Where's the party? Right here! Taken as a group, the big event rental companies profiled here predict a 9 percent boost in business over last year. While some clouds on the horizon threaten to crash the party--including rising fuel and labor costs and increasing pressure from competitors-most expect an even bigger bash in 2006.

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The List by Company

ABBEY EVENT SERVICES
Steller Event & Presentation Resources
Montebello, Calif.
TOP OFFICER Martin Hubbard
PHONE 323/201-4200
WEB SITE www.abbeyeventservices.com
COMPANY BASICS Serves southern California from operation based in East L.A. area.
CURRENT EVENTS Elton John Foundation Oscar party, Coachella Music Festival, Angel Awards, Sony PlayStation at E3 gamer expo, premiere of "The Skeleton Key," Petersen Automotive Museum gala.
WHAT'S RENTING Clients clamor for splashes of color on glassware and china, free-form shapes, retro bars and lounges.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Business consolidation is the top trend, management says, with smaller companies competing on service and quality and all rental operations focusing more on core competencies. AES management also predicts a stronger focus on service, with less discounting as the hallmark of more "professional, experienced and well-run service providers."

AZTEC PARTY & TENT RENTALS
Houston
TOP OFFICER Todd Johnson
PHONE 713/699-0088
CLICK HERE! WEB SITE www.aztecpartyandtents.com
COMPANY BASICS In business since 1966, Aztec operates two showrooms in Houston. Company points with pride to its 20-vehicle fleet and state-of-the-art inventory system.
CURRENT EVENTS Client list includes BMW, Marathon Oil and Exxon, along with social register.
WHAT'S RENTING Broad product line runs the gamut from high-end candelabras, crystal stemware and silver platters to tents, restrooms, generators and HVAC equipment.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Customers drive inventory expansion with their ongoing demand for new and different products, management says.

AZTEC TENTS & EVENTS
Torrance, Calif.
TOP OFFICER Chuck Miller
PHONE 310/328-5060
CLICK HERE! WEB SITE www.aztectent.com
COMPANY BASICS In business since 1967, with large client base in sporting events and sports hospitality.
CURRENT EVENTS Busy this year with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, ATP Tennis and PGA golf tourneys as well as Golden Globes and work for Sony at E3.
WHAT'S RENTING Aztec clients are big on sisal carpet, square tables seating eight guests, custom liners, and round and half-round clear-span structures.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS The secret to success is no secret, management says: "Design and manufacture what the customer wants. Be creative with shapes, colors of tents and clear-spans."

BROADWAY FAMOUS PARTY RENTAL
Brooklyn, N.Y.
TOP OFFICER Stan Skriloff
PHONE 718/821-4000
WEB SITE www.broadwayfamous.com
COMPANY BASICS Operations include tasting room/showroom in Union Square plus office and warehouse space in Brooklyn.
CURRENT EVENTS Broadway makes stars of events from small, intimate dinners to cocktail parties for 10,000 guests.
WHAT'S RENTING Round and square wooden trays in natural, black, white and red; the sleek Hydrolic bar stool; and flatware with wooden handles.

BUTLER RENTS
Denver
TOP OFFICER Barry Reynolds
PHONE 303/388-5971
WEB SITE www.butlerrents.com
COMPANY BASICS Locations in Denver and Glenwood Springs, Colo. In business more than 30 years, staffed by employees with more than 100 years of experience all told.
CURRENT EVENTS Butler has been busy with events ranging from high-end weddings to corporate bashes.
WHAT'S RENTING Theme decorations and line of casino equipment prove popular with clients.

CHAIR-MAN MILLS
Toronto
TOP OFFICER Mary Crothers
PHONE 416/391-0400
WEB SITE www.chairmanmills.com
COMPANY BASICS Canadian rental powerhouse has been in business since 1911.
CURRENT EVENTS Full slate of events this year, including Molson Indy, Toronto Film Festival, Toronto Taste, One X One Gala, Bloor Street Entertains, Weekend to End Breast Cancer.
WHAT'S RENTING Hot rental items include "all shapes and sizes in white--especially irregular shapes," management says, along with colored glass items. Clients go for clean, contemporary looks and specially sized tables, such as square and extra-wide rectangular tables. For high-end events, clients ask for Riedel crystal and Frette linen.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Clients seem to go one of two ways: "either very clean and minimal, or a return to traditional elegance, with ornate china, cut crystal and silverplate," management says.

CHICAGO PARTY RENTAL
McCook, Ill.
TOP OFFICER Ben Shipper III
PHONE 800/322-5868, 708/485-8010
CLICK HERE! WEB SITE www.chicagopartyrental.com
COMPANY BASICS From its start as A-Z Rental in 1967, CPR now has the third generation of the Shipper family at the helm.
CURRENT EVENTS Good sports: Event roster includes work for the NFL, NBA, PGA and NASCAR, along with corporate events and high-end fund-raising galas.
WHAT'S RENTING Warming trend: Popular items include walnut woods, linen in earth tones, taupe lamours and copper chafers. Also big--mini martini glasses.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Continuing to work efficiently and increase profitability through unpredictable business cycles by providing "value, service and selection" to clients, management says.

CLASSIC PARTY RENTALS
Culver City, Calif.
TOP OFFICER John Campanelli
PHONE 310/202-0011
WEB SITE www.classicpartyrentals.com
COMPANY BASICS Party rental powerhouse has operations in California (Los Angeles, Modesto, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, San Diego, San Francisco and Palm Desert) along with Phoenix and Albuquerque, N.M.
CURRENT EVENTS Event roster runs the gamut from high-end fund-raisers to weddings to corporate events. Classic's roster this year has included the Justice Ball, Emmy parties and USC's commencement exercises.
WHAT'S RENTING Hot items include specialty chargers, stylish stemware, and high-profile linen, management says.

DC RENTAL
Arlington, Va.
TOP OFFICER Joe Valente
PHONE 703/671-7300
WEB SITE www.dcrental.com COMPANY BASICS A fixture in the Washington area since 1986.
CURRENT EVENTS DC has D.C. handled: Busy this year with multiple inaugural balls and plus Clinton Library dedication, Kentucky Derby and Preakness horse racing events and Kennedy Center Honors.
WHAT'S RENTING Club kids: Clients are eager for furniture that sets a club or lounge theme. Also big: funky plates and glassware in "cool colors and shapes," management says.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Clients want to see more unique rental items than ever before," management says. "The days of having a few standard china and glass patterns are way gone. It's now about having multiple colors, shapes, sizes and textures available in almost everything we rent. The trend seems to be that clients want to have everyone walk into their events and say, 'Wow, that's really different.'"

DIAMOND RENTAL
Salt Lake City
TOP OFFICER Mark Clawson
PHONE 801/262-2229
WEB SITE www.diamondrental.com
COMPANY BASICS Operations in Salt Lake City and Lindon, Utah, as well as Boise, Idaho. Company also operates equipment rental outlets and a store for convention equipment rentals. Two acquisitions--in Orem, Utah, and Boise--were folded into existing locations, "giving us a much more comprehensive regional presence," management says. Employee count devoted full-time to party rental has jumped by 40 percent since last year.
WHAT'S RENTING Specialty linen, bistro china and bounce rooms for kids do well.

DUCKY-BOB'S PARTY & TENT RENTALS
Steller Event & Presentation Resources
Carrollton, Texas
TOP OFFICER Bick Jones
PHONE 972/381-8000
WEB SITE www.duckybobs.com
COMPANY BASICS Operations in Fort Worth and Carrollton, Texas.
CURRENT EVENTS Wide range of events over the past year, including assisting with equipment for Clinton presidential library dedication, product launches for Peterbilt, multiple weddings, and "real estate" events, such as dedications, groundbreakings and topping-out parties.
WHAT'S RENTING Hot rental items include fruitwood chiavaris and plates in interesting shapes. High-end brands including Riedel and Schott Zwiesel are hits with clients.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Product line extensions are key to growth, management says, along with service packages. Pricing competition remains tight on larger events, with fuel costs as well as other fleet costs becoming a concern. "Competition from product line players continues to increase."

GRAND EVENTS & PARTY RENTALS
Memphis
TOP OFFICER Stan White
PHONE 901/366-0670
CLICK HERE! WEB SITE www.grandeventrentals.com, partyplace.net
COMPANY BASICS Operations located in Memphis and Nashville, Tenn.
CURRENT EVENTS Busy with golf tournaments, Music City Marathon, CMT Awards, Toyota corporate hospitality village.
WHAT'S RENTING Specialty banquet products, fancy linen and geometric dishes do well, management says. Also popular: themed events.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS "Trends are not as prevalent as they used to be," management says. "Customers want to see a multitude of different products; that is where creativity comes into play. We try to give our clients what they want and bring their vision to reality."

HALL'S RENTAL SERVICE
Niles, Ill.
TOP OFFICERS Jack Luft; Tom Luft
PHONE 847/929-2222
CLICK HERE! WEB SITE www.hallsrental.com
COMPANY BASICS A fixture in Chicago since 1958, offers a 3,500-square-foot showroom, 85,000-square-foot warehouse and inventory including 15,000 tables, 60,000 chairs and 60,000 place settings.
CURRENT EVENTS Busy with fund-raising galas for the Brookfield Zoo, Field Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, Museum of Science and Industry, and Ravinia Festival, along with golf tourneys including Walker Cup and U.S. Open, plus dinner for 5,000 in September at Chicago's Millennium Park.
WHAT'S RENTING Traditional chairs take a back seat to tall tables in all shapes and sizes and tall bar stools. Also big: mosaic chargers in all colors, and small, Asian-style square plates and miso spoons for appetizers. Geometric shapes--square, rectangular, triangular and oval--dominate tables and dinnerware. "As budgets increase and clients become more wine savvy, our upscale crystal lines of Spiegelau and Schott Zwiesel are very popular," management says.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Both corporate and social business is back to pre 9/11 levels and above," management says. "Client budgets are up, but so are their expectations. It is very important to keep up with the latest trends in color and style. Also, in this industry flawless service is even more essential than before." And good news: "All indications are that fall and winter business will continue to be robust.

KARL'S EVENT RENTAL
Milwaukee
TOP OFFICER John K. Schlueter
PHONE 866/EVENT44 (383-6844)
CLICK HERE! WEB SITE www.karls.com
COMPANY BASICS In business since 1966, now providing party, tent, and equipment rentals to clients in more than 40 states.
CURRENT EVENTS Involved with national sporting events including NFL's hospitality village for the Super Bowl, Motorsport events and PGA events. And Karl's has weddings covered, providing rentals for multiple weddings with budgets of more than $500,000 each this past year.
WHAT'S RENTING Events across the board are utilizing higher-end equipment," management says. "Tension structures to clear-span, more flooring, more clear-tops, elaborate lighting, glass-walled structures, custom carpet, and more unique and challenging venues.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS With a successful 2005, "we expect to continue our growth rate by going above and beyond the basics of event rental to create exceptional events," management says. "We see an increasing number of customers that demand 'one-stop' suppliers who can offer the full range of services from top-end rental equipment to flooring and lighting to creative, custom signage. We are constantly streamlining operational costs to increase profits and reduce costs for our clients--our No. 1 way to reduce operational costs is to consistently invest in our people and our inventory."

KIRBY RENTAL SERVICE
Orlando, Fla.
TOP OFFICERS Paul Weidner, vice president; Jim "Smitty" Smith, general manager
PHONE 407/422-1001
WEB SITE www.kirbytent.com
COMPANY BASICS Locations in Jacksonville, Orlando and Ormond Beach, Fla.
CURRENT EVENTS Kirby has been busy with the sporting life, including golf tournaments (PGA, LPGA), NASCAR races, charity events and festivals.
WHAT'S RENTING Clients are eager to rent Century-style tents, glass-enclosed tents and specialty linen, management says.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Kirby is feeling positive: "'05 has been very good so far," management says, and they are "looking forward to '06."

L.A. PARTY RENTS
Van Nuys, Calif.
TOP OFFICER Jerry Nehus
PHONE 310/785-0000
WEB SITE www.lapartyrents.com
COMPANY BASICS Renting, designing and manufacturing event equipment since 1987.
CURRENT EVENTS L.A. Party Rents keeps going Hollywood--with movie premieres and awards shows, including the Golden Globes. Also handled opening of the Morongo Hotel.
WHAT'S RENTING Furniture groupings, square china and market umbrella tops with matching linen are all hits with L.A.'s clientele, they say.

M&M THE SPECIAL EVENTS CO.
Carol Stream, Ill.
TOP OFFICER Mike Berk
PHONE 630/871-9999
WEB SITE www.mmspecialevents.com
COMPANY BASICS Outlets in Chicago area and Dallas.
CURRENT EVENTS Big events this year have included the launch of the new People Mover system and black-tie grand opening of a new terminal at Dallas-Fort Worth airport, along with 100th anniversary week of events for Ball Seed Co. in Chicago area.
WHAT'S RENTING What's hot: "Shapes, shapes and shapes!" management says. "Square tables, rectangular, wavy and triangle dishes." Big colors in linen: browns, purples and citrus hues.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Corporate business is back," management says, "though they aren't necessarily 'free-spending' like they did in the '90s--they are looking for value-added services."

PANACHE PARTY RENTALS
Pompano Beach, Fla.
TOP OFFICERS Kelly Murphy, Bob DeFriest
PHONE 954/781-5335, 800/30-PARTY
WEB SITE www.linenswithpanache.com
COMPANY BASICS From the start in 1992 in their home, Panache's owners have grown to stock more than 500 specialty linens and more than 40 china patterns.
CURRENT EVENTS With lively South Florida as its home base, Panache has handled Super Bowl events, South Beach Wine & Food Festival; Share our Strength's Taste of the Nation fund-raiser; and MTV Video Music Awards.
WHAT'S RENTING Events heat up with colored stems and plates, management says, along with geometric guest tables, communal seating, high-style contemporary furniture groupings, illuminated furniture, risers and panels, and--of course--"my favorite: everything we already own!" Also big: Ghost chairs and Riedel stemware.

PARTY RENTAL LTD.
Teterboro, N.J.
TOP OFFICERS Mike and Sunny Halperin
PHONE 888/774-4776
WEB SITE www.partyrentalltd.com
COMPANY BASICS Locations in New York (Manhattan and the Hamptons), New Jersey, Washington and Philadelphia, plus newly opened outlet in Greenwich, Conn.
CURRENT EVENTS Industry leader since 1972 services more than 50,000 events a year ranging from small intimate dinners to cocktail parties for 10,000.
WHAT'S RENTING New products include turquoise and lapis tinted glassware, bamboo place mats and "silver" acrylic chargers.

PETERSON PARTYCENTER
Winchester, Mass.
TOP OFFICER Robert Traina
PHONE 781/729-4000
CLICK HERE! WEB SITE www.ppcinc.com
COMPANY BASICS Broad inventory ranges from tents to tabletop to amusements.
CURRENT EVENTS Thanks to a "great year for Boston sports," Peterson has been busy with Red Sox events plus the New England Patriots' ring ceremony.
WHAT'S RENTING Clear-top tents remain a strong draw, along with square tables and geometric china. Top linen colors include champagne beige, cadmium green, chocolate, black and lime; colored glass plates and glassware along with small, tidbit china dishes are tops on tables.

PRIME EVENT GROUP
Tucson, Ariz.
TOP OFFICERS Chris Martin, Murray Hamilton, Robert Kraak
PHONE 480/820-3144
CLICK HERE! WEB SITE www.primeeventgroup.com
COMPANY BASICS Locations in Phoenix, Tucson, Ariz., Las Vegas, Detroit, New York and Miami.
CURRENT EVENTS Provided structures, power and air conditioning for Hurricane Katrina relief, along with extensive trade show work, including installing 100,000 square feet of tenting on a raised concrete deck--complete with air conditioning--for a trade show.
WHAT'S RENTING In light of Katrina relief efforts, tenting, climate-control equipment, generators, shower facilities and restrooms are moving fast.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS A caution: "Huge amounts of tent structure may lead to oversupply in late 2006 or earlier," management warns.

RAPHAEL'S PARTY RENTALS
San Diego
TOP OFFICERS Raphael Silverman, Philip Silverman
PHONE 858/689-7368
WEB SITE www.raphaels.com
COMPANY BASICS Locations in San Diego and La Costa, Calif.
CURRENT EVENTS Events this year have included 2005 Buick Open golf tourney plus San Diego Street Scene festival.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Management remains "optimistic" about its local event market. management says.

RENT-RITE WEST/THE WRIGHT GROUP EVENT SERVICES
Denver
TOP OFFICER Tom Wright
PHONE 303/399-9947, 800/864-4342
WEB SITE www.thewrightgroupnow.com
COMPANY BASICS Parent company operates range of businesses including trade show services along with full-line party rental.
CURRENT EVENTS Client list includes the Boy Scouts, Hewlett-Packard, U.S. Olympic Committee and Restaurant Associates.
WHAT'S RENTING Two-story tents and custom staging are big with clients, as well as "Skyblaster" searchlights.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Is bigger always better? "Many companies that have consolidated have found that it is a very complex, people-oriented business, and are selling out," management says.

SELECT EVENT RENTALS
Laurel, Md.
TOP OFFICER Martin Ortenzio
PHONE 301/604-2334
WEB SITE www.weparty.com
COMPANY BASICS Locations in Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
CURRENT EVENTS Event roster this year includes Zoomerang at the Baltimore Zoo, Jump Street/Derby Day and wealth of high-end weddings.
WHAT'S RENTING Select says elevated tables, glowing tables, colored glassware, satin linen, chiavari barstools, and silverware with gold accents are top selections for its clientele.

SIGNATURE PARTY RENTALS
Santa Ana, Calif.
TOP OFFICERS Randy Berg, Val Tamme
PHONE 714/545-6777
WEB SITE www.signatureparty.com
COMPANY BASICS In business since 1986, operating out of a 50,000-square-foot warehouse to serve the southern California market.
CURRENT EVENTS Busy this year with AIDS Walk Orange County, City of Irvine Cultural Fair, Shea Center fund-raiser, Oaks/Blenheim Exhibition, and ATSC Car Classic.
WHAT'S RENTING Signature's signature items include specialty linen, colored china, glassware in unique shapes and geometric tables.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Signature will "continue to focus on delivering high-quality service and products at a recognized value," management says. "We expect to see double-digit growth with the focus on specialty linen and china." The biggest headaches: "rising fuel prices and labor costs."

SIGNATURE SPECIAL EVENT SERVICES
Frederick, Md.
TOP OFFICER Tom Brown
PHONE 800/522-8368
WEB SITE www.eventservices.com
COMPANY BASICS Full-service rental company with clients in government, corporate, sporting and social event industries.
CURRENT EVENTS Last month, Signature deployed all of its available rental equipment to the U.S. Gulf Coast to aid in Hurricane Katrina relief--generators, tents, mobile kitchens.

STAMFORD TENT AND PARTY RENTAL
Stamford, Conn.
TOP OFFICER Stephen Frost
PHONE 203/324-6222
WEB SITE www.stamfordtent.com
COMPANY BASICS A fixture in the industry since 1953.
CURRENT EVENTS A return to the "really high-quality wedding" is driving business here--sophisticated events with as many as 700 guests involving tents fitted out with flooring and air conditioning.
WHAT'S RENTING It's still hip to be square: square tables and square plates remain strong.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Management notes the impact of the "more and more sophisticated client," driving the trend toward more complex, logistically challenging events."

STUART RENTAL CO.
Ohana Partners
Milpitas, Calif.
TOP OFFICERS Michael C. Berman, president/CEO; R. Andrew Sutton, executive v.p. sales and marketing
PHONE 408/856-3232
CLICK HERE! WEB SITE www.stuartrental.com
COMPANY BASICS Operations comprise The Party Company in Fremont, Taylor Rental Center in Castro Valley, Porter Rents in Mountain View, plus The Stuart Rental Co., Milpitas--all in California.
CURRENT EVENTS Wide range of events in the San Francisco Bay area including high-tech and biotech corporate outings; California State Fair; events for local universities including Stanford football; full-service, formal sit-downs for up to 5,000; custom structures for Reno, Nev.-based casinos.
WHAT'S RENTING Textured linens, colored glasses, creative uses of fabric inside structures, modern silver and custom tenting are hits with Stuart clients.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS "Event budgets seem to be growing currently despite some economic headwinds," management notes. "While event planners are being given more leeway to execute their events, they are still demanding and delivering value for their customers. After several years of increasingly short lead times, rental operators should be adept at providing dynamic, flexible service or risk being left behind."

THORNS GROUP
London
TOP OFFICER Graham Langley-Jones
PHONE 44 208 881 4444
WEB SITE www.thorns.co.uk, www.camdenfurniture.co.uk
COMPANY BASICS Operations comprise Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services, Camden Special Events and Classic Technical Services. Locations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, England.
CURRENT EVENTS Thorns scores an ace, as the supplier for the Stella Artois Championships and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships, along with work for the MotoGP motorbike event.
WHAT'S RENTING Clients are eager for bespoke (custom) chairs as well as matching lamps and rugs.

TRISERVE PARTY RENTALS LLC
New York
TOP OFFICERS Lance York; Raymond Duffy; John Dawson
PHONE 212/752-7661
WEB SITE www.triservepartyrentals.com
COMPANY BASICS Showrooms in Manhattan and Southampton, N.Y.
CURRENT EVENTS Really big shows: Slate this year has included Central Park Conversancy gala for 1,000, Watermill Center gala for 800, Pepsi "Ring of Honor" event for 1,500, plus opening of "Spamalot" on Broadway.
WHAT'S RENTING Classics with a twist: stemless wine glasses, oval chinaware, lounge furniture, Asian-style platters.
TRENDS, FORECASTS, PREDICTIONS Management predicts "strong growth" through this year, with a boost of 10 percent expected in 2006; "Social market remains strong, with the corporate environment returning at a fairly steady pace."