Party Rental and Supply Stores Trade Associations

Advanced Textiles Association (ATA)

Trade association for the advanced textiles industry (tents, fabrics, specialty materials). Useful to party/tent rental firms via standards, sourcing, education, and market intelligence. Membership benchmark: 1,400+ member companies worldwide.

https://www.textiles.org/ Membership: 1,400

American Rental Association (ARA)

The primary North American association for equipment and event rental businesses; provides training (RentalU), safety resources, research, and the ARA Show. Membership benchmark: about 12,000 member locations.

https://ararental.org/ Membership: 12,000

Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC)

Oldest global training and networking body for wedding professionals (planners, venues, caterers, rental suppliers, etc.); offers certification and local chapters. Membership benchmark: 4,000+ members.

https://bridalassn.com/ Membership: 4,000

AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association)

Global AV industry association serving rental/staging, live events, and systems integration; offers standards, CTS certification, and market insights. Membership benchmark: 11,400+ members.

https://www.avixa.org/ Membership: 11,400

California Rental Association

Statewide association supporting equipment and party/event rental centers with advocacy, education, and networking in California. Membership benchmark: 700+ rental centers and suppliers.

https://www.calrental.org/ Membership: 700

Canadian Rental Association (CRA)

National body for Canada’s equipment and event rental sector (ARA Region 10) providing advocacy, education, and chapter networking. ARA reports serving 700+ rental locations across Canada. Membership benchmark used: 700.

https://crarental.org/ Membership: 700

Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA)

Association of exhibit, experiential, and event producers and suppliers; valuable to event/party rental suppliers active in trade shows and brand experiences. Membership benchmark: 300+ member companies across 18 countries.

https://www.edpa.com/ Membership: 300

Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA)

Represents exhibition and event service contractors and suppliers; known for the ESCA Badge program, safety, and workforce initiatives. Membership benchmark: 175+ member companies.

https://www.esca.org/ Membership: 175

Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA)

UK trade body for event suppliers/contractors promoting safety, standards, skills, and advocacy—useful for US firms with UK/European operations or best‑practice benchmarking. Membership benchmark: 282 members (Oct. 2023).

https://www.essa.uk.com/ Membership: 282

Event Hire Association (EHA)

Specialist association within HAE for event equipment hire companies (marquees, furniture, power, etc.); focuses on standards, safety and training. Membership benchmark: 700+ members across the UK and Europe.

https://www.hae.org.uk/eha/ Membership: 700

Events Industry Council (EIC)

Global federation (CMP program, sustainability standards) uniting meetings and events associations; strong advocacy and research. Membership benchmark: 34 association members representing ~103,500 individuals/19,500 entities.

https://eventscouncil.org/ Membership: 34

International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)

Leading global association for exhibition organizers and suppliers; education, research (CEIR), and Expo! Expo! annual meeting. Membership benchmark: 12,000+ individuals in 50+ countries.

https://www.iaee.com/ Membership: 12,000

International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)

Venue management association for arenas, convention centers, fairgrounds, and performing arts venues; key for rental suppliers serving venues. Membership benchmark: 7,800+ active members.

https://iavm.org/ Membership: 7,800

International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA)

Global association for festivals and events—education, CFEE certification, and international community; valuable for festival-focused rentals. Membership benchmark: 3,000+ premier members.

https://www.ifea.com/ Membership: 3,000

International Live Events Association (ILEA)

Community for creative live event professionals (planners, caterers, AV, décor, rental firms). Provides education, chapters, and peer networking. Membership benchmark: 2,000+ members across 35 countries/30 chapters.

https://www.ileahub.com/ Membership: 2,000

Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

Largest global community for meeting and event professionals; education, chapters, and advocacy—relevant for rental suppliers targeting planners. Membership benchmark: ~13,000 engaged members.

https://www.mpi.org/ Membership: 13,000

National Association for Catering and Events (NACE)

US association for caterers and event professionals; education, CPCE certification, chapters—strong crossover with party/event rentals. Membership benchmark (publicly reported): 4,000+ members.

https://www.nace.net/ Membership: 4,000

Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)

Business events association (organizers and suppliers) offering executive education, Convening Leaders, and chapter/network access. Membership benchmark: ~8,200 professional & student members.

https://www.pcma.org/ Membership: 8,200

Tent Rental Division (TRD) of the Advanced Textiles Association

The Tent Rental Division of ATA focuses on commercial tent rental: safety handbooks, training, Tent Expo/Conference, and codes/standards engagement. Membership benchmark: 270 members.

https://tent.textiles.org/ Membership: 270

Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA)

Association for linen, uniform, and facility services—including event linen/tabletop rental operators and suppliers—providing advocacy, certification, and benchmarking. Membership benchmark: 200+ operator members and 130+ supplier partners (≈330 companies).

https://www.trsa.org/ Membership: 330