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Party Rental: An Important Part of Your Party PlanningAn interview with a Party Rental Company - ConclusionEMZ: Even in situations where you don’t know the vendor you like to coordinate with particular vendors yourself? LO: I like to, but not even so much as coordinating, that’s the event planners job... We’ll do a little bit of event planning with you, in other words we help facilitate the event. We do something called event brokering meaning that if you call us up and you’re looking to have us do some work for your event, some rentals for your event, we will turn around and say we’ll recommend these vendors for you. Here’s three caterers that fit with what you’re looking to do. We know what these caterers are capable of, we know what these florists are capable of. I’ll recommend this caterer and not that caterer because this one specializes in what you want. And that point we can keep open contact with the vendors, not coordination, but the little nit picky details that you don’t have to bother the customer with. EMZ: Right. LO: I can call the caterer and ask him what kind of flatware is the customer looking for. Do you know if the customer is looking for stainless flatware, silver plated flatware, or gold? EMZ: I see. That’s interesting. LO: Well, we’re one of the only companies that does it. Usually party rental companies handle the party rentals. If somebody asks them about a caterer, they will offer up a couple names. We take it a step further trying to alleviate the pressures and concerns that a customer has to deal with. EMZ: One question I have in my mind is where does the party rental company start and where does the caterer pick up in terms of equipment? You mentioned that you’ll furnish chairs, you’ll furnish flatware and plates, so the caterer doesn’t actually do that, they just furnish the food? Is that how it works? LO: It depends. Actually it depends on the caterer. If the caterer has the equipment they’ll supply it, obviously. Usually it’s part of their package. If they don’t have the equipment or it’s easier for us to deliver the equipment, then they’ll have us do it. EMZ: Do they sometimes subcontract you? LO: Yes. EMZ: Sometimes the client is not aware, they’re contracting with the caterer but they’re getting your services, too. LO: Uh, hmm. That all depends on the caterer. Sometimes they tell the client that they are bringing us in, sometimes they don’t.
How to choose a party equipment rental companyEMZ: Well let me ask you this. For somebody who has never done this before, who doesn’t know people in the industry, what should they look for when choosing a party rental or tent rental company?...How do they know they’re dealing with somebody reputable? LO: The American Rental Association is a great organization. It’s great for education. It gives the company validity. EMZ: I take it you’re a member? LO: Of course. Pretty much any reputable company is a member of the American Rental Association. It’s not that I’m saying that non-member companies are not reputable, however it’s a professional organization. ISES is a great organization. The companies that join ISES are serious about what they’re doing. They’re not doing party rentals as part of their business, they’re doing party rentals as their business. EMZ: Uh, hmm As for the American Rental Associatiation, how do you contact them? LO: ararental.org. EMZ: OK... that’s useful. Are there any questions people should ask when scoping out a rental company? LO: Usually when you go on to a party rental company's website they’ll give you their location, and they’ll give you some kind of write-up. Go visit your rental center. Go in there. See their equipment. Take a look at their equipment. Ask for references if you wish. EMZ: What about insurance? LO: We have lots. You can certainly ask your party rental company about the liability insurance they have. They should have ample insurance for what they are trying to do. You can have yourself named as an additional insured on their rider. Sometimes that costs you because of the rising cost of insurance nowadays. You’ll pay a fee and you’ll be listed on their contracts as an additional insured. EMZ: Especially having tents. LO: The nature of our business is that we’re creating a shelter somewhat for you. So you want to be very careful out there. Party and tent rental companies are starting to get hit hard with the rising cost of insurance. And, if you are a good solid company, you’re responding to it by paying the premiums and making sure your guests are safe, your clients are safe. EMZ: That’s interesting. We covered a lot of ground. Thank you.
To contact Larry and his party rental company, Newtown Party Center:
Tel: 215 860 0819 |