Tents, Marquees and Pavilions Hire For All Events
Somersault Productions is proud to be a sponsor of the Premier Invitational on the Gold Coast, Australia’s largest junior football tournament.
We are supplying the 26 x 26 metre foyer marquee for Premier Invitational Fan Zone tent. These tents make a great addition to any event in particular as a meet and greet area or a VIP zone.
Add ons include staging, flooring and picket fencing.
Enjoy this spectacular event at the Avalon International Airshow 2019, featuring FPV racing pilots from the Australian Defence Force and Eastside FPV Melbourne club.
Within the spacious interior of the 50 x 35 Somersault Productions Majestic Marquee, the latest racing FPVs compete on a course of gates and obstacles.
FPV drone racing is a growing sport in Australia where competitors control drones equipped with cameras.
“FPV” refers to First-Person View radio control of a vehicle from the driver or pilot’s point of view.
#FPV drone racing spectacular at Avalon International Airshow 2019 under Somersault Productions Marquee - a big tent for a big event! Share on X
Australia has a trade show or expo for just about every industry and product these days.
And, whether you’re hosting a large-scale trade exhibition of 150 vendors or an intimate 10-booth show, there are a few ways to make sure it’s a success.
Business is booming at #tradeshows and #expos. Whether it’s a large-scale event or 10-booth affair, find out how to make it awesome. Share on XThe main goal of a trade show or expo is to connect buyers and sellers – helping exhibitors get a great return on their investment in your event.
With some thoughtful planning, you can host an expo that not only benefits you but also your vendors and attendees, leaving them overflowing with praise.
Here are some tips to get you started.
Look before you leap. If you’ve been to trade shows or similar events before, you already have a pool of knowledge just waiting to be tapped. You can also ask your clients what kind of events they go to and what they enjoy about those events.
Alternatively, talk to your colleagues and get some insights from industry organisations and event sponsors. If you can, ask for data on past events, number of attendees and exhibitor participation. You can also look into trade show directories or talk to your local chamber of commerce and business groups.
Once you’ve done some research, you’ll be in a much better position to decide on a theme for your event, how you want it to run, and what kind of exhibitors it will appeal to.
The size of your venue will depend on the scale of the event you’re planning. And, the bigger the venue, the more space you’ll need to fill with exhibitor displays.
However, not all trade shows need to be held in a convention or exhibition centre. If you have an event with some big equipment, or want to be more flexible with the location – why not try holding your expo in a one of our spacious tents?
For example, the Moonee Valley Bus Expo (photo above) was held in our Regal tent. The organisers chose to host their event in one of our big tops because it provided easy access for their large displays – the buses themselves – and meant they could host it in a great location with plenty of parking.
Using a tent also means your event can be self sufficient. You don’t need to operate within venue restrictions, so access and set up is totally up to you.
Think about how you want people to move through the space and where you want your key points of interest to be.
You’ll need to have a flexible floor plan to accommodate different types of displays or booths. Keep in mind that you can charge more for booths at the ends of the aisles and for those that will need more electrical outlets.
When planning your layout, make sure you factor in the number of attendees expected for your event, so you leave plenty of space for them to walk between and around the booths or displays.
Now you’ve got your theme, venue and layout, it’s time to start pitching to your ideal sponsors and exhibitors.
Present them with the vision for your event and details about the overall setup. Show your vendors and sponsors how they can benefit from your expo or trade show and let them choose their space – emphasising that with more cost comes more exposure to their ideal market.
Not all #tradeshows need to be held in a convention or exhibition centre. Think ‘outside the box’ #expos #eventplanning #events Share on XPlanning a trade show or expo is no mean feat. It takes time and effort to plan and research, secure the best venue, organise your layout, and get exhibitors and sponsors on board.
But, with careful planning, you will create an event that allows your exhibitors to connect with their target market in a unique and personal way – creating a lasting return on their investment that leaves them glowing with praise.
What do you love (or hate) about trade shows and expos?
Organising a big event can be stressful at the best of times, let alone at Christmas when expectations are high and people’s availability is low.
Christmas events like Carols by Candlelight and Christmas fairs are a great way to bring communities together, but with calendars filled with parties, end-of-year concerts and other festivities, you have to work extra hard to get people to attend.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can make sure your Christmas event is not to be missed. Here are a few tips to get you started.
When it comes to organising big events, timing is everything, and it’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas.
Not only is it a busy time for your potential guests, but also for performers and other service providers, and preparing early will help ensure you don’t miss out.
When setting your date, check whether it will clash with other events. To avoid this, consider holding your event in November to beat the Christmas rush, or, for an evening event like Carols by Candlelight, you could even hold it on a weeknight when people tend to have less on.
When you're organising #events, timing is everything & it’s never too early to start thinking about #Christmas. Share on XWhile many Christmas events are held as fundraisers, you have to spend money to make money, and the way you allocate your budget could be the difference between hosting a Christmas cracker or a fizzer.
A good place to start is to consider which items will give you the most bang for your buck.
For example, for a Carols by Candlelight event, spending more on a well-known performer may draw larger crowds, while for a Christmas fair, attractions like rides could be a worthwhile investment.
Whatever your priorities are, you’ll need to make sure you have enough cash. This may involve charging an entry fee, or, if you’re putting on a free event, seeking revenue from attractions. Sponsors are also a good way to boost your budget.
Parks and local sporting grounds are perfect for big events such as Carols by Candlelight, but, as with most things when it comes to Christmas, you’ll need to stake your claim as early as possible to avoid missing out.
When choosing a location, make sure it has plenty of parking or access to public transport as this will impact your crowd numbers, especially during the silly season when cabs can be hard to come by.
When organising an event like Carols by Candlelight, an outdoor stage is a must-have, and a tent or marquee is a great option to protect your performers and sound equipment and provide a focal point for the festivities.
The material of the tent skins in our Regal range is the thickest on the market, which helps to retain sound and will create amazing acoustics for your Christmas carols.
When it comes to Christmas events, it’s all about providing family-friendly entertainment and creating a fun, festive atmosphere that will have the kids begging to be there!
While Christmas lights and decorations, festive food and drinks and a visit from Santa are a given, attractions like a jumping castle, Christmas parade or fireworks finale are guaranteed crowd pleasers that will ensure your event is not to be missed.
Of course, for a Carols by Candlelight event, the songs will be the star of the show, so make sure you’ve lined up some quality performers.
You’ll also need to organise an MC, and don’t forget the candles – battery operated candles are a safe option that will provide a magical atmosphere for your guests.
Once the logistics of your event are in place, it’s time to let people know about it!
At this busy time of year, the more exposure your event receives the better, so make sure you promote it in your local newspaper, on social media and on street signs, and ask your sponsors to promote it too.
As well as the time and place, let people know to bring a rug or a chair – and their best singing voices.
Organising Carols by Candlelight or a #Christmas fair? Here’s how to wow the crowds this festive season #events Share on XWhen it comes to planning big Christmas events, timing is everything, and it’s never too early to get prepared.
By locking in your date and location early, spending your money wisely, creating a fun, festive vibe, and spreading the word, your event is guaranteed to be a cracker.
On the day, make sure you take the time to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy your achievement. It won’t be long before it’s time to plan the next one!
What do you enjoy most about Christmas events?
Every outdoor event is at the mercy of the weather, particularly here in Australia.
It can be perfectly fine one day, with torrential rain the next. You can also face challenges like heatwaves, extreme UV levels, and high winds.
So, how do you prepare and save yourself the stress of an unexpected change in the weather?
If you’ve spent months planning your perfect outdoor event, the last thing you want is to have to cancel because there’s a high chance of rain.
The best thing you can do is plan for rain from the start, making sure you have plenty of covered space like a pavilion, marquee or tent to keep your guests safe and dry.
It’s important to consider whether you’ll need the covered space to house your entertainment.
For example, if you’ve planned an outdoor cinema or stage, you may need a tent that has the height and depth for that kind of display.
Outdoor #events are at the mercy of the weather. Are you prepared? Share on XYou may need to have additional wet weather equipment on hand like ponchos, umbrellas and slip-proof safety mats to help people as they arrive and leave your event.
If you have stall holders, musicians, kids’ rides or food trucks, you’ll need to communicate your wet weather contingency plan with them up-front, because some may be unable to operate safely in bad weather.
Make sure you understand their cancellation policies so you don’t get any nasty surprises at the last minute.
If you’re organising an event that runs from day to night or across several days, it’s a good idea to prepare for significant temperature changes so your attendees stay as comfortable as possible.
This means providing plenty of shelter and heating for cold nights while providing shade and cool-down areas when it’s hot.
Our tents are excellent for keeping your guests comfortable because they’re made of thick, robust material that insulates against extreme temperatures.
And, our reinforced design ensures they stand strong against wind and rain.
You should also think about providing your guests with blankets on frosty evenings, and make sure you keep water and ice plentiful on hot days.
If you’re having a daytime outdoor event, you’ll also need to protect people from extreme UV exposure.
The SunSmart website has a great checklist to help you get the systems and amenities in place to protect staff, volunteers and patrons from sun damage.
This includes providing enough shade and making sure sunscreen is available.
High winds and electrical storms can wreak havoc on the best-laid plans.
If safety is a priority, no other marquees, big tops or tents can surpass ours for strength and wind rating.
In 2007, we worked with the NRMA in Sydney to provide rain protection for 400 de-roofed houses during freak winds and storms.
Once you’ve got your contingency plans in place, keep an eye on the weather forecasts as far in advance as possible.
The Bureau of Meteorology gives seven-day forecasts for most areas. Some other sites can give longer-range forecasts, but they can be unreliable.
The closer you get to your event, the more accurate the forecast will be. If big storms are a threat, keep an eye on the radar and warnings for a minute-by-minute check on where the storm is heading.
Worried about the weather? Find out how to weatherproof your big bash and keep your guests smiling #eventplanning #events Share on XMany places in Australia can experience four seasons in one day, so it pays to be prepared for your next outdoor event.
Having a wet weather contingency plan could be the difference between running a successful, profitable event or a washout.
From giving attendees ponchos and blankets to providing plenty of shade and sunscreen, make sure your show can go on – whatever the weather.
How do you plan for bad weather?
Launching a new business or product is a thrilling time for everyone involved, but it’s often tricky to think of ways to make your amazing new thing stand out.
Launch parties are a great way to show off your branding and innovation. Plus, when done well, they get people talking.
Here are five ways to make sure your launch event is the talk of the town.
#Launchparties are a great way to show off your new product – but how do you make your event the talk of the town? #events Share on XThere’s a reason you remember the superhero dress-up party you went to in 1995 – having a theme creates interest and excitement for your guests and they’ll be thinking about it for years to come.
The good news is you don’t have to have a dress-up party for this to work. A theme is effective because it gives your event some structure and can tie into your business or product.
For example, if you want your product to be associated with fun and entertainment, you may want to create a carnival atmosphere with circus acts, bright lights and games.
Or, if you’re after something seasonal, you could craft a winter wonderland with ice sculptures and themed food and drink, like steaming hot chocolate.
Whatever your theme, make sure it fits with your brand and is consistent across the decor, food and entertainment to give your guests an experience that’ll stick in their minds.
There are lots of different places to host events, but why not make your launch party extra special by constructing your own?
Hire a circus tent or marquee and set it up in a stunning location, just like Subaru did for the launch of their Impreza WRX.
A major launch event to 300 Subaru dealers, rally car drivers drove the new car on a demonstration track inside our huge Regal 6 tent – set up in picturesque Port Douglas, Queensland.
Using a tent like those in our Regal range will guarantee your event makes a spectacular impact from both the outside and within.
The tent skin material of the Regal range is the thickest of its kind, which means the tents not only look amazing, they’re the ultimate semi-permanent structure for superb acoustics.
They’re also incredibly safe – no other marquees, circus tents and party tents can surpass ours for strength and wind rating, so you can rest assured your party can go on, no matter the weather.
Sound plays an important part in any event. It builds the atmosphere and helps your guests feel calm and at ease while they mingle. You can also use music to build excitement or get your guests up and dancing.
It’s important to consider how you’re going to incorporate music into your launch party. Are you going to have live acts or work on your own great playlist?
If you’re having a sophisticated cocktail event, you’ll probably want to keep your music fairly subdued with a three-piece jazz band or some instrumental music. But if you’re aiming to get people onto the dance floor, you could organise a variety band with a great vocalist, or hire a DJ.
4. Use lighting to transform the spaceIt’s often an afterthought, but lighting can be a game changer when you’re holding a launch party or corporate event.
Lighting can transform the space, create ambience and be used to display videos or presentations throughout the night.
You can also use lighting to direct your guests’ gaze at key times – for example, attracting their attention for speakers or your big product reveal.
The key to a great event is happy guests, so create as many opportunities as you can to get your guests talking to each other and having fun.
Part of this involves keeping people well fed – the food is often a talking point at corporate events, so make sure it’s ample and delicious.
You should also consider some activities that fit with your theme. For example, if you’re hosting a garden party, a game of croquet could be a great way for your guests to mingle.
If you want a more high-energy event, you could install a dance floor and organise a flash mob or some professional dancers to start things off and help people get their groove on.
Short on ideas to promote your new business or product? Here are five ways to host an epic #launchparty Share on XWhen done well, launch parties create a lasting impression of all that your business or product can deliver.
Here’s a reminder of a few ways to make your next launch epic:
Hopefully, these tips can help you create a brand experience that’s the talk of the town and allows you to connect more deeply with your potential clients.
What are your tips for hosting an epic launch party?
Organising a festival or special event can be an exciting but stressful time.
Planning the acts and getting artists or vendors on board is fun, but the logistics can be a nightmare if you don’t know where to start.
Thankfully, with some careful planning and preparation, you can have your big event running like a well-oiled machine.
Here are a few tips to get you started. You can also download our 10-step checklist for an awesome festival or special event.
When you’re organising a large event, timing is critical. You need to give your team plenty of time to plan and prepare, while also making sure that your big day doesn’t clash with someone else’s – because that could have a big impact on crowd numbers.
You also need to consider the time of year you’d like to hold the festival. Will it be hot or cold, sunny or rainy?
If it’s an outdoor event, you may need lots of cover and protection from the elements.
These things will affect your equipment and set-up, and even the atmosphere of your event.
If you’re starting your own festival or coordinating one that’s been around for a while, keeping the cash flowing is essential.
To help with this, you may need to pre-sell tickets or organise sponsorships.
It’s also important to keep your budget on track and avoid spending all your cash on your star attraction.
To decide on a location or site, you need to consider the size of your event and what access points, permits and facilities you’ll need.
If you’re organising a music festival, you’ll need plenty of room for the stages and backstage areas and, if it’s a weekend event, you’ll also need to consider space for camping.
If you’re using circus tents like The Majestic, which boasts the widest span of any marquee structure in Australia, you might need to check if you can use pegs on the site.
A few essentials for every major event are:
Make sure you have a plan for how you’re going to manage these essential elements. For example, you might need to hire generators and a security team, organise food stalls or catering – and don’t forget the humble port-a-loo!
With some solid preparation, you can feel confident that your special event will run smoothly and seamlessly.
Check and re-check your procedures, and be ready to adjust on the go.
Most of all, have fun and enjoy the ride!
Here is an aerial snapshot of Somersault Production’s 50 X 95 metre Majestic Marquee, at the recent Castrol Edge Townsville event.
Take a look at our entire Majestic tent and large marquee range for hire, on our website.
Somersault Productions is a leading tent hire company for events, Australia wide.
