Introduction to Tents

Hi everyone, welcome back! Today we are talking about a very big passion of ours here at SOHO, tents. When it comes to event tents there are many options, so we thought it would be helpful to break down the different types of tents and give y’all just a little bit of information about each one. The first thing you should understand is that our tents fall into certain categories based on their build and structure. The three categories of tents we work with at SOHO; pole tents, frame tents, and engineered structure tents.

So let's start with a pole tent. As you probably guessed, these tents are named this because they are supported by poles on the perimeter of the tent as well as in the center. They are secured through the use of stakes in the ground and ratchet straps that tension the tent tops as they are tightened. The tent tops are laced together to create a full canopy. There are different ways to secure different tents, but a pole tent requires the use of stakes. This means you are limited in where you place these tents as they must be staked into the ground. Because these tents are supported by the center poles, you can go larger than a frame tent. Pole tents have a lot of character and style, like high peaks and flags. Our favorite pole tent here at SOHO is the sailcloth tent. They have natural wood poles and give off a beautiful glow when lit up at night!

Next is the frame tent. This tent is the type most of y’all are familiar with from events you've attended, such as; Arts & Crafts, Mardi Gras, or festivals. These white vinyl tents are supported only by perimeter poles with no poles in the center. The frame is assembled and then the tent top is placed on top of the frame and secured to the frame. Because of this, frame tents are limited in size to a maximum of 50’ wide. With a frame tent you have two options for securing; stakes or concrete. If we are unable to stake your frame tent to secure it, we will then use concrete blocks. The size of the tent will determine how much weight is required to safely secure the tent. A perk of the frame tent is that it is a very open layout with lots of room to work with since there are no center poles to contend with. Because of this, these tents are used in a variety of environments for a multitude of events.

The final tent type we work with at SOHO is an engineered structure tent. These tents are supported by perimeter poles with no need for center poles or extra supports. This allows for a clean looking event space. Losberger tents are the structure tents we work with. The tops of these tents are attached through the use of keder tracks, allowing them to easily slide in and be pulled into place. With the use of keder tops this helps give a very tight fit to help keep the elements out of your event. These tents are professionally certified by an engineer to be structurally sound and safe. They are able to handle weather, such as heavy rain, snow, and they are even wind rated up to 100+mph. Because of this, these tents are often put up for extended periods of time. You can get these tents tops in clear, all white, or a mix of clear and white tops. This gives you flexibility of style when you are designing your event. A factor to keep in mind is that the clear tops can get hot during warmer months. The combination of the Losberger tents strength and safety as well as style flexibility make it an extremely versatile tent, and one of our favorites!

We hope that this general overview of our types of tents has helped you understand a little more about them and will aid you in deciding which type of tent is best for your event. If you have any questions, we would be happy to answer them!

Until next time, cheers!

Weather Worries

Hey y’all, welcome back! Today's topic is one that can cause stress on anyone planning an out event. You guessed it... weather. Due to its unpredictable nature, weather can be difficult to plan for. Because of this, event professionals have adapted and created what the industry refers to as a “weather backup plan”.

No matter where your event is located geographically, you will need to take the weather into consideration when planning your outdoor event. Here in the South, our weather is especially unpredictable. We contend with heat, humidity, and thunderstorms. These weather conditions are heightened in the spring and summer months. If you are planning an event during the fall or winter seasons, you will need to consider cold temperatures and the potential for rain.

Our goal at SOHO is to assist you in developing a weather backup plan from the very beginning that still works with the vision for the event. Once we have an idea of your vision for your special event and the details of when and where it will be held, we will discuss the potential need for a weather backup plan. The first step is to understand your different tenting options. We have the largest tent inventory on the Gulf Coast and pride ourselves on having a variety of different options and sizes when it comes to tenting! We understand the importance of keeping your event design intact, even if you decide to move forward with your weather backup plan. 

Once you have selected your tent option, we will walk you through other potential rentals you may need when considering different weather factors. Again, the location and season of your event will influence these selections. These could be numerous options including: sidewalls, gutters, lighting, draping, walkways, heaters, fans, or even thermostat controlled heating or cooling.

Until next time, Cheers!

Blogs are Back!

Hey y’all, welcome to the SOHO blog! For those of you who aren't familiar with us you might be asking, what does SOHO stand for? SOHO stands for SOuthern HOspitality and that's what we're all about. We are social people who love making strangers feel like friends and friends feel like family. So come on in and make yourself at home!

SOHO was started in 2014 by event professionals with a background in events / food & beverage and a passion for the hospitality industry. Over the years our team, inventory and client reach has grown exponentially. We are based Fairhope, AL serving the Southeast. Our goal is to provide quality product and exceptional customer service to our clients. We have the pleasure of working with some of the top vendors in the industry as well as corporate clients across the Southeast. We have the BEST clients and we are so thankful for each and every one of them!

Our inventory serves a multitude of different styles, from simple to luxurious and ornate. This also allows our team the ability to be flexible and work with numerous events with varying timelines. Our experience, gives us first-hand knowledge to be a great resource for you as you navigate the planning process.

Whether your event is a small backyard wedding or a large scale, multi-day corporate retreat, SOHO has the team, inventory, skills, and passion to make your event stand out! We love to be as involved as possible in the planning process. From initial site visits down to the silverware chosen for your event, we are here to guide you and bring your vision to life! SOHO is here for you now. And tomorrow. And next week. We value you and your event!

Our blog is a place you can turn to for general information, resources, and inspiration. We plan to share all about our inventory, planning resources, frequently asked questions, inspiration, and highlight our wonderful community of vendors we work with. We hope our passion for events and event rentals will be evident throughout our posts. We would love to hear from you! Comment and share topics you would like for us to discuss in a future blog post!

We look forward to bringing you along our journey as we continue working with the best clients and vendors! If you're planning an event, reach our team via the contact page or stop by our Fairhope Showroom, we would love to work with you!

Thanks for following along! Cheers!