Attendees got the inside story at IFAI Tent Conference 2008

PRLog (Press Release) – Feb 05, 2008 – Tent rental industry leaders traveled from around the world to attend IFAI Tent Conference 2008, held Jan. 24-26 in Long Beach, Calif.

More than 150 attendees came for the speaker sessions, the networking, and the camaraderie. “The warm welcome received from everyone set the tempo for great networking sessions. I look forward to IFAI Tent Expo 2009 to continue to develop industry relationships,” said Hartweg Birszwilks, Julius Heywinkel GmbH, Germany.

Rick Barrera’s keynote speech was a strong highlight of the conference. Barrera explored the failings of the old cliché: Under-promise and over-deliver. “In today’s crowded market, that strategy is a one-way ticket to oblivion,” said Barrera. Instead he demonstrated how changing that strategy to “over-promise and over-deliver” has allowed a number of cutting-edge firms to build breakthrough brands in record time—all while creating unshakable customer loyalty. Dan Nolan, Tents Unlimited said, “Mr. Barrera was very good, and I believe he was able to bring out issues that many of our attendees had not thought about before hearing him speak.”

Leslie Haddad, Herculite Products, is a return participant at IFAI Tent Conference. “I come to IFAI Tent Conference to find out what the future of the tent rental industry is. I want to learn global market trends and change with them; and learn new ways to do business,” said Haddad.

The TRD Life Safety Task Force introduced its new “Training for the Tent Installer” program to Tent Rental Division membership. This program is designed to teach tent installers how they can positively impact the safety of a tented event and the success of their company. Task Force Chair Jim Reyen, Eureka Tents, said, “Our goal is increase safety best practices by providing training opportunities for tent installers. No one is better positioned than the tent installers to insure that every tented event is a success for both their company and increasing the safety of the industry as a whole.”

Thirty supplier companies were on hand during the Vendor’s Fair where attendees perused the tabletop displays, finding new products and making purchasing decisions.

Winners of TRD Award of Excellence contest were announced during the Awards Luncheon. Winning companies were:
•   Party Rental Category: HDO Productions, Northbrook, Ill.
•   Commercial Tent Rental Category: Roder Zelt-und Versanstaltunsserve, Budinger, Germany
•   Tent Manufacturing: TopTec Products LLC, Laurens, S.C.
•   TRD Best of Show: Eventequip, Landsdale, Pa.

The Tent Conference also marked the start of new terms within TRD leadership.
•   TRD Chairman: Kathy Schaefer of Glawe Tent and Awning
•   Vice Chairman: Jim Reyen of Eureka! Tents
•   Steering Committee members: Ken Keberle, Classic Prime, Phoenix; Jim Bach, Apres Party Rental, Edina, Minn.; and Sam Wodetzki, American Pavilion, Danville, Ill.

The association thanks outgoing board members including Jim Gallagher, Chicago and Todd Dalland, FTL Ventures, New York City.

IFAI Tent Conference is designed for leaders in the tent rental industry, including tent manufacturers, crew chiefs, and more. The Tent Rental Division of IFAI organizes the biannual IFAI Tent Conference and biannual IFAI Tent Expo. More information can be found at http://www.tentexperts.org

For more information on IFAI Tent Expo 2009, contact Jan Schieffer, IFAI Tent Rental Division Managing Director, 1801 County Road B West, Roseville, MN 55113; +1 651 225 6944; jmschieffer@ifai.com; visit http://www.tentexperts.org.