to join the
Tent Rental Division of the
Industrial Fabrics Association
International (IFAI):
• Complimentary listings on www.
tentexperts.org
• Subscription to InTents, the
official publication of Tent Rental
Divsion
• Complimentary copy of “The
IFAI Procedural Handbook
for the Safe Installation and
Maintenance of Tentage, Third
Edition”
• Discounts on IFAI-sponsored
events, including IFAI Tent Expo
2007 and IFAI Expo 2006
• Discounts on long distance
services, credit card-processing,
freight services and Web site
development
• Discounts on IFAI Bookstore
merchandise
• Opportunity to participate in
International Achievement
Awards competition and gain
industry recognition
• Unlimited use of IFAI’s Market
Research Services and
Information Central, a service for
answers to industry questions
and sourcing information
• Opportunity to participate in TRD
market niche groups
April ▲ May 2006
• Educational opportunities through
seminars at IFAI Tent Expo 2007
and the members-only section of
www.tentexperts.org
InTents
• Make your voice heard in the
industry by participating in task
groups such as the IFAI Code
Committee ▲
24
www.intents.info
YourBusiness
The employment gap
The need to find, train and keep skilled employees is a key concern for
tent-rental and event companies.
TopTec Inc. tent school attendees learn the proper
way to assemble FutureTrac framing.
By Amy Garvin and Galynn Nordstrom
As many workplaces became increasingly high-tech, job
seekers have adapted by training for and seeking jobs that
don’t require physical labor. These people’s wage expectations
increased apace, and each generation of people seems to becoming less “handy.” Where do tent-rental and special-event
companies go for hands-on employees who aren’t afraid of
physical labor?
Finding qualified employees—or finding unqualified but willing employees and training them—is a growing concern in this
industry, and is often addressed only locally. We compiled this
initial list of resources from a variety of organizations, which we
hope will be useful to you, but it’s far from complete. Please let
us know if you have organizations, or resources, that we should
add to the list.
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
Training for tent installers
26
Hands-on tent installation training is provided at local
American Rental Association (ARA) zone meetings throughout the year. For more information, contact ARA, Moline, Ill.;
800 334 2177, fax +1 309 764 1533, e-mail Carla.Brozick@
ararental.org, Web site www.ararental.org.
Anchor Industries Inc. invites tent renters to learn or
relearn the art of tent installation. In a one-day workshop,
attendees take a tour of the facilities, and learn installation
and proper staking techniques. Instructors cover various types
of tents and their uses, as well as different places tents can be
used. The workshop is offered yearly, with two days to choose
from. For more information, contact John Fuchs at Anchor
Industries Inc., Evansville, Ind.; +1 812 867 2421, e-mail
john_fuchs@anchorinc.com, Web site www.anchorinc.com.
Attendees of the yearly Mid-Atlantic Tent Renters Association (MATRA) conference in November may receive hands-on
instruction in proper tent installation. For more information,
contact MATRA, Wilmington, Del.; +1 302 765 3945, fax +1
302 765 3510, e-mail info@matramembers.org, Web site www.
matramembers.org.
The Procedural Handbook for the Safe Installation and
Maintenance of Tentage, a reference text for proper tent installation, is available through the IFAI bookstore. The book is
divided into sections that focus on the different types of tents
and their specific installation and maintenance challenges.
This manual also contains data on proper staking techniques.
For more information, contact the IFAI Bookstore, Roseville,
Minn., 800 207 0729, e-mail bookstore@ifai.com, Web site
www.bookstore.ifai.com.
www.intents.info
TopTec tent school, located on the grounds of TopTec Inc.,
and open to all tent installers, aims to make safe installation
a standard practice throughout the industry. This training is
appropriate for those entering the industry and for those who
just want a refresher course in proper technique. For more information, contact TopTec Inc., Simpsonville, S.C.; 800 845
2830, +1 864 967 4312, fax 800 921 7750, e-mail toptecinc@
eventtec.com, Web site www.toptecinc.com.
If you need to weld sidewall panels, JTE Machine Systems
provides training on various welding machines. For more information, contact JTE Machine Systems Inc., Orange Park, Fla.;
+1 904 278 2388, 800 355 4583, fax +1 904 278 2387, e-mail
sales@jtemachine.com, Web site www.jtemachine.com.
Finding employees
Work with your state employment offices—judiciously. Ty
Hancock, Shoreline Awning and Trim, Pasadena, Maryland,
Chesapeake MFA, says: “If you’re going to take someone off
the unemployment rolls, take someone out of the construction
trade…anything with measuring as a prerequisite for that trade.
You wouldn’t believe how many people can’t read a ruler.”
Project Regina is a non-profit, nine-month-long training
program offering refugees industrial sewing skills and training in employment-specific English. For more information,
contact Project Regina, Minneapolis; +1 612 827 2670, fax
+1 612 827 6050.
Placement offices of local vocational or technical colleges
can be used to identify potential employees.
The United States Military Apprenticeship Program
(USMAP) links companies with employees from the Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the Navy who have finished
active military duty. Businesses can contact the program to
receive a detailed description of various approved trades. Some
examples of listed trades: silkscreen cutter, drafter (architectural), computer-peripheral equipment operator, purchasing
agent, welder, electronics mechanic, canvas worker, and upholsterer. For more information, contact the Apprenticeship
Program Office, Pensacola, Fla.; +1 850 452 4940 ext. 307/312,
e-mail netpdtc.usmap@cnet.navy.mil, Web site www.cnet.navy.
mil/nnaps.
Tips for reviewing résumés
By Richard G. Ensman Jr.
Reviewing résumés is both art and science. If you conduct
your review carefully, you’ll be able to do three things: First,
YourBusiness
you’ll understand the highlights of your
candidate’s background (both strengths
and potential weaknesses); second, you’ll
observe the candidate’s key skills and
experiences that might have an impact
on her or his ability to perform in the
job; and third, you’ll walk away with
some questions and discussion points for
a meeting with the candidate. Let’s look
at each step of the review process.
✓
✓
Getting to know the
candidate
During this step of the review process,
you’ll briefly review the résumé to get a
“snapshot” of the candidate’s strengths,
weaknesses, and overall background:
Appearance Is the résumé reasonably attractive and well organized? A
“no” answer is a danger signal—and
not just for desk jobs.
Spelling and grammar Do you notice
any obvious errors? Again, if you notice errors, be wary.
Cover letter A cover letter is an
opportunity for the candidate to
highlight his or her key strengths. It
✓
✓
✓
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
✓
28
www.intents.info
✓
✓
might amplify résumé highlights or
briefly explore the candidate’s special
interests.
Pay attention Cover letters can reveal insights that the more formal
résumé does not.
Impressions What adjectives come
to mind as you review the résumé?
Hard-working? Creative? Actionoriented? While you’ll learn much
more about your candidate, these adjectives are a starting point for more
analysis and questions.
Chronology What has the candidate
done with her or his work life? How
long does the candidate typically stay
in a position? The chronology offers
clues about the candidate’s pace and
longevity.
Patterns Do you notice that the candidate gravitates toward certain job
duties and responsibilities? Or seems
to fit well with a particular kind of
organization?
Gaps Do you notice any obvious, and
unexplained, gaps in your candidate’s
work history? Each gap should be the
subject of further discussion if you
meet the candidate.
Assessing the résumé
Now it’s time to explore and analyze
the résumé in greater depth.
Experience Summarize, in a few
lines, the highlights of the candidate’s
experience. Note experiences that
match your needs—not only for the
job as it is now, but for the job as it
might be in a year or two.
Skills What does your candidate’s
education and experience tell you
about her or his skills? Has the candidate used all of these skills? Are there
untapped skills available?
Accomplishments How has the candidate used her or his skills to make
things happen? What has the candidate done with his or her skills up to
this point?
Progression As you scan the résumé,
determine whether your candidate’s
level of responsibility has increased
✓
✓
✓
✓
YourBusiness
✓
✓
✓
over the years. Does it meet, or will
it meet in the future, the particular
levels that you’ll need?
Extras Does the résumé suggest that
your candidate will bring any valueadded skills or experience to the job?
These include skills you may need in
the future, special knowledge of the
special-events industry, or general
business-building skills.
Service While certainly not a requirement for most jobs, a résumé
that shows community, business or
civic involvement outside of the job
is often a good sign. It suggests commitment and initiative, both qualities that can benefit you and your
company.
Match After your review of the résumé, make an initial assessment:
How closely does the candidate’s
background “fit” with your needs?
If helpful, you might want to numerically rank the skills and aptitudes of your candidate against the
requirements of the job. This exer-
cise doesn’t represent your ultimate
judgment on the candidate, but it
may help you determine whether the
candidate should be called in for an
interview.
Preparing for the
interview
The last step in your review of the résumé is preparation for the employment
interview. It’s during the interview that
you’ll form your best assessment of the
candidate. And it’s during your final review of the résumé that you’ll determine
the focus of the interview:
Qualities As you finish with the résumé, make a tentative assessment of
the candidate. What are the primary
qualities she or he will bring to you
if hired? Do apparent weaknesses or
pitfalls exist? You’ll want to confirm
and discuss both issues during your
interview.
Compensation If the résumé describes past compensation, analyze
the candidate’s potential satisfaction
✓
✓
✓
✓
level with what you’ll be offering.
Remember, however, that most résumés do not contain a salary history, so
compensation questions might be left
for either your primary or secondary
interview.
Potential What does the résumé suggest about the candidate’s potential
for further growth and development
on the job? Remember—the value of
a hiring decision isn’t simply represented by what the candidate brings
to the job today, but what he or she
can bring a year or two from now.
Questions Finally, based on your
review, make a list of the questions
you’ll ask each candidate during the
interview. Start with an overview and
an explanation of the job, then move
on to applicant qualifications, educational and technical background,
past work experience. Make sure you
ask why the applicant is interested in
your specific job. ▲
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
www.intents.info
29
The best of tents
The 2005 International Achievement Awards displays amazing ideas for tent installations in the party tent rental, commercial
tent rental, tent manufacturing, miscellaneous and inflatable categories.
PARTY TENT RENTAL
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Affordable & Luxury Tents
Virginia Beach, Va., U.S.A.
The bride of this wedding located on the Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach had a large budget and wanted an elaborate event. This
project included a 20-by-20-foot peak tent for valet parking; 3,100
square feet of various-sized marquees fully lined with custom liners;
3,100 square feet of black carpet; and 1,520 square feet of wood
flooring. Tents were installed for the wedding activities including a
bridal and cocktail tent. The reception tent had to accommodate
four chandeliers weighing a total of 2,000 pounds. Within 30 feet
of the 18th green and less than one foot from water, the reception
tent was anchored to the bulkhead to avoid underground utilities.
All tents were anchored with stakes and water barrels. Cable eyelets
attached to the bulkhead used ratchet straps. Fabric used included
vinyl by Snyder Mfg. from Anchor Industries Inc., and clear vinyl
by Burlan Corp. from TopTec Inc.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Mahaffey Fabric Structures Inc.
Memphis, Tenn., U.S.A.
This 132-by-232-foot clearspan structure was installed on the
grounds of one of Puerto Rico’s premier hotels, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, for the annual Winners Summit event held for 1,500
employees. In addition to six 400-watt exhibit lights, seven sets of
double French doors, and eight single doors, the client wanted a
ceiling liner for the structure. Mahaffey obliged by custom sewing
a large ceiling liner containing over 30,000 square feet of fabric.
In order to preserve the hotel’s pristine lawns, the frame had to be
hand carried onto the site. Approximately 50 sheets of plywood
had to be brought in for trucks to drive on. Attendees were able
to enjoy five days and nights of meetings, dinners and ceremonies
in comfort and style in one of the world’s most beautiful locales.
Fabric used included #702 Blackout Vinyl by Ferrari Textile Corp.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
Traube Tent Co. Inc.
Columbia, Ill., U.S.A.
30
The tent installation for this November wedding nearly filled the entire backyard of the
Whittemore House on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis. With over
10,000 square feet of tents and walkways for approximately 200 guests, this project was
designed with the flow of guests in mind. Each tent impressed the guests as the evening
progressed from ceremony to cocktails to reception. Perhaps the most challenging aspect
was the trellis over the dance floor. Installers first wrapped liner walls around the upper
portion of all four poles to enclose the area between the poles. Then a frame was fabricated
to fit just inside all four poles and elevated to nine feet. Aircraft cable was stretched across
the frame to provide attachments to hang the lattice work. After the lattice was installed,
the florist decorated it with candles and vines and flowers were draped from the lattice
covering the entire dance floor. Tents from Eureka! The Tent Co. were used.
www.intents.info
COMMERCIAL TENT RENTAL
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Röder Zelt-und Veranstaltungsservice
GmbH
Budingen, Germany
At the World Equestrian Festival, Chio
Aachen in 2004, Röder created an impressive tent scene. More than 130 tents in
20 different styles were set up; about 120
companies exhibited their products in sales
tents. Additionally, Röder took on the job
of designing the interior for most of the
tents. The two two-story tents covered
an area of 2,200 square meters in which
the VIPs dined and watched a special attraction. Carmen Pudleiner managed the
project and tents were supplied by Röder
Zelt-und Veranstaltungsservice GmbH.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Tentes Fiesta Tents Ltd.
Lachine, Quebec, Canada
This project required an elegant and enchanting setting that allowed the accommodation of all of the guests at the level of comfort
the client demanded. The property was co-owned by a seminary of
priests and the City of Montreal. It was of the utmost importance
that there were no disturbances since this location was a meditation
site for the priests. In addition, since the lake was recently rebuilt,
the engineering firm that contracted the project was now responsible for the integrity of the work and especially the effectiveness
of the new geodesic membrane. Any installation that might affect
the renovations would have to be approved and supervised by this
engineering firm. Even though the set up was very laborious and
lasted over six days, everything was completed as scheduled and the
fundraiser was a great success.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Corner Tent Service
Moscow, Russia
April ▲ May 2006
www.intents.info
InTents
On the biggest square of the Kremlin, Ivanovskaya Square, 1,500
tents were erected for honorary guests of the President of Russia,
Vladimir Putin. The event’s high profile and time constraints had
to be considered. Logistically, it was not easy to anchor the tents
to the ground because anchors could not be used on the cobblestone streets of the oldest square in Moscow. The total floor area
of the erected tents totaled 1,830 square meters and the wooden
platform area totaled 1,250 square meters. The tents created a
holiday atmosphere and contributed to informal socializing of the
guests. Shuikina Elena managed the project and fabric for the tents
was supplied by Ferrari S.A. Losberger Intertent GmbH were the
architects for the project.
31
The best of tents
TENT MANUFACTURING
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Fabric Shelter Systems Ltd.
Whangarei, New Zealand
This project was designed for a world tour celebration show commemorating the 150th anniversary of Louis Vuitton. The venue
needed to be as unique as the show, promising to wow the 2,000
invited guests. The requirement was that the tent does not look
like a tent with no obvious connections, protrusions, poles, or any
flappy fabric. The final design of the show necessitated a structure
30 meters wide, 72 meters long, and 16 meters high: A Louis Vuitton trunk of correct proportions was created and could be projected
upon at night. The venue traveled to six locations, from winter
snows in New York to tropical storms in Tokyo. The structure’s
design also had to consider the client’s requirement to pack the
structure into a less than 18-by-40-foot container and with minimal
rigging crew. Project managers W. Bell and G. Griffin spearheaded
the project, with engineering from Wade Consulting, and graphics
from Electric Canvas. Some work was subcontracted to Beere Engineering. Fabric used was Ferrari 702 by Ferrari Textiles Corp.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Röder Zelt-und Veranstaltungsservice GmbH
Budingen, Germany
Among the more than 25 different tent structures presented at the
Home Show at the spa garden of Bad Orb, the exclusive two-story
hospitality construction (1,600 square meters) was more than
impressive. The first floor hosted the reception, two conference
rooms, a relaxing area with a pond and fountain, and an accessories
showroom. The second floor was divided into a distinguished dining area and a luxury lounge with a cocktail bar. Due to the open
glass walls and the partly transparent ceiling the guests were able to
enjoy the wonderful autumn ambience of the spa garden.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Shanghai Taiyo Kogyo Co. Ltd.
Shanghai, China
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
Barbarossa Lounge brings the Middle Eastern touch to Shanghai.
Located in the most central part of Shanghai (People’s Park),
Barbarossa Lounge is a three-story tent with unique decoration.
On the second floor a spacious Moroccan-style bar area welcomes
guests. Tang Cheng Hua managed the project and the structure was
designed by Atelier Almario. Fabric used was Ferrari 702 by Ferrari
Textiles Corp.
32
www.intents.info
The best of tents
MISCELLANEOUS
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
C.E. Bartlett Pty. Ltd.
Wendouree VIC, Australia
C.E. Barlett was approached by a vehicle builder and
Triple Eight Race Engineering Australia (equivalent to
NASCAR in the United States), to design, fabricate
and supply the awning/tent for an 18-wheel semitrailer merchandising unit. Triple Eight wanted an
easy-to-erect merchandising display. The customer
allowed a two-man team 15 hours to do the complete
setup including flooring, display units, and the structure. A quick check revealed that off-the-shelf awning
arms are limited to a 16.4-foot span that reduces to
14.8-foot cover at a 15 degree slope, so C.E. Bartlett
designed and made their own. The company faced
many challenges, but in the end the finished unit made
a big impression and is a testament to the vision of the
customer and the commitment of all involved to rise to
the challenge. Clear PVC by Achilles USA Inc. from
Nolan Warehouses, Breezeway Mesh by Twitchell
Corp. from Radins, and 502 by Ferrari Textile Corp.
from Innova were all employed in the construction
of the awning/tent. Harrybilt Engineering fabricated
parts of the project as a subcontractor and Rice
Graphics supplied the graphics.
INTERACTIVE AND COLD-AIR INFLATABLES
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Canvasland Holdings Ltd.
Levin N.Z., New Zealand
An aquatic center wanted to develop a themed
slide to complement their pool. A pelican
design was chosen and Canvasland Holdings
developed the idea. Given the size of the pelican beak, the company chose to introduce the
fish to add to the theme and to provide support
to the beak. Although the unit was initially
developed for use in an aquatic center, it is
also designed to be used on land and during
pool promotion. The pelican slide was taken to
the local zoo for children’s activities. The unit
measures 8.5 meters long by 3 meters wide and
3.8 meters high and was manufactured with
670-gram PVC and Polystar from W. Wiggins
Ltd. This project was an exciting development
as it extended the use of inflatables in pool
activities.
InTents
www.intents.info
April ▲ May 2006
This year’s International Achievement Award winners demonstrate excellent ideas across the ever
expanding market for fabric structures. Industrial Fabrics Association International members and
nonmembers are eligible to participate in the 2006 International Achievements Awards competition. The deadline to enter is July 15, 2006. To request more information, please contact Christine
Malmgren, IFAI International Achievement Awards manager at 800 225 4324, +1 651 225 6926,
e-mail awards@ifai.com.
33
Karl’s Event Rental
Use of a temporary fabric structure in loading areas gives clients flexibility in managing loading and deliveries.
Industrial tents, unknown potential
The industrial market for tent and fabric structures is wide open, but few firms count on it.
By Chris Kelsey
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
T
34
The lion’s share of media and marketing attention in the tent
manufacturing and rental industry is dedicated to the photogenic, social side of the field: weddings, concerts, and FrenchCanadian circus troops. This is certainly understandable. These
are visually inviting installations, not only in how the tents are
presented but where and with whom. They’re photographed
with mountain backdrops and in freshly cleaned urban parks.
They’re photographed with orchestras and the toss of a bridal
bouquet. These tents are gems on the town green.
They exist for people and events, and that has a way of conveying the energy, beauty and utility of the structures. Event work
also leads to word-of-mouth promotion and repeat business.
However, tents and fabric structures have a quieter side that’s
just as important to the health of the industry. It’s the industrial
market, and it appears to be growing.
At a glance
Statistics are not available to show how dependent tent and
fabric structures might be upon industrial work, nor are there
statistics or reports to suggest how successful manufacturers and
www.intents.info
renters have been in expanding into this arena. Speculation
in the field regarding the market size ranges greatly, as do the
structures used on the industrial side, as do their uses. It’s clear,
however, that the applications are widespread.
An interesting aspect of it all is that participation in the
industrial market seems to be wholly optional for tent and
structure businesses. That is, not too many companies are concerned with, actively build or depend upon the market—but
the business does come to them.
Some of the more prominent (yet rarely discussed) applications involve construction coverage, warehousing, agricultural
storage, military supply line protection, and emergency relief.
From shelter to storage
Repeat business is never assured on the industrial side, and
involvement in it often is not by design. Suzanne Warner, coowner of Tentnology, Surrey, B.C., Canada, knows this well.
While her firm does not directly seek industrial work, she’s
certainly provided solutions to clients on that side. In one
instance, her company’s tents were used at nearby dockyards
that had suffered a fire. The tents provided warehousing space as the dockyard
operators rebuilt structures.
Off-hand, one might think that industrial use requires a different approach.
That isn’t true. In Tentnology’s case,
the dockyard work did not require any
greater tent modifications or care than
Warner dedicates to event clients. The
structures perform the same function
and, of course, need to be strong and
meet basic building codes.
“It doesn’t matter what they do inside
the structure,” Warner says. “You’re still
concerned with everything else. It depends on the earth conditions, how long
the structure is to be up. It depends on
the weather, the snowload, the rain.”
For Asha Deliverance of Pacific
Domes, Ashland, Ore., industrial markets are also low on the priority list.
“We send out shelters,” she says. “That’s
their primary function. It’s what we
manufacture them to be, but sometimes
clients find other uses.”
Pacific Dome’s geodesic dome structures are used often for corporate trade
shows, greenhouses and art studios. They
have also been used as arctic research
stations and for emergency storage and
medical/aid use at disaster sites. It isn’t
unusual for these more industrial applications to be secondary installations
for those particular structures. They very
well may have been donated by a previous client. So long as the frame and fabric
skin is appropriate for the environment
and the installation is managed right, it
isn’t a problem.
“It’s easy to see why this happens,”
Deliverance says. “The structures are
If you can apply your
expertise to the event
side of the market, you
can apply it to the
industrial side.
Costs and codes
Pacific Domes
Ragen of Airborne Structures, Grand
Blanc, Mich., “you’re not as concerned
with occupancy levels. Regardless of the
application, though, you build to the
codes.” While his company’s structures
remain an inexpensive method for covering large spaces, they must meet the same
engineering requirements whether they
are being used for recreational facilities,
such as for indoor tennis courts, or to
store grain, perhaps for ethanol plant
production.
“In the industrial market, people expect it to be cheap,” Warner says, “but it
isn’t necessarily a cheap item. For example, we work with aluminum in our structures. That’s a world commodity good.
We don’t get our aluminum cheaper than
anyone else just because it’ll be used to
cover warehoused goods.”
Many of the coding issues are no different because they apply broadly to the
safety of the structure, rather than to
a narrow range of what the tent may
contain. As in event work, manufacturwww.intents.info
35
InTents
Pacific Domes has
seen a boom in the use
of geodesic domes for
greenhouses. Formerly,
greenhouses required
costly permanent
structures to nurture
growing plants.
Many clients on the industrial side do
not really understand the costs that go
into tent production. They equate it, perhaps, with standard building costs, such
as a three-story brick building versus an
aluminum hangar with a trailer outside
for an office. There seems to be a belief
that because the fabric structures might
be used for covering an airplane or road
salt rather than a celebrity’s party that
the tents are cheaper—that they are
made of cheaper materials and have less
stringent requirements.
That’s far from the truth.
“On the industrial side,” says Mike
Construction coverage is a
growth area for tent and fabric structures on the industrial
side. Some builders like to use
these structures for temporary
equipment and vehicle storage.
Some use them to cover sites to
enable earthwork during inclement months.
Also, in the United States,
the National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES)
Phase II rules have brought
millions of dollars in fines to
developers and municipalities
for sediment runoff from construction sites. For an increasing number of developments,
temporary coverage is preferred
during early earthwork operations when the most dirt is exposed to rainfall.
A single weather event can
lead to more than $10,000 in
fines. The Wal-Mart corporation,
in fact, has been hit with millions in fines over the past few
years for its sediment control
problems at store construction
sites. —CK
April ▲ May 2006
portable, it’s a quick installation. For
our type of structures—geodesics—they
won’t blow in the wind. It doesn’t matter
really what clients want to put inside.”
From the Earth’s icy poles to the sides
of Mount Kilimanjaro to the creation of
recreational butterfly domes at city parks,
the same structures might be used. On
the industrial side, however, it’s just more
difficult to make it happen, even if it is
happening everywhere.
“It isn’t work you depend on,” Warner
says, “but it’s a great opportunity—for
example, for grade ‘b’ storage, non-party
goods. If we have the stock, we’ll do it. You
just can’t consider it repeat business.”
Deliverance agrees. “We never chase
that business,” she says. “We’re busy
enough with our core markets, but we
let it happen.”
A hot zone?
Industrial tents
Special Event Rentals
Oil refineries frequently need to shelter employees and equipment in temporary facilities when they install new
equipment, and when extra employees are brought in to help with large projects.
April ▲ May 2006
Where are you going?
Where have you been?
InTents
Mike Becker of Span Systems Inc.,
Manchester, N.H., has watched the industrial market participation increase dra-
36
www.intents.info
matically over the past five to ten years.
“Our span domes have commonly been
used for salt storage,” he said, “and for a
while we were one of the only providers,
but that market is saturated now.”
He adds, “It’s a niche business. …
Maybe only 20 percent of our revenue
comes from the industrial side.”
But the company’s approach to design
remains just as stringent. “We always provide true tension structures with double
Celina Tent Inc.
ers and renters need to be aware of the
client’s code awareness and the governing municipality’s requirements.
“Permitting and fire codes must be met
by the customer,” says Melissa Johnson, a
project assistant with Karl’s Event Rental,
Oak Creek, Wis. “And the municipality
must approve.” To help that process, her
company shares its code-navigating experience with clients. “You want it to happen correctly,” she says. “For example, we
use fabrics and sidewalls that are flameretardant, NFPA-approved.”
These simple steps are the same ones
taken on event jobs, so the costs and
safety concerns are pretty much the
same. If you can apply your expertise to
the event side of the market, you can
apply it to the industrial side.
But it’s important that industrial clients understand what goes into the structures themselves. It’s important that they
understand the structural care is inherent
and quite necessary—fabrics that will
withstand the heat and exposure, frames
that will accommodate the snowload,
structures that are secure on their anchors and stakes, etc.
Celina Tent Inc. secured a U.S. Department of Defense contract to provide tents to agencies such
as FEMA, the U.S. Army, Marine Corp, Navy and
Coast Guard, and will begin manufacturing fabric
structures and related products in the upcoming
months. Celina Tent’s portfolio of structures for humanitarian relief efforts includes housing, hospital,
command post, classroom, shower, kitchen, mess
hall, cafeteria, storage, and maintenance shelters
for worldwide use.
Industrial tents
Cover-All Building Systems Inc.
At Rancor Wood Recycling in Belleville, Ontario,
Canada, a Cover-All Building Systems Inc. structure
protects the collecting and sorting areas from rain.
Cover-All is based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
Canada.
Marketing strategies
Though industrial applications of
tent and fabric structures are less
talked about, some firms, such as
Air Structures American Technolgies Inc. (ASATI), J&J Carter Ltd.,
and Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
(WSSL) promote this business capability openly on their Web sites.
ASATI’s includes Web pages for
its warehousing work, environmental containment applications, and
its vehicular airlocks.
J&J Carter’s site includes a description of the company’s modular
approach to this side of the market,
even publishing a case study.
And WSSL, while concentrating
photographs on event structures, includes in its descriptive paragraphs
how these tent and fabric structures
apply just as well to warehousing
and other industrial applications.
After all, they do. —CK
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
www.intents.info
37
Lindstrand Technologies
Industrial tents
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
The use of fabric structures for aircraft shelters is on the rise. Lindstrand Technologies, Oswestry, Shropshire,
England, designed an aircraft shelter with space for personnel to maintain the aircraft in comfort. Conventional
air supported buildings usually have a single skin which is supported by pressurizing the air inside the building
itself. The structures built to create this hangar have a twin wall design with an air gap in between them. The
air between the two layers is pressurized to provide rigidity for the structure. This type of construction does not
require air locks for entry and provides a cost effective solution with quick installation.
38
www.intents.info
curvature,” he says. “With many of our
structures we even go the extra step to
do wind-tunnel testing. That’s very expensive.” The steady approach, however,
has given the firm the flexibility to deal
in and speak to many markets. They’ve
even extended their structural engineering experience to fabric roofs. One of
their water treatment facility covers survived a direct hurricane hit.
Results like that please industrial
clients.
Perhaps the only industry veteran
whose firm developed almost exclusively
for industrial work is Dan Fraioli of Air
Structures American Technologies Inc.
(ASATI). For decades, ASATI has refined
its engineering based on client needs. To
accommodate increased loading and unloading within an air structure, the company developed vehicular airlocks. They
learned that lesson in the 1960s, and in
the 1970s began installing their structures
along the Alaska Pipeline, a project that
enabled the construction of 42 structures
vital to the Pipeline’s success.
Industrial tents
Like other firms, though, ASATI has
worked primarily on the event and recreation side of the market over the last
few years. “It’s been as much as 80-20,
sports to industrial,” Fraioli says. “But
we’re seeing it turn again. We’re seeing
it move back towards 50-50.”
International work, he suggests, is
where the real growth is. “Almost everything overseas is industrial,” he says.
Much of that is due to construction and
the inexpensive cover and storage value
provided by tent and fabric structures.
“Forty-three years ago they were just
little bubbles,” Fraioli says, putting the
market in perspective. They had been
small structures in small markets. But the
engineering understanding was just about
to expand, and with that the market potential. “We’re proud of what we’ve pioneered,” he says, “how we’ve been able to
advance so many markets. These structures
have taken us all over the world.” ▲
Chris Kelsey is a freelance writer based in St.
Paul, Minn.
Sources
Air Structures American Technologies Inc., Rye Brook, N.Y.; +1 914 937
4500, 800 247 2534, e-mail airbldg@
asati.com, Web site www.asati.com.
Airborne Structures Inc., Grand
Blanc, Mich.; +1 810 695 3436, 800 595
3436, e-mail airborne@tir.com, Web site
www.airbornestructures.com.
J & J Carter Ltd., Basingstoke, Hampshire, England; +44 01256 811455, +44
0870 224 1810, e-mail sales@jjcarter.
com, Web site www.jjcarter.com.
Celina Tent Inc., Celina, Ohio;
+1 419 586 3610, 866 438 8368, email sales@celinatent.com, Web site
ww.gettent.com.
Cover-All Building Systems, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; +1
306 664 4777, 800 615 4777, e-mail
coverall@coverall.net, Web site www.
coverall.net.
Karl’s Event Rental, Oak Creek,
Wis.; +1 414 831 7000, 800 383 6332,
e-mail info@karls.com, Web site www.
karls.com.
Lindstrand Technologies, Oswestry,
Shropshire, England, +44 1691 67 1888,
e-mail info@lindstrand.co.uk, Web site
www.inflatable-buildings.co.uk.
Pacific Domes, Ashland, Ore.; +1
541 488 7737, 888 488 8127, e-mail
info@pacificdomes.com, Web site www.
pacificdomes.com.
Span Systems Inc. Manchester, N.H.;
+1 603 621 4090, 800 558 3003, e-mail
spansystems@compuserve.com, Web site
www.spansystemsinc.com.
Tentnology Co.. Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; +1 604 597 8368, 800
663 8858, e-mail tent@tentnology.com.,
Web site www.tentnology.com.
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd., Calgary,
Alberta, Canada; +1 403 279 7662, 800
661 6155, e-mail warner@wssl.com, Web
site www.wssl.com.
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
www.intents.info
39
New Products
Showcase 2006
Save money and time with new and improved structures, accessories and hardware.
Note: The companies in this section are listed alphabetically by company name and returned submission forms by the specified deadline.
InTents features a regular New Products department in each issue. To be included in the regular New Product section, please direct your
product information to Katie Harholdt, InTents, IFAI 1801 County Rd. B W., Roseville, MN 55113, U.S.A.; fax +1 651 225 6966, e-mail
kjharholdt@ifai.com. E-mail submissions of photos and information are welcome and encouraged. A digital image (usually a JPEG, TIFF or
EPS) should have a resolution of at least 300 dpi and measure at least 4 by 5 inches.
Something for everyone
• Anchor’s new Value Walls come in 13 affordable stock sizes and
styles to provide the user with an aesthetic, weather-secure enclosure.
They are constructed from durable, coated vinyl and are available
in solid white and popular cathedral-style windows. Choose from
traditional lace and new Velcro® connections.
• The Genie™ frame tent is designed to offer an inexpensive,
labor-friendly, lightweight rental opportunity. Its low price and high
quality yields a quick return on investment. Multiple sizes are available with traditional hip or high-peak top designs. Telescoping legs
start at five feet and extend to eight. A simple-push button device
connects the frame. Other options are available.
• The 100-foot Century® tent eliminates cumbersome lacing of
end and middle sections. This one-piece system saves labor and time
while creating a smooth, beautiful tent top.
• The Century Trac Wall System allows tensioned walls on the
Century’s high-peak tent. Used with three-inch aluminum track side
poles and keder, the system creates a seamless connection. Bottom
pockets in the wall allow for inserting wall bars to create the classic
tensioned look and protect against flapping. Additional wall options
are available.
For more information, contact Anchor Industries Inc., Evansville,
Ind.; 800 844 4445, +1 812 867 2421, fax +1 812 867 0547, e-mail
tents@anchorinc.com, Web site www.anchorinc.com.
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
Things to celebrate
40
• Frame tents can take up too much
space in storage and transit. Armbruster’s
Celebration folding frame fits onto
shelves or smaller vehicle compartments.
Its lightweight, galvanized frame has rugged, zinc-coated steel fittings and features
hinged pipes that can lock open.
• The EuroTent is a relief from the
standard, white peaked tent. Its availability in vibrant colors and with digital
graphics help your customers and your company stand out.
For more information, contact Armbruster Manufacturing Co., Springfield,
Ill.; 800 637 4326, +1 217 483 2463, fax +1 217 483 3162, e-mail armbruster@
armbrustertentmaker.com, Web site www.ambrustertentmaker.com.
www.intents.info
What’s Nu?
New and improved
• Nu Tent® Plus TT and Nu Tent® Plus SW are strong, vinyl, laminated polyesters
with a special PVDF coating to enhance UV and mildew resistance. Also, the fabrics
accept graphics. This special construction provides a very long life for the finished
product. They’re immune to stains such as mustard, mulch, grease pen and red dirt—all
types encountered in the life of a tent. Even tough stains are washed away with a soap
and water rinse. Nu Tent Plus TT’s 16-ounce blockout fabric is designed for permanent
or semi-permanent tent top installations. Nu Tent Plus SW is a lightweight, 10-ounce
fabric that provides long-lasting great looks for a wide range of sidewall installations.
• Nu Tent tent-top laminate is a 14-ounce version in the product line. It’s been designed for fabrications that call for simple installation and quick set-up. This extremely
economical fabric is heat-sealable and accepts graphics, including screenprint and digital
inkjet. And it’s easy to handle.
• Nu Tent Regular is a blockout fabric that keeps out heat and cold temperatures
and provides aesthetic appeal, particularly when used with graphics.
For more information, contact John Boyle & Co., Statesville, N.C.; 800 438 1061,
+1 704 872 8151, fax +1 704 883 8838, e-mail marketing@johnboyle.com, Web site
www.johnboyle.com.
The ResisTent fabric seals 10
to 20 percent faster than standard
tent fabrics. The new 17-ounce
fabric improves upon its original, offering twice the abrasion
resistance and 20 percent greater
strength.
For more information, contact
Burlan Corp., Gastonia, N.C.;
+1 704 867 3548, fax +1 704 867
1377, e-mail gschilling@burlan.
com, Web site www.burlan.com.
Hang-dry tents with ease
Whether washing tents in machines or by hand, generally large sections of vinyl
are hung to dry. The Hercules Hoist System (patent pending) allows one person to
raise each section of the tent with an ordinary hand drill. The direct pull method
is labor intensive while the block and tackle method leaves dead line on the floor
that traps moisture making it difficult to fold tents that are completely dry. This
system was developed after several years of hands on experience in the tent and
party rental business, is cost effective to install, reduces labor costs, reduces exposure to back injuries and requires minimal maintenance.
For more information, contact Demco Ltd., Austin, Texas; 888 934 6478, e-mail
demcoltd@att.net, Web site www.demcoltd.com.
Finishing school
InTents
Blunt-ended keder runs can lead to side-panel snags when pulled
through a structural keder track. Finished keder, however, produces a
clean, stable end. Now, high-frequency welders can use a specially shaped
die that produces an efficient, bullet-nose-shaped end to insure easy insertion into a mounting track. The dies are designed for specific keder core
radius sizes. After welding a keder run to a tent or tensile-structure panel
sheet, the operator uses the die to shape each end of the run. Excess PVC
is melted away and the remaining shape is a perfect dome that cannot
fall off and that will not damage the keder core.
For more information in the United Kingdom and Europe, contact J & J
Carter Ltd., Basingstoke, Hampshire, England; +44 1256 811 455, fax +44
1256 811 458, e-mail sales@jjcarter.com, Web site www.jjcarter.com.
For more information in North America, contact Louis A. Green
Corp., Chelsea, Mo.; +1 617 884 6820, fax +1 617 884 2287, e-mail
sales@louisagreen.com, Web site www.louisagreen.com.
April ▲ May 2006
www.intents.info
41
New Product Showcase 2006
A dynamic duo
• Stake pullers are one of the most convenient product investments a tent rental company can make.
Celina’s new stake puller exemplifies this value. It measures 38 inches high by four inches wide and can
remove four-foot stakes in less than seven seconds. Reduced take-down time frees your company to pursue
other work. And the stake puller weighs only 56 pounds, thus reducing risk of back injuries. A video
demonstration of this versatile, time-and-money-saving item is available on the company Web site.
• Give your customers flexible lighting options. Celina’s globe lighting, portable post lighting, and
chandelier globe lighting are a fine addition to any rental inventory. These options are easy to install
and hold up great to various weather conditions. The globe lighting extends up to 35 feet per strand for
easier connection to larger tents. The portable post lights stand 78 inches tall and come equipped with
a dimmer switch and outdoor cord. And the chandelier
globe lighting provides an upscale option and comes
equipped with a 20-foot white hanging cord.
For more information, contact Celina Tent Inc.,
Celina, Ohio; 866 438 8368, +1 419 586 3610, fax +1
419 584 0949, e-mail sales@celinatent.com, Web site
www.gettent.com.
Ready to go pro
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
• Charnecke’s 20-by-30-foot High Peak Frame tent is easier to erect than
California-style frame tents. Fewer frame pipes are needed because it utilizes
criss-crossed cables. Also, it’s a cinch top tent, which is faster to install than those
with buckle-style tops. The tops are made of mildew-resistant, flame-retardant,
16-ounce blackout vinyl and is offered in white and colors. The frame is 2½-inch
schedule 40 anodized aluminum pipe with forged steel corners. Other tent sizes
are available.
• Pro Series tents are made with a single row of center poles, thus opening
more usable space. Also, this feature reduces set-up time, and fewer poles mean
more space is available in the delivery truck. The field-tested designs offer durability and aesthetics, which leads to overall customer satisfaction. The high-gloss,
flame-resistant material is mildew resistant. Its seams have been heat-sealed for
maximum performance. These qualities and its 60- and 80-foot-wide versions lead
to long-lasting, easy-to-use, money-making tents.
For more information, contact Charnecke Tents Inc., Rosholt, Wis.; 800 242
6833, +1 715 341 6886, fax +1 715 343 1882, e-mail charnecketents@g2a.net,
Web site www.charnecketents.com.
42
Without a scratch
DAF’s printed window panel is encapsulated between
two double-polished, clear films. The window print will
not scratch, and the clear films have been formulated for
fire retardance and UV resistance.
For more information, contact DAF Products Inc.,
Wycoff, N.J.; 800 228 9837, +1 201 251 1222, fax +1 201
251 1221, e-mail kkliemisch@dafproducts.com, Web site
www.dafproducts.com.
www.intents.info
A sound choice
Ultrasonic technologies have
revolutionized fabric and film slitting operations. Unlike heat knives,
ultrasonic slitters use concentrated
high-frequency energy to cut and seal
in one pass without smoke or the risk
of burning. Dukane’s 40 kHz ultrasonic slitting horn is designed for use
on synthetic woven and non-woven
materials. The horn is quiet and produces clean, smooth edges with no
fraying or beading. The lightweight,
compact slitter can be operated by
hand or mounted to other machines
(such as winders/re-winders, looms
and traversing systems).
For more information, contact
Dukane, St. Charles, Ill.; +1 630 797
4900, fax +1 630 797 4949, e-mail
usinfo@dukcorp.com, Web site www.
dukcorp.com/us.
A real classic
InTents
Using one piece cast aluminum
fittings for a smooth finish (no welding), the Classic Trio™ Frame System
gives users three elegant cover looks
with one frame. The durable frame
has been designed for commercial use.
It’s certified up to 80 mph. And its
versatility accommodates traditional,
tension and high-peak covers. Owners
do not need to keep so many frames in
storage now that a single frame offers
three popular forms. Also, installers do
not need to be trained on new systems
just to change tent covers. Stainless
steel buckles provide additional longterm value.
For more information, contact
Economy Tent International, Miami;
800 438 3226, +1 305 691 0191, fax
+1 305 835 7098, e-mail economy
@bellsouth.net, Web site www.
economytent.com.
April ▲ May 2006
www.intents.info
43
New Product Showcase 2006
Survival of the fittest
Evolution™ and Evolution ES™ tension tents provide the tent rental industry with outstanding return on investment. These new models are characterized
by stylish, sweeping peaks; fewer interior poles; and a durable tensioning system
that uses webs and ratchets. The Evolution is available in the popular 30- and
40-foot widths with a single pole, while the Evolution ES allows single-pole
tents with a 50-foot width. Twin pole construction allows 60-, 80- and 100-foot
widths. Both versions are modular in length, use a clean finish on the eaves for
an elegant look, and feature reinforcements at each corner and at lace lines for
strength and stability. (Steel ovals are used instead of typical “D” rings to secure
the rain flap—thus reducing the likelihood of tearing or pulling out rain-flap
tabs.) The tents are designed for use with two-inch ratchets. The side pole fitting
is lightweight and durable; its new fitting design reduces web chafe and allows
for greater tension to be applied through the ratchet system when dressing out
the tent.
For more information, contact Eureka! The Tent Co., Binghamton, N.Y.; 800
235 2607, fax +1 607 779 2291, Web site www.eurekatents.com.
Weld with confidence
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
The Energy Monitoring Program (EMP) helps new operators weld with confidence after just a few minutes of introductory instruction. Time and money is
saved because training is minimal and sealing bars can be changed in size and
type without resetting all parameters. Also, the operator’s subsequent sensitivity to materials drastically reduces spoilage while weld consistency eliminates
deficiencies that might require repairs.
For more information, contact Forsstrom, Lysekil, Sweden; +46 523 666600,
fax +46 523 666666, e-mail info@forsstrom.com, Web site www.forsstrom.com.
44
www.intents.info
New Product Showcase 2006
Superwide satisfaction
The newest addition to the Ganinnovations
grand-format printer line: Jeti 3318 with a head
carriage that hosts 18 Spectra print heads and
an ink designation of three heads per color,
allowing for six color combinations. Printing width capacity is 10 feet, six inches, with
speed dependent upon printing mode (“best”
or “production”). Technological enhancements
include a software upgrade that detects any misfiring nozzle and automatically
adjusts the saturation, safeguarding the image output—the first of its kind. An
automatic head wiping system reduces manual labor.
For more information, contact Gandinnovations, San Antonio; +1 210 344
9566, fax +1 210 344 9569, e-mail cbrock@gandigroup.com, Web site www.
gandinnovations.com.
A sweet suite
of products
InTents
• The Web Wrench 1085 is the correct
size to loosen and tighten tent straps. The
tapered end helps release ratchets and the
long handle provides valuable leverage.
The tool is reversible and works equally
well on webs and structures.
• The Frame Wrench 1030 has been
specially designed for the tent industry. Its
long handle includes a drift pin, and it’s
great for aligning holes. Whether for tents
or staging, the tool’s 9/16-inch and 5/8-inch
versions are what tent professionals need.
• Green Monster’s Hydraulic Stake
Pullers (Series 1000 and 2000) are selfpropelled and reduce the chance of employee injury with the hydraulic ability to
remove stakes 100 times faster than manual
stake pulling. Fast and efficient with just a
10-second cycle time, these field-proven
machines pull all brands of stakes—even
with stake bars. Additional features include
flat-free tires, optional jaws, safety shut-off
features, and a Honda 5.5 HP engine. For
use wherever you install: blacktop, grass,
hardpan, etc.
For more information, contact Green
Monster Manufacturers, Elmsford, N.Y.;
+1 914 592 2313, fax +1 914 592 1635,
e-mail sales@greenmonsterinc.com, Web
site www.greenmonsterinc.com or www.
nyrentdirect.com.
April ▲ May 2006
www.intents.info
45
New Product Showcase 2006
Back in Blackout
Architent Heavy Duty Blackout provides extra tear and tensile
strength in vinyl laminates. The woven scrim reinforcement allows
increased strength and versatility for tension structure applications.
It’s available in 18 ounces per square yard and offers durability, mold
and mildew resistance, excellent seam strength, and UV resistance. It
meets NFPA 701-99 (Method 2) and CSFM flame retardant requirements. Samples are available.
For more information, contact Herculite Products Inc., Emigsville, Pa.; 800 772 0036, +1 717 764 1192, fax +1 717 764 5211,
e-mail customercare@herculite.com, Web site www.herculite.com
and www.meridianfabrics.com.
Super smooth tent skin
New for the architectural, awning and tent markets, Hiraoka
PVDF-II has a special Fluorine layer on top of the PVDF layer to
prevent dirt adhesion caused by the electrostatic attraction of dirt
particles. PVDF-II resists dirt and weathering and has a super smooth
surface making it easy to clean by simply wiping the surface.
For more information, contact Hiraoka & Co. Ltd., Tokyo; +81
3 3876 2127, fax +81 3 3875 5627, e-mail mailbox@tarpo-hiraoka.
com, Web site www.tarpo-hiraoka.com.
Stick to it
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
Is Velcro® weldable? Yes, but many
in the tent industry are not aware of
this. When used with an RF machine,
JTE’s Weldable Velcro® Double Bar
enables tent makers to save time and
improve the quality of their window
production. This interaction seals
the edge of the Velcro on one hit.
The surface of it is not damaged; it’s
attached quickly and securely. The
rotating weld heads makes this easy
and efficient.
For more information, contact JTE
Machine Systems Inc., Orange Park,
Fla.; 800 355 4583, +1 904 278 2388,
fax +1 904 278 2387, e-mail sales@
jtemachine.com, Web site www.
jtemachine.com.
46
www.intents.info
New Product Showcase 2006
Doing it all
Securing a good source for event
equipment can be difficult. KC Super
Tent Technology aims to provide indispensable goods for the entire event: tents,
canopies, lighting, furniture, etc. The
company’s site posts plenty of information on tent sizes and includes a gallery
of images for cone tents, dome tents, and
many other structures.
For more information, contact KC Super
Tent Technology Sdn
Bhd, Kajang, Malaysia;
+603 87366932, fax +603
87365362, e-mail admin@
kctent.com, Web site
www.kctent.com.
Wide-load printer
The DisplayMaker 72SI wide-format solvent inkjet printer
features the ability to print on a variety of roll-fed media up to 73
inches wide. It also can print on rigid materials up to 1/4-inch thick
with the addition of a set of optional roller tables.
For more information, contact MacDermid ColorSpan,
Eden Prairie, Minn.; +1 952
944 9330, 800 477 7714, fax
+1 952 944 0522, e-mail info@
colorspan.com, Web site www.
colorspan.com.
Grommets at a
lower cost
The new Clip Tex walls offer the look of
hardwall at an easy-handling weight and with
time-saving installation technology. The easily
replaceable panels extend the life of the wall
and reduce replacement costs. This durability and affordability is possible through the
system’s integration of aluminum frame and
traditional vinyl. The vinyl is tensioned across
the frame using a patented holding system. You
can change the panel colors, add clear, include
corporate branding, etc.
For more information, contact Losberger
US, Frederick, Md.; 800 964 8368, +1 301
682 8000, fax +1 301 682 8005, e-mail
pmoughan@losbergerus.com, Web site www.
losbergerus.com.
Head of the class
www.intents.info
April ▲ May 2006
A hook stake with a head eliminates
the safety concern presented by typical
stakes, which often have or develop sharp
edges or splinter. Pioneer now offers side
hook tent stakes with a head as part of
its extensive line of affordable stakes
and accessories. A plastic cap is also
available with this new stake, to increase visibility and reduce tripping
hazards. Sidewall staking has never
been easier.
For more information,
contact Pioneer Tool and
Forge Inc., New Kensington,
Pa.; 800 359 6408, fax +1
724 337 4707, e-mail pioneer@breakersteel.com, Web
site www.breakersteel.com.
InTents
The new Model 20 FS offers efficient,
automatic grommeting. This all-electric
model has a motor that runs only when
the pedal is pressed. It quickly inserts eyelet and washer in one stroke, and has few
moving parts; no belts, pulleys, clutch or
flywheel. Also, it features a release for excessive materials, and because the machine
cuts through tough materials, self-piercing
grommets are not required.
For more information, contact Munro Fastenings & Textiles Inc.,
Toronto; 877 476 6638, +1 416 675 1102, fax +1 416 675 1136, email munro@allstream.com, Web site www.munrofastenings.com.
The next generation
47
New Product Showcase 2006
Choices, choices, choices
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
Rental Event Structures announces many offerings:
• The 10-by-10-foot Canopy remains one of the toughest, most durable event tents on the market. The
slip-fit design minimizes set-up and
takedown. New options continue to
add to the structures versatility, such
as a clearspan, aerodynamic design;
the absence of guy lines, poles and
exposed stakes; roll-up curtains; and
additional sizes, such as 10-by-20 , 10-by-15 and 12-by-12.
• The 20-by-20-foot Canopy
shares many advantages with the 10by-10 version. Its two and one-halfinch galvanized steel or aluminum
frame ensures long life and repeated
use. The quick ratcheting tension
system makes for a fast, easy, tight
cover. Additional sizes are available.
Quik-Link ballast bars are now available for securing the structures when
stakes are prohibited.
• The 35-foot Octopae model
builds upon the Canopy line features,
adding a sizable yet just-as-stable solution. Custom colors, flags, logos
and curtains are available.
• The 16-by-20-foot Jubilee
structure provides an interesting design option while remaining easy to
install via its slip-fit approach and ratchet tension system.
• The 31-by-60-foot Jubilee provides significant open space thanks to its
clearspan design. A large, solid structure, it can be used for short- or long-term
installation and can be customized.
• The 40-by-50-foot Aberdeen
Stage Enclosure uses self-aligning
joints that are easy to assemble. Setup time is reduced and the tight-sealing aluminum-beam construction
is a structural asset. The advanced
fabric-track panel system boasts a
complete arch and ground seal with
a sleek, modern “soft gable” look. Fully engineered and code certified, it provides
steady, dependable performance with a sharp look.
• The 100-by-200-foot Caverna
is a quick-to-assemble, tight-sealing structure that uses double-truss
steel-beam construction. And it
draws upon the features of other RES
structures: unobstructed, safe space;
advanced fabric-track panel system; customization; and much more.
For more information, contact Rental Event Structures Inc., Olathe, Colo.;
800 699 2538, +1 970 323 6605, fax +1 970 323 8815, e-mail info@restents.
com, Web site www.restents.com.
48
www.intents.info
New Product Showcase 2006
Compact but powerful
The Model 3P5 portable pneumatic press has been designed specifically for
grommet applications. Measuring only 16 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide, and
weighing just over 20 pounds, this compact press is powerful. It’s capable of
punching a hole in a wide range
of industrial fabrics and attaching a grommet and washer, all in
a single cycle. Two versions are
available: one for standard fabrics,
one for heavier fabrics and larger
grommets. The setting tools are
interchangeable. Simply threaded
in place, they allow for fast conversions. The sturdy, welded frame
is designed for safe operation,
portability and ease of use. The
machine can be hand carried or
mounted to a bench.
For more information, contact
Edward Segal Inc., Thomaston,
Conn.; +1 860 283 5821, fax
+1 860 283 0871, e-mail sales@
edwardsegalinc.com, Web site
www.edwardsegalinc.com.
Gentle on turf
The Bullfrog Tent Tractor can drastically cut on-site costs. The tractor’s
safety and efficiency means operators require very little training. The
new model includes a 49 HP diesel
engine, heavier-duty stake drivers,
and larger turf trays.
For more information, contact
TEECO, Fenton, Mo.; 877 712 9172,
+1 636 349 6556, fax +1 636 326
1326, e-mail teeco@sbcglobal.net.
Shag-tastic!
InTents
Shagarl® fabric is made from 100-percent recycled fibers. This environmentally smart fabric’s fibers derive from PET bottles. Furthermore, a beautiful color
selection is available. The material is solution dyed and has strong color fastness without color shading. And it’s fire
retardant and water resistant.
For more information, contact Teijen
Techno Products Ltd., Tokyo, Japan; +81
3 3506 4230, fax +81 3 3506 4114, e-mail
ai.fujiwara@teijin.co.jp, Web site www.
teijin.co.jp.
April ▲ May 2006
www.intents.info
49
New Product Showcase 2006
Shapely silhouette
Keeping keder on track
The Poleadion has an original tensioned profile with
shorter center poles and solid wind security. The result of
these innovations are easy installation and handling. Less
storage space is needed and the 20-foot span between legs
means there are fewer legs and anchors to transport and
install. Tensioned sidewalls employ keder connections for a
smooth, water-tight seal, and exit doors have drip free edges.
Available in 40- and 60-foot widths and 20-foot modules,
the Poleadion is sure to please customers looking for cutting-edge design.
For more information, contact Tentnology Co., Surrey,
B.C., Canada; 800 663 8858, +1 604 597 8368, fax +1 604
597 8749, e-mail tent@tentnology.com, Web site www.
tentnology.com.
Keder Feeders aid in applying the appropriate
tension to kedered tops while they are fed into the
TopTec keder trac, resulting
in a clean feeding process
and prolonging the life of
the tent top. Easily adapted
to similar keder tubing, the
Keder Feeder saves on installation time.
For more information,
contact TopTec Inc., Laurens, S.C.; 800 845 2830, +1
864 575 9936, fax +1 864
575 3913, e-mail eventtec@
prtcnet.com, Web site www.
eventtec.com.
Stop snagging
sidewalls
An innovative new snap hook
has a low profile, one-piece design
that reduces the puncture snagging
hazard while folding and bundling
tents. The corrosion resistant snap
hook eliminates the need to assemble multiple components and with
the new geometry and fashionable
design, your tent sidewalls will be
kept safe from snagging and tearing
in style.
For more information, contact ITW Waterbury Buckle, Waterbury, Conn.;
800 969 5908, +1 203 753 1161, fax +1 203 578
3211, e-mail cernst@itwwater.com, Web site www.
itwwaterburybuckle.com.
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
Making a difference
50
Through a unique use of design and color, Waterloo tents are built to endure
while giving rental companies a striking option. The designs help win contracts,
and the durability of the tents means greater returns for the renter. Make
events extraordinary through custom colors, sizes and designs. Create smaller
complementary tents for an event. Create large-scale tops to stand out. It’s a
point of difference renter’s seek.
For more information, contact Waterloo Tent & Tarp Co. Inc., Waterloo,
Iowa; 800 537 1193, +1 319 234 4679, fax +1 319 234 4679, e-mail tents@
waterlootent.com, Web site www.waterlootent.com. ▲
www.intents.info
The Reference
Section
IFAI Tent Expo 2005: Tent
School Handouts
Pullout Capacity of Tent Stakes Volume 1:
Tent Data Summary
Item # Tenkbaa002
(August 2005, 50 pages, spiral bound)
This book contains the materials
presented at the IFAI Tent Expo 2005
Tent School. Topics include: tent squaring,
tent repair, tools of the trade, flooring
tents, tent cleaning, installation, codes
and permits, inflatables, and anchoring.
Item# 26001
Volume 1 summarizes the results of tent stake pullout tests conducted
by the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Illinois,
Urbana. An extensive anchor testing program was performed to
quantify the effect of variables on pullout capacity and to assist in
the development of methods to predict the magnitude and reliability
of anchor capacity. Chapter topics are testing parameters, results of
testing, interpretation of results, summary, references, DCP and stake
modeling, alternate methods for predicting stake pullout capacity
with DCP results, and ASTM specifications for DCP tests. This item
is available in CD-Rom format.
InTents Article Showcase
Item # 26000
A photocopied collection of insightful InTents
magazine articles containing over 250 pages
with helpful information about the tent rental
industry. Topics include: accessories, equipment,
installation/maintenance, inventory, market
segments, marketing, operations, tips, resources,
safety, standards/codes, and opportunities.
Data Textile Snapshots:
Commercial & Rental Tents
Item # mktduaa005
In August 2005, IFAI’s Market Research
Services department published a Data Textiles
Snapshot on the Commercial & Rental Tent
market. The eight-page report provides
industry market data including information
on total Rental Tent fabric consumption,
fabric preferences, and trend information including rental inventory
replacement. Findings were obtained through interviews with and
surveys of fabric suppliers, as well as tent manufacturers and rental
companies. Also available as a PDF.
Tent Installation – Music Only (CD-Rom)
Item # TENSDAA003
By request, time lapse videos of the IFAI Tent Expo 2005 are now
available through the IFAI Bookstore. This CD-ROM includes
the complete Tent Expo video viewed at the closing banquet, plus
additional footage on installing a frame tent, a tension tent, a clearspan
structure and a double decker structure.
Pullout Capacity of Tent
Stakes Volume 2: Tent Data
Item # 26002
Volume 2 explains test methods used in the
Tent Staking Study and includes a database
of test results, showing anchorage capacity
in various conditions. Data includes load
measurements, displacement, and rotation of the stake top. Anchorage
capacity was investigated in various soil types, moisture amounts,
with different stake diameters and embedment depths, with varying
times between installation and pullout testing, and with various load
fastening heights. Several configurations of group stakes were also
tested. All data collected is recorded in this publication. This item is
available in CD-Rom format.
IFAI Procedural Handbook
for the Safe Installation and
Maintenance of Tentage
Item # 20039
This procedural handbook explains safe
procedures for installing tents and is a useful
tool for installers, foremen, and company
owners. The procedural handbook has been
referenced in the American Rental Association tent installer education
track, Special Events Magazine, Exhibitor Magazine, The Wall Street
Journal, and was recently added to the Montreal School as a reference
text for tent designing and engineering students. The first section
covers pole-supported tents up to 60 feet wide and is divided into six
chapters: 1) Site Survey; 2) Layout, Staking and Anchoring; 3) Poles;
4) Sidewalls; 5) Tensioning a Tent; 6) Safety and Maintenance. This
new edition is available in CD-Rom format only (2004).
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
InTents Bookstore
To order, visit www.bookstore.ifai.com;
Call 800 207 0729, +1 651 225 6913;
or e-mail bookstore@ifai.com
www.intents.info
51
Calendar
IFAI Tent Expo 2007
January 29–February 2, 2007
Comfort Suites, Kissimmee, Fla.
IFAI Tent Expo 2007 promises to be a
blockbuster event with more than 100,000 square feet of tent and fabric
structure displays, programs focused on education and training for owners,
end-product manufacturers, suppliers, designers, engineers and installers
for the tent rental industry. The eight acre exhibit field in Old Town in
Kissimmee will host the tent installations, educational sessions and trade
show activities. The Old Town area offers shopping, dining and entertainment. For additional information on Old Town, visit www.old-town.com.
Visit www.comfortsuitesfl.com for hotel details.
For more information on IFAI Tent Expo 2007, contact Jan Schieffer,
IFAI Tent Rental Division managing director, Roseville, Minn.; +1 651 225
6944, e-mail jmschieffer@ifai.com, Web site www.tentexperts.org.
IFAI Expo 2006
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
October 31–November 2, 2006
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta
Organized by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), IFAI
Expo 2006 will focus on innovation, technology and global networking.
The pre-conference symposiums, Safety & Protective Fabrics 2006 and
Sports & Recreation 2006 held October 30, focus on two growing market
segments in the specialty fabrics industry.
IFAI Expo 2006 will collaborate with ATME-I 2006 and the American
Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists trade show to create MEGATEX of the Americas, the world’s largest specialty fabrics trade show
bringing hundreds of suppliers, manufacturers and small business owners
together.
For more information, contact IFAI conference management, Roseville,
Minn.; +1 651 222 2508, 800 225 4324, fax +1 651 631 9334, e-mail
confmgmt@ifai.com, Web site www.ifaiexpo.info.
52
Las Vegas International
Hotel & Restaurant Show
April 12–13, 2006
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Las Vegas
www.lvihrs.com
Presented by the Nevada Hotel &
Lodging Association, the Nevada Restaurant Association, and a new partner
for 2006, the California Hotel & Lodging Association, the Las Vegas International Hotel & Restaurant Show
showcases more than 350 suppliers with
the newest products and services, and
4,000 lodging and food service executives representing the fastest growing
regions in the lodging and food service
industries.
www.intents.info
National Restaurant
Association Show
May 20–23, 2006
McCormick Place, Chicago
www. restaurant.org/show/
No matter what type of operation
you run, National Restaurant Association Show 2006 has what you need.
One of the largest food service and
hospitality events, major areas of focus
include food, beverage, equipment,
smallwares, apparel, tabletop, furnishings, design, technology, and services.
National Association of
Catering Executives (NACE)
Annual Conference
July 16–19, 2006
Pointe South Mountain Resort
Phoenix
www. nace.net/06conf/ec06/index.html
The National Association of Catering
Executives provides catering and event
professionals with education, networking
and resources to enhance career success
and deliver excellence to clients.
Meeting Professionals
International 2006 World
Education Congress
July 9–11, 2006
Dallas
www.mpiweb.com
The World Education Congress is
Meeting Professionals International’s
annual conference offering a multitude
of education opportunities crucial to
enhancing skills to position meeting
professionals as leaders and strategic
assets to their organization. Networking, educational events, and a trade
show providing products and services
to meeting professionals rounds out the
offerings.
Event Solutions 2006 Idea
Factory & Catersource
August 20–23, 2006
Colorado Convention Center, Denver
www.event-solutions.com/expo/
expo2006
Educational programs, industry leaders as featured speakers, exhibits with
new products and services, and special
events designed to give event and
meeting planners, rental companies,
caterers, and facility owners new ideas
for their businesses.
Calendar
The Showman’s Show 2006
October 18–19, 2006
Newbury Showground, Chieveley,
Berkshire, England
www.showmans-directory.co.uk/
theshow.asp
The Showman’s Show is the U.K.’s
original and most comprehensive
exhibition of products, services and
entertainment for the outdoor and
special event world. Exhibitors include
tent renters and manufacturers, staging
companies, event organizers, electrical
contractors, and temporary flooring
companies, to name a few.
The Rental Show 2007
February 7–10, 2007
Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta
www.ararental.org
The Rental Show is the largest rental
trade show in the world, bringing together more than 11,000 attendees and
exhibitor personnel. ▲
MARKETPLACE
For more information on classified advertising in IFAI’s InTents,
contact Trisha Allex at IFAI, 1801 County Rd. B W., Roseville, MN 55113-4061
USA. Phone: 800 225 4324, fax: +1 651 225 6966, e-mail: tmallex@ifai.com.
For Sale
USED PARTY RENTAL TENTS
Save $$ over the cost of new. Frame,
pole, high peak. Tops or complete.
Samsonite white comfort chairs used.
LB White Heaters used.
800-475-1444
AllSeasonsTentRental.com
Look for classifieds on
our website
www.ifai.com
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
www.intents.info
53
SUBSCRIBE TO INTENTS
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Name
Company
Title
Phone#
Address
E-mail
Fax#
54
Date
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My method of payment (please check one):
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❑ Purchasing Manager
❑ Sales/Marketing Manager
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❑ Golf or Recreation Facility
❑ Other (please specify) ______________
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
Signature
www.intents.info
Please mail check orders to:
IFAI, SDS-12-2108, P.O. Box 86, Minneapolis, MN 55486-2108
For quickest response, fax your “Bill Me” order to: +1 651 631 9334
Or send e-mail to subscriptions@ifai.com
ADVERTISER INDEX
When you contact an advertiser in this issue, please tell them that you saw their ad in InTents.
For advertising rates and information call Sarah Hyland at 800 319 3349
American Turf & Carpet LLC
800 952 8847
www.americanturfandcarpet.com
......................................................... 28, 29
Tent Rental Division Member
Anchor Industries Inc.
800 544 4445
www.anchorinc.com ..............................8
Tent Rental Division Member
Anza Tents
+1 888 637 8086
www.anzatents.com ............................22
Armbruster Mfg. Co
800 637 4326
www.armbrustertentmaker.com .........5
Tent Rental Division Member
Atlas Copco Construction Tools
800 760 4049
www.atlascopco.com .................... 44, 45
Tent Rental Division Member
DAF Products
800 228 9837
www.dafproducts.com ........................22
Pioneer Tool & Forge, Inc.
800 359 6408
www.tentstakes.com............................46
Eureka! The Tent Company
800 235 2607
www.eurekatents.com...........................9
Tent Rental Division Member
Rental-Event Structures Inc.
800 699 2538
www.restents.com................................38
Fiesta Tents Ltd
800 465 5070
www.fiesta.ca ......................................23
Tent Rental Division Member
Fred’s Tents & Canopies Inc.
800 99 TENTS
www.wemaketents.com .....................21
Tent Rental Division Member
Herculite Products Inc
800 238-6003
www.meridianfabrics.com .................. 7
Tent Rental Division Member
Aztec Tents & Events
800 258 7368
www.aztectent.com ..............................3
HTS Structures
+1 866 200 6939
www.hts-structures.com .............. 48, 49
Tent Rental Division Member
Baytex/The SEC Group
800 621 2495
www.theSECgroup.com .......................15
Leister Process Technologies
800 241 4628
www.leister.com ...................................43
John Boyle & Co. Inc.
800 438 1061
www.johnboyle.com ........................CV4
Tent Rental Division Member
Losberger US LLC
800 964 8368
www.losbergerus.com .........................10
Celina Tent
866 438 8368
www.gettent.com ...............................43
Tent Rental Division Member
Central Tent
800 997 8368
www.centraltent.com .........................36
Tent Rental Division Member
Charnecke Tents
800 242 6833
www.charnecketents.com ...................37
Ohenry Productions Inc.
+1 254 714 1103
www.ohenrytents.com ........................16
Tent Rental Division Member
Olympic Tent/The SEC Group
800 621 2495
www.theSECgroup.com .......................15
Snyder Mfg. Inc.
800 837 4450
www.snyderman.com ..........................11
Tent Rental Division Member
Starrett Brothers Tent Mfg.
800 433 9116
www.tentmanufacture.com ..................5
Tentnology Co.
+1 604 597 8368
www.tentnology.com .......................CV3
Tent Rental Division Member
TopTec Inc.
800 845 2830
www.toptecinc.com .............................12
Tent Rental Division Member
Verseidag Coating and Composite
+1 319 377 7378
LAldershof@seemeeus.com .................37
Vintex Inc
800 846 8399
www.vintex.com ................................CV2
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
800 661 6155
www.wssl.com ........................................1
Tent Rental Division Member
Wenger Corp.
800 4WENGER
www.wengercorp.com ........................25
Tent Rental Division Member
InTents
Contact Information
Jan Schieffer, Managing Director
1801 County Rd B West
Roseville, MN 55113
Phone: +1 651 225 6944, 800 636
5065
Fax: +1 651 631 9334
e:mail jmschieffer@ifai.com
www.tentexperts.org
April ▲ May 2006
Tent Rental Division of IFAI
The Tent Rental Division's mission
is to foster safety, quality and creativity in the use of rental tents. Member
companies strive to increase awareness
and use of industry's products and services among consumer groups through
public relations activities.
Mainline Exhibitors
800 227 3083 .........................................24
Tent Rental Division Member
Roder Zelt-und GmBH
800 544 4445
www.r-zs.com .......................................14
Tent Rental Division Member
www.intents.info
55
Raising the Stakes
Pacific Yurts Inc.
Pacific Yurts donated two structures to the Dore family whose Seattle-area home burned to the ground in March 2004.
Yurts to the rescue
A popular television show familiarizes the American public with short- and long-term
shelter options provided by fabric structures.
By Jeff Barbian
InTents
April ▲ May 2006
O
56
One of the more moving reality TV shows is Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition. In each episode, a team of designers,
carpenters, contractors and hundreds of volunteer workers build,
or rebuild, a home for a family that’s been shaped by tragedy or
misfortune. And they do it in seven days. Recently, both yurts
and shade sails have played a role in assembling a dream home
for a troubled family in need.
Alan Bair, chief executive officer of Cottage Grove, Ore.based Pacific Yurts Inc., was skeptical when the producers of
the show contacted him and asked if his company would donate
two yurts to a family located just outside Seattle. He felt “reality
TV” had built an unsavory reputation over the years. But after
some investigation into the show’s premise, Bair decided that
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was worth supporting. “I
was really moved by their approach,” he says. “Frankly, it’s not
a television genre that had left a great impression on us. But
when we started asking others about the show, we were amazed
by the positive responses we got.”
The Dore family were the recipients of the two yurts—and
www.intents.info
a brand new home. In March 2004, the Seattle-area house that
Roseanne Dore and her late husband had built burned to the
ground, leaving Dore and her three daughters without a home.
Worse, Roseanne’s insurance agent had neglected to renew
her homeowner’s policy. The Dores found themselves living
in a utility shed in the backyard, using a doorless outhouse and
cooking outdoors. The show’s producers learned that Roseanne
had always dreamed of building a camping area for Girl Scouts
in her backyard, using yurts as the centerpiece. They solicited
Pacific Yurts to make that wish come true.
Bair and his crew installed the yurts while workers frantically
assembled the Dore’s home. Bair called it a “logistical masterpiece,” as a process that normally takes at least four months
to complete is compressed into one week. “The fortitude and
commitment it took to get this done was remarkable, and it was
a honor to be a part of that effort,” Bair says. “So many people
were sacrificing their own family time and putting their jobs on
hold for a week to transform the lives of another family.” ▲