The Tent Rental Division (TRD) of Advanced Textiles Association brought energy, education and collaboration to Tent Expo 2026, held Jan. 27–29 at Margaritaville Resort Orlando. With certification courses, expanded exhibits and high-energy networking events, this year’s Expo demonstrated the strength and connectivity of the tent and event rental industry.
“ATA Tent Expo continues to show just how strong and connected our industry truly is,” says TRD Chair Nick Dennino of B&R Innovations. “The turnout, engagement and collaboration made it clear this wasn’t just another show — Tent Expo is essential to the future of the tent and event industry.”
Education and certification lead the way
Education remained central to the event, with the Essentials of Tent Anchoring course building on the success of the Safe Tenting Professional Certification program. Developed in partnership with the American Rental Association and the Manufacturers and Tent Renters Association, nearly 400 participants have completed the free online Foundations of Safe Tenting course, and 290 have successfully taken the Anchoring course.
Additional education sessions covered topics ranging from tent safety and employee retention to communication, tent squaring and leveling, stake pullout and artificial intelligence.
A reimagined expo experience
The redesigned Vendor Pavilion created a festival-like atmosphere with live entertainment and a live podcast, while acres of tent displays showcased diverse styles and structures.
The former “Tour of the Tents” debuted as Speed Tenting, a smaller-group format that encouraged deeper engagement between manufacturers and rental companies.
“The new format encouraged increased Q&A between manufacturers and tent rental companies, creating a more collaborative and educational experience for everyone involved,” explains TRD Vice Chairman Brian Stumph with Fred’s Tents. “Feedback from all parties was overwhelmingly positive, and the consensus was that Speed Tenting was a major improvement over the previous format.”
An interactive “Expo Cash” program further energized the show floor, culminating in a competitive live auction.
Community and competition
Networking highlights included the annual golf tournament at Legends Golf Course and the popular Next Gen/OG Happy Hour, connecting emerging leaders with industry veterans.
The crowd-favorite Soapbox Derby returned with more elaborate cars and a taller ramp, reinforcing the industry’s spirit of creativity and teamwork.
“The Soapbox Derby has become one of those moments everyone looks forward to because it brings out the fun, creativity, and competitive spirit of our industry,” says Dennino. “It’s lighthearted, but it also reminds us that this is a community built on teamwork and ingenuity. Watching teams put everything they have into those cars is always a highlight of Tent Expo.”
Looking ahead
“Tent Expo 2026 was a success and a step forward for the industry,” says Stumph. “It provided real value for exhibitors and attendees alike, and it’s encouraging to see the show continue to grow and evolve. I appreciate the work that went into making it happen and look forward to building on this momentum in future years.”
The TRD Tent Conference will take place January 11–13, 2027, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown. Additional training opportunities will be offered at TRD Boot Camp & Training, March 17–19, 2026, at Celina Tent in Celina, Ohio.
For more information and to register, visit tent.textiles.org.
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