Mahaffey is currently partnering with ArtsMemphis’ Bravo events, providing tents, tables, chairs, and a stage.  Make plans to attend their annual kick-off party, August 27 from 6:30-9:00.  The event will feature drinks by D Canale Beverages Inc., hors d’oeuvres by Whole Foods Market, and special performances by Ryan Peel and The Amazing Tangerines.

Bravo is ArtsMemphis’ membership option for those age 21-45.  It offers unique and engaging experiences in the Memphis arts scene, and introduces you to new people, places, and events around the city.  For more information, click here!

Check out this great article from specialevents.com… The Perfect Pairing:

People may or may not have soul mates.  But food?  Definitely.  Just set up food with vino for a fairy-tale ending.  Of course, for the ultimate match, you need to pair the dish with that just-right wine.  Here, wine-savvy matchmakers share their happily-ever-after results.

Wine Before Liquor
Don’t let the economy kill your party spirit.  After all, sensible spending can still fuel a festive atmosphere.  Adelee V. Cabrera, director of client services of A Joy Wallace Catering Production and Design Team in Miami, suggests nixing the cocktails at the cocktail party.  Instead, pair wine with hors d’oeuvre and eliminate the full bar to save big at the bank.

Read full article…

SAVING YOUR BUDGET

Simplicity is Key
This year, think less is more, with smaller, more intimate parties focusing on a few modest décor elements that actually make a statement and mean something to your guests.  Extravagance gives way to thoughtfulness, in everything from weddings to corporate events to fundraisers.
Make your own Music 
Great music is essential to any function, and a well thought-out playlist can be just as good as hiring a DJ for thousands of dollars.  In fact, most DJs play off their own iPods these days anyway, so why waste the money?  Invest in a great sound system instead, and be your own entertainer.

GOING GREEN

No More Printing
Mailed invitations and printed marketing collateral are quickly becoming faux pas.  Focus your energy on digital items that can be emailed or handed out on a CD or flash drive at events.  Printing your logo on a flash drive and giving that to your customers is also a great marketing tool!
Eco-Friendly Products
There are a million alternatives to wasteful, hazardous event supplies, from liquid cardboard to compact fluorescent bulbs for lighting and sustainable local food products.  Start using them!
You know the phrase… Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
An old adage but still a goodie, actually now more than ever. Reduce the amount of waste you collect at an event by re-using recycled materials, and recycling new materials to be re-used at your next event.  See how the circle works?

Use Flattering Hues

Golden and amber tones allow you and your guests to look their best.  Warm colors, such as gold, flatter everyone and highlight decor beautifully.  Shades of pink are also complimentary, especially for weddings.  You can use these shades to color an entire space while offering a sense of warmth and comfort.

Light to Enhance

To highlight centerpieces and food displays, try a technique called pin-spotting, in which a tightly focused light makes decorative touches shine.  Gobo lights – a special projector with an etched metal template – can be used to shine a pretty pattern across the walls, such as a couple’s monogram or company logo.

Gorgeous light isn’t only for reception or party space, like the main tent.  Hallways and courtyards can and should be embellished, too.  If your event is a subdued one, you may choose to illuminate these areas to complement your reception lighting and decor.  If you opt for a funkier vibe, however, you can change the colors and moods of each area.

Choose Your Mood

In order to create a “Wow Factor” that will make your guests feel like they have entered an enchanted far away land as soon as they enter the room, look no further than your closest lighting designer.

A well designed and executed lighting plan can change the whole atmosphere with a flip of the switch. If you don’t have the most elaborate-looking venue, you can certainly create one by using theatrical lighting.

Most weddings these days are much more than just a ceremony and then a reception with cake, punch, and mints. Today’s savvy couples want drama!

At Mahaffey, we can use our artistic design to translate the emotions each couple comes to us with. Whether you’re planning a simple, yet elegant, wedding or going all out on a gala event, it’s important that you communicate with your planner or lighting team the exact look and vibe you want. To change the energy in the room (or under the tent) during the night, we can create customized assortments of light or light palettes that can alternate throughout the night. You can choose a fun palette of red and oranges to energize your guests, or a more calming combination of blues and purples, which soothes guests and can facilitate conversation.

Check out more lighting tips next week!

For something to inspire me, it must stand out among everything else.  For example, for an event to inspire me, there must be something so unique about it that I picture it in my head long after it’s over.

One of the most recent inspirations I felt was after looking at pictures of a gala fundraiser Mahaffey set up, on the roof of a parking garage no less, for a well-known hospital.

Not only was the tent itself spectacular - namely the perfectly lined walls, roof, and doors on the outside – but the interior was nothing short of a masterpiece.  From the thick green/white striped carpet to the perfectly laid parquet dance floor, this event marveled all who experienced it.

To add to the ambiance, we added a state-of-the-art lighting system, which provided an elegant green-on-green effect.  The decor, which included palm trees, chase lounges, and even a man-made pond – was provided thanks to the vision of a world-renowned event planner we work with on several occassions.

When you’re planning a “gala” event, it’s of the utmost importance that everything is done right and that your customer’s every request is met.

For this event, everything was done right, and every one of our customer’s needs was met.  And that is what’s inspiring to me.

Let us inspire you ny creating the perfect ambiance at your next event.  Visit www.tentrental.com.

‘Tis the season of weddings!

I recently attended a friend’s wedding.  And you’d think that since it was held outdoors, it would have been miserable, being that it’s a thousand degrees outside.  Surprisingly, however, it was really nice.  How, you ask?  We were underneath a tent.

My friend’s family rented two large tents — one for the ceremony and one for the reception.  The ceremony was held in a large frame tent, which shelterd myself and the guests from the setting sun.  It was outfitted with pole drapes, chandelier lights, silver chivari chairs, and an array of floral accents.   The reception was held in a clear span tent, complete with air-conditioning to keep everyone cool, a parquet dance floor, tables, chairs, and more.

But the best part about the tents, or the perfect touches in my opinion, were the ceiling liners.  What a difference they made!  Sure my friend could’ve kept it simple and had her wedding in your every day tent… with no liners.  But adding that one finishing touch made a world of difference.  It no longer looked like a tent…  Just another beautiful wedding venue.

Your blueprints for success…

A special event is a one-time event focused on a specific purpose such as a product launch, grand opening, or other significant occasion like a wedding.  Special events may also be created for other targeted purposes such as a tradeshow; corporate awards banquet, or a large convention.

The following steps can be used as a guideline for planning your event:

1. Develop strategies for success

• Make sure the purpose for the special event is important enough to merit the time and expense needed to properly stage, publicize, and evaluate the event.
• Carefully match the type of event that is selected to the purpose that it serves.  Do you want to reach out to new users or thank your supporters?
• Ensure that your staff fully supports the special event.  Select a working committee with broad representation.
• Start planning at least three months, and in many cases, a year ahead of time.
• Develop ways to evaluate the event’s success.  Measurable event objectives may include attendance, the amount of money raised, etc.
• Talk to other event planners who have successfully staged similar event

2. Make a checklist

• A checklist provides a step-by-step guide to organizing and executing a special event. See sample checklist on next page.

3. Create a budget and stick to it

• The objective is to provide event planners with a financial blueprint.  The budget should be specific, and include revenue opportunities (sponsorship, ticket sales, donations. concession sales) as well as expenses printing, permits, insurance, speakers, food. supplies, security).

4. Consider logistics

• With many activities going on simultaneously, there are many details to be checked. Major areas to consider and plan for include: size of space or building used, utility support needed, setup (tables and chairs. tents, portable toilets, parking, signage) coordination, cleanup, emergency plans. transportation, and public services such as police and fire departments.

 >> Check back next week for more information on publicity and evaluating your event! <<

Before your event…

• Determine the event goals & objectives.
• Identify possible dates for the event.
• Prepare a preliminary agenda & guest list.
• Send meeting requirements to selected sites with requests for written proposals.
• Review site proposal(s).
• Schedule site inspection.
• Negotiate hotel rooms and blocks.
• Add any deadlines and other requirements to your deadline.

With more than 84 years of experience in the rental industry, let Mahaffey assist you with your next corporate event.  Whether it’s helping to determine square footage and crowd flows, brainstorming decor ideas, or putting together a CAD layout of your event, Mahaffey will be there from the planning to the execution of your successful event.

Now that you’ve got your tent checklist squared away, it’s time to move on to the accessories…  The term “party rentals” covers a variety of rental items, including tents, tables, chairs, linens, dance floors, etc.  The need for those rental items increases when your event is held outdoors, which more and more seem to be these days.

From the proper tent size for an outdoor wedding or corporate event, to the portable dance floor complete with tables and chairs, a good rental company, like Mahaffey Tent Rentals, will work closely with you to determine exactly what and how many rental items will be needed to make your guests comfortable and your special occasion a resounding success.

Here are a few more accessory items to complete your event:

Tables

• Round
• Rectangular

Chairs

• Folding
• Chivari/Ballroom

Linens

• Round, Floor Length
• Round, Lap Length
• Rectangular, Floor Length
• Rectangular, Lap Length
• Overlay Topper

China and/or Flatware

• Charger
• Dinner Plate
• Salad Plate
• Desert Bowl or Plate
• Cup and Saucer