Special Occasions

What Special Occasions does

Special Occasions LLC is a privately held Michigan event rental and design company founded in 2003 and headquartered across two showroom locations in Grand Rapids (West, 850 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW) and Grand Blanc (East, 7413 Fenton Road), with virtual coverage of Traverse City and Northern Michigan. The firm rents table linens (70+ standard polyester colors priced uniformly, plus specialty tiers in matte satin, dupioni, capri, taffeta, velvet, and printed patterns), chairs (chiavari in multiple finishes, cross-back farm, banquet, folding), tables (farm, communal, high-top including the proprietary Crossley Collection), chargers, flatware, glassware, china, napkin rings, sashes, and additional decor items. Underlying operations include in-house linen laundering, which removes cleaning and damage burden from the customer and reduces turnaround friction between bookings.

The business operates a consultation-led go-to-market model where customers schedule in-person showroom appointments or Zoom calls, after which the team develops a product plan covering quantities, sizes, and logistics; the firm then executes delivery, setup, day-of event assistance, and tear-down/pickup. Revenue is generated through unit rental pricing (e.g., Gold Resin Charger at $1.50 per item) with tiered specialty linen pricing, plus professional services revenue from design consultation, event production, and sub-vendor coordination. A separate Curated Event Boxes product generates one-time revenue from custom branded gift boxes for virtual and hybrid corporate events.

The customer base spans weddings (primary consumer use case), corporate event planners hosting gatherings of 2 to 2,000 guests, virtual event organizers, and social event hosts. Named institutional customers include Meijer LPGA Classic (production partner, 2023-2024), Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (Thrive Gala raising over $230,000), Corewell Health, Kettering University, University of Michigan Health-West, Van Andel Institute, Kids Food Basket, Frederik Meijer Gardens, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, DeVos Place, and Cascade Hills Country Club. Leadership is concentrated: Jamie Carnes (Owner) and Keri Kujala (Co-Owner), supported by approximately 14 named team members total. The firm has no external institutional investors and operates as an independent LLC.

Name

Special Occasions

Legal name

Special Occasions LLC

Website

https://specialoccasionsmi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Special Occasions is a Michigan-based event rental and design company, founded in 2003, that rents table linens, chairs, tables, and tablescape accessories to wedding clients, corporate event planners, and venue partners across the state via two showrooms and full-service delivery and setup.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Rental Services

NAICS

Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers (459420)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Holiday Party Services (HSACACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Party Favors, Gifts & Custom Merchandise (HSACACAM)

Keywords

• Event rental services
• Wedding event rentals
• Corporate event rentals
• Linen rental services
• Event design consultation

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Event Rental Products: Rental of table linens, chairs, tables, chargers, chair covers, napkins, runners, flatware, glassware, china and dishware, napkin rings, sashes and chair bands, and additional rental items. Customers rent items for specific events with delivery, setup, and pickup included.
2. Design Consultation Services: Expert design consultation services to assist customers with event design, table mockups, and creating custom looks that fit style and budget. Includes personalized estimates.
3. Event Production Services: Day-of event assistance, delivery, setup, tear down and pickup services. Includes coordination of outside vendor sub-rentals for large-scale events.
4. Curated Event Boxes: Customized gift boxes for virtual events and corporate experiences. Includes elevated packaging, branded elements, locally produced and hand-selected items for personalized experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Special Occasions is a Michigan event rental and design company that rents specialty products for weddings, corporate events and social occasions, including linens, chairs, tables, chargers, chair covers, napkins, runners, flatware, glassware, china and dishware. It also provides consultation-led event design and full-service event logistics from delivery and setup through tear-down and pickup.

Product overview

Special Occasions is a full-service party rental company operating since 2003, offering a comprehensive portfolio of event rental products and design services. The core offering consists of table linens (over 70 standard colors in polyester, matte satin, dupioni, capri, taffeta, velvet, and printed patterns), chairs (chiavari in multiple finishes, cross-back farm chairs, banquet chairs), tables (farm tables, communal tables, high-tops), chargers, flatware, glassware, and china/dishware. The company distinguishes itself through expert design consultation, full-service production (delivery, setup, day-of assistance, tear-down), and a signature Crossley Collection furniture line. Additional offerings include Curated Event Boxes for virtual/hybrid corporate events featuring branded gift experiences. The product ecosystem centers on the linen collection as the primary revenue driver, complemented by tablescaping accessories (chargers, napkins, flatware, glassware) and furniture, all tied together through design consultation services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Table Linen
• Chairs
• Tables
• Chargers
• Chair Covers
• Napkins
• Runners
• Flatware
• Goblets and Glassware
• China and Dishware
• Napkin Rings and Bracelets
• Sashes and Chair Bands
• Additional Rentals
• Curated Event Boxes
• Event Design Consultation
• Full-Service Event Production
• Crossley Collection
• Ellsworth Communal Table

Quantifiable outcome

• Events for 2 to 2,000+ guests supported with same level of service
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.

• Meijer LPGA ClassicflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Production partner for the Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club for two consecutive years (2023-2024). Responsible for all event space setup, vendor coordination, and logistics. Organized 677 tables and 2,264 chairs across the 18-hole golf course for the tournament's tenth anniversary, which raised nearly $10,000,000 for the Meijer Simply Give Program.
• Wood TVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal news coverage announcing Special Occasions' involvement with a new event venue opening in Grand Rapids. Wood TV featured the company's role as the venue's rental partner.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Event Source: Cleveland-based full-service event rental company serving Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and surrounding states with tents, tables, chairs, linens, and event production. Direct competitor in the same product categories with significant overlap in the Michigan/Ohio regional market.
• Party Reflections: Regional full-service event rental company (Charlotte, NC and surrounding markets) offering tents, tables, chairs, linens, and design services for weddings and corporate events. Closely comparable business model, customer segments, and product categories to Special Occasions, though operating in the Southeast.
• Wildflower Linen: Boutique linen rental company offering curated collections of specialty table linens for weddings and events. Closely comparable specialty linen product focus and design-led value proposition.
• A Touch of Elegance Event Rentals: Mid-Atlantic event rental company specializing in linen, chair, table, and tabletop decor rentals with design consultation services. Comparable specialty linen-led product offering and consultation-driven sales model to Special Occasions.

Broad incumbents

• CORT Event Furnishings: National event and trade show furnishings rental business (part of CORT) offering furniture, accessories, and event decor to corporate event planners and venues. Adjacent to Special Occasions' corporate event business with broader scale and trade show focus.
• BBJ Linen (Marigold & Meyer): National linen and tabletop rental company providing specialty linens, napkins, chargers, and tabletop decor for events across the US. Direct overlap in the linen-centric product strategy that anchors Special Occasions' brand.
• Classic Party Rentals (AFR Furniture Rental): One of the largest national event rental companies (now operating under AFR); offers a full suite of tables, chairs, linens, and event production across major US markets. Direct overlap with Special Occasions' rental categories but at significantly larger scale and broader geography.

Regional players

• Amadeus Event Rental: Texas-based party and event rental company offering linens, chairs, tables, and decor with design consultation. Comparable specialty rental and design service model, though operating in a different regional market.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/specialoccasionsmi
• Instagraminstagram.com/specialoccasionsmi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Special Occasions