AZTEC EVENTS & TENTS/SHAFFER SPORTS & EVENTS
Houston
WEBSITE www.aztecusa.com
TOP OFFICERS Todd Johnson, Scott McShan,
COMPANY BASICS Since its founding in 1982, this tent and event rental company now operates branches in San Antonio and Birmingham, Ala. Sister company Shaffer Sports, founded in 1913, offers a broad range of temporary structures. Clients can choose from clear-span, frame and pole tents along with furniture, china, glassware, flatware, specialty linens, lighting, staging, flooring, equipment and accessories.
CURRENT EVENTS This year's event roster has Super Bowl XLV, NCAA Final Four, City of Houston Discovery Green, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, PGA championship, World Golf championship tourneys, the Players championship, Shell Houston Open, Insperity Golf Tourney and big social events.
WHAT'S RENTING Hot items this year include a designer collection of specialty linens, chair covers, vintage furniture, contemporary furniture, Ghost chairs and Riedel glassware. Multisided tents, clear-span tents and climate-controlled equipment are always in demand, management says.
WHAT'S NEXT “2011 will end on a high note with a tremendous increase in business and revenue,” management says. “The social and corporate market have proven to be on an upswing, and we expect the trend to continue through 2012.”
BROADWAY PARTY RENTALS
Brooklyn, N.Y.
WEBSITE www.broadwaypartyrentals.com
TOP OFFICERS Stan Skriloff, Rob Skriloff
COMPANY BASICS Along with its warehouse/showroom in Brooklyn, the company operates a showroom in Manhattan's SoHo and a 1,200-square-foot showroom in Greenwich, Conn.
CURRENT EVENTS Broadway makes stars of events from small, intimate dinners to cocktail parties for 10,000 guests.
WHAT'S RENTING New items in inventory include colored goblets with clear stems, vinyl-topped metal tables and embossed linens.
BUTLER RENTS
Denver
WEBSITE www.butlerrents.com
TOP OFFICER Barry Reynolds
COMPANY BASICS In business more than 35 years, Butler's inventory includes tables, chairs, china, glassware, flatware, linens, casino equipment, carnival games and a wide selection of foodservice equipment in its 80,000-square-foot warehouse.
CURRENT EVENTS Highlights have included the Winter X Games for ESPN and the Aspen Food and Wine Fest. The company also served as a corporate partner with Kronke Sports and the Pepsi Center, providing tents and rental equipment for Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets home openers along with the MCA Gala, Book Lovers Ball, Cherry Creek Arts Fest, Festival Italiano, Festival Patrias and Do at the Zoo.
WHAT'S RENTING Specialty linen — “in all colors, sizes and shapes” — stays in high demand, they say. Also popular: stemless and other specialty glassware.
WHAT'S NEXT “2011 has been a great year as our re-growth continues,” management says. A doubling of linen business and updated laundry equipment “allow us to offer cleaner and greener products while also allowing us to keep up with growth and production.”
CHAIR-MAN MILLS
Toronto
WEBSITE www.chairmanmills.com
TOP OFFICER Mary Crothers
COMPANY BASICS Founded in 1911, this Canadian rental powerhouse celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. Chair-man Mills “is stronger than ever as it begins another century of providing quality rentals to the special events industry in Toronto,” management says.
CURRENT EVENTS Busy event roster has included Toronto International Film Festival, Toronto Taste, CANFAR's Bloor Street Entertains, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche and Hockey Hall of Fame inductions.
WHAT'S RENTING Nature-inspired items — organic, linen, wood, eco-friendly — are popular now, along with runners standing in for tablecloths and gold accents in glassware and cutlery. Premium brands Frette and Riedel do well.
WHAT'S NEXT Corporate business is on the rise, management says, and “2012 is looking very promising.”
CLASSIC PARTY RENTALS
Los Angeles
WEBSITE www.classicpartyrentals.com
TOP OFFICER Pedro Mata
COMPANY BASICS With a history going back more than 25 years, this powerhouse rental company takes pride in “unparalleled customer care, endless capabilities and impeccable service.”
CURRENT EVENTS The company points with pride to its work with marquee events including the Academy Awards Governors Ball, Emmy Ball, the U.S. Open, NASCAR, the Kentucky Derby and “that fabulous backyard wedding,” they say.
WHAT'S RENTING The hot trend this year is “bringing the outdoors in, with wood Descanso dining tables, garden hedges and natural fibers,” management says. “Think ‘wine country meets urban oasis.’”
WHAT'S NEXT Company management continues to note client interest in national contracts to cover “all their rental needs nationally.”
DC RENTAL
Arlington, Va.
WEBSITE www.dcrental.com
TOP OFFICER Joe Valente
COMPANY BASICS A fixture in the Washington area since 1986, DC takes pride in its reputation as being “a company that offers the finest party equipment combined with personalized service,” management says. “A gorgeous new showroom has made previewing our inventory a huge hit with our customers.”
CURRENT EVENTS Highlights of the year have included big fundraisers, major sporting events such as the Preakness Stakes, the Kennedy Center Honors Gala and Spring Gala, Leukemia Ball and “countless corporate events and weddings.”
WHAT'S RENTING More and more clients are highlighting their events with furniture and special pieces to create club and comfortable seating areas, DC notes.
WHAT'S NEXT “Careful and cautious decisions concerning budgets are still a factor in our business,” management says. “We continue to offer the best personalized service we can to work individually with clients in helping them meet their goals. We see this trend continuing indefinitely.”
DIAMOND RENTAL
Salt Lake City
WEBSITE www.diamondrental.com
TOP OFFICER Mark Clawson
COMPANY BASICS From locations in Salt Lake City, Orem, and Ogden, Utah, Diamond offers high-end party and tent rental services to customers throughout the Mountain West.
WHAT'S RENTING Company offers a wide product line, including tents and structures, in support of its core party rental business, management says.
EVENT RENTAL GROUP
Toronto
WEBSITE www.eventrentalgroup.com
TOP OFFICER Greg Halton
COMPANY BASICS Event Rental Group controls two operations: Exclusive Affair Rentals and Advanced Tent Rental. “We are the only solely owned Canadian company that can deliver a full tent range — including large-scale box-beam structures — and a full complement of party rental items to match,” management says. The company is in the process of co-locating its entire operation into one centralized facility; new corporate headquarters, in midtown Toronto, will be completed by Q1 of 2012.
CURRENT EVENTS Highlights of the year have included the RBC Canadian Open, for which the company constructed a spectacular two-tier luxury suite and seating pavilion, along with the annual fundraisers and galas, the Honda Indy Toronto, the Rogers Cup Tennis Masters Series and “an unusually high number of very large kosher weddings,” management says.
WHAT'S RENTING The increase in the number of functions offering higher end wines and spirits has resulted in a trend away from standard “rental” glassware and toward the ERG's big selection of crystal glassware.
WHAT'S NEXT “The Canadian economy remains relatively stable despite worldwide economic uncertainty. As a result, Canadians continue to enjoy a renewed sense of success, which is translating into stable business conditions for the Canadian event industry,” management says. “As always, we remain at the forefront of an effort to consolidate the Canadian rental market.”
HALL'S RENTAL SERVICE
Niles, Ill.
WEBSITE www.hallsrental.com
TOP OFFICERS Jack Luft, Tom Luft
COMPANY BASICS A fixture in Chicago since 1958, Hall's offers a 3,500-square-foot showroom, 125,000-square-foot warehouse and inventory including 15,000 tables, 60,000 chairs in 20 different styles, and 80,000 place settings in more than 50 different patterns.
CURRENT EVENTS Big events this year have included gala fundraisers for the Field Museum, Botanic Garden, Brookfield Zoo, Ravinia Festival, Lincoln Park Zoo, Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago History Museum, Cancer Society, Museum of Science & Industry, Museum of Contemporary Art, Nature Museum and Shedd Aquarium.
WHAT'S RENTING Clients call for English Country china, translucent, white and black Mirage chairs, crystal chiavaris, lounge furniture in custom colors, and mini hors d'oeuvre glasses.
WHAT'S NEXT “The social market continues to hum along with more emphasis on upscale items,” management says. “Corporate spending has increased dramatically, although a great deal is last-minute. Our clients are optimistic about 2012 bookings.”
KARL'S EVENT SERVICES
Milwaukee
WEBSITE www.karls.com
TOP OFFICER Chris Doerr
COMPANY BASICS In business since 1966, now providing structure, tabletop items and event equipment to clients internationally.
CURRENT EVENTS Highlights this year have included the Super Bowl in Dallas, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, golf tournaments and large corporate events.
WHAT'S RENTING The company takes pride in its custom clear-span options including round, curved beam and high-peak including the new patent-pending Mirage Series with custom façades.
WHAT'S NEXT The Karl's team, from installers to sales directors, is “fully client-focused,” management says. “Organic growth as opposed to acquisition will continue to be Karl's philosophy.”
KIRBY RENTALS LLC
Orlando, Fla.
WEBSITE www.kirbytent.com
TOP OFFICER Paul Weidner
COMPANY BASICS Locations in Jacksonville, Orlando, Ormond Beach and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.
CURRENT EVENTS Kirby's event work has included work for the PGA, LPGA and Champions tours, along with galas and fundraisers.
M&M THE SPECIAL EVENTS CO.
Carol Stream, Ill.
WEBSITE www.mmspecialevents.com
TOP OFFICER Mike Berk
COMPANY BASICS In business more than 30 years serving the special event and hospitality industries from showrooms and distribution centers based in Chicago and Dallas metropolitan markets, “offering the most comprehensive array of event products and services from a single company in our respective markets,” management says.
CURRENT EVENTS M&M's event roster this year has ranged from “an 800-person corporate event at Union Station in Chicago to the American Airlines Sky Ball in Dallas to the 150th anniversary of a college in suburban Chicago, with seven straight days of events culminating with a ball for 2,000 people.”
WHAT'S RENTING “Upholstered chiavari chairs, lounge furniture, fabric treatments and LED lighting continue to be the hot items in 2011,” management says.
WHAT'S NEXT The outlook: “Corporate business is still coming back as corporations are finding it acceptable to entertain their clients and employees,” M&M explains. “Weddings and mitzvahs continue to drive the event business — and require much more ‘handholding.’”
MARQUEE EVENT GROUP
Austin, Texas
WEBSITE www.marqueeeventgroup.com
TOP OFFICER Damon Holditch, CSEP, CERP
COMPANY BASICS From its start in 1985 as a small party rental store, the company has evolved over the past 26 years into a full-service event rental company with three divisions: Marquee Rents, Marquee Tents and Marquee Linens.
CURRENT EVENTS Marquee's event roster this year has included Austin City Limits Music Festival, State of Texas Book Festival, a large wine festival and “many large high-end weddings,” management says.
WHAT'S RENTING Clients call for Marquee's own rustic Vineyard table, custom lounge furniture and glowing furniture. Also hot: Losberger tents and Riedel stemware.
WHAT'S NEXT Although 2011 had a promising start, “The extremely hot summer in Texas and the inability of the [U.S.] federal government to govern has hurt 2011 results,” management says. “We look for sales to stay flat until 2013.”
PARTY REFLECTIONS
Charlotte, N.C.
WEBSITE www.partyreflections.com
TOP OFFICER Daniel W. Hooks, CERP
COMPANY BASICS Family-owned and operated since 1958, this full-service rental firm has operations in Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. Along with tents, tables, chairs, tabletop and custom linen, the company offers CAD services, logistics management, custom draping, production services and on-site management.
CURRENT EVENTS Highlights have included the Wyndham Championship, Family Circle Cup Tennis Tournament, Davidson College presidential inauguration, Ryan Newman Foundation Gala, NASCAR Speedstreet Festival, UltraSwim 11, Fashion Week Greenville, and many “high-profile weddings and other corporate events.”
WHAT'S RENTING Farm tables, benches, crystal and other unique chandeliers, custom linen sizes and applications, specialty glassware and unique furniture.
WHAT'S NEXT “We continue to see an increase in corporate spending,” management says. “Weddings have been much larger this year than in the last several years.” Although the sluggish economy puts a damper on events and on the ability to invest in new equipment, “Optimism is up in our area with the Democratic National Convention coming to Charlotte in 2012.” Read more from Dan Hooks on page 46 of this issue.
PARTY RENTAL LTD.
Teterboro, N.J.
WEBSITE www.partyrentalltd.com
TOP OFFICERS Mike and Sunny Halperin
COMPANY BASICS This legendary company has outlets in Teterboro, Red Bank and Pennsauken, N.J.; New York, Bridgehampton and Locust Valley, N.Y.; Greenwich and New Preston, Conn.; Philadelphia; Laurel and Baltimore, Md.; and Washington.
CURRENT EVENTS Industry leader since 1972; the Halperins were named to the Special Events “Industry Influentials” list this year. And everyone knows the trucks with the “pink hippo” logo.
WHAT'S RENTING New items include gray chiavaris and the chic little “Carnegie Hill” cocktail fork.
PEDERSEN'S RENTALS
Vancouver, British Columbia
WEBSITE www.pedersens.com
TOP OFFICER Bill Pedersen
COMPANY BASICS Operations in Vancouver, B.C., and Seattle; in business more than 60 years.
CURRENT EVENTS Event roster ranges from corporate to festivals to weddings.
WHAT'S RENTING Clients love “anything gray,” management says, along with clear chairs. “And custom items seem to be taking off,” they say. “Quality for good value seems to be the underlying theme to the economy these days.”
WHAT'S NEXT Standard inventory will yield “good growth,” management says, and look for “very good growth in niche markets.”
PERFECT SETTINGS
Landover, Md.
WEBSITE www.perfectsettings.com
TOP OFFICER Peter Grazzini
COMPANY BASICS This high-end rental company acquired D.C.-area Classic Tents last year; “Tents represented approximately 30 percent of our overall growth this year,” management says. “We feel that there is great potential to grow that area of our business as we build our labor force and inventory on the tenting side of our business.”
WHAT'S RENTING “Basic white or white plates with a simple gold or platinum, and simple glassware and flatware continue to be the choices of the day. Clients are looking to cut costs, or they do not want to look like they are spending a whole lot of money — even if they are.”
WHAT'S NEXT Though 2011 has been good, “The economic out look is sketchy at best,” management says. “Fuel costs are still very high and the cost of products continues to rise as the dollar weakens in the world economy. At the same time, budgets for special events are reduced or flat. Special event companies who run a tight ship and watch waste in their operations will be the survivors.”
PETERSON PARTYCENTER
Winchester, Mass.
WEBSITE www.ppcinc.com
TOP OFFICER Robert Traina
COMPANY BASICS The company got its start in 1877 renting chairs to funeral homes; today, inventory ranges from tents to turf to tabletop and furniture. PPC offers a wide variety of services including custom flooring and staging, field kitchens and custom linen.
CURRENT EVENTS Busy this year with Museum of Fine Arts Art of the Americas Wing Opening, Boys & Girls Club's “House Party,” Party in the Park, Beantown Jazz Festival, Best Buddies Challenge, college and university commencement ceremonies, Boston's July 4th celebration, and a slew of custom tenting jobs in the New England area.
WHAT'S RENTING Clients like different styles of tables, high tables with bar stools and chairs, and clear-top tents and structure tents with high ceilings, glass sides and French doors. Also big: custom chair cushions and pad colors, vintage-style china and glassware, stemless glassware and “natural” looks in linen.
WHAT'S NEXT “2012 will see us in a new, larger warehouse with a much larger showroom that caters to all of our clients' needs,” management says. “Personalized events are big right now as well as trying to go as ‘green’ and ‘natural’ as possible. The trend is to go with each table being a little different with a color/theme uniting them.”
PRO EM PARTY & EVENT RENTALS
Phoenix
WEBSITE www.proem.org
TOP OFFICER Amir Glogau
COMPANY BASICS The company “delivers quality rental items and excellent customer service to events of all sizes and scope — weddings, high-profile sporting and cultural events, corporate meetings and social gatherings.”
CURRENT EVENTS This year's event roster has included all ASU home games, Waste Management Phoenix Open, Scottsdale Culinary Festival, Phoenix Pride Festival and Phoenix International Raceway, “with over 40 corporate clients and thousands of private events annually.”
WHAT'S RENTING “This year we are seeing an increased interest in square tabletops, specialty linens, and designer chargers and accents,” management says. “Unconventional color palettes are also on the rise as more couples are trying to creatively personalize their events on more conservative budgets.”
RAPHAEL'S PARTY RENTALS
San Diego
WEBSITE www.raphaels.com
TOP OFFICERS Raphael Silverman, Philip Silverman
COMPANY BASICS Locations in San Diego and Carlsbad, Calif. Besides rental, company also imports equipment to sell and offers floral and design capabilities. New this year: a partnership with a lounge furniture company to broaden offerings for clients.
WHAT'S RENTING Clear chiavaris are big at Raphael's.
RENTALS UNLIMITED
Stoughton, Mass.
WEBSITE www.rentals-unlimited.net
TOP OFFICER Larry Green
COMPANY BASICS From showrooms in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the company serves New England with premier party rental inventory and production support.
WHAT'S RENTING Vintage and lounge furniture, slipper chairs, textured linens, lighted bars, clear chairs and farm tables are big now.
WHAT'S NEXT “The economic look is very favorable,” management says, with “slow, steady growth predicted for 2012.”
SELECT EVENT RENTALS
Laurel, Md.
WEBSITE www.weparty.com
TOP OFFICERS Kelly Andres, Marty Ortenzio
COMPANY BASICS Locations in Baltimore and Laurel, Md., McLean, Va., Pennsauken, N.J., and King of Prussia, Pa.
CURRENT EVENTS The company is proud to have been part of notable events this year again including the Komen Race for the Cure, Shawan Downs, Preakness Stakes, Dragon Boat Races, National Book Festival, MLK Dedication, Maccabi Games, Baltimore Raven and Naval Academy football season, and local graduation ceremonies.
WHAT'S RENTING Rosette fabrics and monochromatic patterns, cool and vibrant hues (aqua, honeysuckle, eggplant, pewter), chiavari chairs, and simple china, stemware and flatware patterns.
WHAT'S NEXT “We will focus on our abilities and strengths with a continued commitment to our clients,” management says. “Our focal points are client communication and partnerships.”
SIGNATURE PARTY RENTALS
Santa Ana, Calif.
WEBSITE www.signatureparty.com
TOP OFFICERS Randy Berg, Valdur Tamme
COMPANY BASICS In business since 1986, this company offers a 50,000-square-foot warehouse focused on providing a high-quality, affordable rental experience for event planners, caterers, hotels and coordinators.
SPECIAL EVENT RENTALS
Edmonton, Alberta
WEBSITE www.specialeventrentals.com
TOP OFFICER Neil Goodkey
COMPANY BASICS As “industry leaders since 1985,” SER is the largest event rental company in western Canada, with locations in Edmonton, Calgary and Banff, Alberta. Inventory ranges from tents to dance floors to “the best selection of linen and decor,” management says.
CURRENT EVENTS Busy this year with the ATB Financial Open, Edmonton Indy, Government of Alberta's Canada Day celebration, Athabasca University convocation, NAIT president's installation, Servus Credit Union Heritage Festival, Taste of Edmonton and International St. Albert Children's Festival.
WHAT'S RENTING “Large tents are increasingly popular as people recognize the creative freedom available to build a fantastic venue almost anywhere,” management says.
WHAT'S NEXT “Opulent fabrics and creative use of lighting and projections are increasingly popular in the world of event design,” management says. “Especially for tented events, people want to feel surrounded by the event. It has evolved to more than just sitting at a beautiful table; our clients are looking for a full-sensory experience.”
STAMFORD TENT AND EVENT SERVICES
Stamford, Conn.
WEBSITE www.stamfordtent.com
TOP OFFICER Stephen Frost
COMPANY BASICS “We are thrilled about the opening of our new Long Island [N.Y.] office and warehouse,” management says. “We can now service the entire island, including the Hamptons, with excellent quality and service at very competitive prices.”
CURRENT EVENTS This year's event roster has included high-end private and corporate social events as well as large nonprofit galas.
WHAT'S RENTING Stamford's sailcloth tents continue to do well, as do its custom pickled birch and English chestnut wide-plank floors.
WHAT'S NEXT “We are starting to see budgets ease somewhat,” management says, “with larger, more elaborate events coming back. We did more events in 2011, and the average job size increased as well. Most end-users have backed off from requiring four to five competitive bids and from only taking the lowest bids. It's not completely back to normal, but it's a big improvement over 2009 and 2010.”
STUART RENTAL CO.
Milpitas, Calif.
WEBSITE www.stuartrental.com
TOP OFFICERS Michael C. Berman, R. Andrew Sutton
COMPANY BASICS Operations comprise showrooms in Castro Valley, Mountain View and Milpitas — all in California.
CURRENT EVENTS Stuart has worked on a wide range of events in the San Francisco Bay area including high-tech and biotech corporate outings, events for local universities, and full-service, sit-down parties for up to 5,000 guests.
WHAT'S RENTING Stuart's client base continues to focus on premium linen, unique tenting designs and specialty decor.
WHAT'S NEXT “While the rental industry remained above its 2009 lows, it seems clear that a return to the ‘bubble days’ is years away,” management says. While 2011 was challenging, Stuart “became even more focused on customer service and satisfaction. Our efforts resulted in some terrific new customers and expanded our capabilities into new areas and work that we had not done even during the boom years. Instead of waiting for a better economy to give us all a boost, our mindset at Stuart is to seek and seize opportunities and grow regardless.”
TENTLOGIX
Stuart, Fla.
WEBSITE www.tentlogix.com
TOP OFFICERS Nate Albers, Gary Hendry
COMPANY BASICS TentLogix specializes in innovative tenting solutions, event flooring and event rental products throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Also offers pool covers, furniture, staging, dance floors, HVAC, restroom trailers, tables and chairs, linen, glassware, china, flatware and catering equipment.
CURRENT EVENTS Notable events this year have included a corporate event for 10,000-plus with more than 160,000 square feet of tenting and flooring, a number of celebrity weddings, a custom clear- and glass-walled structure for visiting foreign dignitaries and a major product launch.
WHAT'S RENTING “Glass tent walls, custom linen and fabrics, crystal chandeliers and unique tabletop items have all proven popular with discerning clients looking to invent their setting in 2011,” management says.
WHAT'S NEXT “As event designers and planners continue to put an emphasis on customized event venues incorporating a large array of design elements, there is an opportunity for companies that offer a large and varied number of products and services to become a sole provider to those clients, offering turnkey service,” management says, a trend that will continue in 2012.
TENTS UNLIMITED
Atlanta
WEBSITE www.tentsunlimited.com
TOP OFFICERS Dan Nolan III, Sam Wodetzki
COMPANY BASICS The Tents Unlimited Inc. umbrella covers Tents Unlimited, Event Rentals Unlimited and Event Flooring Unlimited, serving clients across the U.S. with a concentration in the Southeast.
CURRENT EVENTS This year has seen continued growth in the company's core markets of high-profile events for high-end foreign car companies, custom weddings, and U.S. and foreign military support, management says.
WHAT'S RENTING “Lounge furniture, custom flooring with different room levels, and curved top clear-span tents are all doing well,” management says. “Custom touches such as unique flooring covers and custom draping options are being used to finish out the room.”
WHAT'S NEXT “We are continuing to tweak pricing and look at job profitability,” management says, shedding unprofitable business and adding events “that fit better into our model for profitability and growth. That decision-making matrix has provided the platform for a solid growth; we believe we are poised to really have a nice growth year in 2012, and we are definitely looking at expansion into other markets.”
THORNS GROUP
London
WEBSITE www.thorns.co.uk
TOP OFFICER Graham Langley-Jones
COMPANY BASICS Operations comprise Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services divisions.
CURRENT EVENTS The group handles jobs at many of the biggest venues in the U.K. — including London's Earls Court and ExCeL, Birmingham's NEC, Telford's The International Centre and Manchester's Central — and at leading hotels, management notes. It also supplies a host of top sporting events including Royal Ascot, Twickenham, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships, Henley Royal Regatta and British F1 Grand Prix.
WHAT'S RENTING Thorns has launched a canapé range of serving dishes due to a significant increase in events offering buffet-style food.
WHAT'S NEXT Event organizers continue to demand colorful “bespoke” [custom] furnishings, management says.
TOWN & COUNTRY EVENT RENTALS
Van Nuys, Calif.
WEBSITE www.tacer.biz
TOP OFFICER Richard LoGuercio
COMPANY BASICS Management says it's “building clientele by providing the best of all the basics with a well-maintained inventory including 4,500 pieces of furniture in more than 20 different styles and expanding our tent division. We are constantly adding new china, flatware and glass patterns along with specialty items on a weekly basis.” A new showroom in Pasadena, Calif., opened this summer.
CURRENT EVENTS T&C again supplied HBO's post-Emmy gala, the Golden Globes and Elton John's Academy Awards Party, along with “numerous high-profile movie premieres and industry parties” and “L.A.'s high-society and notable weddings and fundraising events.”
WHAT'S RENTING Rustic rules: Popular items include the company's own “In the Vineyard” line of vintage furnishings along with natural-fiber linens.
| RANK IN 2011 (2010) | COMPANY | HEADQUARTERS | ESTIMATED 2011 RENTAL VOLUME (IN MILLIONS) | NUMBER OF LOCATIONS | NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (1) | Classic Party Rentals | Los Angeles | $240 (Special Events estimate) | 35 | 3,500 |
| 2 (2) | Party Rental Ltd. | Teterboro, N.J. | $60 to $80 (Special Events estimate) | 12 | 150 to 300 (Special Events estimate) |
| 3 (4) | Aztec Events & Tents/Shaffer Sports & Events | Houston | $40 | 4 | 300 to 500 |
| 4 (3) | Karl's Event Services | Milwaukee | $40 | 6 | 325 |
| 5 (7) | Town & Country Event Rentals | Van Nuys, Calif. | $21.50 | 2 | 300 |
| 6 (5) | PRO EM Party & Event Rentals | Phoenix | $20 | 2 | 900 plus |
| 7 (6) | Event Rental Group | Toronto | $20 | 3 | 130 to 210 |
| 8 (8) | Raphael's Party Rentals | San Diego | $18 | 2 | 230 |
| 9 (9) | M&M The Special Events Co. | Carol Stream, Ill. | $18 | 3 | 110 |
| 10 (10) | Hall's Rental Service | Niles, Ill. | $17 | 1 | 235 |
| 11 (12) | Kirby Rentals LLC | Orlando, Fla. | $14 to $16 Special Events estimate) | 4 | 115 |
| 12 (14) | DC Rental | Arlington, Va. | $14.80 | 1 | 160 to 200 |
| 13 (13) | TentLogix | Stuart, Fla. | $14 plus | 3 | 90 to 120 |
| 14 (23) | Stamford Tent and Event Services | Stamford, Conn. | $13.80 | 2 | 165 to 185 |
| 15 (15) | Broadway Party Rentals | Brooklyn, N.Y. | $12 to $15 (Special Events estimate) | 3 | 150 to 250 (Special Events estimate) |
| 16 (18) | Select Event Rentals | Laurel, Md. | $12.70 | 6 | 130 |
| 17 (21) | Perfect Settings | Landover, Md. | $12.50 | 1 | 180 |
| 18 (20) | Signature Party Rentals | Santa Ana, Calif. | $12 | 2 | 180 |
| 19 (17) | Diamond Rental | Salt Lake City | $12 | 3 | 85 to 120 |
| 20 (16) | Rentals Unlimited | Stoughton, Mass. | $11.60 | 6 | 165 |
| 21 (22) | Peterson Partycenter | Winchester, Mass. | $11 to $12 | 1 | 100 to 150 |
| 22 (24) | Special Event Rentals | Edmonton, Alberta | $11.36 | 3 | 80 to 125 |
| 23 (19) | Chair-Man Mills | Toronto | $11 | 1 | 90 to 250 |
| 24 (11) | Tents Unlimited | Atlanta | $9.25 | 2 | 55 |
| 25 (26) | Thorns Group | London | $8.19 | 3 | 103 |
| 26 (30) | Stuart Rental Co. | Milpitas, Calif. | $8 | 3 | 100 to 150 |
| 27 (27) | Party Reflections | Charlotte, N.C. | $7.50 | 2 | 70 to 95 |
| 28 (25) | Butler Rents | Denver | $7 to $7.2 (Special Events estimate) | 1 | 65 |
| 29 (28) | Marquee Event Group | Austin, Texas | $7 | 1 | 80 to 90 |
| 30 (N/A) | Pedersen's Rentals | Vancouver, British Columbia | $7 | 2 | 80 |
NOTE: All information is supplied by the companies listed unless otherwise noted. Companies listed are full-line event rental companies, offering a range of products from tabletop to tenting. Special Events estimates are based on interviews by staff, industry experts and research. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors and omissions sometimes occur. It is the policy of Special Events to correct errors promptly. All figures are in U.S. dollars.
