Month: May 2014

Is your event prepared for the worst?

Thursday 29 May 2014 by Amazing News Editor

The key to successful event organising is not envisaging how amazing your day will be (although fingers crossed, it will be!) – it’s imagining what can go wrong.

This isn’t just a rather pessimistic way of looking at event planning. Imagining worst-case scenarios is the only way to prepare for them, so that your event has more chance of running smoothly.

Worst-case scenarios: what to prepare for

Amongst the most common worried-about situations for event planners are:

• Bad weather. In the UK, we can consider ourselves lucky that it’s only wind and rain we have to worry about, rather than blizzards, earthquakes and hurricanes like in other countries! However, wind and rain alone can ruin an outdoor event, but not if you’re prepared with large marquees and event tents for guests to shelter under. If the weather goes your way, your tents won’t be essential, but they are handy alternative spaces for you to use.

• Fire. This is something that all organisers dread, as it can be very serious indeed. If you follow all fire precautions to the letter (and then go one step further) and carry out all risk assessments, you should be fine.

• Non-attendance. If people don’t turn up, your event could be a flop. You need some sort of contingency plan for this – even if it is just calling in a few favours from friends and family members!

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How to make a small festival a success

Tuesday 27 May 2014 by Amazing News Editor

When it comes to festivals, not everyone wants chart-topping bands and field upon field packed with rowdy campers. Some of us like things a little more low-key, which is why we choose smaller festivals featuring local and undiscovered talent, family-friendly activities and more unusual attractions.

If you haven’t found the right festival for you, why don’t you start one? Here are the 5 things you need to know to get your small festival up and running:

1. Get a professional set-up. We all like a good sing-song around the campfire, but when it comes to booking musicians and artists, both performers and audiences expect a certain standard. Get the right equipment, including event tents and festival stage covers to protect your performers from the elements and make the sound quality as good as you possibly can.

2. Make it accessible. Your festival may be small, but people still need to know how to get there. Choose a location that’s near local transport or public transport links, or put on a transfer for your festival-goers.

3. Do something different. Whether it’s a theme, attraction or star booking, give your festival a unique selling point.

4. Get the word out. No one will come to your festival if they don’t know about it – so start publicising your event!

5. Don’t let success go to your head. If your festival is a hit, you might be tempted to expand a little next year to make some more money…then a bit more the year after. Before you know it, you’re a sell out with a huge festival on your hands!

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How to make corporate training events more fun

Wednesday 21 May 2014 by Amazing News Editor

Do your employees currently roll their eyes and sigh heavily whenever the words ‘company training day’ or ‘team building exercise’ are mentioned? If so, you might need to come up with a new strategy to get your team to engage with essential corporate events and make them actually want to attend.

Here are a few ideas:

Switch venues

If you use the same venue year after year, it might be time for a change. Think outside the box and choose a more exciting and unusual venue, such as an old castle, a camp in the forest or maybe a large marquee if it’s a big corporate event.

Head outdoors

People are much more motivated and energised when they’re out in the fresh air, so why not take your event outside? You can’t predict the weather, but if you go for an event tent, you’ll have cover in case it rains. This also gives you lots of scope for outdoor activities, as well as letting a little of the great outdoors into your venue.

Rethink the programme

Changing the programme of activities, speakers and seminars is a good way to keep things interesting for long-standing employees who’ve attended a lot of corporate events. Doing the same thing every year will only send them to sleep, so switch things up a bit.

Don’t forget the fun!

You want to pack as much into your corporate events as possible, but don’t forget to give your team some breathing room to relax and have fun.

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How to choose the right size tent for your event

Tuesday 13 May 2014 by Amazing News Editor

Putting on a large event with a lot of guests involves a huge amount of planning. There is so much to organise and so many things that could go wrong (let’s not think about that right now).

It all starts with finding the right venue, and if you have your heart set on an event tent or marquee then you’re going to need to pick the right size. This is crucial – choose a tent that is too small and you won’t be able to fit all of your guests inside comfortably, or you could even breach fire regulations. A tent that is too big can be just as bad, you’ll spend a lot more on large marquee hire and your tent will feel too empty.

Here’s how to get the right size tent for your event:

1. Plan out how the space inside the tent will be used. If some parts of the tent will be used as bar areas, VIP spaces or backstage areas, they can’t be used for guests. The same goes for tables and other equipment or furniture that will take up space. This will limit the amount of people you can fit in.

2. Always give yourself extra room to play with. A small amount of excess space is OK, as you can fill it with furniture or decorations, or rearrange the layout. However, if you hire a tent that fits exactly the number of guests, there’s always the risk of running out of room.

3. Get an accurate idea of how many people are coming. Don’t just wait to see if they turn up on the day – get people to RSVP or buy tickets so you can get some definite ideas of numbers.

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5 things you need to know about Saddlespan Tents

Friday 09 May 2014 by Amazing News Editor

 

Saddlespan tents are widely used all over the world, but it’s amazing how little is known about them. Here are the 5 essential (and surprising) facts you need to know:

1. They are the most versatile of all temporary structures

Think of Saddlespan tents like Origami models – there are lots of different versions and each can be deconstructed and reconfigured in a variety of different ways. This makes them hugely versatile.

2. They’re not called Saddleback tents

A common misconception with Saddlespans is that they are called saddleback tents. This is understandable, as the core of the tent’s design is based on the classic saddle shape. They have been mistakenly called many different names, from saddleplan tents to even saddle-up tents, but if you don’t want to make an embarrassing faux pas, the word you want is Saddlespan.

3. They have multiple personalities

One Saddlespan tent can be used for any number of different purposes. One minute they are stage covers for festivals, the next they are huge marquees or conference tents. Other uses include exhibitions, corporate functions, hospitality events, product launches…the list is virtually endless.

4. Most people have seen a Saddlespan without even realising

One of the most common uses of these impressive event tents is at festivals. Most of us have been to a festival of some kind at least once in our lives, and where there’s a festival – there’s likely to be a Saddlespan!

5. They’re modular

We already know that Saddlespans can be reconfigured in many different ways, but the way this is done is fascinating. Different models can be put together in any number of different arrangements, so you can effectively stick together modules to create your perfect event tent!

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The Amazing Tent Company Help to Bring Music to the South West

Thursday 08 May 2014 by Amazing News Editor

A musical experience like no other is currently sweeping through Plymouth, Torbay and Cornwall, bringing music lovers together to experience music in a different way.

The Philharmonia Orchestra have joined up with communities throughout the South West to bring you iOrchestra – a free interactive digital music experience aiming to ignite enthusiasm for classical music.

Whether you are young, old, or would rather not say, the iOrchestra experience is set to immerse you deep within the world of classical music.

At the heart of iOrchestra – set under one of our very own DuoSpan tents – is the Philharmonia’s award-winning digital “virtual orchestra” installation called RE-RITE.

RE-RITE is a large-scale walkthrough experience that takes you on an amazing musical journey through a real orchestra. RE-RITE allows you to digitally interact with each section of the orchestra as if you were actually a part of it.

Imagine playing along with an orchestra, standing amongst over 100 professional playing musicians…or even conducting the orchestra yourself!

Well you no longer have to imagine!

As you walk underneath our DuoSpan tent you will be faced with a series of big screen projections. In one area you will see the musicians and in the other the conductors. Then you will be able to take center stage with them both and either perform with the orchestra on real instruments as part of the percussion, or try your hand at conducting.

RE-RITE is currently touring the South West at the following locations, keep an eye out for our fabulous DuoSpan tent and you’ll know you are at the right place.

FREE ADMISSION

Plymouth: Plymouth City Centre, The Piazza, Armada Way, PL1 2EW

Tuesday 29 April – Thursday 1 May: 10am-6pm

Friday 2 May: 10am-8pm (late-night opening)

Saturday 3 May – Thursday 8 May: 10am-6pm

Friday 9 May: 10am-8pm (late-night opening)

Saturday 10 May: 10am-6pm

Torbay: Torre Abbey Meadows, Torbay Road, Torquay, TQ2 5JE (approx.)

Monday 26 May – Saturday 7 June, 12-8pm

Cornwall: Lemon Quay Piazza, TR1 2LP

Monday 30 June – Thursday 3 July: 10am-6pm

Friday 4 July: 10am-8pm (late-night opening)

Saturday 5 July – Thursday 10 July: 10am-6pm

Friday 11 July: 10am-8pm (late-night opening)

Saturday 12 July: 10am-6pm

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Marquees and tents are a must for local festivals

Wednesday 07 May 2014 by Amazing News Editor

More and more towns and villages throughout the UK are putting on festivals, fetes and markets, especially in summer time. These events are a fabulous way to get communities together, boost local businesses and promote local talent (i.e. musicians, artists, crafters).

Planning one of these events can be a tricky business. You often have to work with a very limited budget, and there’s not always a clear idea of how many people will actually attend. Then there’s the weather to contend with….

Try a tent!

Unless you have a community hall or another indoor venue to fall back on, the best way to protect your event from the elements is to use tents. Event tents and marquees – available in different sizes depending on the scale of the event – are perfect for community events such as fairs, fetes and markets. They allow people to mill in and out, they can easily accommodate lots of stalls and they are great social spaces.

Tents also make great spaces for concerts, performances and readings, as they can be easily fitted out with lighting and sound equipment, and they also have great acoustics – especially if you go for specially designed festival stage covers.

In summer, people want to enjoy the outdoors. With a tent, the people who come to your event can enjoy the best of both worlds – the fresh air and sunshine as well as a cover to duck under in case it rains. Remember – you can’t control the weather on the day of your event, but you can prepare for it.

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