They offer shelter from rain and shade on hot summer days. But tents provide much more than shelter.
Creative special event planners can turn a tent into a temporary auditorium, banquet facility or dance hall. Tents can be the focal point at events of all kinds - from small private parties to weddings to large corporate functions.
The availability of efficient tent-heating equipment extends the tent rental season into colder winter months. Lighting permits night activities, and its creative use also enhances all kinds of activities inside tents.

Heating tents effectively
Simply having tent heating units available can increase tent rental business.
"Our weather is so changeable, many times customers are hesitant to plan an outside event in a tent," said Marianne Wheeler, president of A.R.A. member Marianne's Rentals for Special Events, Oklahoma City, Okla. "Some are reluctant to plan an event in a tent because the weather might turn cold. We tell them that we'll simply add sidewalls and heat the tent. That relieves their concerns, and they go ahead with their plans."
Many types of portable heating units are on the market. Heating a tent requires special considerations; tent-rental specialists say products specifically designed for tents are best. The goal always is to provide clean, hot, dry air that is free of unpleasant odors or harmful byproducts of combustion. Heaters should operate at low noise levels. Fuel options include propane, natural gas, fuel oil, diesel fuel and kerosene.
Heavy-duty electrical units may be adequate for small areas, but lightweight consumer space heaters are ineffective for use in tents.
"Rental customers look for tent heaters that are easy to set up and easy to use," said Steve Waller of A.R.A. associate member L.B. White Co., Onalaska, Wis. "Direct spark ignition is a feature that provides easy startup of portable gas-fired heaters."
Various models produce a wide range of heat measured in British thermal units (Btu) and air flow. Heat and air output must be matched to the size of the area to be heated, outside temperature and humidity.
"Heating equipment should not have an open flame," said Roger Johnson, Temp-Heat division of Rupp Industries, Burnsville, Minn. "Units should be installed outside the tent with heat ducted inside. Thermostats should be placed inside the tent. The ventilation rate should be matched to the tent."
Most problems encountered when heating tents are due to poor planning, Johnson added. "Getting all the players together ahead of time and creating a plan will maximize the effectiveness of any tent heating project."
Marianne's Rentals uses compact propane heaters. With a unit placed outside the tent, air is transported through a sidewall by a duct or through a diffuser that permits air dispersal to be more gradual and directed.
Larger models, always placed outside the tent, function in a manner similar to home heating furnaces with byproducts released from the heater through a flue. Heaters using fuel oil or diesel eliminate the need for bottles of propane to operate direct-fired heaters.
"With the advent of much stricter requirements governing the operation of portable units to heat tents, it can be important that heaters lend themselves to operation outside tent walls," says Larry Kokkonen, president of A.R.A. associate member Patron Products, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. "Vented heaters eliminate hazards associated with handling and using propane cylinders and unpleasant byproducts discharged into the air."
There are some situations, however, where Wheeler's crews place heaters inside the tent.
"We have a lot of wind here," she said, "and wind really sucks air out of a tent."
Other heating units can be used inside the tent as well as out, and there are conditions when it's better to do so. The number of heating units and their positioning depends on the conditions at each rental.
Charlie Neffle of All Occasions Party Rental, Cincinnati, and chairman of the A.R.A. Party and Special Events Services Special Interest Group, has rented tents for many years and maintains an inventory of tent heating units.
For extremely large tents, Neffle suggests considering arranging heating through a tent heating specialist who provides all the equipment and labor.

Lighting for tents
Tent lighting falls into two basic categories: lighting to illuminate the interior and decorative lighting. Decorative lighting may include special effects inside or outside lights to give the tent a carnival-like appearance.
Marianne's Rentals sticks with the basics. "There has been little demand in our market for elaborate lighting," Wheeler said. "To light a tent interior, we use strand lighting with eight 60-watt bulbs on a 50-foot string and hang strings around the tent's perimeter."
In addition, cafe-style lights may be set at key locations.
"The lighting element can be removed from the stand," Wheeler said. The fixture becomes a chandelier suspended from the top of the tent with a conversion kit.
Decorative lighting is important to All Occasions.
"Lighting has been an integral part of our tent rental business for many years," Neffle said. "Lighting literally can make the event a success."
Customers depend on rental staff to advise them about lighting that will best suit both their event and budget.
"We have customers who don't really plan to spend much on lighting, but they take our advice and are ex-tremely pleased with the results," Neffle said. "We use spots and floods and colored gels for special effects."
Strings of colored lights can be used inside and out.
Flexible strands of chase lights can follow the contours of the tent structure or conform to other shapes.
Other lighting products are made to resemble neon. For big corporate events, laser lighting equipment can project a company's logo or theme line. Lighting specialists are available to handle such complicated effects.
"Another factor to consider is whether photos or video cameras will be used; some types of lighting are more conducive to photography than others," Neffle said.
Safety is a factor when heating and lighting tents. Neffle said that exit lights are required in some parts of the country, and some municipalities specify that battery-powered backup lighting be installed in case electrical power is interrupted. Make certain power sources are adequate for lighting and extension cords can safely carry the power load.

Other opportunities
Depending on the time of year, every customer renting a tent is a prospect for tent heating, and lighting is needed for many functions. Most tent customers know little about heating and lighting options and depend on the knowledge and experience of rental counter personnel.
Customers who rent tents and related heating and lighting almost always require one or more portable generators. Fans help circulate heated air inside tents. Heavy-duty extension cords are needed for most of these jobs.
In addition, tent rental customers are prospects for tables, chairs, and other items needed for any special event. Most customers recognize the benefit of renting everything from a single source.
"Special event planners want rental store personnel to be part of their team. They want to depend on rental store team members to make their jobs easier," says Temp-Heat's Johnson. "Knowledge and service are the keys to success in special events rentals."