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Rolling out the red carpet in front of an important person is probably a concept that comes from the Middle Ages where the roads were too muddy and messy for people from the aristocracy to simply walk on. A few centuries later, the New York Central Railroad placed a red carpet to direct important guests to their car. Legend has it that the idea of placing a red carpet in front of VIPs is drawn from that practice from the NYC. But the theory itself is not a new one, we can trace its origins as far back as 458 AD in the greek tragedy The Oresteia of Aeschylus in which Agamemnon returning from Troy has to walk a red carpet fit for the gods.
Today the notion of the red carpet is relatively common, openings, personalities, trendy clubs and weddings are all places where you will get the red carpet treatment. The Oscars, the Grammys, the Cannes Film Festival and the local galas use the red carpet regularly. But the red is not necessary, it is not uncommon to use corporate colors schemes for the shareholders annual meeting.
We notice a crying need at Bravo for this type of rental, The carpet we often saw 20 years ago was a kind of felt, not very attractive, which looked more burgundy than red, it looked “disposable”. The pile carpet as you can find it in your living rooms, was quite expensive to rent and reserved for Hollywood, weddings and exhibtion aisle.
For over fifteen years, Bravo rents and install a higher quality carpet for your events. The most popular colors are blue, white, black and of course, the title holder for the most popular color … red. You can ask us for any colour and we will find it for you or we’ll do our best to be as close as possible. Prices will vary depending on the colour, the the installation, the needs for special cuts, stairs and size. It is even possible to affix your company logo if you insist.
Dans la catégorie: Events,General — par Martin à 10:21 am
Temporary kitchens are a specialty that Bravo has been holding for several years and recently we had to prove it. In addition to our traditional caterers which we continue to serve troughout their busy summer with wedding and corporate events, we had to recreate some temporary kitchens as part of events such as the Just for Laughs festival and the Osheaga and Heavy MTL music festivals.
I’m talking about full working kitchens, not just a fridge and oven here and there, cooking and presentation equipment to cutting boards and mixing bowls. A traditional caterer is used to working outside their immediate environment, often in conditions that are harder and smaller than in our own home kitchens. I tip my hat to those caterers who often have to fight with their client for a square meter of extra space to create their culinary artwork.
I’m not worried, a true Chef at an event like Osheaga will cope, but on our side, we must ensure that he feel as much as home as possible. When you invite a Chef Chuck Hughes as a cook for the artists of your festival, you want to make sure he is comfortable and that his food becomes the star, not the oven that did not work or even worse, you do not want the city inspectors closing the kitchen for lack of precaution on our part.
A caterer usually has his arsenal on hand, his bowls, his knives, his boards, his pans. He will prepare the basis for his meals, cut salads and vegetables in advance and marinate the meats in the comfort of his commercial kitchen. For temporary kitchens, we had to ensure that every tool necessary to perform the basic tasks were available, fry cutters, pans, ladles, spatulas, serving spoons, work tables, serving tables, ovens, freezers, mechouis, bbq, hot plates, cutting boards, etc.. We had to recreate the same kind of atmosphere in the kitchens of the Just for Laughs Festival, at the same time and under the same conditions.
This video available on the YouTube channel of the star Chef himelf demonstrates what has been done. If you want to have fun, find all the equipment of this video on our website, because you can.
Every August I feel a wave of melancholy over the fact that the summer is already ending, but at the same time I have a sense of excitement over what seems to be the beginning of a new year.
Of course it has been quite some time now since I’ve been sitting on the school benches, but Back-to-School time is always a time for me where I like to reminisce about the last year, a time where I adjust or make new resolutions for the « year », where I get new pens and a new notepad and where I’m already thinking of all the wonderfully comforting meals the summers crops will bring.
For us at Bravo, fall is litterally back-to-school time, the relaunch of corporate activities and it’s also our time to revisit our big season that has just passed. What went well? Where have we made mistakes? Where is there room for improvement? It’s also a time where a few of our team members that are with us only for the summer season leave and say : « See you next year ! » I feel a renewal of some sorts, an air of change that comes our way every fall.
With that in mind, share with us your comments. They are always appreciated and help us serve you better, dear clients.
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.
Outdoor cooking season is right around the corner and I’ll take a few minutes to answer the most often asked question when it comes to cooking equipment. How long will a propane tank last ?
It’s a small math question. At Bravo, we offer 20 and 100 lbs tanks, note that 1 lb of propane is equal to 21,500 British Thermal Unit or also known by it’s acronym of “BTU”. With all of this information, it’s easy to calculate that a 20 lbs tank gives you 430 000 btu of cooking time. (20 x 21,500 = 430,000)
Next step, you need to know the amount of BTU used by the equipment you will be renting. Good news, this information is available on our website. All of the propane powered equipment have this information right under its description.
You are renting a propane fryer for your event, since you placed your order from our website, you know that our fryers are 110,000 btu. Now, how long will a 20 lbs tank will last on this item ?
430,000 btu for the propane divided by 110,000 btu for the equipment will give you 3.9 hours of cooking time at full power. That’s 430,000 ÷ 110,000 = 3.90 hours.
Here are a few examples ;
A 60,000 btu Blodgett convection oven will give a little more than 7h of cooking time. A regular BBQ at 80,000 btu will give you around 5h of hamburger time and a Malibu Patio Heater with it’s 43,000 btu will offer heat for 10h.
This year winter is lingering like a bad smell. Right when we think it’s over and we can take off the snow tires and peel out of those layers of wool sweaters and down-filled jackets BAM! Back to -15°c ! But, c’est la vie here in Quebec and life goes on as usual. Parties are being planned, cocktails are being drank, catered delicacies devoured. Why should we delay our plans for our much-needed spring downtime just because winter is being a pain in the…leg?
To help you hold your events and keep your guests feeling happy and comfortable even when the weather isn’t quite agreeing with your inaugural BBQ or welcome back terrace event, Bravo is pleased to offer a full line of patio heaters, including our brand new Malibu heaters.
The Malibu heater doesn’t only look really cool with it’s West cost design but is also extremely functional. Standing at about 8ft high and about 2ft wide, the custom designed borosilicate glass tube contains the adjustable flame, providing an efficient and safe way to stay toasty during the early days of spring. The special glass used to encase the flame is specially designed to withstand up to 41,000 BTU. The propane powered Malibu heater radiates 360° and can be adjusted to Low, Med or High, keeping even the most cold-blooded amongst us toasty warm.
For a little more power, don’t forget to take a peek at our traditional patio heater, 43,000 BTU of raw flame. It’s classical design is now recognized by all and people will still gather around it for warmth.
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Outdoor cooking season is right around the corner and I’ll take a few minutes to answer the most often asked question when it comes to cooking equipment. How long will a propane tank last ?
