(ARA) – Every five years your high school or college class has a
good reason to celebrate – and you can celebrate with a reunion
party.
But the party will never happen unless you solve all the details
surrounding the party. Where are you going to put all those people?
How can you afford to buy everything? What happens if the weather
doesn’t cooperate? Who can help you with all those details? Where
do you begin?
Many member companies of the American Rental Association have
stores dedicated to supplying items and offering the expertise
necessary to throw that perfect reunion party. A good first step
for party planning is to check out a rental store’s Web site for
equipment availability. You can find your local ARA store location
by visiting RentalHQ.com.
For many, the search begins with a tent. “At this time of the
year, anyone planning an outdoor event must account for the
weather,” says Jeff Corbin, manager of Snyder Lounge, a division of
Snyder Event Rentals, North Charleston, S.C. Tents not only help to
block the rain but are also effective in providing relief from the
sun.
Tents come in a myriad of sizes and designs, but a 20- by
30-foot size is the most popular for reunions, according to Brian
DeCoster, president of Big Ten Rentals, Iowa City, Iowa. While
local rental companies can help with installation, this is the
largest tent that can typically be set up by homeowners and will
fit approximately 75 to 100 guests throughout the duration of the
party.
Party planners should study designs carefully to ensure the tent
is a fit for site conditions. Most are familiar with traditional
rope-and-pole tents. However, these cannot be abutted directly
against a structure and could require stakes to be driven into a
driveway. With no center poles and alternatives to staking, such as
heavy weights, frame tents offer more flexibility.
Accessorize
Most party planners do not have access to enough tables and
chairs to seat all the anticipated guests, and rental can help
cover this gap. “We carry about 10,000 chairs in stock,” says
DeCoster.
Thinking beyond traditional items, rental can assist with food
preparation. Large grills – some big enough for a hog roast – give
you the ability to feed an army of attendees. Roasting pans and
chafing dishes to help serve food are also a good idea, as well as
the table service for eating the feast.
You also want to keep your guests entertained, no matter their
age. From inflatables for the smaller kids to games and Karaoke for
the young at heart, equipment rental can help make your party the
talk of the class.
Green revolution
Because it’s based on reusing items, renting is about as “green”
as it gets, but today’s trends take eco-consciousness to the next
level. Snyder helps its customers to be more environmentally
friendly by recycling all bar materials, such as bottles and cans
that are sent out on event rentals. “We also offer some furniture
options that use all-natural materials,” says Corbin.
High style
Another trend in parties is creating lounge arrangements. By
placing couches, ottomans, coffee tables and the like outside, you
can create an attractive “lounge” effect for a more upscale look.
“Imagine a Manhattan loft placed outdoors on a patch of beautiful
low-country landscape,” Corbin adds.
Time’s wasting
While companies have vast supplies of party rental items for
throwing that perfect reunion event, they are not unlimited.
Thousands of weddings and graduation parties are happening in the
summer months, which can create shortages of the most popular
items.
Planning can never begin too early. “Typically the phone will
begin to ring right after the new year,” says DeCoster.
Quick tips:
Round versus banquet
You can fit about 20 percent more people in the same space by
using banquet tables rather than round.
Don’t forget
Some of the most common items forgotten by party planners when
renting tents are lighting, fans and sidewalls. Make sure there are
no underground utilities or power lines above the location of the
tent installation.
Top rental items
In addition to tents, some of the top rental items for reunions
include: lighting; inflatables; karaoke equipment; table covering;
roasting pans; chafing dishes; chairs and tables.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
