was actually my mother! Over the years, our Colwyn location grew from that single unit to a 15,000-square foot warehouse. We were able to grow quickly because of Norm’s experience and attention to detail, along with my “get it done” attitude.


After losing all of our inventory, computers, equipment and vehicles to 14-feet of muddy flood waters in 1999’s Hurricane Floyd, Norm and I looked around at the devastation and - with the help of our loyal employees and every family member we could call - had Choice Party Linens back in business within 48 hours. We rebuilt and added to our inventory one season at a time to keep up with the incoming orders.


Today, after 21 years in business, Choice Party Linens employees 50 people, 60 temporary employees, and occupies a 24,000-square foot facility in Prospect Park, PA that includes a showroom, offices and full laundry facility. Our philosophy is to partner with our customers and let them be the linen expert to their clients. We stay in the background, providing superior inventory and service with 18 delivery vans serving customers from New York to Virginia. We also ship linens across the United States.


Choice belongs to the American Rental Association (ARA), Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), Mid-Atlantic Tent Renters Association (MATRA), Tent Rental Association of the Midwest (TRAM), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), National Association of Catering Executives (NACE), and the International Special Events Society (ISES), as well as other industry professional groups. We also are a member of several local cham- bers of commerce and have called on them in the past when looking for informa- tion on venues and even health insurance.


We have found that memberships in these associations brings a wealth of new ideas, industry trends, marketing tips and rela- tionships that benefit everyone involved. Industry associations also often offer train- ing seminars on varied topics relevant to our industry. I, along with our account executives, have attended many such offerings and have come away with valu- able new insights from advice on social


media to how services like ours are being used across the industry.


As we move forward, I want to continue partnering with customers and vendors, developing innovative marketing materials to bring more value to our customers, and helping them market their businesses. Ensuring an easy and beneficial experi- ence to our customers continues to be our main focus.


As for the industry as a whole,I hope for a strong economic forecast, as well as more partnering and less shopping for services by customers that might pit one of us against the other. I am surprised by how many professionals in our industry still price shop first, and then try to rely on the relationships that they have fostered sec- ond.


For people starting out in the industry, I recommend getting experience in many positions or in-depth experience in one position that reflects the events industry. Too many people starting out want to run before they can crawl. Learn the basics first, and then learn the industry.


My best employees have come to me with experience in multiple aspects of the industry including: hotel banquet manage- ment, phone sales and retail rental knowl- edge. These varied skills help in under- standing all areas of this business and also provide the training necessary to succeed in this multifaceted industry. No job experi- ence is too small!


I also would recommend finding a great mentor. Mentors are people with the knowledge and experience to help you avoid the pitfalls that they may have expe- rienced over the years. Everything in this business is a learning process, so never stop asking questions, going above and beyond and absorbing everything around you.


I am where I am today in large part because Norm Longman took the time to share his experiences and mentor me - and he continues to do so today.


Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 81


I want to continue


partnering with customers and vendors, developing innovative marketing materials to bring more value to our


customers, and helping them market their businesses.


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