Event Recap


Tent Expo Victorious at Daytona

Despite the threat of high winds, severe thunderstorms and dangerous tornados causing some delays with tent installations, Tent Expo 2024 kicked off on January 9 in Daytona, Fla. Over 550 attendees and exhibitors came from as far away as China, Poland and even the United Arab Emirates. 

“It was an incredible gathering of tent professionals,” says Nick Deninno, vice chairman of the Tent Rental Division (TRD) Steering Committee and owner of B&R Innovations. “Facing challenging weather while setting up the Tent Expo was tough, especially losing a day of setup. However, after the storm, everyone came together. Manufactures and even attendees pitched in, helping not only their own groups but also competitors. This cooperative spirit truly embodies the essence of ATA.” 

On Tuesday evening, the “NextGen/OG” Happy Hour successfully brought together both newer entrants (NextGen) and long-time innovators (OG) in the tent industry. The two groups initially had their own social events and then regrouped to share stories, advice and lots of laughs late into the night.  

On both Wednesday and Thursday, the TRD educational seminars provided engaging insights into the latest industry developments, complemented by hands-on training sessions like the Mobile Elevating Work Platform certification and TRD Boot Camp: Training for the tent professional. A noteworthy initiative this year was the collaboration between the TRD and the Common Ground Alliance (“811-Call before you dig”), introducing the “Call before you stake” campaign. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of having underground utilities located and marked before installation begins to protect tent crews from serious injury and financial liability. 

Wednesday featured the annual Wodetzki Luncheon, where Michael Tharpe, a retired 45-year veteran of the equipment and party rental industry, and Kathy Schaefer, IFM, who is the CEO of Glawe Tent & Awning, were honored with the Bruce W. Wodetzki Award, which is the tent rental industry’s most prestigious honor. The award is named for the founding member and first Chairman of TRD and recognizes professionals who continue his legacy of impacting the growth, direction and success of the tent rental industry. (To read more about this award and this year’s recipients, click here.) 

The welcome reception on Wednesday night was graciously hosted by InTENTional Systems beneath the company’s striking black and clear top structure. Attendees were treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails and seats around numerous campfires to watch the Soap Box Derby qualifying runs. Despite this being the first year of the derby, which was generously sponsored by Elevated Flooring Systems, 16 different teams built and raced their cars for a trophy and, more importantly, bragging rights.   

On Thursday there was another full day of education sessions as well as the always popular “Tour of the tents,” followed by the evening’s Party on the Pad hosted by Fred’s Tents and Canopies. Fred’s elevated the experience with its massive black and clear glass garden tent and a lively Jimmy Buffet-themed party that also served as the backdrop for the highly competitive Soapbox Derby Finals.  

The results of the derby were as follows: 

First place: Event Quip 

Second place: “Team Tentske” a.k.a. L&A Tent Rentals Inc. 

Third place: “Tent Mafia” a.k.a. Tara and Pat Moughan, Losberger DeBoer; Tommy Wilson, All Occasions Event Rental; George Mahaffey, Sunbelt Temporary Structures; Keith Eismann, Keder Solutions and Phil Heidt, CORT Party Rental 

Best in show: “Rolling Thunder” a.k.a. Block & Roll 

Going the distance: Event Quip 

Better luck next time: Fred’s Tents 

 “Although the weather for the 2024 TRD Tent Expo at the legendary Daytona International Speedway was a challenge, the show went on to meet and exceed high expectations for this biennial tent and related products showcase,” says TRD Chairman Steve Belliveau of Anchor Industries. “The educational, networking and entertainment opportunities were all very well received, particularly the first of its kind at a tent show-TRD’s own and original Soap Box Derby, which became an instant and huge success.”  

Tent Industry Back Together at Tent Expo

Over 550 tent and rental professionals gathered in Daytona Beach, Fla., last week for the IFAI Tent Expo.  

Members of the Tent Rental Division and other industry professionals took the opportunity to meet in person for the first time in two years, driving near-record attendance at this year’s event.  

Tent Expo offers a chance to connect in-person that can’t be replicated by virtual events, said Josh Kohn, CEO and co-founder, SOHO Event Rentals, Fairhope, Ala. 

“It’s so good, the relationships, the networking, getting to meet face to face with people, it really builds those relationships. To be here on the floor with the tents and manufacturers, to be able to ask questions … really speeds up the conversation versus just looking at a PDF or online at something.”  – Josh Kohn | SOHO Event Rentals 

More than 50 exhibitors were on hand to share the latest innovations in tents, equipment, flooring, furniture, accessories and more.  

“I’ve learned so much from all the manufacturers,” said Steven Eisenstein, president of Classic Tents & Events, Norcross, Ga. “I’ve learned the right tents, to buy. I got the TentOx from coming to this event many years ago. Coming to Tent Expo helps us learn how we can be more efficient with our labor, do more and save money. It’s coming to these events that you learn about all the different pieces of equipment and what they can do.”  

The three-day Tent Expo kicked off with the annual golf tournament and a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the Daytona International Speedway, followed by two days of education, networking and product demos. 

Indy Car racer James Hinchcliffe delivered the keynote address, telling the story of his struggles to become a professional driver, and his comeback from a life-threatening injury he suffered while practicing for the 2015 Indianapolis 500.  

Two tent industry leaders were also honored with the Bruce W. Wodetzki Award. The award is named for the first chairman of IFAI’s Tent Rental Division and recognizes professionals who continue his legacy of impacting the growth, direction and success of the industry. This year’s honorees were Jim Reyen, business director at Eureka! Tents, and George Smith, president and CEO of Mahaffey Fabric Structures.  

Education topics at this year’s Tent Expo included advice on diversifying your business and hiring, as well as tips on ballasting, an update on codes and standards and more.  

“The biggest thing is the access to the knowledge,” Kohn said. “We’re a young company. We’re first generation, so we didn’t have all that knowledge passed down. To be able to go in and access all this information, particularly the safety information … this world didn’t exist to me before I started coming to Tent Expo and joined IFAI.” 

  

Tent Expo 2019 shines with education and networking opportunities

More than 500 verified tent professionals gathered in Orlando, Fla., in January at Industrial Fabrics Association International’s (IFAI) Tent Expo 2019 for valuable education and networking opportunities under dozens of structures featuring the latest tent technology.  

Attendees had the opportunity to meet with more than 65 exhibitors, including innovative tent manufacturers and equipment suppliers offering hands-on education, as well as vendors for flooring, fabric, rental furniture, business software and more.  

David Gallick, owner of D&S Party Tent Rentals of Wisconsin Dells, Wis., said that he came to Tent Expo for the first time because as a newer tent renter, he needed to gain knowledge about the basic tools of the business, and that the show delivered by offering opportunities “seeing the different vendors and learning about new products and new equipment, and learning some of the processes that other companies are using.”  

Kenny Puff, president of Party Line Tent Rentals and Green Monster Manufacturing of Elmsford, N.Y., says he comes to Tent Expo to be able to compare products side by side and see the latest advancements of the industry.  

“You leave here charged,” he said. ” You go back with a lot of energy, a lot of new policies and procedures. Sometimes it’s not just tents that you learn about. It might be an employee policy or training. . . . Everything combined makes the total experience.” 

The three-day event kicked off with the annual golf tournament and a happy hour geared toward young professionals, where Ramsey Duqum, CEO and owner of AAble Rents, Cleveland, Ohio, challenged those present to consider how the industry can advance its position within the larger event world.  

In his keynote address, former NFL tight end Ben Utecht described his path from a small Minnesota town to Division I football, to winning a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts, to his retirement due to five major concussions. Now a professional musician and an advocate for brain health, Utecht offered an inspiring message for tent professionals about the value in being in the business of making memories for customers.  

Tips and Techniques workshops covered topics ranging from stake puller usage to basic fabric repairs. During the Tent Rental Division (TRD) Boot Camp, participants got an overview of general installation site safety and hands-on experience in pulling fabric for a keder track tent, in addition to ballasting techniques and tips. Educational sessions on basic power/HVAC and job costing, a code conversation with members of the TRD Code Committee and consultant Paul Armstrong, P.E., C.B.O., and a tour of the tents rounded out the agenda.  

  TRD Steering Committee director and Code Committee chair Tom Markel, who passed away in December, was remembered in moments throughout the show, including the opening reception, where Steering Committee directors and IFAI staff members donned flannel shirts in his honor. Finally, Tent Expo came to a festive close with a New York-themed Party on the Pad.