Does your company have the right insurance coverage? By Matthew Davis Don’t automatically assume you’re protected—or that your insurance is right for your business. According to one national survey, nearly 60 percent of businesses are seriously underinsured. In the event of a major claim, the survey showed that those who are underinsured could find that [...]

By Gary Stansberry Maybe you have a shot at providing equipment for a major sporting event or a large wedding. The job is complex: some equipment will be from your inventory, some subrented; subcontractor services will be required; temporary labor will be needed; you’ll incur transportation and travel costs. A lot of money is at [...]

A challenging season evokes reflections on tent rental past and future. By Kathy Schaefer The year 2011 is almost over and, like most rental business owners, I am planning for winter and the ensuing slow cash flow. It is also time to think ahead to next year’s tenting season, evaluate equipment and assess future needs. [...]

From Frozen Dead Guy Days to destination weddings, RC Special Events brings the ‘Really Cool’ to Northern Colorado. RC Special Events (RC stands for “Really Cool”) was created in 2008 from two existing businesses: A-Z Party Rentals in Fort Collins, Colo., and Rental City in Boulder. Ian Menzies, RC’s CEO, acquired A-Z in 2005, Rental [...]

Author and people-skills expert Arnold Sanow answers questions about hiring—and keeping—top-notch employees. By Arnold Sanow The unemployment rate in the United States has hovered in the range of 9-10 percent for more than two years, and many experts estimate that the true rate is even higher due to long-term unemployed people dropping out of the [...]

Use your current warehouse space creatively and efficiently and avoid the cost of expansion. By Steve Arendt Your warehouse is overflowing with tools and inventory, so you’ve obviously outgrown your current space. Are you sure? Buying a new building or adding on to an existing structure are expensive and complex propositions. Changing the way you [...]

Orion Software, Montreal, Canada, has launched SiriusCRM, an integrated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) module. Developed specifically for the rental industry, SiriusCRM enables rental companies to quickly and easily access customer information, analyze sales forecasts and marketing campaigns and manage prospect and customer data. SiriusCRM is a value-added module for the SiriusPro rental software. SiriusCRM will [...]

Work successfully with code officials to gain tent installation permits. By David A. MacArthur Pulling permits to erect tents can be like trying to hit a moving target because different code enforcement officers and fire department inspectors interpret codes differently. Understanding ahead of time what individual inspectors are looking for and why, along with trends [...]

Technology helps tent renters keep customers in the loop. By Jamie Swedberg What’s the first rule of communicating with tent rental customers? Answer the phone when it rings. “We have a rule that the phone has to be answered by the second ring or I’m off the wall, I’m up out of my chair,” says [...]

Weather, economy challenge tent rental business decisions. By Kathy Schaefer The season is drawing to a close in the Midwest with yet more weather unpredictability. I’m sure all tent companies experience their own seasons no matter what climate they are in, but this year we have all, at one time or another, been tested by [...]