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3 Crucial Thoughts On Garden Party Gazebo Hire

Posted on July 28, 2017 by James Mallinder

Your special occasion is one that you’ll want to remember for the rest of your lives. Make sure it’s for all the right reasons, not because you didn’t consider these life-saving factors when deciding on your garden party gazebo hire company.

Stop, think and decide if the gazebo is the right choice for your garden party in light of these three points:

Think Of The Neighbours
Think Of The Weather
Think Of The True Setup And Removal Time

If you’re now having second thoughts about whether the gazebo is the way to go, jump to our comparison guide to see all the different pop-up venues you can use for a garden party.

If you’re still confident that the gazebo companies you’ve been comparing (and hopefully compared at least three of them and not just gone to Dodgy Dave’s Marquees and Gazebos, whose number you got off the Buy and Sell board in Waitrose) will give you everything you need, at least read on to see why these points are so important.

1 – Think Of The Neighbours

How forgiving will your neighbours be if the party ends up going on later than planned and they’re trying to get some rest, whilst you and your guests are just getting into the swing of things?

A few jugs of Pimms and bottles of fizz have gone down nicely and now your kids aren’t the only ones dancing around the sound system. The BBQ’s getting fired back up, and you and the other not-so-oldies are all ready to get on the shorts when the young ones head into town.

But Barbara from next door has sent Clive round to complain. He’s already unhappy somebody parked across the edge of his drive earlier in the day, even though he wasn’t going out, and somebody left the gate at the end of the lane open.

Now he’s annoyed some people are having fun. No wonder you didn’t invite him.

Either way, you’ve got two options: shut the garden party down and take it inside the house; or carry on regardless, with the sound emanating out from the sides of the gazebo, and have a very sour faced Clive and Barbara refusing to take your next Amazon delivery.

There are other options which mean your outdoor party can remain outdoors and your house can remain a non-party zone.

2 – Think Of The Weather

The other thing to think about when planning your garden party is the weather. I know you’ll have thought about whether it’ll be sunny or whether it’ll be raining, but what about the wind?

Under windy conditions, if you aren’t careful before you know it, the gazebo can go airborne. A strong gust can get under the structure and it’ll take off even if it’s pegged into the ground.

Besides the hired gazebo potentially getting damaged and costing you x-amount in repair bills, once it takes off the flailing legs could do some real harm to you and your guests.

Make sure your hired gazebo is well and truly secured with weights and factor these into your price calculations and comparisons.

3 – Think Of The True Setup And Removal Time

How long has your gazebo hire company said it’ll take to set up the gazebo, a few hours? And the same again to take it down? That’s great.

But, when are they coming to do both of these? If they aren’t setting up and removing the hired gazebo on the morning of the party and the morning after, respectively, the true setup and removal time is multiple days.

Once the gazebo is setup in your garden, it’s your responsibility. We were speaking to a cricket club recently who hired a number of gazebos for a big match. The hire company could only install them on the Thursday before the game, a whole three days and nights beforehand.

The club thought they’d secured them, but on Friday night, a little storm came in and destroyed all but two of the gazebos. They had to patch the rest up and have volunteers sleep in the clubhouse each night until the gazebos were back with the hire company. They ended up losing money on what was supposed to be some fundraising hospitality areas for the big match.

Make sure you find a gazebo hire company who is willing to install the structure on the morning of the party and remove it the morning after. Anything else runs the risk of you getting caught out by a rough half hour of weather.

Now, Consider All The Alternatives

Gazebos can be great for garden parties. They’re relaxed and offer a nice bit of shade. But they have plenty of downfalls.

Why not consider all the different temporary structures you could hire for your garden party that we have put into one handy comparison guide. Whichever you have any more questions about, be it a Nordic tipi, an inflatable igloo or a classic marquee; ask one of our party planners for some free advice.

You’ll only get one chance to celebrate this party, make sure it’s absolutely perfect.

Download our brochure here to find out how you can wow your guests

6 Epic 18th Birthday Party Ideas

Posted on July 25, 2017 by James Mallinder

Turning 18 is amazing. You are usually still at college or sixth form so are surrounded by your friends day in, day out, you still live with your parents so luckily don’t have to think about the boring stuff like bills and how to work a washing machine; plus it’s the age where you can finally go out, legally drink and get into nightclubs without worrying about getting in. Therefore, throwing an epic 18th birthday party is key to enter adulthood with something you’ll always remember.

Having a birthday party means you can celebrate with your friends and family all in one place, and everyone there has come to celebrate your birthday. The hard part though is figuring out how you want to celebrate your birthday, therefore we have thrown together a list of epic 18th birthday party ideas.

Throw Your Own Festival
Go Sky Diving & Supercar Driving With Your Friends
Party Like A Celebrity
VIP Shopping Trip
A Holiday With Your Friends
Hire A Pop Up Nightclub In Your Garden

Throw Your Own Festival

When Summer comes so does festival season. People love festivals, as they attract hundreds of thousands of people from across the world. There is a festival for everyone as each festival holds various artists from different genres in music.

If your birthday falls within the Summer season hosting a festival themed garden party could be one to consider. Festivals are a great place to let loose, listen to great music, have a drink and dance around with your friends. Having one in your garden can include all of that just minus the camping part.

Another great thing about a festival is the dress code. No need for high heels and tight dresses or for guys smart shoes and shirts, you can wear wellies, put glitter in your hair and use face gems, but don’t forget your rain coat as the British weather is unpredictable.

With a festival themed party how extravagant you go is up to you. You could keep it simple by just playing some music within your garden or you can hire a party planner who will sort out a DJ, bar area and decorations.

Igloo Disco presents : HYC in the Park 2015 (unique pop-up events) from Igloo Disco on Vimeo.

Go Sky Diving Or Supercar Driving With Your Friends

Not everyone is going to want a boozy birthday party with dancing, some of you may want to do something completely different. There are many places to go if you want to feel an adrenaline rush but some of these places you may visit more than once within your life. For something to really remember why not try a skydive with a few of your bravest friends. Skydiving creates such an adrenaline rush and it is a once in a lifetime experience.

If that is too extreme as you don’t fancy jumping out of a plane driving around a racing track in a supercar is also great at creating an adrenaline rush and will also be a very memorable experience. Here you can time your friends laps giving it a bit more of a competitive streak.

Party Like A Celebrity

Everyone on TOWIE and MIC does their fair share of clubbing, but they never slum it in the general area or even just a booked table. They go strictly VIP. Celebrities will hire out the VIP areas in clubs which will come with complimentary bottles of Vodka and Champagne. If you’re looking to party like your favourite TV star then hiring out a VIP section of a nightclub could be for you.

A VIP booth is a great way to stand out from the crowd as you can party the night away with your friends in your own private booth usually overlooking the main dancefloor. Within the VIP area you will be treated like royalty with drinks and mixers on tap, you will also have a private seating area just in case you want to take a break from dancing the night away.

This is a great way to experience what a nightclub is all about within the privacy of your friendship group, however you can bring people back to your VIP booth if you wanted. You can even hire pretend-paparazzi to capture your arrival at the club.

VIP Shopping Trip

If you are into shopping this one is perfect for you. Hire out a luxury Mercedes Jet Sprinter which can hold you, your friends and family members to take you around London for the ultimate VIP shopping trip. These Sprinter’s are used by celebrities like Kim and Kanye as they offer space and comfort as well as style, therefore making them the ultimate vehicle to use for your VIP shopping trip.

Within the Sprinter you can enjoy bottles of Champagne with your friends and family while you ride around from shop to shop. With a chauffeur driving you can relax and let them drive you around the city. No hiking around between the shops and no rides on the hot and sweat tube.

Birthday shopping is necessary even if it is only for an outfit for your party or night out, therefore why not make a day of it with your friends and enjoy travelling around in luxury.

A Holiday With Your Friends

Now you have turned 18, a summer holiday with your friends is on the cards, so why not go and enjoy some sun and sand for a long weekend now instead?If you are looking for the ideal party holiday, then Ibiza is the location for you. With celebrities partying it up in clubs such as Ocean Beach and Amnesia you never know who you might see. At clubs like Ocean, you can hire out a bed which includes bottle service.his is a great place to relax, enjoy the music and dance all day and on into the night. A holiday for your 18th birthday is something to remember and you can come home rocking a great tan.

If you aren’t too keen on the idea of a party holiday the world is your oyster as there are many places for you to visit all within just a few hours flight.

Simply head to your Sky Scanner app, find a city you like the look of and then get online to find a luxury apartment for you and your friends to take over for the weekend.A holiday can be whatever you want it to be but it is a great way to celebrate turning 18.

Hire A Pop Up Nightclub In Your Garden

When we say pop up nightclub, we don’t mean a bog standard marquee from DavesMarquees.com. But, if you are wanting to stay closer to home and celebrate with more friends and family in a very unique way, hire an entire pop up nightclub.

Hiring an inflatable nightclub will be remembered not only by you, but by everyone who came to celebrate your birthday. An inflatable igloo disco is the answer.

Hiring an inflatable igloo may sound like one of the craziest 18th birthday party ideas, but this is a very different type of marquee which can be set up in your garden. You only get chance to turn 18 once so you don’t want to do something ordinary.

The igloo is a fully functioning nightclub and depending on the size you can hold a vast amount of people within the space, come rain or shine. You can throw a party inside an igloo with a bar and DJ to make your night worth talking about. With an igloo you can break out of the ordinary marquee in your garden and have something different and unusual.

With an igloo in your garden you can have a winter themed party, or you can be ironic and use it along with other inflatable objects and create one wild party.

With an igloo disco the possibilities are endless as you can use it for so many different themes. Our igloos are hired for use at big festivals so we can help you use one for that if a nightclub isn’t your favourite option..

An 18th birthday party is a great time to be creative and different. You only turn 18 once. You want it to be memorable so make sure you let an expert plan your party.

Get your free party planners handbook today

How To Hire A Pop Up Nightclub

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Danny Savage

Just imagine. An actual nightclub in your own back garden. What an incredible way to celebrate your child hitting an 18th or 21st birthday. You’ve probably noticed more people are hiring pop up nightclubs in their gardens for anniversaries and birthday parties. It’s a truly special way of celebrating. If you’re considering a pop up nightclub for a landmark birthday, here’s how to hire a pop up nightclub that will impress everyone who sees it.

Where To Start? Decide What Type Of Venue You Want To Use

Firstly, you need to choose the type of venue for your nightclub. As it will be located in your garden, you may be limited on size. Measure your garden to determine how much space you have to play with.

Then you can consider the types of structures to hire in order to create this one-off venue.

There are many different types, each with their pros and cons:

Traditional Marquee: A popular choice and holds many guests but the tent poles cause some serious damage to the ground. Let’s be honest, marquees have been over-done, they lack the WOW factor.
Nordic Tipi: A Nordic tipi is an unusual and visually-striking place to celebrate a birthday but again, the giant wooden poles will leave some lasting damage. They are very cool though.
Stretch Tent: A stretched tent can be shaped to complement your event, it can stand against high winds too.
Inflatable Tent: Inflatable tents offer lots of benefits. They provide excellent cover from the weather, they contain a lot of the noise made inside and they’re UNIQUE.

There are lots of venues out there, you just need to find the right one that will suit your budget, space and needs. Most importantly, it needs to have the wow factor as well. If you’re planning a surprise birthday party, the venue must look spectacular.

Choose Your Vendor

When it comes to hiring a pop up nightclub, this is a major step. At this stage, you know what kind of venue you want to hire, you just need to find the right vendor you can rent from. Take some time to search online to see what options are available and compare at least three quotes.

Look at what sizes and styles they have available and find out what the set up options are.

Ideally, you want to have a venue that can be set up in the morning of the party and then dissembled the next day. That’s what we do here at Igloo, we set up our inflatable igloos in the morning of the party and then take it down the next day, we clean everything up too so you don’t have to.

With Igloo, We Guarantee: From nothing to nightclub in under 5 hours, whatever the weather!

To help you find the best venue vendor, start by looking at their social media. Checking their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is an effective way of seeing what kind of parties the vendor has catered for in the past and if they create the same nightclubs you have in mind.

It’s no use hiring a marquee company to create a nightclub for an 18th birthday if all they specialise in is country shows and summer fetes.

Don’t forget to read their reviews. Reading reviews will provide you with an excellent insight of what previous customers have thought about them. Did the birthday girl enjoy her party? Were other parents happy with the results? What did the guests think about it? We recommend looking at Google Reviews for unbiased reviews from previous customers.

Decorating And Lighting

After you’ve picked your venue, you will need to organise lighting and interior decorating.

You can hire nightclub lighting or purchase cheaper alternatives you don’t mind using for one night then throwing away or storing until Christmas/your next event. Before you buy, just make sure you’re hiring/buying from registered and recommended retailers to ensure you’re buying safe lighting. Many of the cheap disco lights you find on Amazon & eBay may look good on the picture but they’re cheaply made and don’t meet EU regulations. Do your research before you buy to avoid disappointment.

With decorating, start by choosing the theme of your nightclub. Do you want to go with a standard nightclub vibe or choose a fancy dress option? Do her or him and his friends have a particular club they talk of going to, like Pacha or Ocean Beach? Then decorate accordingly.

Hire A DJ

The next important task is to find a DJ. As the DJ is central to a successful nightclub party, choose your DJ wisely. One of the best ways of finding a DJ is asking people for recommendations. You can also look online and in directories, but it’s beneficial if you can approach a DJ who is highly recommended. Ask your child to pass you any playlists and artists they love, you need to make sure the DJ plays music they like.

It’s important you book your DJ in advance. DJs are booked up for weddings, corporate events and birthday parties so booking a DJ on a Saturday night can be difficult if you’re leaving it last minute to book.

Hire A Bar

Another important feature of any nightclub is the bar. Bars are available for hiring at weddings and events. You will need to compare quotes and make sure the bar will fit in your venue. When it comes to hiring a bar, you will need to pay for bar staff and drinks too.

But the beauty of the nightclub being in your own back garden, you’re in full control of who can and cannot access the alcohol.

Security

And, on that theme, you need to think about how you will manage security on the night. If word gets around that there’s a pop-up nightclub and a party at so-and-so’s house, what will you do if an uninvited group of possibly drunk teenagers arrive?

Letting them in when they’re in a good mood is one thing, but what about later into the night? Professional help who knows how to run a guest list and nip any problems in the bud might be the best plan here.

Wish There Was A Simpler Way Of Planning Your Pop Up Nightclub?

If you’re concerned about hiring lighting, decorating and finding the DJ, check with the venue vendor you are hiring from because they might be able to offer you a complete package so you don’t have to worry about anything else.

Here at Igloo, we offer complete and tailored party packages with our inflatable igloos. That means, along with our unique igloo venue, we bring the DJ, sound systems, non slip flooring, all the technical equipment and supplies you need, even a fully staffed bar. We manage the event too, which means you can enjoy the party and leave everything to us.

Need A Hand Planning Your Party? We’ve Got A Free Guide You Can Use

When you’re organising a party to celebrate your child reaching an important milestone, it’s obvious you want to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. That’s why we’ve created the essential guide to party planning. ‘The Party Planner’s Handbook’ has all the important steps you need to follow (along with insider advice from our own team). Enjoy!

Download your free guide here

6 Reasons More People Are Looking For A Disco For Hire

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Danny Savage

Pop up parties are growing in popularity for a reason.

They’re fun, they look incredible and, most importantly, for the birthday girl/boy, everyone who attends will remember a spectacular party. As there are so many moving parts when it comes to organising a party, more people are preferring to choose a pop up nightclub or disco for hire. By hiring a disco, you get everything included, the structure, the setup, the company’s expertise and so much more.

These are the reasons why people are choosing a disco for hire when throwing landmark birthday parties and events.

An Obvious Reason… They Look Amazing!

When it comes to planning your child’s birthday party, it’s natural you want something that will impress everyone and be unique. From your child’s point of view, having a party that’s completely different to everybody else’s is important. They don’t want to follow the crowd; they want to stand out. That’s the reason why pop up nightclubs are growing in popularity.

Having your own disco in your garden is unique. Visually, it looks impressive, and your child can have their own nightclub for a night filled with all their friends and family.

It’s All Inclusive

If you decided to hire just a marquee or a community hall, it’s expected you will organise and manage your own decorations, DJ, technology, bar, food, lighting, security, clean up and everything else in between. Trying to find the right DJ who is available to play on the night can be difficult and where do you even start looking to hire bar staff for one night?

Hiring a disco which has everything included is a lifesaver in regards to time, stress and costs. You don’t have to worry about booking everything. The company you’re hiring the venue from will already have it all planned and ready.

With Igloo Disco that’s exactly what we do. Along with our inflatable Igloos, we bring all the features you need for a successful party: DJ, tech, security, bar (with bar staff), etc.

They Take The Stress Off Your Shoulders

Planning a party is fun. Choosing venues, picking the caterers and finding the best DJ is all part of the process. However, let’s not ignore the fact it can get stressful too. There’s many moving parts to think about and, importantly, there’s the emotional stress of making sure your child has an incredible time.

By hiring an all-in-one disco, you can be confident the company has hosted birthday parties before and they know exactly what to do.

The Disco Company Provides Their Expertise

Adding on to the previous point, by hiring an experienced and successful company to manage the venue and everything else, you can be certain they know exactly what your child wants in their party. If you’ve never planned a party like this before, it’s daunting not knowing the bands and artists your child and their friends like to listen to.

Hiring a disco means you can talk to an experienced professional who can help you plan and organise the event. They can share insightful information that has been successful in other parties and they can help your vision become a reality.

Safety Is A High Priority

By choosing a disco for hire, you can also be confident that the venue will be set up safely, following health and safety regulations. When there’s a disco in your back garden and there are guests who have had too much to drink, it’s important risk assessments are made to decrease the risk of any injuries.

For every birthday party we attend, safety is a top priority. Our inflatable structures are set up securely (using a special anchoring technique – no ugly or trip hazardous tent ropes are used!) so they remain upright and fixed to the ground. Our staff remain on-site during the party to manage health and safety. We concentrate on the important things while everyone else concentrates on having fun.

You Can Enjoy The Party Too

Finally, one of the main reasons people are searching for a pop up disco is because they can enjoy the experience too. If you ask any full time events manager or party planner, it’s difficult to let your hair down when you’re in charge of managing the event. By choosing a party company, they can manage the responsibility so you can have fun too. Why should you sit on the sidelines of your child’s biggest birthday party ever?

Want Some Extra Help Planning Your Event? Use Our Free Party Planner Guide

Planning a party requires weeks of preparation. When you think about it, there’s a lot to consider. To help you plan your party successfully, we’ve created ‘The Party Planner’s Handbook’ which has all the essential steps you need to follow to organise a successful party.

Download your free copy here

5 top 40th birthday party ideas and themes for women

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Site Admin

They say that hitting 40 can make or break people. We say forget about the age and make the most of reaching a new decade by throwing the best party she will have ever had. It’s not always easy deciding on a party theme or venue so here are our best 40th birthday party ideas for women.

Get dolled up

Great for the ladies (and men) who love to dress to impress, the Roaring 20s were all about being lavish and having fun while you’re at it. Get into the theme by creating a speakeasy-style room: low-lit, filled with plush, dark and soft furnishings, with alcohol in full flow…you get the picture. Book a live upbeat jazz band in so guests can swing the evening away.

Flower power

For the florally inclined 39-year-olds out there, this will make their birthday magical. There are many florists who offer courses and parties for beginners, improvers and experienced flower arrangers and enthusiasts. A seasonal and fun workshop for the lucky party can be a relaxing way to spend the afternoon, and everyone gets to take something home which is a big bonus.

Elegance and intrigue

Throw a Venetian masquerade-themed party and invite everyone to come in their finest gowns and tuxedos – oh and a mask. It’s up to each guest how fancy they go with the mask but the birthday girl will love the fact that everyone has dressed up for her party. In fact, the whole theme is great for going all out with vibrant decorations, dainty finger food and lots of bubbles!

Wine tasting

Book that special lady in your life and her nearest in for a wine-tasting evening if she loves nothing more than crackling open a bottle of red, white or rosé and chatting with friends. Make the occasion last even longer by throwing in accommodation and a meal over a weekend so no-one has to worry about getting home after they’ve indulged in a few glasses.

Arriba, arriba!

You can’t go wrong with a Mexican fiesta-inspired party, and it can be especially fab when hosted outdoors – we’re thinking colourful paper lanterns, colourful maracas and piñatas – both as games and a cake. Adults and children alike will love the fun sharing foods like tacos, nachos and churros, and we’re quite sure the adults will also enjoy the accompanying tequilas. Just remember to load up on salt and lime.

Ready to party into the 40s? Don’t forget, for more tips on how to throw an amazing 40th birthday party, contact a member of our team and check out more of our ideas.

Download our brochure to find out how you can wow your guests

7 ideas for planning a surprise 40th birthday party

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Site Admin

Thinking about how to make that big 4-0 bash a night to remember? We’ve got some fantastic surprise 40th birthday party ideas up our sleeves to steer you away from the mundane gatherings so prepare to be inspired.

Bloomin’ marvellous

Book your other half in for a bespoke flower arranging workshop where they can relax, get crafty with friends and take home their creation. There are lots of professional florists who will come to wherever you’d like to host the party, meaning the special person can relax in a comfortable setting, and it’s much easier to plan a surprise cake too.

Just the tonic

Partial to a G and T, are they? Then you might just hit the nail on the head with a private gin and tonic tasting experience. Great for the serious gin-nerd or those that just need another excuse to sip lots of new ones, these fun and informative sessions might even introduce the birthday boy or girl to their new favourite gin.

A par-tee to remember

Plan a golf getaway – abroad or at home – on a magnificent course that everyone can enjoy. This type of party encourages a little healthy competition, and it provides the perfect chance to catch up with friends who you might not have seen in a little while – on the course or in the bar.

Can you gig it?

Bring back the good old days when they used to head to the nearest venue to catch the latest bands with pals, only this time it doesn’t involve sticky floors and smoky rooms. Find a really great band or soloist to their taste and throw a gig in a fit-for-purpose setting like in a gazebo if outdoors, or even better, an inflatable dome.

Scoot on

Working your way through parkland on a two wheeled-segway will never be so easy. Yes, it requires self-balancing but there’s no pedalling involved, all you have to do is hop on and enjoy navigating the bumps, hills, obstacles and woodland.

Light my fire

Got a Bear Grylls wannabe on your hands? Then pack them off on a wilderness and bushcraft survival course to see what they’re made of. A ‘traps and trapping’ weekend will really bring out the caveman/woman in them or take them back to our hunter gatherer roots with a course built around winter survival skills for the ultimate immersion experience.

You’re having a laugh

Book into a comedy club for some laugh out loud fun. Find a great venue close to where you are and settle in for a full night of comedy acts, and one huge bonus about an event like this is that it can be the place where you end or start the night.

There you have it – if you were looking for ideas for a surprise 40th birthday party, we hope we’ve done the hard work for you. Maybe you’ve got an idea in mind but you need the perfect venue with a difference. If you’d like to chat to us about throwing that special surprise party, get in touch with us for a free quote.

Download our free party planning guide

5 corporate event management tips

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Site Admin

So you’re about to organise an important event that you want to be remembered for the right reasons. Don’t worry as you’re in the right hands: our top tips on corporate event management will help you get the job done. Just remember, there’s no such thing as too much preparation.

1. Find out what the objective is

Are you in charge of generating income or PR for a new product or service? Just remember here that you have lots of opportunities to engage with people that stretch beyond digital means (these all play a separate part, of course) so think about how best to utilise this face-to-face contact.

2. Begin early

Plan out a timeline of events so you know you are hitting deadlines for certain milestones. If you know what you are focusing on from one week to the next, there’s less chance of you missing it off the list with dramatic consequences. Keep touch points with the vendors you are working with to make sure the deal still stands.

3. Make lists

We can’t stress how important it is to make, check off and check again lists: for yourself, for your staff, for the different suppliers and for the venue. Have one for each sub-section of your event, and don’t forget to check them as close to the date as you can so you know everything is in place.

4. Spread the word

Complement your event with a social media plan that aims to create a buzz around it in the run-up to the event, during the event, and long afterwards too. You’ll also need to create a time frame to release little teasers of information so that you can build suspense and get everyone excited to be a part of your journey – even more important for ticketed events.

5. Remember to follow up afterwards

Now is not the time to take a little breather, in fact, it’s one of the most crucial points along your planning. Hopefully you’ll have run a successful event that allows you to build on your positive relationship with attendees and partners, and know how to make the next one even better.

Download our free brochure to find out how you can wow your guests

While it’s true that you can’t foresee unpredictable problems, you can prepare yourself for as many eventualities as possible to eliminate any awful surprises. By seriously thinking about your objectives, thorough planning and a strong team around you, you should ace it.

Fancy chatting to our team about planning your own corporate event? Get in touch for a free quotation.

The key questions to ask when you hire a marquee

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Site Admin

You have to make sure all angles are covered when you come to hire a marquee because they can literally hold your party together. Maybe it’s a 40th birthday party you are organising or a wedding reception you’re thinking of hosting in a marquee…whatever the occasion, here’s what you need to ask before you sign up.

What sizes do you offer?

This usually depends on the hirer having a rough idea of numbers because you don’t want people to be squashed into a tiny space nor do you want an empty marquee, so choose your size wisely. The most realistic estimate you can give them is the best you can do, after all, closer to the time you can’t predict people dropping out or coming on board at the last minute.

Which kinds of marquees do you have?

There are lots of shapes to consider in your hunt for the perfect marquee. Traditional, tipi, yurt and stretch tent are just some of the styles out there so, depending on the atmosphere you want to create, it’s worth shopping around to pick the best shape for purpose.

Are your marquees insured?

Check if the marquee hire company has public liability insurance and damage waivers in place, and whether you need to get any further insurance to protect yourself. Even better, if they are members of MUTA, it means they must follow MUTA’s industry-leading Best Practice Guide and be legal, decent, honest and truthful.

Will you be able to sort out the practicalities for me?

Toilets, electrics, heating, catering and refrigeration…someone needs to make sure it’s looked after. The question here is: will you be able to let the marquee company take these issues off your hands or is it something you have to arrange for yourself? Either way, make sure you know before you proceed.

What extras will you need?

It depends entirely on the occasion but you need to consider what extra items you’ll need to entertain guests. A marquee for a wedding will need a good supply of tables and chairs; it’s worth looking into sorting a dance floor for an 18th birthday and corporate events require a good sound system for speeches. If you know what you need, ask if they can take care of this for you.

How do we choose a site?

Find out what is and what isn’t possible for the site you choose. If you don’t have a site in mind, the company should be able to find one for you in your preferred area. One typical problem you might encounter along the way is the issue of uneven or sloping ground. Most companies will be able to provide a range of options to cater for your needs, for instance, a raised platform can get around the problem of a slope.

This is a great starting point for anyone thinking about the first steps of hiring a marquee, and there are many more points we could cover. If you’d like to contact us about about our inflatable domes as a quirky alternative to a marquee, a member of our team would love to chat to you or give you a free quotation.

Why corporate team building matters to your business

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Site Admin

Any business owner knows that to produce great work, you have to be able to rely on a great team to deliver it . To do this, it’s worth investing the time and effort into making sure that each individual commits to the group effort. So get everyone on the same page with corporate team building exercises to reap these rewards.

Keeping team members happy

Everyone will feel at ease expressing their opinions, and open communication means that no one feels that they can’t express themselves. Be clear on everyone’s roles so that they own their responsibilities and know who to turn to for specific requests. This then facilitates an efficient team.

Make sure your team is motivated

Tasks that increase an employee’s confidence in themselves and the wider team continue to deliver long after the training session. Consider it this way: they are more likely to think of ways to evolve and change to improve which in turn helps your business grow.

It doesn’t have to be awkward

Keep team-building activities as normal as possible by going for the activities that are fun and natural – something like bowling would do the trick. It will make your staff feel valued and it’s well-known that when staff feel appreciated, they feel motivated to produce great work.

Team culture

Developing interpersonal relationships (outside of work as well as during) and a sense of belonging within the team can work wonders for boosting positive morale and building trust and respect for each other. What’s even better is that it helps to break down barriers between senior managers and employees because everyone has to work together.

Foster creativity

Moving your team into a new situation can only do them good because the challenge of being faced with the unfamiliar can bring out the best in the problem-solvers, and encourage innovative thinking. If they can bring these new ways of thinking into the office then you’ve got yourself a team with bona fide analytical abilities.

Team building activities can give your staff strength in numbers, as well as make the most of their individual skills. Be sure to build these sessions into your annual business plan so that you get the long-term benefits, because no matter which way you look at it, corporate team building matters to your business today, next month and years down the line.

Want to find out how we can transform your corporate team building event? Our team will only be too happy to give you a free quote.

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A Year Since We Were On Dragon’s Den: A Q&A With Our Founder Danny Savage

Posted on February 28, 2017 by James Mallinder

Since appearing on Dragons Den, back in Janurary, Danny Savage, the owner of Igloo Disco, has taken us on quite the journey. These unique, inflatable igloo venues have travelled across the UK, hitting festivals such as Beatherder, countless private parties, and now even corporate events and celebrations.

Even though the show aired in January 2017, it’s been a year since filming took place. With this in mind, we were talking in the office and thought it make for an interesting take on where the business has grown in the past 12 months.

We asked Danny about his thought on what has happened over the past few months and how appearing on Dragons Den has changed the business.

And here’s what Danny has to say about it

I bet it feels like ages ago, now, doesn’t it?

Yeah, I suppose it does. Dragons Den was actually filmed in June 2016, which meant I had to wait over 6 months to see it when it finally aired on TV. It was meant to be on TV in October, but they changed their plans and suspended the series until January.

Going on Dragons Den was an amazing experience and something I’d definitely recommend to any small businesses or budding entrepreneurs; as long as you have the confidence and determination in your product and yourself, you can’t lose.

Just being on the show has had a positive effect on the business and our brand.

What happened after filming stopped, did you see the Dragons for a chat or get any more advice?

As soon as the filming finished I was whisked off into one of the other studios to meet up with my Dad and James, who were in the back commentating throughout the pitch.

They then took me away to interview me about the experience I had with the Dragons and get my reaction to what just happened.

I wasn’t allowed to interact with any of the Dragons before or after. They come in, film then leave immediately, I didn’t even hear what the Dragons had to say about me or my pitch until the show aired in January!

Even though you didn’t get any investment off them, they seemed to really like you and the events we offer and were really encouraging Igloo Disco to keep growing. They had a “come back when you’ve proven it works” attitude – which you have, haven’t you? That must have been reassuring as a fledgeling business, at the time of filming?

Yeah, I was really proud of the way I handled the Dragons and the feedback they gave me was nothing but reassuring.

As a business, we went from myself doing all the work to employing 4 full time members of staff, purchasing another 4 structures and adding loads of extra hire lines to our range including sound, lighting, furniture and bars.

This was a huge investment that enabled us to scale the business very quickly.

Dragons Den was actually filmed in June 2016 although it was aired in Jan’ 2017. It was a long wait for it to finally come on, but it was worth it. Since being aired on Dragons Den we have seen an increase in our profits meaning we aren’t going anywhere anytime soon… apart from to wherever people want a party they’ll never forget!

I know you mentioned your phone going wild when the show aired and the website crashed. What was the effect in terms of bookings?

January was a crazy month. Crazy.

We did four months of business in just three weeks, which more than paid for the lack of investment by the Dragons.

The type of clients we have been getting has also evolved, we’re getting more corporate parties and larger scale events booking with us now. These bookings are also wanting us to plan and execute the whole event from start to finish. That’s perfect for us because we’re an events company, really, that just happens to use a blow up Igloo as our venue ha!

But seriously, this summer, we’re almost working at full capacity – you know that – with 7-9 events on every weekend. We’re now taking bookings for 2018 with many enquiries having to join our waiting list for available dates. It’s a good position to be in.

I’m proud of what we’re doing.

And what events stand out in your memory that we helped create with one of our inflatable igloos since the show aired?

We recently hosted an event with Fabulous BBQ in central London and invited lots of large businesses down for some free food & drink. The event was a massive success with over 150 business representatives in attendance, including Google, Facebook, Kenshoo, ITV, Lambeth Palace, to name a few.

We’ve also hosted a few celebrity parties, including for Peter Crouch & Abbey Clancey, Rafa Benitez & recently Kem from Love Island who is currently on the show at the moment. (Go, Kem!).

Where’s Igloo Disco heading next then?

We’re currently in the middle of a huge growth phase. We have 3 new full-time positions, starting this month, so we can build a better operations infrastructure to deal with the number of enquiries we’re currently receiving.

In October, we’re launching Igloo Disco Ibiza. I used to live in Ibiza, running parties and DJing, before starting up Igloo Disco. The timing is now perfect to launch the business in the world’s party capital. We will provide the same services we provide in the UK, but with air-conditioning instead of heating, obviously!

In December, we’re turning a central London Warehouse into a Winter Wonderland themed event space to hire for works/business Christmas parties. There will be 3-4 Igloo’s each with a different use, as well as loads of other bits needed for the best work’s part ever. We’re providing catering, drinks, fun activities, and even bringing in a certain world famous Christmas band. It will really be a unique experience for companies who like to be different.

Oh! we’re also appearing on SC4 (Welsh TV) on Boxing day amongst other TV/Media appearances within early 2018.