The Commonwealth Event Blog Spot

10% TENT WINTER DISCOUNT ENDS 2/29/12!

2012-02-28T15:42:00.000-05:00

LEAP YEAR DAY

2/29/12

OUR TENT

WINTER DISCOUNT

ENDS

TODAY!

www.commonwealthevent.com

HURRY!

get your

50%

Deposit in

2/29/12

for your

10% discount

to apply

on your next

Tent Event!

Your Event Is Special!

2012-02-27T16:21:00.000-05:00

Your Event is Special!

Heated on a cold Winter's Day

Cooled on a hot Summer's Day

Indoors under www.commonwealthevent lighting packages

Beautiful Spring Day...

In a Skybox overlooking

Rudee Inlet

Virginia Beach

on a hot summer's day...

www.commonwealthevent

Makes any event Special!

Our Service....

Our Staff.....

Our Tents and Equipment...

Makes YOUR event

complete with satisfaction

and especially

smiles!

Jump Into Spring!

2012-02-20T12:58:00.000-05:00

Just as fast as the snow is melting...

Spring Tent Events

are fast approaching!

From Steeplechases.... to Weddings....

To Corporate Events....

Commonwealth Event is ready to

Spring up the Tents for your

Next Tent Event!

Get your event on the books fast!

Some dates are already booked.

804-264-6621

info@commonwealthevent.com

or visit our website:

www.commonwealthevent.com

Holiday Hours

2011-12-21T12:20:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays!

As you party under the stars

in a

Commonwealth Event

Tent!

Our office will be closed

on Friday, December 23rd

Monday, December 26th!

of course call the office

if you have an emergency with

your tent for the emergency contact info!

Commonwealth Event Winter Months!

2011-12-20T14:38:00.000-05:00

Greek Festivals- International Gold Cup Steepchase- New Kent Wine Festival just to name a few
events that have kept us on our toes this past fall. Winter and the Holidays are upon us- We are washing tents in our huge washer- prepping equipment- and busy securing events for 2012! Call us to get your event with a premier tent and equipment rental company. We have been busy wrapping up with 2 movies- To Have and To Hold and the new Spielberg movie still filming.... Call us for your heated tent for your upcoming New Year event!

Hurricane Irene Disaster Relief

2011-09-02T12:21:00.000-04:00

Doing our part in Hurricane Irene Disaster Relief efforts. We have set up more than 5 mobile command centers for Dominion Power across hard hit areas in eastern Virginia.

Mobil Command Center at Virginia Motor Speedway in Saluda, Virginia.

Montpelier Hunt Races 2011

2011-08-19T13:21:00.000-04:00

Saturday November 5, 2011

Be sure to check back for pictures

from the set-up and race!

Montpelier Hunt Races

Wedding Planning: On Track and Under Control

2011-08-10T15:17:00.001-04:00

Planning a wedding can really take a toll on a person. Whether you decide to do it all on your own or hire a professional, you need to start planning months in advance. By allowing plenty of time, you will be more organized, less stressed, and more focused on the little details that will make a big difference. Here is a guide to help you plan your wedding along the way.

12-16 Months Before the Wedding

Choose a wedding date: This doesn't have to be the very first thing you do, but it is important to establish a date well in advance. If you are flexible with dates, you can decide based on availability at venues you are considering. But remember that it is very important to give yourself time to plan properly.
Get organized: Wedding venues, caterers, florist, rentals, ect will give you a lot of information and it can be hard to remember everything. Start a file or binder where you can keep all the documents and information packets you pick-up along the way. Remember, organization is key.
Decide on a style: The wedding should be a representation of the bride and the groom, so decide on what suits both of you best. You should also decide on the formality of the wedding. Do you want a very formal wedding, or a more relaxed atmosphere. Deciding on the style and formality will also make picking a venue much easier.
Get the word out: Post and announcement in the local paper or online to let everyone know.
Decide on a budget: A well planned budget is of the utmost importance. Not sticking to your budget can quickly turn your wedding into an expensive endeavor. Here is another article on how to plan your wedding while sticking to a budget Budget Friendly Weddings.
Look to the pros: If you want to recruit a little help and knowledge, you can turn to a professional. Hiring a wedding consultant can take a lot of the stress out of the planning process. They will often know more about planning and smaller details that make a big difference. If you do decide to hire someone, make sure the cost is figured into your budget.
Decide on a location: Deciding on a location for the reception and ceremony is an important early step for many reasons. First, you should keep in mind that many places are booked over a year in advance. Booking a location early will allow you more time to plan little details such as seating arrangements and what rental equipment is needed. Lastly, the cost for a venue is normally one of your biggest expenses. By knowing the exact cost you can budget the rest of your wedding more accurately.
Start shopping for a dress: The groom is under much less stress when it comes to his suit or tuxedo. In some cases, custom wedding dresses can take up to a year to make and can often become a stressful subject. Allowing as much time as possible will make everyone involved happier.

8-10 Months

Select the bridal party: You want to make sure that everyone is there for your special day. Give them plenty of notice so they can make the appropriate plans. Also, select and order the bridesmaids dresses at the same time.
Interview and hire: There are several people that you will need to hire for your wedding. You should interview and hire them early to avoid possible conflicts closer to the wedding. These include: a wedding officiant, caterer (if not provided by the venue) photographer/videographer, and a band or DJ. It is also a good idea to have a backup in mind incase of last minute changes.
Begin planning a guest list: Start a guest list early, make sure that you have current contact information for each guest. Typically the bride and the groom will have their own idea of who should be invited. So once you each have these lists "combine and refine" them to compile the final guest list.
Register: Who doesn't love getting lots of great gifts on their wedding? To make sure that you get gifts that you want and will use, make sure to register. This will make everything much easier for everyone.
Engagement party: Take some time off of planning and relax. Having an engagement party is a great way to get everyone together and celebrate.

5-7 Months

Finalize the guest list: By having a solid final count on the number of guests you want to invite to your wedding, you can order and send out the invitations and stationary. You can also begin getting an idea of food and rental costs.
Arrange accommodations: Be sure to find accommodations for guests coming from out of town. Often hotels will offer a block of rooms and special wedding prices to guests of your party.
Cake: Decide with your fiance on the type, size, and style of the cake you will have.
Honeymoon planning: Start researching and calling travel agents about your honeymoon. Begin collecting information on prices and locations.

1-4 Months

Reserve rental items: Hopefully by now many of your guests will have RSVP'd. We recommend booking rental items 3-5 months in advance to make sure everything you need is available. Also, you will have more time to tweak your order as the date gets closer. If your wedding will be outside, a tent is worth every penny. Tents provide protection from the elements and the design options are limitless. If your wedding will be taking place indoors, consult the venue to make sure they have enough tables, chairs, staging, and dance floors to cover the party. You can browse our blog to see the products we offer, or visit Commonwealth Event Company for more information on wedding rentals.
Licensing:
Check-in and finalize: Make sure to check-in with everyone you have hired. You should now be able to give the caterer a pretty solid number of guests that will be in attendance. The bride should have a final dress fitting and meet with the hair and makeup stylists about a month before the wedding.
Gifts: It is now time to shop for gifts for the bridal party. If you would like and the budget allows, you can even give a small gift as a gesture of appreciation to all the guests in attendance.

Month of Your Wedding

Touch base with guests: Make sure you get in contact with all the guests who have not responded to their invitations. The worst thing that can happen is have people arrive unannounced and you are short on food or gifts. Make sure that everyone has travel plans and a place to stay if needed.
Final confirmations: Give the caterer and venue a final head count. You should now also finalize a flooring plan, and table accents. Make sure that everyone is on the same page with times and locations.
Confirm and prepare for your honeymoon: Making the final confirmations and plans for your honeymoon is often overlooked in the last few days. It is important to do so to make sure that you
Double check: Typically done a few days in advance, you should double check with everyone you hired to make sure they are on top of things. The last thing anyone wants is for something to go wrong at the last minute.

Hopefully these tips will make it a little easier to know when to start planning. Its no secret that planning a wedding is a lot of work, but with a little organization and help from the right people, it can become much easier.

New Clearspan Weighting System

2011-08-10T12:02:00.001-04:00

When it comes to structure tents and anchoring size matters. Smaller tents, in the 10' to 40' width can easily be staked or anchored with water barrels. This is a different story however when dealing with larger, engineered tents. When designing these behemoth structures, engineers become weary at the thought of putting their name on a tent that isn’t staked into the ground. It takes a masterfully planned and structurally sound weighting system to ease their nerves. Such sophisticated weighting systems that are built and designed by engineers are few and far between...

Until Now!

We have recently designed and manufactured an anchoring system that meets and exceeds the industry standards for securing large clearspan structures. Once the weights are completed, we will be able to safely anchor our 60'-100' wide structure tents. The 3'x3'x2' concrete anchors weigh in at 2,500 lbs a piece. These will be stacked up to three high per weighted leg to ensure that the tent stays exactly where we put it. Here are a few pictures and a quick video of the construction project going on out back in our warehouse.

The rebar anchor inside the concrete forms

Budget Friendly Weddings

2011-08-03T15:28:00.002-04:00

Your wedding day is a time that you will cherish for the rest of your life. It is a special day that should be unforgettable for everyone in attendance. Even with months of planning, your “perfect dream wedding” can quickly become “pricey dream wedding”. However, there is no need to cut back on things that you want just because they cost too much. With a little research and proper planning, you can still plan the perfect wedding without having to break the bank. Here are some tips to help you along the way to maximize your dollars when planning your day to remember.

Determine what you can spend and stick to it: Sticking to a pre-made budget is the absolute best way to keep the costs down and is the first thing you should do. Once you have begun your research and have a general idea of what things will cost, you can go back and adjust your budget accordingly. By doing this, you will not run into money trouble closer to the wedding and you may even have a little money left over.
Compare and keep track of prices for everything: Keeping track of all the little extra fees and costs can save you a ton of money. Some venues will offer catering, linens, cake, and more for the base price while others will not.
Public places can mean big savings: Many public places can be rented for a lower price than private locations. Here in Virginia, many of the close by historical sites located on the water and in nature settings are owned by the county or state and offer beautiful, well-kept grounds.
Use the same location: By having your ceremony and reception in the same place, you can pay a single fee and save on transportation costs. If you are outdoors, you can rent one or several tents to ensure your guests comfort and separate the area.
Use your connections: This can apply in many ways. Look into community organizations, military discounts, or other large groups that may be offered discounts. If you have a family member or know someone who has a scenic property, talk to them to see about having your wedding there.
Leave the city: Big cities mean big prices. By leaving the city for a smaller rural area you can save a lot of money by taking advantage of lower costs. You can find countless farms, historic places, and other venues that host wedding by taking a short drive out of the city limits.
Save on the rehearsal dinner site: This is a great way to save big money, especially if you are going with a rural country theme. You can often have a backyard barbecue or picnic instead of a big showy rehearsal. By renting a grill, tables, chairs, and a tent; you can have a more laid back dinner for far less.
Timing is everything: Saturdays during the Spring and Summer is the most popular time to get married. By going with another day or during the off-season, you can save big money at venues. By picking a time during the off-season you can save big bucks. Also, companies tend to run specials during these slows times where you can find additional savings.
Tents: They are a growing trend and have countless benefits. It's not uncommon for people to rent tents for indoor weddings. They can be placed almost anywhere and can increase the space for your wedding. For outdoor weddings, multiple tents can be used to separate your the ceremony and reception if they are in the same location. They can be decorated in many ways to give the feel of whatever you please. If it rains, a tent is worth every penny. Here is a great example of how tents helped save this wedding. For more information on tent rentals, click here.
Carefully plan your drink menu: This is an area where you can save a ton of money. Don't go for the full bar, instead serve beer, wine (red and white) and one or two choices of liquor or cocktails. If you are near a vineyard, offer their wines, which can often be cheaper. Remember to also offer inexpensive nonalcoholic options. A great way to expand the drink menus is by including popular mixes for the liquor you have chosen to give guests a wider selection. For example: offer whiskey as one of the liquor options and serve ginger ale or Coke as two of the nonalcoholic choices. Also, don't include shots. Drinks that require multiple types of liquor quickly run up a bill.
Band or DJ: This depends on what kind of music you want. If you must have a band, look local. Finding a local band or even students will require less in travel costs and they may even be as good as professionals. If you cant decide between a large band or DJ, go with the DJ; you will save at least half. You can also see if you can negotiate a price. You should also consider what types of music you will be playing. If the crowd is more diverse in their taste of music, a DJ is the better option. If you are looking to save big money, you can create your own play lists and be your own DJ and just rent the sound equipment.
Get the perfect setting without the cost: You can do this several ways. Caterers can present the food to look very expensive and extravagant by adding a few extra pieces of lush vegetables for little cost. If you have decided that you want your event outside, there are many things you can do. For the rural wedding, timeless outdoor displays can be made with little effort. Tents are also highly customizable. They can be complete with dance floors, lighting, stages, and table settings of your choice. This allows for you to hand pick every detail to make sure that your wedding is perfect.

Its no doubt that planning a wedding is a lot of work. But planning your wedding doesn't mean it has to cost a lot of money. By following some of these simple tips, you can save some big money, possibly to be put toward a honeymoon!

Whatifcreditunion.com Dragon Boat Festival

2011-07-27T13:07:00.000-04:00

Every Richmonder knows that hanging out on the banks of the James River is a great way to mix things up and beat the heat during the "dog-days" of summer, and the 2011 Whatifcreditunion.com Dragon Boat Festival is the perfect opportunity to do exactly that. Last year the Richmond Sports Backers introduced the ancient sport of dragon boat racing to Richmond. Professional crews, local clubs, and corporate teams brought crowds by the hundreds to Richmond's newest and most unique festival held at Rocketts Landing.

So if you are looking to mix it up this weekend with something new and fun to do, head on down to Rocketts Landing to expirence the new sensation of dragon boat racing.

More Information: Richmond Sports Backers

Staging Upgrades

2011-07-21T10:52:00.000-04:00

We all know that in the "Dog-Days" of Summer people don't spend as much time outside and at events. We however take this slow down as an opportunity to improve on our products and services. This week, we are giving all of our staging a makeover. Here are a few pictures of the new and improved stage.

The finished product

Mark Your Calendars!! Upcoming Events

2011-07-07T14:46:00.001-04:00

Looking for things to do around Richmond? Here is a list of some upcoming events to keep you busy.

Keep checking back for more updates!

July

McDonald's Mid-Atlantic Clay Court Championships (July 9-16)

Hanover Tomato Festival (July 9)

Chesapeake Ruritan Crab Feast (July 23)

Whatifcreditunions.com Dragon Boat Festival (July 30)

August

Henricus Dauber Dash (August 6)

28th Annual Watermelon Festival (August 7)

2nd Annual Richmond Jazz Festival (August 11)

Filipino Festival (August 12-13)

Anthem Moonlight Ride (August 13)

20th Annual Hanover Crab Feast (August 19)

Patrick Henry Half-Marathon (August 27)

September

Chevy Rock & Roll 400 (September 10)

7th Annual Oktoberfest (September 16-18)

Juvenile Diabetes Walk (September 18)

Maymont Cross-Country Festival (September 23-24)

The Family Peace Festival (September 25)
Virginia State Fair (September 29-October 9)

October

2nd Street Festival (October 1)

Carytown Wine Festival (October 9)

Richmond Folk Festival (October 14-16)

Art Affair (October 15-16)

Powhatan Festival of the Grape (October 22)

North of Richmond

Virginia Scottish Games and Festival (September 3-4) The Plains, Va

The Wine Festival at The Plains (September 10-11) The Plains, Va

International Gold Cup Races (October 15) The Plains, Va

West of Richmond

Bluefield Coal Show (September 14-16) Bluefield, Va

4th Annual Chocolate Festival (October 16) Charlottesville, Va

Virginia Beach Area

34th Annual Suffolk Peanut Festival (October 6-9) Suffolk, Va

U.S. 9-Ball Championships (October 16-22) Chesapeake, Va

Still want more? Visit these great links!

Richmond Sports Backers

Venture Richmond

Three One-One Productions

River City Rapids

New 2011 Slide Shows Added

2011-06-30T14:40:00.000-04:00

4th of July Celebration at Great Meadows

2011-06-29T10:30:00.001-04:00

Come Celebrate Independence Day with Commonwealth Event and the Great Meadow Foundation

Source

If you still don't have plans for this weekend head on up to Great Meadow in The Plains, Va for their 4th of July Celebration! Come out to see the magnificent display of fireworks, plenty of activities for the kids, and tents provided by Commonwealth Event Company! It is a 4th of July you will not soon forget!

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts

2011-06-28T13:31:00.003-04:00

When planning a silent auction to help celebrate their 40th Anniversary celebration, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts knew they didn't want to settle for anything less than the best. So they knew exactly who to call when they began planning a silent auction on the grounds of Casa de Maria. They wanted to seat 200 guests and put a tent over a 20' tall statue, no small feat. We decided that our ESpan would be the perfect fit for this install.

It was in a tricky spot to say the least, approximately 65'x65', we couldn't use a Lull and had to raise the large bays by hand.

Impressive view of the 60'x60' ESpan from across the grounds

Blue Ridge Light Forms provided an impressive lighting package to

really set the mood for the night.

A custom gable end 20'x50' allowed us to seamlessly connect the
entrance tent to the main 60'x60'

Click this to see more jobs in the Charlottesville area!

2011 Beat the Heat Summer Special

2011-06-22T14:35:00.002-04:00

Planning a family reunion? Maybe that summer BBQ or neighborhood party? Well we have just what you need to do it all while saving some money! Our 2011 Beat the Heat Summer Special! We are offering 15% off everything for your event in July or August! Call today to reserve!

Aerial Pictures

2011-06-14T12:29:00.003-04:00

Here are some great aerial photos we got ahold of.....

100'x120' for Newport News Greek Festival

2011 Virginia Gold Cup Races

2011 New Kent Wine Festival

You Have Rain, We Have Tents

2011-06-10T10:58:00.000-04:00

A little rain isn't going to spoil this party

The water gives a nice shine to our Cherry Wood dance floor

The calm after the storm proves to be a perfect night for a wedding

Photos courtesy of Tasha Tolliver.

100'x200' Losberger for Private Event

2011-06-10T10:28:00.001-04:00

Setting up a private event for 1,200 people in the middle of downtown Richmond is no easy task. But when our client started planning their event, they knew just who to call. So we loaded up our trucks with tents, flooring, tables, chairs, and linens, and jumped on 95 headed for Richmond Center Stage.

The first step is lining up and leveling the baseplates to make
sure everything else runs smooth.

As if the tent itself wasn't enough, we laid down over 20,000 sq. ft. of flooring along with numerous other catering and entrance tents.

We made custom sidewall to allow the gable 15x20 connecter
to flow seamlessly into the Losberger

When the client wanted A/C, we knew that Aggreko would have exactly what was needed to do the job

The Finished Product

We couldn't help ourselves from making our way to the
top of the building across the street for some prime pictures.

Nice view down Broad Street

40x75 E-Span

2011-06-10T09:34:00.001-04:00

Here is a quick video of us setting up a 40'x75' E-Span at what seems like a second home , the VCU Student Activities Center.

Woodberry Forrest School

2011-06-10T09:30:00.001-04:00

Back in late April we loaded up our trucks and headed to beautiful Orange, Va to set-up one of the first 80x120's of the season. We brought along our friends from Blue Ridge Light Forms to do the lighting and center pole treatments.

April Showers Bring BIG TENTS?????

2011-06-10T08:14:00.000-04:00

Here is a clip of the setup we did for a private event in downtown Richmond last month. We were racing against the rain during the entire set-up but we still managed to finish this massive tent on-time.

Old Fashioned Wedding at an Old Fashioned Farmhouse

2011-05-03T12:44:00.000-04:00

The Bride arrives in a classic horse drawn carriage, giving
this wedding that old-time feel

A perfect day for a late April wedding

Black and White theme

A casual fire keeps guests warm as the night approaches

Our crystal clear gable ends allow for ample sunlight and
a feeling as if you are outside

Early Summer Fever? We Got You Covered!

2011-05-03T10:52:00.000-04:00

Look, you know it's still to cold to go swimming in your pool. But who says you can't still throw that pool party you have been dreaming of?

40x50 MOD1 Structure with LED lights for that special touch

We have the perfect solutions to cover you and your guests as you prepare for the upcoming summer season

Virginia Gold Cup 2011, The Final Touches

2011-05-03T10:13:00.003-04:00

You know it's time for Gold Cup when it looks like this outside

After nearly 2 weeks of work, over 170 tents, nearly 900 sections of picket fencing, and seemingly miles of post and chain; we are at Great Meadow today putting the finishing touches up for the 2011 Virginia Gold Cup. Always one of our biggest jobs of the year, the Gold Cup Races require several months of planning and preparation to ensure that everything goes off without a hitch.

Here are some more set-up pictures taken throughout the week, courtesy of Virginia Gold Cup and their team.

20x20 Rail Tents along the North Rail
You can really get a good idea of the size of this year's Race

The Man...The Myth...The Legend
Brandon has been heading up the installation for several years

But there is still one man who knows this
job better.

11 Days and Counting...

2011-04-26T09:43:00.000-04:00

2011 Virginia Gold Cup

Our warehouse is starting to look a little empty, and we love it! We are working long and hard hours at Great Meadow preparing for this year races.

Want to learn more about the 2011 Virginia Gold Cup? Virginia Blog Cup

2011 Chili Cook-Off

2011-04-25T10:02:00.000-04:00

Due to some severe weather and a late Friday decision, the Cook-Off was moved from the Raceway Lot to the Amphitheater. Despite the game-time decision to move, we still managed to get some awesome arial shots of this years Chili Cook-Off presented by 102.1 The X.

The pictures don't actually do the job justice. It's over 45 10x10's, several 20' wides, and a few 30' wides.
See which ones you can find

2011 Virginia Gold Cup

2011-04-20T16:50:00.001-04:00

We are beginning the preparations for the Virginia Gold Cup Races at Great Meadow, one of our favorite events of the year! The Race runs on the first Saturday every May rain or shine. We have begun preparing for the race this year where we will be providing over 170 tents of all varieties.

Check Back for More to Soon Come!

Spring 2010 Virginia Gold Cup

Fall 2010 International Gold Cup

2011 Monument Ave. 10k

2011-04-05T09:09:00.000-04:00

It's not easy getting 40,000 people through this space!
(Source)

The Monument Ave 10k Race hosted by the Richmond Sports Backers has been named by USA Today as one of the best running races in the country. Whether you are participating in the always exciting race for competition or gunning for the glory of winning the "Times-Dispatch Dress Up & Run prize," the 10k has always been a highlight of the beginning of the outdoor season here in Richmond. With over 40,000 participants in this year's dash, the 10k reached a new level ensuring that it will not soon give up it's spot as one of America's Best Running Races.

(Source)

The day begins with the

Virginia 529 Kid's Run

Anything and everything VCU seemed to be popular attire this year,
and for obvious reasons (Source)

We provided the tents for the Party Stops that were always rockin
(Source)

THE NEW TEECO 5000

2011-04-04T13:04:00.007-04:00

IT. HAS. ARRIVED.

The massive Teeco 5000 has arrived! Capable of washing up to 5,000sq. ft in a single load, the new machine has put us alone at the top when it comes to tent washing. With this new machine we can now wash more and bigger tents in less time than anyone in the nation. There are no words that can do the Teeco 5000 justice when talking about it's impressive stature, so these pictures will have to do for now.

So if washing your tents is still waiting to be checked off your spring cleaning list, bring them to us and "Let the Big Dog Eat!"

Learn more about Teeco and their premium product lines

New Sico Dance Floor

2011-04-04T12:19:00.000-04:00

This past friday we took delivery of our new Sico dance floor. We are excited to offer this new high-end floor in the cherry rose style. With 1600 square feet in stock, it would make the perfect addition for your next event or wedding of any size.

The 4x4 sections allow us to make a floor up to 40'x40'
that can accommodate an 800 person event!

The flooring came with a tarp to protect it from moisture and
carts for protection and easy mobility

Warner Hall

2011-04-01T10:49:00.000-04:00

The manor house at Warner Hall located in Gloucester County, was built in the mid 17th century. It is the location of choice for numerous brides during the wedding season, and we have been more than happy to provide everything they need to have the perfect wedding.

I've never seen anyone so excited to catch the bouquet

Coming Sunday!

2011-03-31T14:58:00.000-04:00

CHECK BACK SOON FOR INSTALLATION PICTURES

Amber Grove

2011-03-31T09:48:00.001-04:00

We just set up our 40x70 MOD1 Clear Span at Amber Grove in Mosley, VA as they prepare for another wedding season. Here are some pictures of weddings from the past year.

40x70 MOD1 with Star Lights

MATRA Tent Renters Spring Training A Home Run!

2011-03-30T13:50:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Commonwealth Event Company hosted the 2011 MATRA Tent Renters' Spring Training, and what a success it was! Topics covered included: Truck Leasing, Insurance, Employee Handbooks, and Inventory Management. There were also roundtable discussions covering: Upselling, Social Media, Delivery Costs, Permits, and Utility Marking. There was amazing turnout of both vendors and members alike, with everyone leaving a little more educated about the topics.

Commonwealth was glad to host this event and we hope that everyone enjoyed it as much as we did.

Here are some highlights of yesterdays show.

Touring The Facility

Vendors

Round Table Discussions

Open House

2011-03-30T12:48:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures from our Open House and the preparations for the MATRA Event.

Commonwealth Event glass, pens, and koozies..not too bad
for a days work

Who doesn't like freebies?

We had to get the show tent back together after the Open House

Getting the warehouse ready for the MATRA Event
on Tuesday

Countdown To MATRA Event

2011-03-22T09:34:00.001-04:00

We are beginning our final preparations for MATRA's Spring Training! The event will be held here, at Commonwealth Event, in 7 days! We are very excited and eager to showcase our facilities and gain useful insight into the business of tent rentals. The event will cover: insurance, equipment vs. leasing, employee handbooks, inventory management, and other various roundtable topics. We will also host numerous vendors, who will be showing the latest and greatest products to enter the market. Check back for more updates and pictures!

UPDATE! MATRA Show Discount

That background picture looks awfully familiar.

New For 2011!

2011-03-18T16:21:00.003-04:00

Luck of the Irish

2011-03-11T09:05:00.000-05:00

Celebrating everyones favorite March holiday, Shamrock the block is the first outdoor festival of the season in Richmond. Located in historic Shockoe Bottom near the Farmer's Market and 18th Street, Shamrock the block attracts nearly 25,000 people annually. We have partnered with Three-One One Productions the past few years to make Shamrock the Block a reality. Come out between 12-6 to join 25,000 of your friends and celebrate St. Patricks Day's!

Here are some pictures from previous years' festivities. (Source)

Maggie Walker Governor's School Benefit Gala

2011-03-10T13:21:00.000-05:00

On March 5, we headed to the Science Museum of Virginia to help out the Maggie Walker Governor's School fundraiser. The event attracted over 430 eager guests and raised an astonishing $70,000! With the LED lighting provided, excellent catering, and a common cause, there was no way the event was going to be anything but a success.

Making the final preparations

Checking out the art for sale

The LED lighting splashes a green sky over the evening

The headlining band rocks the night away

Pipe and Drape for the catering backdrop

Want to read more? MWGS Blog

Bright Ideas

2011-03-08T15:02:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't want their event to be as memorable and amazing as possible? A good way to add that extra flair to your event is to include L.E.D Lighting. L.E.D lights give you almost endless options when the sun goes down. They allow you to set the mood with that perfect color, fade in-and-out of a scheme of colors, or turn your event into a techno dance party (but who wants to bring the club home?). Whatever you choose, L.E.D. lighting is what you need to make your ordinary event extraordinary. Here a few examples of L.E.D. lighting packages.

Blue Ridge Light Forms provided the A/V equipment needed
to make Randolph-Macon's Homecoming a definite success

Custom center pole covers and Chinese lanterns provide
an exciting environment for a memorable wedding

Who doesn't want a lighted bar at their event?
Randolph-Macon went with yellow for obvious reasons

The lights can be programed to
accent your theme color

L.E.D Lighting and Chinese lanterns for a wedding

The night sky matching the L.E.D lighting

2011 CAA Basketball Tournament

2011-03-03T15:51:00.000-05:00

Come out to the Richmond Coliseum March to watch the 2011 CAA Tournaments! For the 2010 Tournament, we provided an impressive setup of MOD1 Structures for FanFest that were decked out with several flatscreen TV's and video games.

2010 CAA FanFest

This year Commonwealth is providing several frame tents to fill the needs of the tournament. Here are some pictures taken by Venture Richmond of the action inside.

More pictures soon to come!

Say ‘Yes’ To Social Media Seminar

2011-03-02T09:47:00.000-05:00

We recently attended an exciting marketing and networking seminar at the Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville. Here are some links speakers and sponsors:

Speakers:

Jessica Sheffield with Garnet Marketing

Rick Brewer- "Get More Brides"

Chris Jager- "Marketing to Brides Online"

Megan Ely with OFD Consulting

Sponsors:

Jen Fariello Photography

Current Accounting

Albemarle Vintage Limousine

Heavenly Haven

Feast!

C-Ville

The Charlottesville Wedding Blog

Embellish Interiors

Ian's Creations Wedding Videography

Maliha Creations

Here is a picture taken during the seminar!

(Source Jen Fariello)

We would like to thank Claire Goodman and Jessica Sheffield for hosting such an amazing and informative seminar. They did a wonderful job and we look forward to having such an amazing opportunity again.

The Masters 10-Ball Set-Up

2011-02-28T13:29:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pictures from the Masters 10-Ball set-up in Chesapeake, Virginia. To see more, check out our album on Facebook!

Commonwealth Event "1" - Mother Nature "0"

2011-02-25T16:52:00.000-05:00

This always means it's going to be a "fun day" for tenting

With all the different jobs we do throughout the year, we have seen and worked in every type of weather possible. We have survived blizzards, severe thunderstorms, driving rain and lightning. Today at VCU, it seemed that "Mother Nature" still thought she could phase us. Despite her best efforts of early morning rain followed by ferocious winds in the afternoon, we were able to set-up a 40x75 E-Span at VCU Student Commons in Richmond. Here are some pictures of the battle.

Check out the wind!!

I know it may just look like a brick sidewalk, but we had
find a way to drive stakes to anchor the legs

After we removed enough bricks for the baseplates, we had
to dig a hole to find the "forgotten" solid ground
and make a level surface
We began to lay out and connect all the legs after we had
all the baseplates secured into the ground. (I think this is
why Mother Nature threw the book at us!)

Laying out the rest of the frame

She gave up on rain....BRING ON THE WIND!

Once all the pieces are out, we began bolting the E-Span together

The E-Span begins to take shape!

The tops have keeder along the sides that are fed through
a channel groove in the frame to provide a perfect fit

All that is left for the 40x75 is the sidewall

Picasso Exhibit at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Gets HUGE Attention

2011-02-24T15:28:00.001-05:00

"I just wanted to take a moment and let you know how much I appreciate everything you all did to make our event successful last week…as always, you were awesome! This was one of those events that was kind of done “by committee”, so I wasn’t entirely clear on what we needed. Thank you for being so responsive and working so hard to come up with solutions for us…please pass this along to all the guys!"
Catherine E. Turner
Director of Special Events and Food Services

We are proud and honored to be a part of the Picasso Gala at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. On the Museum held a Gala to celebrate the opening of the Picasso exhibit. VMFA is the only venue on the East Coast where the exhibit will be displayed. For the event, we provided several stages that several flamingo dancers used as part of the festivities.

Flamingo dancers doing what they do best! (Source)

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell thinking: "This is the nicest stage and dance floor
I have ever stood on, Thanks Commonwealth!" (Source)

TCS Event Rentals

2011-02-24T13:58:00.000-05:00

"We all really enjoyed reviewing your blog. Really great looking work in obviously high end events! Well done!"

-Bob Ratliff with TCS Event Rentals

TCS Event Rentals is a premier event rental company in Burlington, North Carolina. They specialize in providing tables, chairs, and staging for events. In the past, we have teamed up with the TCS team in Wise, Virginia for the Mount Empire Community College Graduation. This large graduation called for a truly massive 100x210 Twin Pole Genesis (21,000 sq ft). After the tent was erected, TCS came in and began setting up an impressive stage and brought chairs for thousands to enjoy the event. Although the tent, stage, and chairs took over 2 days to complete, we finished in time for another class of graduates to enjoy their special day.

More MATRA Information

2011-02-24T11:53:00.000-05:00

Here is some more exciting information about the MATRA Event that will be held at Commonwealth Event Company on March 29th.

Keep checking for more updates to come!

The Masters 10-Ball Tournament

2011-02-24T10:53:00.001-05:00

Come out to the The Masters 10-Ball Tournament in Chesapeake, Virginia March 1-5 2011.

As in years past for the fall 9-Ball Tournament, we will be providing an impressive stage/seating area surrounding the tournament.
For more information about the Masters 10-Ball Tournament click here!

(Source)

Winter Special

2011-02-21T13:58:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder!! Have your deposit in by Tuesday March 1st to qualify for our Winter Special of 15% Off All Rentals!

New Show Tent Added!

2011-02-18T14:19:00.001-05:00

We have recently added a 20x30 MOD1 Structure Show Tent to our warehouse. In this new addition, we have included a sample LED Lighting package, Chinese Lanterns, a Dance Floor, Pipe and Drape, and Tables and Chairs. Come by today and take a look!!

MATRA Tent Renter's Spring Training

2011-02-18T14:05:00.002-05:00

We are proud to announce that this year's MATRA Spring Training Event for Tent Rental Companies will be held here, at Commonwealth Event Company, on March 29th. We are very excited for this opportunity to show off our accomplishments as a company in the past few years!

Check back for more news and photos to come!!

If you would like to learn more information about this event, please call us at our

main office at (804) 264-6621 or it can be found on Facebook by clicking this link.

Interior Applications

2011-02-18T13:47:00.002-05:00

In addition to tents of any size, we also offer a variety of interior accessories including dance floors, tables, chairs, staging, and lighting. Here are some examples

Black and White Dance Floor
5' Round Tables
White Resin Chairs
Center Pole Covers
Inside a 80x180 Twin Pole Genesis at St. Catherine's

6' Round Tables with Linens
Glassware and Silverware
Custom Lighting
Black and White Dance Floor
Inside a 80x180 at Main Street Station in Downtown, Richmond

Large Parquet Wooden Dance Floor
Custom Center Pole Wraps with Lighting
Chinese Paper Lanterns
White Resin Chairs
Inside a 80x120 Theme Wedding

5' Round Tables
Custom Center Pole Lighting and Wraps Provided by Blue Ridge Light Forms
White Metal Folding Chairs
80x150 at University of Virginia

AC Vent Ducts
Black and White Dance Floor
5' Round Tables
Inside a 80x180 on the Canal Walk in Richmond, Virginia

20x100 Frame Tent for a Corporate Event
White Leg Wraps

Dragon Boat Races 2010

2011-02-17T16:52:00.001-05:00

Refinishing Tables

2011-02-17T14:59:00.001-05:00

Its no secret that rental equipment, especially tables, see their fair share of "loving". One of our main projects this winter has been repairing and improving our inventory of tables.

Before

If only we knew everything it has seen in its days

First we sand off all the layers of polyurethane, paint, and get
rid of scratches and any staples and tape.

After they are all smooth and clean, we begin to apply the
first of many new layer of polyurethane to protect them from the elements

After

The finished product is a better than new table ready to serve you!

Cadillac Polo Cup 2010

2011-02-17T14:14:00.000-05:00

We teamed up with Jessica and Tracey from Echelon Event Management for the 2010 Cadillac Polo Cup at Shirley Plantation in Charles City County.

Shirley Plantation

The match begins on a perfect day at one of the oldest plantations in the nation!

With all the red, its a good thing they ride horses and not bulls!

A Perfect Day for Polo Under a 60x60 Twin Pole Genesis!!

The stomping of the divots

Go WHOOOS!

UVA vs. College All-Stars

Thanks Again to Tracey and Jessica for a job well-done

New E-Span Structure

2011-02-17T11:53:00.003-05:00

Check out the new pictures of our new E-Span Structure at the Montpelier Hunt Races in Orange, Virginia

After spending some time figuring out how we could best secure and place
the E-Span, we finished up just in time for some great pictures!!

Dusk. You can watch the sun go down in the reflection
of the clear end caps

The sun falls behind the Blue Ridge Mountains as everyone prepares
for a night full of excitement before the Races

The lighting was provided by Blue Ridge Light Forms to really make
the tent and party come to life!!

Even though the tent is glowing red hot, we provided heaters to ensure everyones comfort

Gold Cup Races

2011-02-17T10:20:00.001-05:00

Every year in May and October, we take on the challenge of setting up for the Virginia Gold Cup Races at Great Meadows in The Plains, Virginia. Yet again, this year's races went off without a hitch with Commonwealth in charge of the tents and fencing. Here are some of the highlights.

Gold Cup 2010

The Steward Stand prepares for the day ahead

It's hard to remember that he is there to work on such a nice day!

Vendor's Row 12x12's

They gather the horses to get ready to race!

We got a new company car as a thanks for our hard diligent service....OK maybe not, but we can always dream

20x20's on the North Rail awaiting the party tomorrow morning

20x20 High Peaks with white picket fencing

President Bush

2011-02-17T09:22:00.000-05:00

Berkley Plantation

President Bush Visited Berkley Plantation on Thanksgiving and Called our 20x35 Meter Structure his home during his visit.

Clear Span Structures at Sporting Events

2011-02-17T08:48:00.001-05:00

We took a trip to sunny South Florida for the Trigon Tennis Championships to set up a 30'x80' and 20'x20' frame tents.....It was hardly like work

GO SPIDERS!!

Corporate Row at Richmond International Raceway

Keeping the boats dry at the Richmond Boat Show

Salisbury Country Club for the Virginia Clay Court Championships

Custom 20'x80' SkyBox Structure built on at raised stage with hallway below

CAA Fan Fest at Richmond Coliseum

20'x40' MOD1 Structure Entrance Tent attached to 2 30'x30' MOD1 Structure's all connected by 10'x5' Marquees

Richmond Open at Stonehenge Golf Course

40'x50' Clear Span built on a custom 10' porch

Teeco 5000 Tent Washer Coming Soon!

2011-02-15T15:27:00.002-05:00

We are excited for the arrival of our new Teeco 5000 washer! The new washer can wash up to 5,000 sq. ft. in a single load!

Just hanging out in the new drum....

Once completed, Commonwealth will be the first company in the nation to offer the enhanced capacity and capabilities of the new Teeco washer.

For more in formation, visit Teeco!

Winter Special

2011-01-24T14:13:00.000-05:00

Winter Special!

Commonwealth Event Bloggers....

Get rid of the winter blues with

this

Winter Special Discount offer!

15% off all Rental Orders

if your

50% non-refundable

Deposit is paid

by
MARCH 1, 2011

So come on Brides-Event Planners-Corporate Planners

the time is NOW to

place your order!

Exact numbers will change from initial bid- details to be determined!

Call: 804-264-6621 or

Email: info@commonwealthevent.com

We will be glad to give you an itemized bid!

We travel all over Virginia as well as out of state!

Richmond, VA

2010-12-27T11:32:00.000-05:00

Commonwealth Event Company

Would like to wish you

all a

Happy & Prosperous New Year!

Check out what is New in 2011
so far.....

New Tents....

New Mesh Sidewall.....

New Lighting....

New Linens...

New Pipe & Drape....

Check out our website...

www.commonwealthevent.com

For more new stuff to come!!!

VA-RIchmond

2010-12-07T15:22:00.000-05:00

Commonwealth Event

Sees Diamonds

this

Holiday Season!

Contact

Commonwealth Event Company

to help plan your

2011

Wedding Reception

for

whatever time of year you choose.

No Wedding too small or too large!

www.commonwealthevent.com

804-264-6621

We can heat or cool your tent!

Add Lighting, Dancefloors,

Staging, Tables, Chairs

Linens...

Most anything you need

from your caterer' s equipment to power to

restroom needs!

Please contact us to check out

our Winter Special!

Remember those Wedding Check Lists?

4-6 months from your date....

"Book your Tent Rental Needs"

Our motto- the sooner the better!

Call to Select your Tent and Equipment Rentals Now!

Fine tune as you get closer to the date to

be assured you have all your rental needs.

Then sit back, look at that diamond so

you can enjoy your wedding day!

www.commonwealthevent.com

VA- RIchmond

2010-11-23T13:29:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving

From all your

Friends at

Commonwealth Event Company!

We are providing Tents, Tables, Chairs, Linens

for your Thanksgiving Celebrations!

Don't forget to plan ahead for the rest of the holiday season!

Call 804-264-6621

or email

info@commonwealthevent.com

to place you holiday orders soon!

Check out our Winter Tent Special while you are at it!

Hope you and your family and friends

have wonderful

Thanksgiving!

Montpelier Hunt Races

2010-11-17T14:04:00.001-05:00

Commonwealth Event
www.commonwealthevent.com

Montpelier Hunt Races
www.montpelierraces.com

The sun sets over the grounds....

the Party is about to begin at

Montpelier Hunt Races!

RACE DAY !

www.montpelier.org

With the morning dew

and rays of sunshine

over the tents...

Race Day is Here!

Check out our new 15x15 High Peaked Tents!

As guests begin to arrive

for a day of Steeplechase

with friends, clients and family...

Our Guests...

Our

Friends...

Our Clients...

       Our Families...

Enjoyed another

great day at

Montpelier Hunt

Races

covered by

Commonwealth Event's

Tents and equipment!

www.montpelierraces.com

www.montpelier.org

www.commonwealthevent.com

Jessica Braum-Co-Owner Echelon Event Mangement made Richmond Style 40 under 40

2010-10-26T09:25:00.003-04:00

Jessica Braum & Tracey Leverty

Co-Owners

Echelon Event Management
www.echelon-events.com

Commonwealth Event Company would like to congratulate Jessica on her

outstanding achievement of Richmond Style's "40 under 40" award.

Echelon Event Management is one of our clients that we have worked with for several years.

Events such as Cadillac Commonwealth Polo

Broad Appetit, World Beer Festival, Brunswick Stew Fest,

Susan B, Korman Cancer Walk, Wachovia Walk, Luck Stone to just name a few!

Take a look at some photos to see our work together!
visit our website:
www.commonwealthevent.com

Congratulations Jessica and Echelon Event Management for a job well done!

www.echelon-events.com

The Fall 2010 International Gold Cup

2010-10-19T14:07:00.005-04:00

Before the Crowds Shuffle In

Railside 20x20's

12x12 Corporate Sponsor tents behind the Broadview Boxes

Preparing the Steward Stand and 30x90 Jockey Tent

20x20 High Peaks

40x40 Corporate Race Sponsor Pole Tents

20x20's Awaiting the party on the North Rail

The Beginning of Race Day!!

Moving into their 20x20 High Peak for the day

Never Misses a Race

The Chairman's Box has the perfect view of the day's festivities

Airbus makes a safe landing into Corporate Row

The Steward Stand

We were given a new company car to thank us for all the hard
work......Ok maybe not, but we can always dream

It's hardly feels like work on a perfect day like today

I bet you never would have guessed that
its a cake!!

Lightweight Structure Tents

2010-09-16T10:21:00.001-04:00

Clear gable ends on "Structure Tents" add light and creates an open feeling with better views.

"Cathedral Window Sidewall" is locked into channels at every leg for increased weather protection.

Sidewall are easily unzipped and opened up.