InTents April/May 2021 - 26

Melani Kodikian,
president
A to Z Party Rental
Montgomeryville, Pa.
www.atozpartyrental.net
A to Z Party Rental is an
events services firm offering
a full selection of tents and
event rental items for special
occasions of all sizes.
Employs: 25 to 50

Suzanne Warner,
sales
Tentnology
Surrey, B.C., Canada
www.tentnology.com
Tentnology is a manufacturer of
commercial tents, event tents and
fabric structures.
Employs: 60 to 90

26 intents

0421IT_16_33.indd 26

M

Q: What advice would you give to
someone interested in making a
career in the tent and event industry?

S

Q: What do you think surprises
people about what it takes to work
in this industry?

elani Kodikian chose to
enter the tent industry
because of her early
exposure to the family business.
Her path to success within the
company included learning
all aspects of the business and
working in all of its departments
before taking over the company.
She continually educates herself
through collaboration and industry
education, resulting in expansion
of the products offered, capacity
and client base of the company. Her
company has quadrupled in size
since she assumed leadership.

uzanne Warner's introduction
to the industry was fortuitous,
both personally and
professionally. With a background in
design and cosmetics and working
for a major cosmetics company, she
found herself 35 years ago sitting
in a cafe in Whistler, B.C., Canada,
admiring a unique potato-chip
shaped tent structure. By chance, a
few days later she met Gery Warner,
the guy who makes them. She ended
up marrying Gery and bringing her
talents to Tentnology. Since then,
she and Gery have been leading the
company in its trajectory of success.

A: The opportunities in this industry
are endless. I would advise anyone
interested to cut your teeth and work in
every position at a company-starting
from the ground up. I would tell you
to educate yourself continuously
because you are never done learning.
Be active in an organization that
supports our industry, MATRA, IFAI or
ARA (American Rental Association),
and make friends in the industry. You'll
learn the most from them.
And for women in particular, this
is an industry that works very hard
and expects the same from everyone
around them, regardless of gender.
Prove yourself through your actions;
set your own goals.

A: It is much more than the glamour of
the beautiful tent. One needs a lot more
financial acumen to excel. ROI (return
on investment) and the operating costs
of owning, storing and maintaining
tents are important. Understanding
logistics is helpful, as well as how
to read floor plans and the technical
aspects of selling space. You need to
understand measurements; a 20-foot
tent might not fit into a 19-foot space.
Grasp field leadership, train crews,
know soil and earth considerations
for anchorage, and where you will find
that 12,000-volt buried line. Moreover,
you have to deliver the product on
time, every time. Being in this business
is like being a swan. It is calm and
beautiful above while you are paddling
like hell below.

april-may 2021

3/29/21 6:46 PM


http://www.atozpartyrental.net http://www.tentnology.com

InTents April/May 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of InTents April/May 2021

InTents April/May 2021 - Cover1
InTents April/May 2021 - Cover2
InTents April/May 2021 - 1
InTents April/May 2021 - 2
InTents April/May 2021 - 3
InTents April/May 2021 - 4
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