|
|
A.R.A. trade show rocks!
By KEITH KLARIN
Keith Klarin, CERP, a member of the ARA Hall of Fame and retired from All-Purpose Rentals, Shrewsbury, N.J., operates Perfect Party Consulting Services. He encourages you to contact him by e-mail: kklarin@adelphia.net. |
Incredible! There were 79 new suppliers in the party section of the A.R.A. trade show this year. And they weren’t just the same ol’, same ol’. Many of these new vendors had unique products that will fit well in our industry.
I also noticed some new trends amongst the exhibitors. For instance, there weren’t near as many linen suppliers as usual, but those that did exhibit tended to show higher quality and unique goods. Some tent manufacturers are bringing clearspan technology to frame tents.
Bucking the trend for unique products were the chair vendors. There are more and more of them every year, usually just selling knockoffs of each other. Be careful. Don’t let those low prices tempt you away from quality suppliers with quality goods. As I had previously predicted, vinyl white garden chairs (formerly known as white wooden chairs) are taking over the market. Everybody seems to have them. This is good. It means a better-looking product with much less maintenance. Once again, look for quality of both product and supplier. Don’t go cheap just to save a couple of bucks on an expensive product. By the way, these chairs are being made available in more and more colors.
Another buck against the trend toward unique products was inflatables. Every year we’re seeing more and more exhibitors. I don’t know how we can absorb them all. Inevitably, some will fall by the wayside, but in the meantime, all are hurt.
I’m afraid I do have some apologies to make. Because of surgery about three weeks before the convention, I was not able to submit a column for the April issue. It was the first time I had missed a month in more than 20 years of writing the column.
Also, the only way my doctor agreed to allow me to attend the convention was if I promised to spend most of my time on the trade-show floor in a wheelchair. The problem with this was that by being so low, I couldn’t see many things. Furthermore, I could spend only two days on the floor rather than my usual four. Therefore, this column is short for a convention review. I ask the vendors for their understanding in that I was not able to stop by every booth. Therefore, if a super new item isn’t mentioned, it’s not because I didn’t like it, but simply because I didn’t have the time or perspective to see it all.
That being said, let’s take a look at some of the great stuff I did see.
Academy Tent, (323) 277-8368, www.academy tent.com, has a power-distribution system for tents that allows for a professional installation and safe operation. Too many of us do a ragtag job of power distribution that is based on convenience and speed rather than safety. This allows for both at a reasonable cost.
Alloyfold, (64) 21-223-0122, www.alloyfold.com, exhibited one of my favorite chairs, the aluminum frame folding chair, which is 30 percent lighter than steel frames. New this year are powder-coated frames —so many more colors are available. It also had a table using aluminum legs that are tempered for strength, just like the chair frame.
Amusements Unlimited, (712) 275-4226, offers amusement rides, rental games, inflatable karts and game trailers. This is one of several new suppliers who can help you get into this niche of our business.
Anchor Industries, (800) 544-4445, www.anchorinc.com, introduced a new frame system, and it is a honey. The Navi-Trac is essentially a regular frame tent constructed with clearspan engineering. The channeled, box-beam framing creates a very strong system. Fabric panels slide into these beam channels. It’s available in 30, 40 and 50 foot widths. Prices are surprisingly reasonable for this type of system.
Award Winner Corp., (800) 513-4870, www.awardwinnercorp.com, has custom-made bags for chairs, umbrellas, bars and anything else you can think of. The fabric used is the same used in nuclear protective suits. It breathes, thereby resisting mildew.
Bar in a Box, (847) 969-2018, www.byobar.com, is a really neat bar that folds flat for storage, and converts into a bar in only three minutes. Furthermore, it only weighs 10 lbs. This would be a particularly good product for customer pickups. The best part is the price — only $189.
Best Event Products, (800) 705-4431, had, believe it or not, unbreakable china! Bernie was standing there bouncing stainless-steel balls off the plates. This is an attractive product in an off-white (cream) color.
Caravan Canopy International, (877) 9-CANOPY, www.caravan canopy.com, introduced a new popup canopy that’s available factory-direct. It claims this means prices are up to 40 percent below competing brands. The frames are available in both anodized aluminum and steel frames. These are white, textured and powder-coated. The professional model is supplied with 500 dernier polyester fabric.
Central Tent, (800) 997-8368, www.centraltent.com, showed a vinyl garden chair with a back pad. This is the only one I saw with a back pad. It’s hard to say whether these will catch on, but time will tell.
Classic International, (718) 218-6674, www.classicinternationalinc.
com, may be an exception to my complaints about some chair vendors. They sell chivaris at a very reasonable price, and claim that the chairs are finished with a special coating that extends their life significantly. Best of all, the company promises overnight shipment on small orders. I also liked the fruitwood and mahogany folding chairs and the room dividers in different colors. Its prospects are good if its claims are valid.
Converting “Special Occasion”, (800) 826-0418, www.
convertinginc.com, has introduced a line of juvenile patterns. It includes holographs and 3-D effects. It is also very cleverly promoted with discount coupons for restaurants that cater to kids.
Drake Corp., (732) 254-1530, www.drakecorp.com, is the originator and leader in vinyl garden chairs. Its Structure model was the first on the market, and after a rough start, its service and products have turned out to be terrific. Drake introduced a hollow-core model at the show, which saves a few dollars. It is also making a fine-quality chair cover, which protects a whole stack of its vinyl chivaris.
Immediate Tablecloth, (800) 524-2588, showed a line of gorgeous, silk-embroidered linens. Yes, they’re expensive — but it pays to have upscale items that can’t be found elsewhere. If you have an upscale clientele, it would pay to display a few samples. Jimmy’s service is excellent, so he can get the product to you fast. However, just remember to charge accordingly.
The Knock Shoppe, (608) 296-3026, www.theknockshoppe.com, exhibited a beautiful line of cake accessories. The candelabra, cake bases, caketops and fountains were all worthy of your attention. The illuminated cake-display system is something to see. It also has display cakes that would be good to highlight the products in your showroom, or even as a rental item.
Leisure Activities Unlimited, (800) 265-0829, www.leisureact.com, as usual, is my choice for inflatable attractions. Unlike bounces, jumbo slides and the like, this firm’s products are not dangerous to children. Furthermore, it uses a light, but strong, fabric that is easy to handle, yet stands up to abuse. In addition, the company is unbelievably creative. This year it showed Marlin’s Magic Game and The Haunted House amongst a host of various innovative products.
Losberger US, (301) 682-8000, www.losberger.com, is another firm that is making frame tents based on clearspan structure engineering. A good example is its 20-by-20-foot pagoda with peaked top. It has no ropes or cables. Its coated fabric has a rich look. It also has a removable valance. Sidewalls can stay on the tent and slide to the side. It nests well. The price of the product is surprisingly reasonable. By the way, the company is now merchandising its own products in the United States.
M & M The Special Events Co., (888) 842-5155, www.mmpartysales.com, introduced six new china and stainless-steel patterns. It has also started to subcontract linen. Its plastic skirt clips at only 10 cents makes it possible to stop the annoying practice of having to keep track of them after a rental.
Micro Wire Products, (508) 584-0200, has expanded its line significantly since starting to market to the industry five years ago. Its price of $5.95 for a five-piece placesetting packed in a rack is incredible. Its floral and wedding accessories offer an alternative to the industry.
Off The Wall Productions, (800) 792-5568, www.otwp.com, has a terrific catalog that displays a very wide variety of props. This is a very profitable niche in our business. If you don’t carry props, at least keep the catalog in your files. You never know when you’ll need them.
Palmer Snyder, (800) 762-0415, www.palmersnyder.com, has introduced a line of staging and dance floors to round out its product offerings. It also showed injection-molded tables, which are quite a bit less expensive than most vinyl tables. Laser printing is a growing technology and this forward-thinking firm is using it to print logos or other messages on chairs.
Plate-Mate, (800) 860-6283, www.plate-mate.com, in its first year with us, displayed an amazing plate-rack system with excellent stability. It’s a great way to serve large quantities of people. Capacity is up to 84 plates per rack, and it folds up for storage when not in use. Check out the Web site for further information.
Premier Skirting Products, (800) 544-2516, www.premierskirting.com, has developed vinyl chair covers in eight colors that do not require laundering. Its 100-percent polyester bubble damask is a unique fabric that makes up beautifully in linens or skirting. The innovations in the linen business are non-ending.
Redbone, (800) 533-0735, is a firm that you just can’t do without if you’re in the games and amusements business. They have all those hard-to-find parts such as balls of all types, backstops, darts, cork guns, targets, water balloons, glass bowls, ponds, pumps, ducks, frogs, fish and on and on and on. Also, check out its games.
RSS Distributors, (800) 233-0175, www.rssd.com, carries everything you need for a party rental store. Conspicuous this year were the large ceremonial scissors, amusement games, special effects and a very attractive, decorative patio heater. I also liked the nice-sized convection oven. RSS has one of the best audio/visual departments in the industry.
Safeway Solutions, (800) 307-4530, www.safeway
solutions.com, has a cleaning system that could be a boom for cleaning extremely soiled pots, pans, candelabra, coffee urns, grates, china and flatware, etc. You can use a dip-tank model, which is on wheels, or the sink heater, which installs in your own sink. The Dipaway Solution is heated and covered. After the proper period of time, the items are simply removed and rinsed. Voila! They look new. This is a great way to take care of those unwashed items that have spent the weekend with food hardening on them.
Snap Lock Industries, (800) 457-0174, www.snaplock.com, makes small, easy-to-handle and easy-to-install tiles for use as dance floors, tent and exhibit flooring. The plastic tiles are submersible, making it a good product for outside and/or low-lying projects.
Stackmore Co., (607) 687-1616, is the first company to exhibit high-quality wooden folding chairs. Stackmore calls it the folding chair with the permanent look. There are more than 30 different styles with many finish options. All have padded seats; some have padded backs.
Ten Strawberry Street, (800) 428-9397, once again exhibited upscale dinnerware and serving pieces that are in beautiful and unusual designs. The basket-weave charger trays, glass chargers in great colors and unusual glassware took our attention. We were so impressed, we bought some things for the house. Remember, if your inventory includes stylish and unusual items that are exclusive to you, you’re the one who will get the customer.
Tent Tec, (732) 661-0008, www.tentec.com, has developed a bracket for center poles, which allows all sorts of possibilities in mounting tent lighting and AV speakers. It also supplies electrical solutions such as break-out cable, dimmers and audio speakers built for endurance.
Tentwares, (800) 245-7116, www.tentwares.com, is another one of those firms that has made itself indispensable to us. This year it added the Green Monster hydraulic stake puller, large carrying carts to transport tent sections and carpet rolls, tent doors, Kwik covers, etc. They also market PartyCAD, the amazing, easy-to-use CAD program that lays out tents, ballrooms, etc. Tentwares has another one of those catalogs you just can’t do without.
L.B. White Co., (608) 783-5691, www.lbwhite.com, introduced a new 350-Btu model gas-fired tent heater with dual output. It only takes three of them to comfortably heat a 60-by-120-foot tent. It also has a large ducting system for even heat distribution.
The Woodward Group, (888) 222-2900, www.
convertibleumbrellas.com, has a very wide range of products, but this year featured a unique convertible umbrella. It converts to garden, market, square or pagoda styles. The frame completely disassembles so that all parts are replace-able. There is a clever base made of aluminum with donut weight rings to provide stability on windy days.
Those are the firms I was able to cover this year. Let’s hope that next year I’ll be able to see it all! |
|