Author: Amazing News Editor

Adding sparkle to your corporate Christmas event

Friday 02 December 2022 by Amazing News Editor

Saddlespans are extremely adaptable for multiple uses. One element that a SaddleSpan lends itself to, is a good bit of themed decorating. At this time of year, we’re not just talking about a tatty bit of tinsel, oh no. The festive fun of corporate events, parties, and balls in December means that the Amazing Tent team can ‘elf’ you create some Christmas Magic – whether you’re treating your employees or delighting your customers.  

This blog explores some of our Christmas transformation ideas – you’ll have a Winter Wonderland, Santa’s Grotto or an Après Ski setting in no time. Especially by combining your knowledge of how to ‘turn up the heat’ in your SaddleSpan (as covered in our November blog).  

The SaddleSpan canopy can keep you covered for an exclusive skating rink party by simply removing the sides – leaving you protected from the elements, whilst still providing the perfect outdoor ice-skating experience. Alternatively, the space can be divided by themed decoration, physical divides, or various activity areas – one for each part of your corporate Christmas event. For example you could create: 

  • a catering space for a Gingerbread house decorating competition  
  • a cocktail mixology class 
  • an intimate area for activities like a Festive Quiz or a ‘Never have I ever’ ice breaker 

There’s also plenty of room for:   

  • a casino – for your colleagues to have a festive flutter
  • a karaoke night – to belt out your favourite Christmas tunes   
  • a photo booth – to pose in front of a wintery backdrop 
  • a visit from Father Christmas and his elves  – to find out if you’ve been naughty or nice! 

These are all great photo opportunities which will continue for weeks to be a hilarious talking point around the office water cooler. 

Once you have decided what celebratory atmosphere you are aiming for and the functionality you need, we will guide you through the structure and canopy size of the SaddleSpan. We also supply the relevant risk assessments and advise on any adverse weather conditions, to help ensure your festive fun is exactly that.   

 

 

 

 

← Back to Amazing News

Turn up the heat on your next event

Tuesday 01 November 2022 by Amazing News Editor

One of the most common queries when hiring a SaddleSpan over the winter months is whether the space will be warm enough. The answer is yes! Large heaters are very effective, and this means that SaddleSpans can be used all year round. You can rest assured you’ll be able to create a warm and welcoming space.

Assuming you would like to keep your guests as toasty as possible, we would suggest hiring a SaddleSpan with sides.

One of the most efficient heating methods is an indirect diesel heater, which sits outside and provides large volumes of clean, fume-free warm air through duct pipes. These heaters are controlled by a thermostat inside – much like the heating in your own home. They are excellent at warming up large spaces quickly and for long periods of time. Simply position outside your SaddleSpan and enjoy the warmth inside.

Halogen or infrared heaters without fans do not tend to be powerful enough to heat bigger spaces, so are best avoided. You may also want to avoid using a space heater – despite the lure of the cheaper hire costs. This is because they’re meant for use in well-ventilated areas, and without this it could potentially lead to carbon monoxide build-up.

Once you have chosen your heating option, we recommend getting them going at least an hour before your guests are due, so it is cosy and welcoming for their arrival.

Other tips to keep your SaddleSpan warm for a winter occasion include:

· Choosing a hardwood flooring rather than matting to help insulate your event from the colder ground.

· Not seating anyone too near the entry and exit points, even the best heating cannot stop draughts.

· You can create a feeling of warmth by choosing darker, richer colours and luxuriously comfortable furnishings when you consider the décor for your event.

· Lighting is also key when it comes to creating a cosy atmosphere, so go for warm coloured lights to give the illusion of warmth on a chilly evening.

With these winter warmer tips in mind, holding an event over the cooler months of the year does not need to leave anyone out in the cold. And with our extensive event experience we can be on hand to advise you on your next exciting winter event.

← Back to Amazing News

Our top tips for a spooktacular shindig!

Wednesday 05 October 2022 by Amazing News Editor

Halloween season is upon us this month, and whether you’re a university, college, company, or any other organisation celebrating the spooky season – we’re here to help.

The versatility of the SaddleSpan tent, means it can be seamlessly transformed into a haunted house, a candlelit cellar crawling with creepiness, or a dark and dingy dungeon for your ghoulish get-together. Here’s how:

Space – with one of our SaddleSpans you can ensure your party venue will give your guests, performers, and caterers enough room to get their spook on. SaddleSpans can be arranged to fit everything from entertainment equipment and technology, catering, and of course, displaying the creative contributions of a pumpkin carving competition. It can achieve all of this whilst adding to the ambience of your celebrations.

Access – if you opt for an old, spooky venue, it could potentially have harder-to-access areas for guests and staff. When you hire a SaddleSpan we ensure that the whole venue, including entrances and exits, are accessible and Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant. For example, access ramps may be installed to make the most of the venue for everyone to enjoy your murder mystery dinner or creepy coffin café.

Lighting – SaddleSpans look impressive with lighting and décor. They can easily be converted into a monsters’ ball, creating a fitting venue for your spooky soirée. The range of stunning lighting effects is endless and has an enormous impact on atmosphere. For example, you could use coloured lighting and projections through potted trees, conjuring a misty, otherworldly feeling. We can even help you to screen a horror film at your ghastly going on with a pop-up cinema inside the SaddleSpan. 

Health and Safety– we conduct a full health and safety inspection before signing off on our tents, always bearing in mind whether it is safe for the specific activity you have planned for your event.

So why not get everyone together in the scary spirit to socialise and descend on the dancefloor in frightening fancy dress?

The creepy costumes we will leave to you – but rest assured we can accommodate your needs to create a perfectly spellbinding Halloween event.

← Back to Amazing News

A look back at our Summer of Saddlespans

Wednesday 07 September 2022 by Amazing News Editor

In May our Saddlespans were at VET Fest, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Coventry, and Creamfields South. Sheena Jones, Head of Operations at Creamfields tooted our flute saying: “We love the style of the Saddlespans from Amazing Tents – they’re an iconic part of the Creamfields festival landscape.” Well, thank you Sheena. You’ve made us blush! 

We went onwards into June at Loungefest, followed by “the most rambunctious garden fête” at The Great Estate Festival in Cornwall. July saw us on site with the exclusive Soho House Festival and then we were part of the very last Cornbury Festival. August was our busiest month: we spent some time by the sea at Boardmasters Festival, and then to the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside with Big Feastival. And we have recently come off-site from both Hide & Seek and the Reading and Leeds Festivals. Phew! 

We also have the Jockey Club Blenheim Horse Trials in Oxford coming up later in September. However, we’re not completely wrapped up for the year, as we do of course supply events over the autumn and winter with our heated Saddlespans providing lots of warmth.  

We’ve enjoyed looking back over this year’s sites, festivals, and events. If you are a festival producer or events professional planning your alfresco summer 2023 shindigs, bear in mind Sheena’s kind words and get in touch with us so we can help you to make your event Saddlespan smart! +44 (0)7778 835 207  / enquiries@amazingtent.co.uk 

“September is a thirty-days long goodbye to summer, to the season that left everybody both happy and weary of the warm, humid weather and the exhausting but thrilling adventures.” – Lea Malot 

Photo credit: Geoffrey Hubble. Creamfields.  

← Back to Amazing News

We can pitch anywhere!

Monday 08 August 2022 by Amazing News Editor

SaddleSpans are one of the most versatile and impressive temporary event structures in the industry, catering for any number of people and every type of event. From festivals and concerts to corporate events, parties and balls.

We work with event planners, design professionals, and discerning businesses who know that creating an appealing venue for an event, launch or festival can bring people together to experience the ultimate wow factor. This is an especially great opportunity when pitching our Saddlespans in a unique location.

The SaddleSpans are strong, weather resistant, flexible event structures that look fantastic. . They’re able to be erected on grass, or hardstanding, and without poles to detract from the interior space. They can be custom designed to your needs to offer a perfect fit. As there are no ropes or cumbersome support mechanisms, Saddlespans help to improve the usability of any available space, which can be crucial when your event needs to consider turnover, the number of clients who can attend, or at an event where space is at a premium.

Don’t forget, the versatile Saddlespan can also incorporate your company logo to help promote your business.

One of our largest structures consists of Seven S5000 Saddlespans connected together. Creating an area of 2,910 m2 with a standing capacity of 5,820, a row seating capacity of 3,880 and Gala seating capacity of 1,620. But in reality, the modular nature of the S5000 SaddleSpan means that bespoke configurations are limitless and can be designed to suit your requirements and location.

We have the largest stock of SaddleSpan tents in Europe. The tents can be easily transported and erected by our experienced team of event professionals. to just about anywhere. Making our Saddlespans the most flexible and cost-effective solution for impactful corporate events, trade shows, trade stands, and experiential marketing solutions. Get in touch to see which of our versatile venues to book!

← Back to Amazing News

The importance of a well styled event

Monday 04 July 2022 by Amazing News Editor

The Amazing Tent Company has been part of the planning and delivery of so many diverse events over the years, so we know and appreciate the value of a well-executed themed or styled event. This might be for an exhibition, product launch, conference, concert or outdoor event; whatever the occasion, the theme will create an impactful first impression, help to engage your target audience and attract attention.

If your event is for a product launch or corporate event, ensuring it aligns with your objectives and promotes your brand is important for a success. Our Saddlespan tents are the perfect choice for brand impact, as the opaque fabric cover of the tent is easy to style with company logos and can even be used as a film projection screen. There are a number of areas on the tent that you can use to promote your message, including the sides and banners under the front of the curve.

To encourage your guests or employees to engage, create an impressive occasion so they share their experience with others. The Saddlespans have the versatility to create a space for backdrops, ‘selfie’ corners or areas for bespoke furniture and props consistent with your theme. Guests and employees will act as natural advocates for your company, event or product through organic social media promotion, so make it memorable for them.

Your style or theme should also create an atmosphere in line with your brand messaging. Saddlespan tents give you the ability to dress and light the tent to create a striking backdrop to match your theme, or showcase your product effectively. There are no internal supporting poles to block the line of sight, and with its high, wide, curvaceous design, the SaddleSpan creates a spacious and spectacular area for your event.

Executed effectively, your themed event can deliver your goals and objectives using clever and bespoke venue styling. It’s no understatement to say we live and breathe events; as a team we are uniquely placed in our industry to offer the support and advice required for every type of event, with our team having delivered some of the most prestigious events for major clients around the world.

Get in touch with us to chat over your options to create your own outstanding styled occasion.

← Back to Amazing News

Getting hitched?

Thursday 26 May 2022 by Amazing News Editor

Have you considered our SaddleSpan marquees as a unique and flexible venue for your wedding reception?

We know that many traditional wedding venues are struggling to meet demand for dates, as the ceremonies and celebrations which have been postponed for the past two years are now happening but causing a backlog of availability at some venues. If your wedding plans are being held up because of this, we can help!

A marquee wedding is one of the most versatile choices – you can put your marquee more or less anywhere you like, (with permission!). Maybe design a twilight woodland wedding reception, celebrate on a working farm, or even rock around the roses in a private garden. Creating your own wedding party venue, to your own specifications and making it a reflection of your own style and personalities is an incredibly special opportunity.

Able to be erected on grass, or on hardstanding, and without poles to detract from the interior space, our SaddleSpans can be a truly unique and beautiful backdrop to your special day. They make the most of your outdoor surroundings and give your guests the option of being indoors or outdoors.

The Amazing Tent Company will help you with the logistical and planning considerations that need to be considered when organising a marquee wedding reception. We can also advise on lighting as in many cases a day-to-evening transition will be required; the options are endless and have an enormous impact on atmosphere. If you are considering converting to canvas for your wedding reception get in touch – we will help you make it happen!

#ImgettingMarried #WeddingVenue #WeddingMarquee #Weddings #ConvertToCanvas

← Back to Amazing News

Our solutions to your creative events

Wednesday 30 March 2022 by Amazing News Editor

In the aftermath of the pandemic, we are seeing event organisers getting creative with their events, to engage and enchant audiences. We’re not sure whether that’s because the general public feel they need bigger, better and more entertainment, or because we’ve had time to develop these exciting ideas whilst sitting at home. 

2022 sees a variety of interesting event solutions for the public to choose from: immersive experiences that claim to be ‘more than just VR’. For example, the War of The Worlds live, where actors, virtual reality and 5D effects place you INSIDE the action, to on-stage holograms at the ABBA Voyage concert where you get to see ABBA’s avatars perform. Events are involving the audience, providing interactive forums and giving them control with voting handsets and video, to smart technology and experiential activities. 

But none of these events, or experiences, would work without the right venue. A venue that’s not right can have an impact on the delivery of the entertainment and the message effectively to the audience. That’s where Amazing Tents can come in!  

Naturally, each event has its own specific objectives – there are key inputs or outputs that need to be delivered. And these stimulating events, which are expensive to produce, need a venue to support these essential deliverables. Our range of tents, from our smaller Saddlespan which can hold from 120 people, right up to our Quadspan – the only one in Europe – which can hold over 3,500 audience members means we’re sure to have an event venue solution for you. 

We can help you consider what kind of atmosphere you’re looking for, the functionality you need, and how you want to use the space. Open canopy? Or enclosed space? Most events have a stage, or performance area of some kind and our tents allow branding, projection and the options for stunning lighting effects are endless, having a huge impact on atmosphere. Examples include projection-mapping presentations on to a blank canvas turning it into a live show, or immersive technology where presenters can control the presentation using body movements and even interact with videos and add comments live on stage. 

Take your event to the next level, create a buzz and attract those new demanding audiences – with our help. Get in touch and we’ll talk through your next creative event and Amazing Tent needs.

← Back to Amazing News

Events are back!

Thursday 24 February 2022 by Amazing News Editor

If you’re looking for available tickets for the confirmed festivals this summer, you’ll discover that Glastonbury is sold out, Creamfields is sold out, Reading Festival only has day passes remaining and Creamfields South has just a few tickets up for grabs too – get on those waiting lists now!

That’s before we start to look at the likes of Camp Bestival, Greenbelt and all the other fabulous festivals dotted around the UK, which are planned alongside a host of university balls, weddings and parties – it looks like we’re in for one Amazing (pun intended) summer of fun. Pull on your wellies, don your festival gear and glitter your faces…

That said, the return of events and festivals will certainly bring some learnings from the last couple of years. These are the musings from our team for the summer of 2022:

In-person events will be social and creative

Despite some hybrid events still being around, we do expect there to be a surge in in-person events such as outdoor festivals and concerts, where there is plenty of space and fresh air. People are keen to socialise in person, make up for lost time and host those events that just couldn’t be done in the same way online. For that reason, we expect in-person events to be more creative with a focus on experiences – something that online events simply can’t recreate in the same way.

Focus on sanitation and cleanliness will continue

Even once restrictions are relaxed, we predict that there will be a continued focus on sanitation and cleanliness. People are much more conscious of hygiene after two years of being constantly reminded, and the expectations of cleanliness will continue. This might mean extra toilet facilities at festivals, or hand sanitiser dispensers remaining a feature at events for the foreseeable future.

Contactless will still be king

From QR codes to virtual check-in, e-tickets and cashless bars, we expect the contactless ways of the last few years to continue. These processes have been particularly useful during social distancing, but have also proved their worth in efficiency, reducing costs and reduced waste.

The pandemic accelerated an already established trend towards more digital and contactless solutions for events. We expect that things like e-tickets are here to stay.

Reducing environmental impact

One of the benefits of events being online has been the reduced environmental impact – from less travel to less plastic packaging. This will all be on the minds of those running events, but also for attendees. We are much more aware of our impact than we were a few years ago, and all much more concerned with reducing our plastic waste and carbon footprint. We expect to see event organisers focus even more on reducing single-use plastics and looking for ways to off-set the carbon footprint of the event, such as Glastonbury’s ‘Love The Farm’ initiative, encouraging festival goers to ‘reuse, reduce, respect.’

In summary outdoor festivals and events are definitely back for 2022 and our #SaddleSpan tents will be found on site at:

Creamfields

Creamfields South

BBC Big Weekend, Coventry

The VET Festival

With more to follow…

We look forward to seeing you out there!

← Back to Amazing News

The SaddleSpan is the perfect party tent

Monday 20 December 2021 by Amazing News Editor

If you’re looking for a great, bespoke event space to hold your party, why not consider a SaddleSpan event tent? Our tents offer the wow factor for any event and make it a memorable experience, as well as offering flexibility that is hard to find in a traditional event space.

Here are a few other reasons our SaddleSpan event tents could be the ultimate event space or party venue for you:

We can assemble it almost anywhere
All we need to put up a SaddleSpan tent enough space. We can erect our event tents in a wide range of different locations, from car parks and large gardens to fields and even the grounds of stately homes. They can be put up on a variety of surfaces, including grass and concrete. We recommend you find out how much space you have to work with ahead of hiring your SaddleSpan so we can make sure you hire the right size tent for the space. We also suggest you leave a little space for us to set it up, and for any additional equipment you might need.

It’s modular, so we can make the shape work whatever your event
We can completely customise the shape and layout of our tents to meet the requirements of your event. From adding a marquee for caterers to work from, to opening out the sides to make the most of a beautiful setting or allowing ventilation. One of the best advantages of a SaddleSpan, however, is the option to create zones within the tent. This could include space for a bar area, or a dance floor; perhaps you need space for a buffet, or a chillout area as well as a dining space and a conference area? All this is possible within one tent – our team can talk you through and carefully design the best layout for you.

It has all the space you need
In our SaddleSpans you can accommodate many more guests than most interior spaces. Although there is a maximum capacity for each tent and configuration, they are larger than average indoor event spaces. This means the sky is the limit with how big you can go with your party, making it perfect for a memorable event.

It’s a blank canvas
Despite being such a large space, SaddleSpans are perfect for customising, the large white interior is the ideal blank canvas. From hanging banners, to laying click-together flooring, rig lighting to hanging screens, the options are endless, and can be absolutely spectacular. You can make your event truly customised in a way that would not be possible in a conventional venue.

A SaddleSpan could be the perfect space, giving you the flexibility and wow factor to make a very memorable event. Don’t forget to consider what size tent you need – our recent blog highlights all the factors to take into consideration: Hiring the right size tent

← Back to Amazing News