When organising an event at a blank-canvas venue, it’s important to get all the details right the first time. Europa International offers thousands of furniture and carpet options to help busy PAs ensure the look and feel of their event is en pointe. We interviewed Europa’s Events and Marketing Manager Helen Lowe to find out more about the company’s 50+ years in service.
What does Europa International do?
Well it might be easier to ask, ‘what don’t we do?’ (in a furniture hire capacity, of course).
We like to think we’re connoisseurs of all things furniture, panels and carpet – supplying the events, TV/film industries and corporate companies looking to make an event extra special. From bar stools and bar tables, to red carpets and conference seating for hundreds of delegates, we’ve got it covered. Our 30,000 products also come in an array of colours, shapes and sizes.
How has the company evolved over the past 50+ years?
From very humble beginnings – we actually started in our founder’s back room – we have grown into one of the largest independent furniture hire companies in the UK.
That means lots more product options and the capacity to be even more responsive to our customer’s needs – although we are absolutely clear that we won’t (and don’t want to) fundamentally change who we are and what we’re about.
The company has always been family run, and with three generations now working side-by-side, our focus continues to be customer service and quality. Our passion for what we do is also still pretty evident to anyone we work with. We happily – and always will – help clients of all shapes and sizes based all over the UK no matter what their furniture needs. Occasionally that means kitting out events playing host to celebrities and royalty!
All of our furniture is lovingly cared for and everything is delivered in our very own fully liveried vehicles by our team of experienced and cheery staff in order to ensure we maintain the level of professionalism and quality we’re best known for.
Why is it important to get the right furniture and carpets for an event?
Making sure you have the right type of furniture is pretty fundamental when it comes to putting on an event. I’d even go as far as to say that it could be ‘make or break’. Getting the wrong type of carpet or floorcovering can be equally as disastrous.
Picture putting on an event for 80 executives, for example, and welcoming them suited and booted down a polka dotted equivalent of a red carpet into a room with dozens of trendy bean bags scattered around for them to sit on with laptops precariously perched on knees; not really the right setting to discuss the strategy of a multi-national organisation, one could argue.
And whilst I should caveat that if your company is particularly fun and forward thinking, I would actively encourage such a decision, for the most part it is important that the furniture options are reflective of the tone and topic of the event.
It’s all about getting to know your audience in the first instance, and then looking to find the best hire solutions to suit them. If it’s going to be a long session of ‘sitting’, you’ll want to make sure the chairs are comfortable so that no one ends up with a numb bum. If you’re wanting people to mingle and network, rows and rows of interlocking chairs that totally fill the space probably aren’t going to cut it.
There’s always a solution. It’s just a case of finding it!
How does the Europa team help PAs and event bookers choose the right pieces?
We like to think that’s where we can really add value and help our customers out. They give us a bit of insight into what they are hoping to achieve, we listen and then come up with the right package for them. After that, we simply (and reliably) press on with delivering and setting up – hopefully taking a little stress off their shoulders in the process.
For some PAs and event organisers, they know exactly what they need to make their vision come to life, but for others a little help and guidance regarding what options are available is really appreciated. Even for the most experienced professional, a new space or venue might throw them a little (have I mentioned we have 30,000 products that come in an array of colours, shapes and sizes?).
We’re always happy to provide samples for anyone wanting to get a ‘feel’ for what we are recommending. After all, a happy client equals a happy Europa team.
Or as we like to say here at HQ – #HireHappy!
What’s the top piece of advice you give event bookers?
Investigate in advance whether your preferred venue has a lift! Lugging 1000 chairs up a couple of flights of stairs might take some time.
Really though, it’s about making sure you surround yourself with suppliers you can trust and who take your event as seriously as you do. It might be tempting to look at cost first and foremost, but try to bear in mind that what you really need when your back’s against the wall is for everything you have ordered to be delivered on time to the right location.
As an organisation working in the service industry – which by definition means ‘a business that does work for a customer’ – we feel that customer care is of the upmost importance. My top piece of advice would be to ensure that all of your suppliers feel the same.
To find out more about Europa International, visit the website at europainternational.com, follow them on Twitter @Europa_Int, or call the Sales Team on 08454 303015.
