Morning dawns on acres of tents and products on display at Tent Expo 2026. All photos courtesy of Envious Media.

Between the golf tournament, Soapbox Derby, hands-on training and certification courses, and several acres of tents, exhibit booths and rental equipment to visit, attendees at this year’s Tent Expo were doing anything but “wasting away” at the Margaritaville Resort in Kissimmee, Fla. 

“ATA Tent Expo continues to show just how strong and connected our industry truly is,” says Tent Rental Division (TRD) Chair Nick Deninno with 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.”

Certification and education

A crowd attentively listens to a speaker in a large tent; rows of chairs face a stage with banners highlighting the Thermoshield system.
At the Opening Session, attendees were updated on the latest industry developments and initiatives and introduced to the new board members.

This year’s Expo featured certification opportunities for forklift operation as well as the Essentials of Tent Anchoring, building on the popularity of the Foundations of Safe Tenting Course. 

“Close to 400 have already taken the free online Foundation Course, and 290 have successfully taken the Anchoring Course,” says TRD Immediate Past Chair Steve Belliveau with Anchor Industries. “We’re very happy with the overall momentum that has been established with this exciting and much-needed program.”

The education sessions were well-received, featuring separate tracks for owners and crew members. Topics included Build without burnout, Tent safety/Stop the drop, Employee retention, Effective communication, Tent squaring and leveling, Tent stake pullout and AI demystified. 

Expo/Tour of the tents

Excited attendees at a tent auction, holding cash and bids, under a large tent with banners. Expressions of joy and anticipation are visible.
Attendees who visited exhibit booths received Expo Cash that was used for the live auction event at the close of exhibit hours.

There were several notable changes to the exhibit portion of this year’s Expo. The Vendor Pavilion area was redesigned to feel like a festival experience, complete with live music, stand-up comedy and a live podcast. Attendees had acres of tents, tool displays and exhibits to explore. From sailcloth high peak tents to Garden-style structures, there was a variety of tent styles on display. 

The “Tour of the Tents” underwent an extreme makeover this year and was reintroduced as “Speed Tenting.” Participants were divided into several groups with fewer participants per group, which significantly improved engagement as they moved from one tent display to the next. 

Speaker presenting at a conference with a microphone, audience in foreground, colorful banners in background, and a projector screen displaying "SAFETY."
Kevin Vasquez with Made in the Shade Tent Rentals addresses a packed house during the education sessions.

“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.”

Adding to the success of this year’s exhibit spaces was a new program that encouraged attendees to interact with each of the vendors in exchange for “Expo cash” that could be used to bid in the auction held at the conclusion of exhibit hours. The auction was high-energy and highly competitive, with attendees bidding on exhibitor-donated items that ranged from bottles of wine and whiskey to drones and televisions.

Social networking

Four men stand together, holding framed awards, in front of a neutral backdrop. They are dressed in business attire, smiling.
Brian Stumph, Fred’s Tents; Mike Holland, Chattanooga Tents; Brian Richardson, L&A Tent Rental; Nick Deninno, B&R Innovations. Holland and Richardson both received Wodetzki Awards.

Of course, no TRD event would be complete without a few opportunities for attendees to network while having fun. The first such event at this year’s show was the annual golf tournament, held at Legends Golf Course, which is an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Designed course. This year’s winners are:

  • 1st place: Davis West, TopTec Event Tents; Joe Eimer, Losberger De Boer; Brendan Evans, The Rental Depot Inc.
  • 2nd place: Mark Holland, Michael Holland Jr., Logan Haribson and Jonathan Drake from Chattanooga Tent Company
  • Longest Putt: Jason Ramsey, FloorEXP
  • Longest Drive: Prentis Parker, Losberger De Boer
  • Closest to the Pin: Jonathan Drake, Chattanooga Tent Company
A lively band performs on stage under a disco ball, vibrant sunset backdrop, with attendees seated at tables enjoying the event.
An energetic ‘80s band rocks the house at Party on the Pad.

Next up was the annual Next Gen/OG Happy Hour event, giving the next generation of tent rental professionals the chance to network and gain wisdom (and drink tickets) from “OG” industry veterans.

Three men smile together in a lively indoor setting. Warm lighting and a crowd can be seen in the background, creating a festive atmosphere.
From left, Jim Bach, Apres Event Decor & Tent Rental; Brian Richardson and Steve Belliveau, Anchor Industries at the Next Gen/OG Networking event.

“A good time was had by all at the individual Next Gen and OG Events with the conclusion being a very crowded and energetic joint event for all,” says Belliveau. “It was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and of course to begin new relationships and friendships!”

Vibrant event inside a tent with a disco ball and colorful lighting, set against a backdrop of city silhouettes and festive tables.
This year’s Party on the Pad, hosted by Fred’s Tents, took everyone back to the ‘80s with great music, food and costumes.

Soapbox Derby

But no event was as eagerly anticipated as the Soapbox Derby. Building on the success of the 2024 inaugural derby, this year saw more elaborately designed cars and a much taller ramp to launch them from. 

“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 Deninno. “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.”

Three colorful, handcrafted soapbox cars lined up on a road, featuring unique designs and numbers, with greenery and trees in the background.
This year’s lineup of Soapbox Derby racers showcased incredible designs and creativity, with cars built for looks and speed.

As attendees rocked out to the 80’s-themed Party on the Pad hosted by Fred’s Tents, the final runs were held and this year’s winners were as follows:

  • 1st Place Team: EventQuip – “EventQuip”
  • 2nd Place Team: Chattanooga Tent Company – “CTC Train”
  • 3rd Place Team: Miller Weldmaster – “Miller Weldmaster”
  • Best in Show: Green Monster Manufacturing – “Monster Racing”
  • Going the Distance: EventQuip – “EventQuip” 
  • Better Luck Next Time: L&A Tent Rentals – “Team Tentske”
Two go-karts, one orange and green and another black, poised at a brightly lit start ramp with a "START" banner overhead, surrounded by spectators.
Enhancements to this year’s course allowed competitors to race each other in real time from a much higher starting position.
A group of eight team members in matching jerseys celebrate by a sleek black race cart adorned with trophies, set against a night sky and a 'START' banner.
The EventQuip team took home the winning trophy at this year’s derby.

2027

“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.”

Aerial view of a tent expo featuring white tents, a circular building, and parking. Palm trees dot the area amidst clear skies.
Changes to the exhibit area layout made this year’s Expo feel like a festival, complete with live music and stand-up comedy.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Jan. 11-13, 2027, when the TRD Tent Conference will take place at the Embassy Suites in downtown Nashville, Tenn. Don’t want to wait that long to receive industry-focused training and education? Keep an eye on the TRD event calendar and your email inbox for news on the next TRD Bootcamp dates. 



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