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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

MATRA

Manufacturers and Tent Renters Association Manufacturers and Tent Renters Association Inc. Annual Conference: The Tent Show.

is dedicated to promoting the tent rental industry throughout the US and beyond. Our mission is to assist our rental company members in education, safety, and product knowledge. Our vendor members include worldwide tent manufacturers and suppliers to the rental industry.

09/30/2026

🌟 MATRA Board Member Spotlight: Nelson Grandchamp

This week, we’re proud to spotlight Nelson Grandchamp, Vice-President of Grandchamp Structure Design and a MATRA Board Member.

Nelson has been around the tent rental industry since day one. He grew up in his family’s rental company, Grandchamp Tent Rental, and started working there as a summer employee, washing tents and eventually moving into installation.

After graduating from college with a degree in Business Administration, Nelson took the lead on a project to manufacture tents for the family business. What started as an effort to create a few tent components grew into Grandchamp Structure Design, with more machinery, staff, designers, and engineers joining the team as demand grew.

Nelson attended his first MATRA Show in 2009 at just 15 years old — and that experience helped him realize that this was an industry he wanted to be part of.

Today, Nelson enjoys managing special and complex projects and helping bring Grandchamp Structure Design’s MATRA Show presence to life.

Outside of work, Nelson recently took on a new role of his own: first-time dad!

As MATRA’s youngest-ever Board Member, Nelson brings a fresh perspective to an industry he has been part of since childhood.

Thank you, Nelson, for bringing your experience, energy, and fresh perspective to the MATRA community!

09/29/2026

📣 CALL FOR RAFFLE & AUCTION ITEMS!

Have something to donate? 👈
We’re filling the raffle and auction lineup for the MATRA 2026 Tent Show, and we’d love your contribution!

Have a gift card, experience, product, industry-related item, or something else your fellow MATRA members would be excited to win? Send it our way!

Higher-value donations may be selected for the Live Auction.

Help add a little more fun to the 2026 Tent Show while supporting MATRA. Contribute an item for the raffle or auction.

📦 Please have your donation to us by October 30.
🔗 For complete shipping and delivery details, visit https://tinyurl.com/TentShowShipping

09/25/2026

🎪 KNOW THE TENT SHOW? BE SOMEONE’S BUDDY.

Our new First-Timer Buddy System is designed to help first-time attendees feel welcome, informed and comfortable at the 2026 MATRA Tent Show.

Now we’re looking for experienced MATRA members to serve as Buddies.

If you’ve attended at least two MATRA Tent Shows, you know how much there is to see, do, and figure out during the week. This year, you can help someone experiencing it all for the first time.

As a MATRA Tent Show Buddy, you’ll:

🤝 Welcome a small group of first-time attendees
💬 Answer questions and share what you know
📱 Connect with your group through WhatsApp
🎪 Help them navigate the show and recommend what not to miss
🙌 Be a familiar face when they arrive in Atlantic City

MATRA will provide the information and support. You just bring your experience and willingness to help.

Want to be a Buddy?
Email [email protected] with “I WANT TO BE A MATRA BUDDY!”

📅 November 1–5, 2026
📍 Harrah’s Casino Resort | Atlantic City, NJ

09/24/2026

🎪 Exhibit space is filling up for the 2026 MATRA Tent Show!

Planning to exhibit? Now’s the time to reserve your space and make sure your company is part of the show.

New for exhibitors in 2026:
• Extended Expo Hours
• New attendee incentives designed to encourage booth visits
• More opportunities to showcase your company through raffle and auction donations

With space filling up, we recommend registering soon.

👉 View exhibit packages and register: https://tinyurl.com/TentShow

We’ll see you under the tent!

09/22/2026

🎪 Tour of the Tents

Today we’re taking a look back at the Aztec Tents Timbertrac™ display from the 2025 Tent Show.

The Timbertrac™ Collection combines an architectural truss-beam design, wood-like aluminum beams and decorative joining plates to create the appearance of craftsman-style construction.

Its Graincote™ finish provides the warmth and character of wood while maintaining the performance and versatility of a commercial tent structure. The gable ends can remain open or be enclosed with fabric panels and walls as conditions require.

🎥 Watch the full tour:
https://vimeo.com/1168875966

👉 Visit MATRA’s Past Tent Shows page to explore the complete 2025 Interactive Map:
https://www.matramembers.org/page/Past-Tent-Shows

09/21/2026

🌟 MATRA Board Member Spotlight: Jeff Hinck

This week, we’re proud to spotlight Jeff Hinck, Owner of A Party Center and MATRA’s Site Committee Chair.

A third-generation owner, Jeff grew up in the rental industry and has built his career around customer service and creating memorable events. He is also a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, bringing his background in catering and restaurants into the family event rental business.

Jeff has been a MATRA member for more than 20 years, and when asked what he values most about the organization, his answer was simple:
“Relationships.”
That pretty much says it all.

And yes, the “Chef Jeff” nickname is well earned. Jeff is a certified chef who still loves cooking for friends and family when he isn’t working on events, DIY projects or his latest woodworking project.

Thank you, Jeff, for the experience, personality and leadership you bring to the MATRA community!

09/19/2026

🎪 Tour of the Tents

Today we’re taking a look back at Fiesta Tents’ displays from the 2025 Tent Show.

The tour featured two versatile systems:

• The 50' x 120' Solar System, a user-friendly clear-span structure featuring standardized components and quick, tool-free assembly
• The 30' x 45' Legacy Series, a hybrid system combining the advantages of clear-span structures and frame tents

Both systems were designed with rental companies and installation crews in mind, offering flexible configurations, efficient assembly and dependable performance.

🎥 Watch the full tour:
https://vimeo.com/1168876252

👉 Visit MATRA’s Past Tent Shows page to explore the complete 2025 Interactive Map:
https://www.matramembers.org/page/Past-Tent-Shows

09/17/2026

🎪 PUT YOUR BRAND UNDER THE TENT.

Sponsorship opportunities are now available!

The Tent Show brings MATRA members and industry professionals together and sponsorship gives your company an opportunity to be part of the event while putting your brand in front of the people who make our industry happen.

Sponsor the Tent Show to:
📣 Increase your brand visibility before, during, and after the event. MATRA 2026 Tent Show sponsors receive recognition on the MATRA website year-round!
🤝 Support the MATRA community
🎪 Get your company in front of Tent Show attendees
💡 Show your commitment to the industry

Whether you're a manufacturer, rental company, supplier or industry partner, there's an opportunity to get involved.

Ready to put your brand in the Tent Show?
Learn more and explore sponsorship opportunities at https://tinyurl.com/MATRAsponsors

09/15/2026

🌟 MATRA Board Member Spotlight: Marc Smith

This week, we’re proud to spotlight Marc Smith, President of PHP Distribution and a longtime member of the MATRA community.

Marc has been a MATRA member for 24 years and has served on the board for five. He began his career with PHP Distribution in 1999 and has spent more than two decades learning the event and party rental industry, building relationships and becoming a resource for customers throughout the industry.

For Marc, one of MATRA’s greatest strengths is the connections built through networking and active participation in The Tent Show.

And here’s something you might not know about him: Marc can juggle! 🤹

Thank you, Marc, for the experience, relationships and commitment you continue to bring to MATRA!

09/12/2026

🌟 MATRA Board Member Spotlight: Keith Krzeminski

This week, we’re proud to spotlight Keith Krzeminski, Vice President at Shelter Structures America.

Keith has been part of MATRA for nearly three decades and has served on the board for five years. He is also involved with MATRA’s Events & Sponsorship Committee, including Spring Training and the Scholarship Subcommittee.

What does Keith value most about MATRA?
“The strong community that shares information and grows the industry.”

That spirit of collaboration and knowledge-sharing is exactly what MATRA is all about.

Fun fact: Keith rowed crew in college and still rows today in a single scull. 🚣

Thank you, Keith, for your continued leadership and dedication to MATRA and the tenting industry!

Address

400 E Randolph Street
Chicago, IL
60601

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13027653945

Website

http://www.MATRAmembers.org/, http://www.TheTentShow.com/

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