1. Be Strong
If you anticipate wind or other inclement weather conditions on the day of the event, consider a clear-span tent, which has no side ropes or poles. These tents rely on an aluminum framework that is far stronger than a traditional rope-and-pole tent and can withstand greater forces of weather and stress. Expect to pay another 50 percent to twice the price for the added support.
2. Get Creative
Wall-to-wall carpeting is a luxe touch, or clear-top tents allow guests to dance under the stars—without the bugs or humidity. Many companies like Starr Tents have met requests for multilevel flooring, like lounge furniture raised above the dining level with a dance floor below it. “It’s a real sharp look,” says owner Chris Starr.
3. Be Cost-Conscious
Installing extras like level flooring or air-conditioning can be pricey, so assess whether or not you really need them. Using plastic instead of a chiffon liner (or fabric strips rather than full sheets) for the tent interior can cut costs. Or, “if the party’s in early May, our clients might be able to do without air-conditioning,” says Stamford Tent and Party Rental owner Steve Frost.
4. Be Street Smart
Tenting an event in an urban environment comes with special challenges. You can’t drive stakes into city streets, so different kinds of anchors like water barrels or cement blocks must be used to secure tents instead. In addition, load-in and loadout times are often abbreviated in the city because the space must be made available for the public before and after the event, so you’ll need a crew and equipment that can meet the time constraints. “It’s cheaper to set up a tent in a wideopen event site,” says Cole Freestone, general manager of Las Vegas-based Clear Span Tents. “For urban environments with narrow entry areas and other obstructions, hand-carrying equipment may be necessary and will increase the cost.”
5. Plan Ahead
Crossing your fingers it won’t rain on your outdoor event? Plan for a tent anyway. “The cost for getting a permit ranges from about $3,500 to $6,000 but you must plan to get one even if you’re not sure you’ll need it. If you wait until you’re sure, you might not be able to get one at all,” says P. J. McBride vice president of sales Doug Purslow. Manhattan requires that tenting permits be filed 10 days in advance of an event, and assesses a $1,000 fine per day for late filing. Simply getting the permits takes time too, so start early. “If you’re planning something huge, you need to do it six to eight months out,” Purslow says.
—Alesandra Dubin
This story originally appeared in the May/June 2004 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
If you anticipate wind or other inclement weather conditions on the day of the event, consider a clear-span tent, which has no side ropes or poles. These tents rely on an aluminum framework that is far stronger than a traditional rope-and-pole tent and can withstand greater forces of weather and stress. Expect to pay another 50 percent to twice the price for the added support.
2. Get Creative
Wall-to-wall carpeting is a luxe touch, or clear-top tents allow guests to dance under the stars—without the bugs or humidity. Many companies like Starr Tents have met requests for multilevel flooring, like lounge furniture raised above the dining level with a dance floor below it. “It’s a real sharp look,” says owner Chris Starr.
3. Be Cost-Conscious
Installing extras like level flooring or air-conditioning can be pricey, so assess whether or not you really need them. Using plastic instead of a chiffon liner (or fabric strips rather than full sheets) for the tent interior can cut costs. Or, “if the party’s in early May, our clients might be able to do without air-conditioning,” says Stamford Tent and Party Rental owner Steve Frost.
4. Be Street Smart
Tenting an event in an urban environment comes with special challenges. You can’t drive stakes into city streets, so different kinds of anchors like water barrels or cement blocks must be used to secure tents instead. In addition, load-in and loadout times are often abbreviated in the city because the space must be made available for the public before and after the event, so you’ll need a crew and equipment that can meet the time constraints. “It’s cheaper to set up a tent in a wideopen event site,” says Cole Freestone, general manager of Las Vegas-based Clear Span Tents. “For urban environments with narrow entry areas and other obstructions, hand-carrying equipment may be necessary and will increase the cost.”
5. Plan Ahead
Crossing your fingers it won’t rain on your outdoor event? Plan for a tent anyway. “The cost for getting a permit ranges from about $3,500 to $6,000 but you must plan to get one even if you’re not sure you’ll need it. If you wait until you’re sure, you might not be able to get one at all,” says P. J. McBride vice president of sales Doug Purslow. Manhattan requires that tenting permits be filed 10 days in advance of an event, and assesses a $1,000 fine per day for late filing. Simply getting the permits takes time too, so start early. “If you’re planning something huge, you need to do it six to eight months out,” Purslow says.
—Alesandra Dubin
This story originally appeared in the May/June 2004 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
Guests at the 2003 Central Park Conservancy Frederick Law Olmsted awards luncheon dined inside a tent from Stamford Tent and Party Rental, decorated with foliage climbing the tent poles.
Travel & Leisure created an African safari-style tent camp inside a clear tent from P.J. McBride on Pier 46 at Hudson River Park for the mag's World's Best awards.
