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If we didn’t already live in the best city possible, Montreal’s newest venues are adding even more flavour to our vibrant and bustling city. Here is a quick overview of the new places you can book to party hardy this year!
Le PHI Centre
The new PHI Centre is an a/v geek’s dream venue! Optimized for perfect acoustics in every one if its 7 spaces this venue is perfect for film screening, live bands, audio or video production, vernissages or any private event looking for a versatile urban space with a view that will take your breath away. The PHI Centre offers a state-of the-art production studio and plans on specializing in digital/immersive arts, filmmaking and exhibits.
Le Salon Urbain de la Place-des-Arts
Andy Warhol would be proud of the new pop-art inspired space at Place des Arts. Perfect for cocktail parties, launches, after-work gatherings, the Salon Urbain offers a fully serviceable bar, cruising tables and stools, lounge furniture and a functional kitchen with fridge, oven and dishwasher
Clock Tower Beach
Designed by renowned architect Claude Cormier, the Old Port’s newest addition, the Clock Tower Beach, will welcome sun bathers from June til September. Although swimming is not allowed, beach attendees can spend the day enjoying the parasols, the beach chairs, the bars and, to cool off, the mist stations at a cost of $6.00 per day. The beach closes at 7:30pm to the general public and can then be booked for corporate events, product launches, photo shoots, etc.
Wave Events Center
Located in Complexe Dompark, the Wave Events Center offers over 14000 square feet of space perfect for conferences, meetings, corporate events, cocktails and product launches. This new addition to an already spacious, convenient and high-end location, offers its users basic a/v equipment and in-house event planning and catering services.
Dans la catégorie: Industry — par Jessica à 1:37 pm
Friends of Bravo
For those of us in the events industry, or in any industry for that matter, we know the importance of having good, reliable contacts. This is why the Bravo blog will be featuring its “Friends of Bravo” segment to help you, the customer, choose the vendors who will make your event unforgettable, flawless and full of wonderful memories.
“If it’s passion and beauty you wish to have on your special day, SENS FLEURS are the ones to contact.”
-Joan Hendy (co-founder of Sens Fleuriste)
Sens Fleuriste was founded in 2008 by trained and experienced floral designers Joan Hendy and Dominique Hébert. These lovely ladies studied together at le Centre Horticole de Laval and bonded once they realized how determined and creative each other was.
Starting out as entrepreneurs was not easy. The expenses, the competition, the unexpected surprises…
“We once had an event with topiary trees and found out that summer that our Quebec roads are not always the best with the bumps and cracks, but we managed to get them there in once piece.”
Joan and Dominique still feel that despite all of its challenges, the benefits of the floral design industry definitely outweigh the little hiccups you encounter every once in a while.
“Floral design is a very fulfilling thing to do. Working with flowers makes any day brighter. Flowers are so beautiful, they have a great smell, they bring smiles to people’s faces. When their faces light up when you show them a bouquet or a bride on her wedding day who’s breathless and overjoyed about her flowers, that makes everything worthwhile.”
Becoming a floral designer takes a lot of hard work, a lot of creativity, a lot of passion and drive. “A lot of people don’t realize how much technique goes into making an arrangement.” But, if you’re willing to take on the challenge Joan has some words of wisdom,
“My advice to anyone who wishes to go into business for themselves is go for it and don’t let anyone or anything get in your way. There’s room for everyone.”
Bravo would like to thank Joan and Dominique from Sens Fleuriste for their time all their help in the past. Good luck with the upcoming wedding season, we wish you lots of inspiration and beautiful blooms!
The ARA President’s Image Award is a price given to a rental company that has over the last year improved the whole image of our industry towards professionals and the general public with the help renovations, expansion or a move.
Following our major move in spring of 2011 we have been nominated as finalists for the award during the international convention “The Rental Show” being held in New-Orleans, Louisianna. Bravo is proud to have come ahead and has been chosen for this prestigious award for the region of Canada.
Andrew Paquette, President of Bravo Rental was mentioning that “I want every customer entering Bravo to feel like they are a guest in our home” and it couldn’t be closer from the truth. Our new showroom is equipped with 2 customer meeting rooms with test tables, a large glass 12 people meeting room and even a coffee bar equipped with Lavazza and Van Houtte quality coffees. Our warehouse was streamlined to make our teams even more effective. We are still in in tweaking mode and making sure we can improve on a daily basis.
Our Showroom
Conference Room
We are proud to have been awarded this price voted by our peers from the industry. But a judge from Illinois is not our targeted customer. The customers we need to please are event planners from Montreal, caterers from Quebec city, venues in Gatineau, restaurants from Sherbrooke and residential customers from all of eastern Canada and at the end of the day, serving them is what we are proud of.
Our warehouse
Article published in the Rental management Magazine, March 2012 (PDF)
It’s such a pleasure to be invited as a guest blogger for Bravo!!!! I’ve been working with Bravo for over 5 years now, and can certainly say that they are one of the most reputable, established and reliable event rental companies in Montreal !
As a wedding and event designer, I first hand know the importance of having an event rental company you can rely on and turn to make your vision and design a reality!!! My imagination at times takes me to levels that only my imagination can go… however if I can’t find the items I am looking for to materialize what I have in mind, then my events and weddings won’t be near what they have been visually in the past!!! For that I have event rental companies to thank.
Through years of experience, I have learnt that it is not just about the variety that is being offered at rental companies, but it is also about Quality and Service!!! There have been many cases in the past where I have had scratched charger plates, and faded dinner plates be delivered to my event by other companies… and I can say that I have never had that problem with Bravo. Their friendly staff is available on Saturdays for me to call them in case of emergencies and believe it or not, whatever the situation, they have always catered to all my needs and beyond!!! There are numerous catering companies that I work with, that feel the same way!!! Of course like any other industry, after working with the same people for many years, the relationship evolves and you become friends, and that is what I consider Bravo Rentals… my friends!!! I love everyone that works there… specially Louise, since my interactions are mostly with her.
As a planner, you of course can not limit your self to working with just one company, since every couple has different taste, budget and likes. To all you brides out there planning your wedding on your own, do visit rental showroomm, you will be inspired and you will realize that the experienced staff will be able to consult you and help your vision come to reality!
Wishing the Bravo Team all the best in the coming years… and I look forward to many more years of working relationship with Bravo and to having the Bravo Team for the third year be part of the Bridal Boudoir Affair coming up on March 11, 2012 at the Hyatt Downtown !
Only in Quebec, for the wedding industry, you will find over six magazines. We also have access to a lot of tv shows from American stations and a few local ones and don’t get me started on the thousands of online resources on how to organize your event.
In special event rental we see these changes every single day, people show up prepared, more knowledgeable and they know what they want. Out are the days where we can “wow” them with a punch fountain and a few ivory chair covers. Nowadays, they show up with Martha’s magazine or a print out from TLC’s website.
There is some good sides to all of this, brides and grooms are coming in more prepare then ever and that simplifies the tasks of our experts that can now spend more time talking colours and designs instead of talking about chairs and tables. It pushes our buyers to go over board to find new ideas that will keep us on the top. It’s the same behind the grill, amateur chefs want to try their hands at a first mechoui or bring candy floss birthday parties.
When there is a good side there is usually some bad ones also. It’s not because you can hold a screwdriver that it makes you a mechanic, well, it’s the same thing for the special events industry. Watching all the episodes of « Say yes to the Dress » doesn’t make you a wedding planner and all of the episodes “Hell’s Kitchen” won’t make you a caterer.
Too many people walk in their preferred rental place and reality kicks in pretty quick. Logistic, budget and timeline are all factors that will bring lightheaded dreamers back to earth. We have almost daily calls from professionals caterers and event planners that are being called-in to save major crisis from do-it-yourselfers.
Calling a professional can be very useful, they know the little secrets that years of experience may have taught them. They often know personally some of the suppliers, caterers florists and Djs, some even have the personal cell phone number of the right person to call at your event rental place in case of emergency. A true professional learned to work with stress and often know how to decode a problem before it shows up.
First experience in the “rental company” by an event planner.
I remember when I started working in event production company years ago and first heard the term ‘rental company’. I had no idea what this place was or that such a place existed. WHAT?!?!?! A place where there is an unlimited choice of decor?
I was so excited for my first visit to this place called ‘rental company’. I walked alongside my mentor. We were there to put ideas together for a customer to later propose a concept for a Bar Mitzvah. The coordinator that I was tagging along with was amazing. She had a theme in mind and within an hour she whipped up a chic & elegant table setting, created a centerpiece, put in an order for extra decor elements, and we were off back to the office. I was so in love with this concept of unlimited decor to rent. Wow, I couldn’t wait to go back and whip up something from my own imagination.
The day that I returned to do it on my own… it was torture. I was left alone for 20 minutes in the showroom. It was a very long and unpleasant 20 minutes. I was lost, confused and overwhelmed. How is one person supposed to decide from so many options? Everything looks amazing and ugly all at the same time. I would put a table setting together and I didn’t even know if it looked tacky or stylish anymore. The supposedly “happiest place on earth” quickly became an algebra class.
Then walked in the rental specialist and she saved me from my mess. She guided me in the right direction and in no time I had a spectacular table setting to propose to my client. Once I got back to the office and looked at the quote I almost fell off my chair. How could so many little things cost so much? What was this extra transport fee? Seriously, damage fees too? This was rubbish and I wasn’t happy. I quickly realized I was un-prepared for my meeting with the rental company.
Needless to say, I was prepared for my second visit. I put together an inspiration board before my appointment and made sure to stay focussed on the mood I was trying to create for the event and make sure I stayed in budget this time. I made sure to spend most of my budget on the focal points ( linens, chairs, centerpieces) and less on things that are usually overlooked at events (utensils, glassware, bread basket, plates, etc).
I also quickly grasp the concept of the damage fee. No matter how or what is damaged, just send it back to the rental company and there is no additional charges. It is covered by this damage fee. After all the years in this business, you want to pay the damage fee… remember you are hosting a PARTY and crazy things happen at parties.
Delivery fees are ok too. Your stuff needs to get to the venue. Workers need to unload it, come back for it at the wee hours of the night to dismantle and reload the trucks. You say that that’s why you are paying the rental fees. Yes, but rental companies spend a lot of time and money making sure their inventory stays rentable. These are huge companies with lots of machinery, dry-cleaning fees, packaging costs, employees, and at the end of the day, they need to make a buck too.
Happy Renting !
Selina D’Alessandro
My Montreal Wedding
www.mymontrealwedding.ca
Dans la catégorie: Events,Industry — par Martin à 2:41 pm
I’ll reveal an industry secret. ALL major rental places in Montreal, including Bravo will mention that they have as a client in the Formula 1 Grand Prix and they are all correct. Why? Simply because the event requires so much equipment, it’s impossible for only one vendor to offer this circus the necessary equipment to guarantee it’s success.
For 25 years, Bravo has been sending equipment to the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and each year we send more and more equipment. I’m going to assume that it must be the same for our Montreal competitors. VIP lounges, paddocks, teams, entertainment, lodges, stables all have rental equipment in them during their visit to Montreal.
For obvious reasons, I can not reveal exactly what or to who Bravo is renting, but every year, Bravo trucks crosses our competitors on the Ile Notre-Dame circuit and the war and competition is a good clean one, we are all winners.
Same goes for big festivals like Jazz or Just for Laughs, other major sports events like the Tennis Rogers Cup Tennis and NASCAR’s visit, the upcoming U2 concert in July or la Saint-Jean-Baptiste. There are some events that have no other choice but to call to more than one of us and we are happy to share our part of the plate year after year. Although, we feel that our share is growing, we will never provide all of the needs that is required by the Formula 1 circus.
A few weeks ago, just when we were settling in the new dig, we got a great visit from the beautiful Selina and her great team from MMW Network and SixDegreesInMotion to interview Louise, our wedding specialist about our new place and the upcoming trends in the rental industry. As usual, Louise made us proud.
The MMW Network is a new webvideo series on the suppliers of the special event scene in Montreal.
Is that the sun I see?. after months of deep hibernation, sun deprived citizens emerge from months of parkas, tuques and muck-lucks. It’s time to start outdoor party begin! I’ll admit the month of May has us all a little worried but rest-assured it’s going to be a great summer. I think it’s safe to say that we won’t be expecting 15 c.m. of snow anytime soon however, it’s important to prepare for the elements both the sun and the rain.
Graduations, anniversaries, engagement parties and festivals the list goes on and on. As Canadians we want get our party on during the summer.
Rule #1 for party planning: expect the unexpected, have a backup plan. Avoid the panic stricken calls all around town searching for tarps, plastic thingy, umbrella’s …what’s that thing again? A tent, you want a tent! Being ill prepared could bring your event to a screeching halt, leaving you scurrying to cram your guests into your home or renting a venue at the last minute.
It’s important to do your homework, talk to the experts, and find out what your options are. Bravo’s experienced consultants will meet with you, offer to conduct site inspection and guide you throughout the various stages of the rental process.
A tent can add an elegant flare to your event with full walls draped with swags of fabric and chandeliers to add ambiance. Choosing the right tables, chairs, linens, bars and a lounge area will enhance your vision; your guests will be equally impressed by how you transformed your backyard. If you’re looking for something a little less elaborate a canopy without walls might be what you need. The perfect shelter from the hot sun.
The possibilities are endless and it’s important to know what exactly what you need, allow our Bravo consultants can assist you. In preparation for your telephone call or initial visit to Bravo:
Information you’ll be asked…have the answers ready
How many guests are you expecting?
Is your event a sit down dinner, buffet, cocktail?
What seating style would you like?
Will there be dancing, lounge, bar, staging, DJ, band?
Is your tent being installed on grass, cement, pavement?
As you plan your summertime event, remember to plan in advance and give us a call to discuss your options or better yet come into our brand new show room and be inspired.
The weary traveler has returned the jet lag is gone and the body rejuvenated. I didn’t lose all of my money (ok I only played $20) and what happened in Vegas, won’t be staying in Vegas. I have so much to share with my peers. This year was my first year attending the Annual American Rental Association/ Events and Tents conference. I initially worried how I would focus being in Vegas after all, it is the adult Disney land. Don’t worry I was well behaved and had a blast and while learning!
The energy and excitement was certainly in the air from the airport terminal and pulsed through the hotel lobbies.
From the moment we landed in Vegas and set off on our Alice in Wonderland themed tour of the MGM Resort guided tour my imagination and senses were in full tilt. The impressive facility with 75,000 sq.ft was definitely one of the highlights. Their inventory was tremendous and the staff animated and knowledgeable. The magnitude and budget this production company works with is impressive….true Vegas glitz.
As the ringing and bells of the slot machines subsided I sat bright eyed and somewhat bushy tailed from a night of “networking” with the Event and Tent and ARA members, it was off to my registered seminars and work shops. The sharing of information amongst participants was so refreshing, amongst the thousands of attendees participating we all shared similar daily situations. Irregardless of if the rental store had 4 or 64 employees we all wanted to find solutions to help our business and fellow employees gain knowledge and keep abreast of the latest trends. Everyone was willing to share in order to help the industry grow. Many of us exchanged email addresses so we could correspond upon our return home.
The seminars ranged from “self help/ motivational” style seminars geared towards bettering ones overall mindset to a hands on table top design seminar, where the latest trends were highlighted by industry professionals.
Sharing information amongst our peers is hands down the best way to gain knowledge and unfortunately we do so little of it outside of our respective companies. Each rental owner, director, manager and clerk has their perspective based on their experiences. Without the veil of competition, without a scripted response we all shared.
After having attended I truly felt privileged to have an employer who was invested in educating his staff. Attending reinforced what I already knew; Bravo Rentals is amongst the top industry leaders in North America. We are industry professionals who are abreast of the latest trends; we are networking though the use of social media and constantly improving our brand identity which is crucial to any businesses success. We do a lot of things the right way and are proactive in improving in the areas that require improvement. We believe in advancement through education and that is paramount.
Who knew learning could be so much fun….Viva Las Vegas.
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The weary traveler has returned the jet lag is gone and the body rejuvenated. I didn’t lose all of my money (ok I only played $20) and what happened in Vegas, won’t be staying in Vegas. I have so much to share with my peers. This year was my first year attending the 
