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Tented VIP viewing by Advanced Tent.

 

In reaching for the experiential wow, planners are staking out ground space and pitching a tent. Once thought of as just the rain back-up for outdoors events, tents today now play a starring venue role year round.

As a blank canvas with diverse styles and limitless sizes, you can dress a tent for anything—from galas to trade shows—for hosting duties anywhere—the company parking lot to the CEO's backyard for an employee thank you.

Here are a few considerations from our experts to help guide your tented event through snow, rain, and, god bless, the sunshine:

Groundwork First: Tents are marvelous for pulling huge to small events under one roof in the most surprising places. Creating an instant venue, though, does take forethought. Site inspections should include location of overhead cables and tree branches, underground systems, delivery accessibility and ground surface.

Tent Equation: How much tent is enough? Figure on 10 sq. ft. of space per person at stand-up receptions and 15 sq. ft. of personal space at sit-downs. An event with 100 people requires a tent space of 1,000 sq. ft.

A clear view in a big space from Regal Tent Productions.

 

Permit Permitting: Let your tent expert stickhandle the complexities of stringent codes and permit requirements for public event tenting over 400 sq. ft. Every municipality is different.

Snow Days: Tented events in winter are magical. Must-have elements: area cleared of snow, raised carpeted flooring with a sub-floor underneath, heated door entrance canopy with airlock capabilities and a powerful heating system. Don't forget the long broom to sweep or push snow build up off the roof.

Heating Know-how: Patio lantern heaters are a no no inside tents. Instead, proper ducting and venting along with ceiling fans help distribute heat from mini forced-air furnaces. From April to December, a propane furnace does the job. In the dead of winter, or in very large tents, call on the power of diesel-fire to keep guests toasty.

Keep 'Em Cool: Working along the same system as the heating does, consider air conditioning for a welcoming environment on hot summer days.

Colour Play: White's a winner in tenting fabrics since its starkness plays up décor accents. Black's a runner up for its unique distinctiveness, and clear tents bring the outdoors in.

A formal setting from Yukon Tents & Event Furnishings.

 

Perfect Sightlines: Freestanding frame and clear-span tents, without the normal interior supports and exterior guy lines, offer unobstructed sightlines, trip-free walking room and can be virtually limitless in length due to their modular design.

Décorative Camouflage: Hide internal framework with interior draping, furniture and foliage. Create a false ceiling with roof swags and add wall interest and colour with softly draped fabrics.

Designing Trends: Lounge looks in a tented setting evoke a true South Beach flare. Windows and French doors lend elegant substance to a temporary structure.

Shed Some Light: From mini lights to chandeliers, from coloured mood lighting to systems that pack a concert wallop, all are tent doable. For evening events, don't forget external perimeter lighting including the footpath to the entrance.

Floor Me: Not only does flooring guard against wet feet and level out uneven ground, it can also be designed to match décor theme in a variety of colours, materials and faux finishes.

Forget Me Not: Portable restroom facilities often go hand in hand with tented events. Use smaller canopy tents to create a walkway or line-up shelter.

Material Choice: Vinyl rules for its durability, but a less rigid 100% acrylic awning material is becoming a popular choice for custom tent products.

Shapely Curves & Complexes: Sure, square–and rectangular–style tents are great, but curvaceous rounds and multi-peaked roofs add so much more interest. Combine styles and add auxiliary tenting to create a multi-room architectural standout.