Mahaffey Event and Tent Rentals

What Mahaffey Event and Tent Rentals does

Mahaffey Event and Tent Rentals is a privately held, Memphis-based rental company founded in 1924 by brothers Owen, Gene, and Earl Mahaffey. The business began as a canvas-products shop (tarpaulins, awnings, cotton pick sacks) and pivoted into tent rentals in 1929 after a fortuitous inquiry from the Tri-State Fair (now the Mid-South Fair). Today, Mahaffey operates as a regional, full-service event rental source for weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and public events across Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, headquartered at 4985 Outland Center Dr with 11-50 employees and led by President Jared Cavaness.

The company's core offering is a premium tent inventory (Frame, Pole, Sailcloth, Garden with glass walls, Timbertrac, Clearspan, and Crossover configurations up to 100x) manufactured under modern flame-retardant fabric standards, supplemented by climate control equipment (tent heaters 80-170 BTU, patio heaters, drum/HVLS fans, misting systems) and a broad event-equipment catalog spanning tables, chairs, staging, lighting, draping, linens, china/glassware/flatware, bars, dance floors, lounge furniture, chandeliers, flooring, props/backdrops, truss, and catering equipment. Technology is largely physical and operations-focused; the differentiating assets are aesthetic tent structures rather than software.

Commercially, Mahaffey runs a sales-led, event-driven GTM with no public pricing: customers browse the digital rental catalog (catalog.mahaffeytent.com) with a build-a-quote tool and either request a quote, schedule a consultation via Bookeo, or pick up via will-call. Revenue is generated through per-event rental fees plus professional setup/delivery/teardown services, with seasonal minimums and out-of-town surcharges for remote venues. The 100-year-old brand and broad one-stop-shop positioning are the primary commercial moats in a fragmented regional market.

Name

Mahaffey Event and Tent Rentals

Legal name

Mahaffey Event & Tent Rentals

Website

https://mahaffeytent.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mahaffey Event and Tent Rentals is a privately held, Memphis-based rental company founded in 1924 that rents premium tents, furniture, lighting, climate control, and event accessories to weddings, corporate, social, and public events across the Mid-South.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Equipment Rental

NAICS

Recreational Goods Rental (532284)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350)

akta.pro primary industry

Tent & Canopy Rentals (HSACAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Furniture Rentals (Tables, Chairs, Lounge) (HSACAFAB), Corporate Event Rentals (Furniture, Staging, Tents) (HSACADAI), Outdoor Event Equipment Rentals (Umbrellas, Patio Heaters, Fire Pits) (HSACAFAL)

Keywords

• Tent rental services
• Event equipment rental
• Wedding tent rentals
• Corporate event rentals
• Party furniture rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tent Rentals: Rental of various tent types including Timbertrac, Garden, Sailcloth, Clearspan, frame tents, and pole tents in various sizes for events
2. Event Equipment Rentals: Rental of furniture, tables, chairs, linens, lighting, staging, draping, bars, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, and decorative accessories
3. Setup and Delivery Services: Professional delivery, setup, and teardown services included with certain rental items such as tents and furniture
4. Climate Control Rentals: Heating and cooling equipment rentals including tent heaters, patio heaters, fans, and misting systems

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mahaffey Event & Tent Rentals rents premium tents (Frame, Pole, Sailcloth, Garden, Timber Trac, Clearspan, Crossover) and a full suite of event equipment including tables, chairs, lighting, staging, draping, linens, tableware, dance floors, lounge furniture, chandeliers, truss, flooring, bars, and climate control equipment. Services include professional delivery, setup, and teardown, with quotes generated through an online catalog and personalized consultations for weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and public events across the Memphis and Mid-South region.

Product overview

Mahaffey Event & Tent Rentals is an all-inclusive event and tent rental company offering a comprehensive portfolio of rental equipment and services. The core offering centers on premium tent rentals (including Frame Tents, Pole Tents, Sailcloth Tents, Garden Tents, Timber Trac Tents, Clearspan Structures, and Crossover Tents) complemented by extensive event equipment including tables, chairs, staging, lighting, heating/cooling equipment, draping, linens, tableware, dance floors, bars, lounge furniture, props/backdrops, chandeliers, flooring, and catering equipment. The company has evolved from its 1924 origins making canvas tarpaulins to becoming a one-stop-shop for complete event solutions, serving weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and public events in the Memphis and Mid-South area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Frame Tents Rental of frame tents in 10x, 15x, 20x, 25x, 30x, and 40x sizes available in Arcum, Engineered, Gable, Hip, and Pop-Up configurations for diverse event needs.
• Pole Tents Rental of traditional pole tents available in 30x, 40x, and 60x sizes with striped and white options for outdoor events.
• Sailcloth Tents Rental of elegant translucent sailcloth tents available in 44x and 66x sizes, featuring curved canopy design that creates a romantic ambiance with soft, glowing light.
• Garden Tents Rental of sophisticated black-frame tents with glass walls and transparent roofs, available in 15M and 20M sizes, offering upscale aesthetics with natural lighting and stargazing capability.
• Timber Trac Tents Rental of open-air tents with exposed timber framing and translucent canopy, combining outdoor charm with refined structure and natural light.
• Clearspan Structures Rental of clearspan tent structures available in 50x, 66x, 82x, and 100x sizes with engineered designs including black frame options, providing unobstructed interiors for large-scale events.
• Crossover Tent Rental of a 27x27 modular crossover tent designed for flexible event configurations.
• Event Tables Rental of an extensive table inventory including banquet tables (4', 6', 8'), farm tables, cocktail tables, round tables, bistro tables, highboys, dining tables, serpentine tables, half moon tables, and specialty tables in various styles and colors for events.
• Event Chairs Rental of diverse seating options including various chair styles, chair cushions, and specialty seating for all event types.
• Heating Equipment Rental of tent heaters including 170 BTU and 80 BTU white tent heaters, patio heaters in mushroom and pyramid styles, and fire cauldrons for climate control at outdoor events.
• Cooling Equipment Rental of cooling solutions including tent leg fans, drum fans (42 and 48 inch), pedestal fans, misting fans, HVLS fans, and polar cool evaporative fans for temperature management.
• Event Lighting Rental of event lighting inventory including clear globe string lights, Italian market lights, LED warm twinkle lights, LED warm curtain lights, and uplighting options.
• Staging and Stage Fronts Rental of performance stages, Quik stages, catwalks, round staging, stage steps in various sizes and styles, stage skirting options, and decorative stage fronts (mirrored, hedge, ivory, pearl, and designer styles) to enhance stage aesthetics.
• Draping and Linens Rental of fabric draping options for creating elegant event atmospheres and segmented spaces, plus table linens available in various sizes and colors to complement event themes.
• Tableware (China, Glassware, Flatware) Rental of fine dining tableware including china, glassware, and flatware for upscale events.
• Dance Floor Rental of dance floor surfaces for event venues.
• Outdoor Lounge Furniture Rental of outdoor seating and lounge furniture for al fresco event settings.
• Props and Backdrops Rental of decorative props and backdrops for creating themed event environments.
• Truss Systems Rental of structural truss systems for supporting lighting and signage at events.
• Chandeliers Rental of decorative chandeliers for elegant event lighting.
• Flooring Rental of temporary flooring solutions for creating stable surfaces in outdoor and unconventional venues.
• Bars and Catering/Bar Equipment Rental of bar setup equipment including industrial bar backs, brass ring shelves, glass shelves, and decorative shelving units, plus food service and catering essentials.
• Delivery, Setup, and Teardown Services Professional delivery, setup, and teardown services included with certain rental items such as tents and furniture, providing a turnkey event experience.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Sunbelt Rentals: Large national equipment rental company with a dedicated special events division providing tents, climate control, and event infrastructure. Wider scope and scale than Mahaffey but competes for similar mid-to-large event contracts.
• United Rentals: NYSE-listed equipment rental giant with an aerial, power, and site solutions division that includes temporary structures and event/trade show equipment. Indirectly competitive on larger-scale event infrastructure vs. Mahaffey's regional mid-market focus.

Others

• EventSource: Online marketplace connecting event planners with rental vendors across categories including tents, furniture, and AV. Operates adjacent to rather than competing directly with Mahaffey but influences customer discovery and pricing benchmarks in the event rental space.

Direct peers

• All Occasion Party Rental: Event and party rental company offering tents, tables, chairs, linens, and event décor for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Comparable product range and small-to-mid-market customer targeting as Mahaffey.
• Bright Event Rentals: Multi-location party and event rental company offering tents, tables, chairs, linens, and lighting for weddings and corporate events. Similar full-service, multi-product catalog positioning to Mahaffey at a larger geographic scale.
• Premier Party Rentals: National event rental company operating across multiple U.S. markets with tents, furniture, tableware, and event accessories. Closely comparable product mix and one-stop-shop service model to Mahaffey.
• Tents Inc. Established East Coast tent and event rental company providing clearspan, frame, and sailcloth tents plus full event furnishings to weddings, corporate, and social events. Overlaps Mahaffey's premium tent catalog and full-service model.
• Big 4 Party Rentals: Regional tent and party rental company serving weddings, corporate, and social events with frame tents, pole tents, tables, chairs, and accessories. Similar product portfolio and customer base as Mahaffey.
• Continental Event Sports: Texas-based tent and event rental company offering frame tents, clearspan structures, and full event equipment for weddings, corporate, and social events. Directly comparable product breadth and event-driven GTM in a different regional market.

Emerging players

• CORT Event Furnishings: Specialized event furnishings division of CORT providing upscale furniture and rental décor for corporate events, weddings, and trade shows. Overlaps Mahaffey's furniture/lighting offerings but with less emphasis on tent structures.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mahaffeytent

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 Mahaffey Event and Tent Rentals