Profile
Chicago Party Rental: An Event Partner for Expected and Unexpected Events
by Michael Dang | Published in January 2006 Departments
There are event rental companies—and then there is Chicago Party Rental (CPR), the largest full-service rental company in the Midwest. No client is too big or too small for CPR, whose clientele ranges from home entertaining for a handful of guests to corporate functions for thousands. Containing over 1,400 products, CPR’s ever-expanding rental inventory can accommodate events of virtually any size.
“Our most unique quality is that we provide the ultimate source for event rental by offering expanded product options, event possibilities and service capabilities at a fair market price to meet any type of budget,” says Valerie Braun, director of marketing for Chicago Party Rental. “In addition, CPR is continually investing in training that is essential to the success of knowledgeable event consultants, expertly trained installers, highly experienced and equipped project managers, warehouse and logistics departments.”
CPR prides itself on being a reliable event partner dedicated to making sure its clients are worry-free by furnishing them with a team of experts and top-notch services. “We work very closely with our clients and are very involved in all the equipment planning by being detailed, focused and establishing realistic time priorities for the coordination of the equipment and production requirements,” says CPR President Ben Shipper IV. “We also act as a liaison for out-of-state events with the venues and with local equipment companies, organizers and committees.”
Knowing that most clients would rather enjoy the event than manage logistics, CPR is always ready to face any challenges that may arise. “Some of the most challenging aspects of our events have turned out to be the most rewarding,” says Braun. For example, the company was asked to create an overall natural flow of space while working on multilevel surfaces and incorporating a 14-foot permanent fountain, trees, flower gardens, bushes, and existing buildings and walkways.
Need unique and interesting ways to entertain your guests? CPR has ideas to spare. How about using shot glasses and mini root beer mugs for passing shrimp cocktail, as Douglas Crowe, director of sales, suggests? Other ideas include using drinking glasses for a soup course, using charger plates as serving platters and presenting individual servings in martini glasses.
“We find ourselves in an ever-changing environment which requires us to constantly search out new ways of arbitraging and leveraging product and service selection,” says Braun. As an example, CPR’s chocolate fountains are being shipped across the country as demand for these fountains is increasing for this niche market segment. CPR is also continuing to lead the industry in the tent/structure market by offering the latest clearspan structures in a variety of sizes. “Clearspans are the future in special event technology, as they offer unobstructed interior space, complete climate control and reduced liability,” says Braun.
What does the new year hold for CPR? “One of our strategic objectives is to expand our National Rental Program in an effort to broaden our event horizons,” says Shipper. “We would like to continue to develop our partnerships with other rental companies to supplement and leverage their inventory, in addition to building relationships with smaller rental companies. This is in keeping with our tag line, which is ‘Your Event Partner!’”
CPR knows the importance of building—whether it’s relationships or an entire community. The company spent five weeks down south aiding victims of Hurricane Katrina, installing over 150,000 square feet of structure and flooring for the disaster relief efforts in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Who could ask for a better partner?