GUEST BLOGGER: Bryan Phelps from Classic Party Rentals

We are very pleased to introduce our next Guest Blogger, Bryan Phelps from Classic Party Rentals. As we strive to bring our readers industry tips as well as cool ideas from our posts we hadn't seen anything that was really from the Rental Experts viewpoint. If they could tell planners ahead of time what would those top tips be... Well, we were lucky enough to get Bryan to help us out.

Please see below his Top 15 Tips for Planners Using a Rental Company.

1. Dont go in with a pre-conceived notion of what you want to pay. Create a table you like and then take away items if you needto cut costs.



2. Never cut costs or lengths on linens.



3. For bar glassware, order 2.8 glasses per person.



4. Have your rentals delivered the day before your event, especially for tenting.



5. Always add something of your own, a personal touch to bring it ‘home.’ A pair of salt & pepper shakers, napkin rings, a vase etc. Something that says you brought yourself to your event as well.



6. Review your order closely before your event. Make sure you have every plate, fork and glass needed for what you are serving.



7. Ask for an outside sales person when placing an order. Take a moment to tell them a little about what you want to achieve with your event. Develop a working relationship with that person and their assistant.



8. Check with your caterer to make sure you have everything they need. Send them a copy of the rentals for their review.



9. Rest assured that your event won’t end up in the National Enquirer or on TMZ.



10. Bring your sales person on all site surveys where tenting & space planning is required.



11. Your sales person should treat your event as if it was his or her own personal event.



12. Don’t assume the rental company will move your furniture.



13. Have phone access to your sales person 24/7 for any event emergency.



14. Don’t object to the costs of required permits. You don’t want to see your event shut down – mid party.



15. Use a rental company. It makes such a difference to not worry about dirty dishes etc. No matter how many people attend your event, rentals make it fun for you as well as for your guests.

Bryan A. Phelps is an Event Consultant for Classic Party Rentals. Since joining Classic Party Rentals (2006 & 2009 Rental Company of the Year) in 2000, Bryan Phelps has built a strong reputation on integrity, quality and performance. Bryan works closely with Universities & Schools, Collegiate & Professional Sports, Corporate Entities, prominent Los Angeles Restaurants & Catering Companies, the Fashion Industry and a number of celebrities. Prior to joining Classic Party Rentals, Bryan held positions for notable companies within the event industry. From 1996 - 2000 he held key sales & marketing positions with Hollywood Party Rentals. As a sales executive for Aggreko, Inc. from 1994-1996, Bryan supplied generators, electrical distribution and HVAC. He has accumulated a wealth of event knowledge for both inside and outside the tent. Bryan holds a B.S. in Business Administration (Entrepreneurship) from the University of Southern California.

Very Cool Event for Homeless Org in Downtown Los Angeles

Simply Mumtaz had the pleasure of planning the 20th Anniversary of Skid Row Housing Trust & the Grand Opening of the New Carver Apartments in downtown Los Angeles. It was a great event as we opened with the yellow carpet... Yellow was the accent color Michael Maltzan used in designing the building. We had a ribbon cutting, tour of the apartments and a reception in a tent. Skid Row Housing Trust looks to to provide a permanent solution to homelessness. It's a really amazing organization and we feel very lucky to work with such a great organization.

Please check out the photos below. Photos courtesy of Lee Brubaker and Julianne Backmann.

Target Terrace at Grammy Museum - L.A. Live

So, if you haven't heard - At L.A. Live, Downtown LA, there is the Grammy Museum. This is an awesome. The Museum itself it totally rockin', but if you are looking for a wonderful event space to hold an interactive event - this is your place! Since there are no photos of the inside... I only took one of our meeting on the top floor - Target Terrace! Check out the view. We had a business lunch - catering was provided by Wolfgang Puck and the folks at the Grammy Museum were a breeze to work with! So, I highly recommend you get down to L.A. Live and check it out! Ask for Gyna.

10th Annual Women in Business Awards

Simply Mumtaz' own Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP was honored last week Friday at the 10th Annual Women in Business Awards. The Awards are presented by Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino and State Senator Carol Liu. The Awards were given in a variety of fields ranging from Outstanding Corporate Women, Small Businesswomen, etc. Simply Mumtaz' President earned an award for Environment & Energy Efficiency. The award honors a woman engaged in a business or non-profit organization that is making significant contributions to environmental preservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency or alternative energy development.

Joella founded the California Green Special Events & Meetings Resource Directory and continues to speak on Greening the Events Industry locally, regionally and nationally. In addition to running a Green business and leading the Southern California market in Green Events.

For more discussion on Green - Please visit our Linked In Group - Green Special Events!

Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP with Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, 43rd District.

Congratulations to all of the honorees! What an inspiration to see so many powerful and inspiration women business leaders.