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Why socializing is essential, even in a pandemic
September 1st, 2020
There has been very little to like about the year 2020. One of the latest disappointments, especially for Review readers, is the cancellation of the in-person IFAI Expo set for November. On top of all the education and new products and networking that industry members look forward to, Expo 2020 was supposed to be a […]
For small businesses, the pandemic triggers a season of uncontrolled experiments
August 1st, 2020
If you read any business news, you can’t avoid the headlines ruminating on the long-term effects of the pandemic on industry and the workplace: “How has coronavirus changed consumer spending?” “Will the COVID-19 pandemic accelerate automation?” “Can we just work from home forever?” There are a lot of opinions out there—but not a lot of […]
Barry Adams on the science and art of the awning business
August 1st, 2020
by Jill C. Lafferty "You have to be an exceptional artist. You’ve got to be able to create a vision for your customer,” says Barry Adams, owner of Peachtree Awnings in Norcross, Ga., and Tennessee Awnings in La Vergne, Tenn. “Where the customer lacks vision, we have to give them a vision about what we […]
A historical perspective to a historic pandemic
July 1st, 2020
What is the biggest professional challenge you’ve overcome? This is one of the standard questions Review asks the subjects of the Perspective cover article. While some responses are unique to an interviewee’s specific circumstances, the most common answer involves seeing a business through the economic impacts of 9/11 and the Great Recession. While the coronavirus […]
Jan Kellogg’s strategy for growth at CCP Manufacturing
July 1st, 2020
Jan Kellogg looks at the big picture for each job that CCP Manufacturing takes on, leading the company into new markets. by Jill C. Lafferty "I love working with someone who turns to us with a new idea, saying, ‘Hey, can you make this work?’ We love taking the time to be able to do […]
Kevin Greenwood and Stage Tops USA cover lives events around the globe
June 1st, 2020
by Jill C. Lafferty “Everything is visual today,” says Kevin Greenwood, owner/CEO of Stage Tops USA, a Manchester, Tenn.-based company that manufactures and installs roof skins, wind walls, stage scrims and other fabric projects for major live events around the world. “[My clients] want to be seen. The bigger the better. They want to put […]
First impressions: Crisis, and hope
June 1st, 2020
I wrote my first editorial for InTents magazine just over ten years ago. The cover of that issue featured a structure installed at the Vancouver Winter Olympics by Karl’s Event Rental (now Arena Americas). Also in that issue, the tent industry was responding to the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti with temporary structures and labor. And […]
Promoting shade in the marketplace and happiness in the workplace
April 1st, 2020
For Patrick Howe and Wholesale Shade, high-quality custom shade sails are the product of a happy and efficient workplace. by Jill C. Lafferty My day consists of making sure my employees are happy. That’s my number one job,” says Patrick Howe, owner of Wholesale Shade™, a private label shade sail manufacturer based in San Marcos, […]
Tent rental companies grapple with COVID-19 cancellations
March 13th, 2020
Amid a wave of postponed and cancelled events, tent rental companies brace for the worst while attempting to find a “win-win” for themselves and their customers. By Jill C. Lafferty Tent rentals companies that were gearing up for a robust spring season, and those whose season was already underway, spent the week of March 9 […]
Change as business strategy
February 1st, 2020
After jumping from the food industry to truck tarps, David Callahan targets customers who value quality and innovation over price. by Jill C. Lafferty Local competitors are trying to go cheaper and cheaper, while we’re trying to do more and more quality,” says David Callahan, owner of Granite State Cover & Canvas Inc., based […]