Advertise on podcast: Pitchin’ Tents

Davis and Ray talk with Martin Tiller from Event Rentals, Inc about delegating responsibility, developing leaders, and creating a company culture that attracts good people. He opens up about the burnout that forced him to rethink his role and the lessons that helped him start working on the business. From Clemson football setups to managing growth across four South Carolina locations, Season 2, Episode 10 of Pitchin’ Tents connects the demands of event rentals with challenges small business owners know well.

Kurt Whittleton grew up at Classic Party Rentals—washing dishes, making deliveries and installing tents before stepping into leadership. Now, with his parents retired, he’s carrying their nearly 30-year legacy forward. In Season 2, Episode 9, Kurt joins Ray and Davis to discuss earning his crew’s respect, building a dependable leadership team and growing the business through new tents, RFID technology and restroom trailers. He also shares two lessons that continue to guide him: get your hands dirty, and remember that your network is your net worth.

Morgan Shirley joins Pitchin’ Tents to share how she and her husband, William, grew Cypress Tents & Events in Baton Rouge from the “Crawfish Boil Starter Pack” into a fast-growing, design-focused rental company in less than three years. Morgan discusses how their COVID-era wedding helped plant the seed for the business, how her background as a therapist shapes the way she leads employees and serves stressed clients, and the challenges of raising a family while building a company with her spouse. The conversation also covers servant leadership, hiring for attitude, investing in quality equipment, and the changing trends shaping the event rental industry.

Jeff Holloway joins Ray and Davis to talk about going from dairyman and cowboy to running successful tent rental operations in Georgia and Texas. They cover Macon Tent Rentals, high-end weddings, working with planners, building reliable crews, structured and sailcloth tents, trade shows, and what it takes to stay persistent in the event rental industry.

Greg Casciato of Snyder Events joins Ray and Davis to talk Charleston’s fast-growing event rental scene, high-end weddings, coastal tent installs, labor, crew training, tent trends, and the controlled chaos that keeps rental teams coming back.

In this episode of Pitchin’ Tents, Ray and Davis sit down with Matt Smith of Special Events Virginia and MATRA for a conversation about building a career in the tent industry from the ground up. Matt shares how a summer job at 19 turned into a lifelong career, the mentors who helped shape him, and how MATRA became a major part of his growth in the industry. The conversation covers hands-on education, mentorship, certification, PPE, code officials, and what it takes to help the next generation of tent professionals succeed. From field experience to industry leadership, this episode is a real-world look at how people, training, and a little stubborn tenacity can shape the future of tenting.

Hosts Ray and Davis welcome industry veteran Bryan Bolt to Pitchin' Tents to discuss his new role at the ARA and the Safe Tenting initiative. They cover upcoming nationwide in-person trainings, certification programs, the ground-testing tool for stake holding power, and how ARA is engaging with codes and regulators to improve tent safety. The episode highlights efforts to professionalize tent installation, document site testing, and give rental companies practical resources.

Davis & Ray sit down with industry legend Brian Richardson, President of L & A Rentals Inc. and ARA President, for a conversation filled with stories, humor, and hard-earned insight. From on-the-job mishaps to leadership and mentorship, Brian shares practical lessons on safety, employee culture, and building lasting relationships in the tent and event industry.

Live from the ARA Show in Orlando, hosts Ray and Davis sit down with Ben from NexTech to talk about his patent-pending Keder Clamp and how 3D printing is changing the way tent professionals approach installs. From replacing zip ties to improving efficiency on job sites, Ben shares the story behind the product and the real-world feedback that shaped its development. The conversation also dives into fast e-commerce fulfillment, customizable strength and color options, training the next generation of installers, and NexTech’s new partnership with Tentwares. It’s a look at how practical innovation and hands-on experience are raising the bar across the event tent industry.

Davis and Ray relaunch Pitchin’ Tents for Season 2 with a candid conversation about the tent industry. Davis shares his journey from installer to TopTec Technical Solutions Manager, along with updates on Tent School and a preview of new 2026 product lines. They also dive into key industry trends from labor challenges and mentorship to innovative accessories, shaping the future of events. Plus, a look ahead at upcoming guests and the ARA Show. Whether you're a dealer, event planner, or new to the tent industry, this episode delivers practical insights you can put to work immediately.

In this episode Davis West and Bryan Bolt sit down with Andy Mattrick to talk all things operational efficiency in the tent rental business. Focusing on TenOx equipment, warehouse layout, racking and site logistics, Andy shares practical insights that can help companies save time, cut costs, and keep crews safe.  They cover labor-saving tools and attachments, safety practices, palletization and site surveys to help companies move inventory faster, reduce costs and protect crews and customers. Be sure to stick around until the end for some exciting podcast news!

In this special episode of Pitchin' Tents, hosts Bryan Bolt and Davis West share some big news. Bryan announces his transition from Technical Solutions Manager at TopTec to Senior Director of Tenting Solutions with ARA. In his new role, Bryan will lead the Safe Tenting Standard training program, bringing training and consistent safety standards to the entire industry. Davis West will step into leadership at TopTec as the company continues product development and customer-focused service. Together, they discuss what this transition means for TopTec, ARA, and for the tenting industry as whole.

Hosts Bryan Bolt and Davis West sit down with Nick Deninno of B&R Innovations (Block & Roll) to trace the evolution of tent ballasting, from water barrels and concrete failures to engineered, attachable block solutions. The episode covers ballast studies, practical rules of thumb (10–15 lbs/sq ft), why tying ballast to legs matters, transportation and site logistics, and how proper ballasting improves safety, efficiency and revenue for tent companies. You'll also hear a few funny stores along the way to keep you laughing while you learn.

Welcome to Episode 7 of the Pitchin’ Tents Podcast! Hosts Bryan Bolt and Davis West are joined by Kevin Gern of the American Rental Association (ARA) to kick off a two-part series focused on one of the most critical aspects of tenting: anchoring. In this episode, the trio explores best practices for tent stability, the science behind stake holding power, and how soil conditions impact your installs. Kevin also shares insights into ARA’s research with Clemson University and introduces the ARA GT tool, designed to help rental pros test ground conditions with confidence. From safety tips to risk management strategies, this episode is packed with valuable info to help you anchor smarter and safer.

In this episode of Pitchin’ Tents, hosts Bryan Bolt and Davis West sit down with Keith Eismann to talk all things Keder tents. From his early days as a tent installer to becoming a leader in Keder technology, Keith shares how this system is changing the game. They dive into what makes Keder tents different, from faster, safer installations to better long-term value. With fewer labor demands, greater durability, and a strong return on investment, it’s easy to see why Keder is gaining ground in the industry. You’ll also hear how Keder evolved from a niche solution to a widely trusted standard, and how its customization options are helping companies do more with less. Whether you’re a seasoned tent professional or new to the field, this episode breaks down why Keder tents are making waves, and why you might want to take a closer look!