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A ‘frightening’ show
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. 05/01/2001
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Frightening! That was my first thought when I approached the party equipment section of the 45th Annual A.R.A. Convention and Rental Trade Show in Orlando. It was so big! How could I possibly cover it all in four short days? And I didn’t even have to buy. What about the poor souls in general rental who had to shop the entire floor?
Oh well, I gave it my best shot. With the help of my ever-efficient spouse, we were able to get through the entire party section. However, although I encourage even party-only operations to scan the small tools section to find hidden treasures, these old legs just couldn’t manage it.
I noticed several trends developing. More and more firms are carrying plastic tables and the prices are coming down. This is most likely due to blow-molding technology. It looks like plastic tables are the future. More and more companies with amusement devices, especially inflatables, are marketing to the industry. This has turned out to be a profitable niche for us.
Everybody, it seems, has chairs, and they’re all knocking each other off. Be extremely careful. In my experience in talking to A.R.A. members, chairs seem to be their biggest complaint. If you base your purchases mainly on price, prepare to be stung!
Obviously, space considerations make it impossible to cover every booth. Therefore, the suppliers listed are those with new or innovative offerings. If you saw something that you feel was interesting, but is not mentioned here, contact me via the above toll-free fax number. It may be something I didn’t see, but would appreciate learning about, or it may be something I didn’t like, and you would appreciate learning why.
Obviously, I can’t mention the dogs in print!
3001AD, (800) 605-6703, www.3001adllc.com, specializes in virtual-reality games. These are the type in which you wear electronic goggles and hold joysticks to make you feel like you’re actually part of the event. They’re great for company picnics and special events, but necessarily pricey at $20,000 to $30,000 each.
Academy Tent & Canvas, (800) 228-3687, www.academytent.com , introduced its Twin Track Wall System that is suitable for both pole and frame tents. The wall hangs tight, much like a structure wall. It will go a long way to solving wind and rain problems, and it really looks smart.
Admiral Craft Equipment, (800) 223-7750, displayed the “Naples” two-gallon juice dispenser. The nice feature is that the center has a separate compartment for ice.
Advanced Tent Technology International Pty., (61) 882431000, www.clean-a-tent.com.au , offers a non- abrasive tent cleaning machine that washes, dries and polishes the fabric. New this year is the modular system that makes the system a lot more affordable.
Air Plus Manufacturing, (888) 999-4808, www.air-plus.com , is a complete source of gas- and electric-powered blowers for all types of inflatables such as jumps, slides and obstacle courses. You should keep its catalog on hand.
Anchor Industries, (800) 544-4445, www.anchorinc.com , has added a 40-foot-wide unit to its line of Century Mate tension tents. It also introduced the Triple A Beam AnchorSpan in 20, 30 and 40 foot widths. This provides the ability to offer clearspan structures in smaller widths. A neat feature is its signature under-the-frame suspension of the top and walls so that the frame doesn’t show inside the structure.
Aztec Tent, (800) 258-7368, www.aztectent.com , developed the Legend Series modular tension pole tent that expands both in width and length. Buy one tent and you actually get two. This provides excellent flexibility.
Big John Grills and Rotisseries, (800) 326-9575, www.bigjohngrills.com , exhibited the Mosquito Magnet. I’ve mentioned this unit before, but this firm has the best price I’ve seen. As a matter of fact, I bought one. The idea is to rent it for the six weeks prior to the party. Within that time, it will clear the entire area — up to an acre — of mosquitos and other pesky critters. Big John also has distributorships for Castle Comstock, Southern Pride and Cook Shack smokers.
Bon Chef, (800) 331-0177, in its first year, is a welcome addition. The line of unbreakable serviceware is impressive. I liked the large, aluminum serving pieces available in 25 colors. You’d swear they are porcelain. Give these people some support so they’ll come back.
Cargo Control Solutions, (770) 614-7820, is a first-year exhibitor with a complete line of webbing, ratchets and hardware for anchoring tents.
Converting “Special Occasion,” (800) 826-0418, the only major disposables firm to market to the party equipment rental industry, displayed a clear tablecloth with an embedded pattern for use over a colored cloth. It’s quite attractive and builds the sale. The company also has a line of round disposable cloths with an invisible serrated hole in the center that can be popped out for an umbrella. The party napkin holders are attractive and practical. A new black and silver graduation pattern is smart-looking.
Creative Concepts, (702) 220-7177, www.puckerpowder.com , has a unique sand-art system that uses candy granules rather than sand. Its clever merchandising will make it a magnet for kids.
Deal Associates, (336) 599-3325, www.dealassoc.com , developed a hand truck for bounce rides. Along with its other great products for moving inventory, this will save your employees’ backs. It also carries a complete line of custom straps.
Double “T” Co., (800) 633-0048, introduced its white vinyl folding garden chair with an easily removable 11¼2-inch thick pad. It’s one of the most comfortable chairs on the market. The frame that holds the chairs can be used as a coat rack.
Drake Corp., 732-254-1530, www.drakecorp.com , showed its new resin garden chair in gold, and the resin chiavari chair in white. The white chiavari is stunning! The dual-height resin cocktail table is also a winner.
Dunk Tanks Are Fun!, (602) 418-8541, has a portable dunk tank that folds up and can be transported in a car trunk. I liked the cage construction and the trigger mechanism, which is largest source of problems with this type of product. The price is reasonable, too.
Economy Party Tent & Canopy, (800) 438-3226, www.economytent.com , offered a 10-by-10-foot game booth for only $299 or $499 with three ballys. You can’t beat that price.
EcoTrack Modular Flooring System, (888) 663-8537, www.biketrack.com , displayed a heavy-duty rigid flooring system in 2-by-4 panels. It’s 2-inch height makes it unlikely to sink into muddy areas. It follows the general contours of the ground making a subfloor unnecessary.
Eureka! Tents, (800) 235-2607, www.eurekatents.com , showed its new Vista peak top frame tent with affordable pricing. It has also brought in attractive tent liners at a low price. And did you see that two-story Losberger frame structure on display? It was spectacular!
Event Equipment Sales, (800) 337-0093, www.eventeqptsales.com , introduced the Celebration folding vinyl chair with a powder-coated or chrome frame, a polypropylene seat and back with lightened grain for easy cleaning, zinc-plated hardware and fair pricing. I also liked the cute children’s folding wood chairs.
Event Lighting Distributors, (504) 887-2852, www.eventlighting.com , has cordless PA systems with amazing power and range. The sturdy packaging of lighting systems make them ideal for the rental industry.
Fred’s Studio Tents & Canopies, (800) 998-3687, www.fstcinc.com , showed a neat gutter system that incorporates a garden-hose attachment for easy drainage. There was also an 8-foot aluminum tent pole for only $30 with a cleverly designed insert to allow easy leveling.
Frosty Factory of America, (800) 544-4071, www.frostyfactory.com , manufactures a compact frozen drink machine that’s ideal for rentals. It has high-volume productivity, yet is easy to clean. At only $2,800 for the model 117, you’ll be in the black fast.
G.L. Technology, (847) 806-1700, has high-tech automated putting systems for special events, trade shows and company picnics. The unique feature with this system is that you can create more than 100 contours in the putting surface. It even claps when you make a putt.
The Golf Car Center, (800) 997-3547, has converted a golf cart into an emergency ambulance. Its small size allows it to access all areas and most terrains. Some sort of ambulance is required for many large events such as sports tournaments, etc., and these fill the bill at a reasonable price. If you do large events, this will be a good addition to your inventory.
H. Wittur & Co./Elegant Settings, (800) 622-6234, showed some beautiful china patterns. The all-white with scalloped edge was different. The bone china in off-white with gold rim at only $12 a five-piece place setting is very rich. Another had an elaborate black and gold border. The Oneida chafing dish with a clutched roll top that stops in any position is a nice innovation. Guy Hamrin has taken the helm at Elegant Settings and promises good things in the near future.
Harmonia Wood Products, (718) 361-6840, has a nice, 8-foot-high screen at $30 a panel unfinished. These are wonderful for hiding unsightly areas at parties. It also showed a four-chair vinyl bag for only $10.
Huffer Manufacturing, (770) 451-7771, www.huffermfg.com , exhibited its line of Bang-A-Rang Games. These are all blow-molded, and there is a wide variety. Even Spin Art is blow-molded. These are easy to set up and maintain.
Immediate Tablecloth, (800) 524-2588, had gorgeous, embroidered organza linens in polyester. Chair covers, skirting and pads for chiavari chairs were definitely upscale.
Kwik-Covers of New York, (716) 288-3231, www.nolansrental.com , used its rental background ingenuity to develop disposable tablecovers that are made much like fitted sheets. All you have to do is stretch them over the table and they grab fast. They’re virtually windproof.
L & M Manufacturing, (800) 781-4967, manufacturers of the CleanChair machine, introduced a CleanTent washer. It looks much like a street sweeper and is gasoline-powered and self-propelled. The bristles will not remove the luster from the tent surface.
Lawnware Products, (800) 622-3400, has a wide variety of resin chairs at reasonable prices. But the hot item was the Vienna Café chair at only $6.80 with the show discount. This chair stacks easily and is great for a café-type setting.
Leisure Activities Unlimited, (800) 265-0829, www.leisureact.com , as usual, had a nice assortment of new inflatables. These are the lightweight ones that are safe for children. I liked the ball pond with the spinner top, the King Arthur’s Castle Maze and the Undersea Adventure. They also offer a sand bag for anchoring.
Lifetime, (800) 242-3865, www.lifetime.com , showed its double electronic basketball game that folds for easy transport. It also introduced a blow-molded polyethylene table with UV protection. The one-piece frame is powder-coated. An 8-foot banquet table runs $69 delivered.
Mahaffey Tent, (800) 245-8368, www.fabricstructures.com , is your source for subrenting large clearspan structures. It pays a 5 percent commission to the referring company and 1 percent to the salesperson. It adds up on this high-ticket item.
Masterental.com, (828) 254-2927, www.masterental.com , provides the means to develop a Web site that is hosted on its master site. A search engine directs inquiries within 50 miles of you to your Web site. A unique service offered in conjunction is a total resource for the usage, repair and maintenance of just about every available rental item in all aspects of the industry. It’s called Rentrain, and it is backed and operated by rental-industry veterans. It’s not quite ready for prime time for party people, but when it is, it will be a wonderful way to train employees as well as instruct your customers.
Maywood Furniture Corp., (800) 238-6797, www.maywood.com , has a wonderful boot caster for tables that’s easy to use and takes the abuse. It also provides rubber caps for legs. The Formica umbrella table looked interesting.
McCourt Manufacturing, (800) 333-2687, www.mccourtmfg.com , introduced its blow-molded line of plastic tables. A nice feature is the roughened strip on the edge of the top surface that will make tablecloths less likely to slip off. On a price versus quality basis, this is one of the best. It also introduced a logo-top table that makes it possible to embed any logo into the top of a table. The seamed, 60-inch-round wooden table is nice for customer transport.
Micro Wire Products, (508) 584-0200, known for dish racks, showed a line of wedding arches and accessories in brass, chrome and charcoal gray.
Mity-Lite Tables, (800) 327-1692, www.mitylite.com , distributed a CD that promotes its line of plastic tables and other products. If you haven’t taken time to explore it, do so ASAP. The video is an absolute riot. And the guy who wrestles the particle-board tables should receive an Oscar. Maybe I find it so amusing because I’ve been in that position several times myself. Anyway, trust me. If you didn’t receive the CD, call and get one.
Novelty Crystal, (800) 429-9037, long known for an excellent line of acrylic serving pieces and stemware, introduced a plastic dance floor. It is available in 6-square-foot sections in black and gold and is cleaned with a Swiffer. Cost is $3.50 a square foot.
Off the Wall Productions, (800) 792-5568, www.offwallprod.com , has unique props for theme parties. Their lightweight but durable construction will make your life easier.
Oklahoma Rig and Supply Co., (918) 687-5441, showed the Wilton line of unbreakable sledgehammers (see, I did get partly into the tool section). I know, my eyebrows raised, too, at the term “unbreakable.” However, get a brochure and take a look at the construction. It looks like a winner to me. It carries a lifetime guarantee, and is a steal at about $40.
Plasti-Bloc, (866) 922-1922, www.plastiblock@icagroup.com , makes stone walls from high-impact polyethylene. They were originally made for use as retention walls. If they work in that use, they surely will work as props.
Polar King International, (800) 752-7178, www.polarking.com , exhibited its new, one-piece fiberglass coolers and freezers mounted on a trailer. Your caterers will love them! The firm also markets Thermodyne ovens and food warmers. The displayed unit can cook on a volume basis, be held for warming and then rolled to the serving location.
Premier Skirting Products, (800) 544-2516, www.premierskirting.com , is the place to go if you want really classy fabrics for skirting, linens and chair covers. It is also very innovative as evidenced by the adjustable skirting drops, strip clips and elastic chair bows.
Regal International, (800) 457-3425, www.regalinternational.com , has one of the most successful rental businesses in the country. It achieved this by offering its upscale clientele products that are not available elsewhere. Unlike some firms that hide such products from their competitors, Regal has developed a nice wholesale business by sharing its ideas with the industry. Its latest innovation is the introduction of metal chairs and tables. The chairs have changeable backs. The tables have one base for all sizes and a laminated, honeycomb top. The Tuscany finish (antiqued gold and white) is one of the most attractive I’ve seen in a chiavari chair. The line is too extensive to mention everything, so check out the Web site.
Rental Products Australia, (61) 298755411, is the second firm to offer a polypropylene knock-off of a wood chair. It also has plastic tables. Interestingly, one of the principals told me that it is no longer distributing wood chairs and tables because of unreliable quality from some suppliers in China, where the company had been sourcing these items.
Rola-Trac, (800) 208-9636, www.rola-trac.com , a first-year exhibitor, produces portable flooring and portable roadways for events and parties. The 2-by-4 squares run only $2.30 a square foot. They stack easily, making them easier to store than rolled flooring. It’s so strong that the Super-Trac will support a tank!
S & R Sales, (800) 270-7263, is a supplier of sand-art spin art and candle art for company picnics, special events and parties. It also offers a wide assortment of circus music CDs.
Signature Systems, (800) 569-2751, www.signaturefencing.com , known for its attractive portable fencing for crowd control, introduced an arbor made of PVC that breaks down and transports easily. It looks quite sturdy.
Snow Station, (877) 989-7669, www.backyardblizzard.com , gets the prize for the most unique product at the show — a snow-making machine. It’s great for holiday parties and promotional events, and surprisingly affordable. I’d love to have one here in Florida in the summer, but, alas, it doesn’t work above 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Special Events Consulting, (800) 621-2495, www.secsalesgroup.com , had a slew of new stuff. The PolarCool evaporative cooling fan is the most attractive and well-built product of its type that I have seen. The company also makes the Roll Seal door that has been adapted for tents. The door rolls up and down electrically and seals itself with Velcro. It is wide enough to drive a truck through. There is a wide line of party and theatrical lights. Its white wood chair is thicker than normal, coated with a high-grade automotive paint, and the screws are all capped.
Special Events Equipment, (630) 871-9999, www.partyrent.com , is another firm formed by party equipment rental people. It had good pricing on wooden folding chairs, plastic folding chairs, ballroom chairs and tables.
Sportogo, (661) 834-3331, exhibited its Dyno Sports line of giant soccer, football and basketball games. This is another amusement that’s great for birthday parties, company picnics, etc. The Hydro Bronc water inflatable also looks like a lot of fun.
Supply Side, (800) 768-0078, www.supplyside.com , displayed its new stackable flatware caddy that holds up to 100 pieces. Its moving equipment sure saves a lot of labor.
Tablescapes Designs, (800) 918-6500, another firm owned by rental people, showed its new, contemporary-design wooden banquet chairs with removable, changeable backs. The candle-flame protectors will keep you out of trouble with fire marshals.
Teeco, (888) 350-5187 (fax), showed its tumbler-type washing machine designed specifically for tents. The washing process and the chemicals are gentle, and water temperatures do not exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Its large opening make it easy to load and unload. I’ve been told its service is exceptional.
Ten Strawberry Street, (800) 428-9397, did not disappoint with its selection of elegant china patterns. The all-white Helsinki pattern with textured rim lends distinction to an all-white line. The Gem chargers and leather chargers are unique and attractive. Square dishes are available in white and clear glass. The stemware is very graceful.
Tentwares, (800) 245-7116, www.tentwares.com , introduced flexible tube lighting, battery-powered exit/emergency lights (much needed), and a new version of PartyCAD (ME) with more than three hours of video instruction, 40 new pieces of furniture, new seating arrangements, etc. At $495, this program is a steal. It also developed tent patches shaped for slits.
Warwick Industries, (631) 434-7700, has an amazingly wide line of silverplated serving products. Prominent was the Ferro Collection of chafing dishes with a frame of powder-coated nickle and iron. A large flame guard makes outside use more practical.
On a final note, in looking over all the literature, I have noted that our ladder-back ballroom chairs are referred to as chiavari, chivari and chavari either capitalized or not. Does anyone know the origin of the name and the correct spelling? Fax me! |
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