Under The Vinyl with Nate And Kyle

Nate and Kyle put Sean Hoffman, ARA Insurance president, in the guest seat to ask all of their pressing insurance questions and he delivers! Sean offers insights on insurance policies, risk management, and safety practices specifically for tent rental companies. Discover how industry-specific coverage, contracts, and safety initiatives can protect your business and lower premiums.  PS, if you...

Business is coming full circle for Rob Cruikshank of 24/7 Events. While his business is certainly tent rental, he talks with us about his early days in the industry and how high-end events and sophisticated jobs are changing the game.    PS, if you want to join ARA and you tell them you heard about it from Nate and Kyle, you'll get 25% off your membership! https://ararental.org/join-ARA/...

Here's the latest drop from The ARA Show! Anna Lunt from Losberger De Boer talks about how rental companies can work with manufacturers most effectively, trends coming down the pike in 2026, and spend special time talking about snow-loaded structures. Anna also talks about the differences in structures in Europe and America. It's a great conversation!  PS, if you want to join ARA and you tell...

This month we're dropping a new episode from The ARA Show every week! Up first is Matt Mutton. We talk about not working the weekends, staff training and development, 12 meter rafter sections, and if Matt has a sledge hammer in his truck. Check it out! PS, if you want to join ARA and you tell them you heard about it from Nate and Kyle, you'll get 25% off your membership! https://ararental.org/join...

Austin talks about his company's growth, moving into larger structures and events and 2026 trends he's seeing. After serving in the military post-high school, Austin came back to the family business and is excited to take it to the next level. He talks with us about lessons from the military he brings to his work and how JK Rentals retains employees as they travel around the country. We close talk...

We're on location in Madison, Wisconsin. Robert Copley was kind enough to give us a tour of Event Essentials. The business is celebrated 70 years of operation in 2024 and recently hosted an ARA of IL/ARA of WI event. We had a blast and you're definitely going to want to check it out on YouTube! This episode is brought to you by Anchor Tents & Clear Spans. Visit www.anchorinc.com to learn more.

Kyle and Nate discuss The ARA Show and ARA's Safe Tenting Standard with guest Bryan Bolt. Bryan talks about new live training programs, safety initiatives, and the launch of a new Safe Tenting website aimed at improving resources for the tent industry. The guys talk about the need for a strong safety culture, and the introduction of innovative tools like the Ground Testing Tool. Bryan also highlig...

We made it to Madison! This podcast was part of a live event hosted by the ARA of IL and ARA of WI and we're joined by Robert Copley, Event Essentials, and Sean Williams, First Place Rental. We talk about the inception of the podcast, give a sneak peek of the Event Essentials warehouse, and more.   This episode is brought to you by Anchor Industries. Learn more at www.anchorinc.com.

Nate and Kyle have finally made it back home from ATA in Florida and Event Essentials in Madison for an ARA of IL and ARA of WI event. They give you the highlights of the shows, the culture and morale at Event Essentials, and the importance of industry engagement through live shows. They also share emotional moments from the events, what to look forward to at The ARA Show, and more.   This ep...

Kyle and Nate talked with James Auerbach, Chief Revenue Officer of Salem Sports Events, a seasoned professional in the event industry with more than 25 years of experience. James discusses the impact of private equity and what makes sales teams succeed or fail. He emphasizes the need for a positive company culture, the significance of aligning sales and operations, and the future hurdles the indus...

This episode Nate and Kyle talk all about the H2B visa program, its significance in addressing labor shortages, particularly in the event industry, and the application process. Tom Bortnyk, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for masLabor, explains the differences between H1B and H2B visas, the misconceptions surrounding H2B labor costs, and the importance of this labor in various national m...

Kyle and Nate are pumped for the new year! They're headed to Florida for ATA, Madison, Wisconsin for an ARA of IL/ARA of WI event, and then back to Florida for The ARA Show. In this episode they talk about wedding trends of 2026, the impact of educational institutions on business, and why there is so much last-minute planning. The conversation shifts to reusing carpet - yay or nay, vinyl's post-CO...

Kyle and Nate chat with Jared Nigro, the owner of Evo Tents, about his journey in the event rental industry. Jared shares insights on starting his business, navigating the challenges of the pandemic, and the importance of marketing and team dynamics. He discusses the growth of his company, the challenges of managing backyard weddings, and his aspirations for the future. The conversation highlights...

Nate and Kyle reflect on the past season, discussing personal updates, team dynamics, and the challenges faced throughout the year. They highlight the importance of employee management, the busiest times of the year, and notable projects that stood out. The conversation also touches on the role of technology in improving efficiency, the significance of acknowledging team contributions, and the ong...

Kyle and Nate welcome Elizabeth Flake, founder and creative director of Elizabeth Flake Events. Elizabeth shares her journey into event planning, the challenges of managing client expectations in a social media-driven world, and the importance of collaboration with rental companies. She discusses the realities of event planning, the significance of tenting and rentals, and the trends shaping the i...

Thanks to our Sponsors Anchor Industries

Austin Stanley an independent broker for One Horn Transportation. He joins the guys to talk about logistics in the event rental industry, how you know if you're working with a legitimate freight company, how to find the right partner, and what people don't know about the logistics and transportation world. This episode is brought to you by Anchor Industries. Learn more at www.anchorinc.com.

Nate and Kyle talk about how much money the 'lighting guys' get paid, which Thanksgiving food is the most overrated, parties for the USA's semiquincentennial celebration, end of the year goals, and more. We packed a ton into a short episode! This episode is brought to you by Anchor Industries. You can learn more at www.anchorinc.com

Biff Gentsch joins Nate to talk about changes in the tent industry, particularly the decline of traditional striped tents and the importance of public safety in tent operations. He emphasizes the need for tent owners to adapt because the industry is changing and so should their inventory. Biff and Nate talk about how to communicate with event planners about considering safety when working on event...

Nate couldn't make it this week so Kyle and Brian Richardson talk about how their business is finishing up 2025, what they're anticipating in the industry in 2026, H-2B visa workers, and trends Brian got wrong. It's a quick listen! This episode is brought to you by Anchor Industries. Visit anchorinc.com.

Tents guys🤝equipment rental. This is a must-see cross-over episode! In this episode of Under the Vinyl, Kyle and Nate are on the line with Joe Baltz, a Strategic Account Manager at United Rentals. They discuss Joe's journey in the rental industry, how Joe's role supports Nate's work, and the impact of technology on equipment and event rental. Joe shares insights on day-to-day operations, service...

Nate and Kyle talk ARA's YPN Conference, end of the year rush, and briefly chat about the government shut down affecting H2B workers. It's a quick listen this week!   This episode is brought to you by Anchor Industries. Learn more about Anchor at www.anchorinc.com.

This week we got Tarryn Prosper on the line to talk about her recent transition to Fred's Tents! It was awesome to talk to her about balancing creativity and logistics on complex projects, how this industry can affect you, and what it's like to be a female executive in the industry currently.  This episode is brought to you by Anchor Industries. Learn more about Anchor at www.anchorinc.com.

We're finally releasing our conversation with John Bibbo with you! He is our last installment from the Safe Tenting Standard launch in Charlotte. John gives us a masterclass in expansion, logistics, branding, and professionalism. This is a must-listen episode for everyone in the industry!  This episode is brought to you by Anchor Industries. Learn more about Anchor at www.anchorinc.com.

You're going to want to head over to YouTube for this one! The guys got to see the Party Reflections 'war room' courtesy of Jay Gorman, Director of Operations. Jay answers all of Nate and Kyle's questions about technology implementation, logistics, and employee motivation. Check it out!  This episode is brought to you by Anchor Industries. Learn more about Anchor at www.anchorinc.com.