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25th Anniversary

25th Anniversary

Avalon Event Rentals is thrilled to be celebrating our 25th anniversary this year. That's 25 years of being a part of the Kelowna and Okanagan community, and providing you with all your tent, wedding and event rental needs!

We celebrated this milestone by giving back to our community who have supported us in so many ways over the years. This included the following charitable activities:

  • We provided $25,000.00 of rental discounts to charity or non-profit customers in the months of June and July.
  • Every day for 25 days in June, our Avalon Employee of the Day donated $100 to JDRF.
  • The Avalon team banded together to serve 2500 pancakes and sausages to Walkers at the JDRF Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes on Sunday June 11th, held in Mission Creek Park, Kelowna BC.

Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating 25 years of being part of this amazing community!

Avalon Employees donating $100 per day to JDRF

 

A Short History of Avalon Event Rentals

Back in 1992, Brad and Colleen Gay moved to Kelowna from Vancouver to begin a small business that they could build together. Avalon Party Rentals was born. Early days were spent reaching out to Kelowna’s hospitality sector, looking for opportunities, making contacts and paving the way for what would become a pillar of the Kelowna community. It wasn't all parties and cocktails though! Many an early weekend morning was spent tying balloons at car dealerships to make ends meet. Then, in 1993, the big break: the opening of Predator Ridge Golf Resort and the hosting of the 1993 BC Open. It was a lightbulb moment for Avalon, who was fortunate enough to be contracted for these events: the potential for growth in tenting and event rentals in this community they now called home was huge. 
 
The business grew quickly through the next decade as Kelowna and the Okanagan prospered. During that time Avalon was lucky enough to bring on key employees who were, and still are, critical to the success of the company. "We really believed that the extra mile has no traffic jams," recalls Brad Gay, "and so we strove to ensure we could provide the Okanagan Valley with the greatest products and service possible while also doing what we could to ensure that our growing Avalon family was well taken care of. Even our own young family was part of the team, our tiny sons being given two pound sledge hammers to 'help out' the always gracious crew." Business was booming, but without ever losing that family feel.
 
Then, in 2007, two Brads would collide...
 
After years in the food industry, Brad and Angela Buchanan decided it was time to make a change in their lives. Long time Kelowna residents, they were keen to buy a small business in Kelowna, which would allow them to really be a part of, and give back to, their community. Through a mutual friend the Buchanans found out that the Gays too were looking make a life change. Brads and wives met over lunch one March afternoon... three months later the Buchanans found themselves the owners of an event rental business.
 
With the help of Brad and Colleen, Brad and Angela dove into the deep end of the pool. Knowing nothing about the event and tent rental industry, but confident in their business experience, they were able to build on the great relationships already established and grow the business with some new contacts and approaches to business.
 
In 2011, Avalon added a complementary business - Okanagan Portable Sign Rentals - providing effective, affordable portable sign rentals (such as Big Black roadside signs) to businesses throughout the valley. Avalon continued to thrive and grow and, in 2012, finding themselves in need of more inventory, bought most of the assets of Kelowna Party Rentals. Bigger business didn't however mean a lessening of family values. In keeping with the family spirit started by Brad and Colleen and nurtured by Brad and Angela, Avalon invited former Kelowna Party Rentals owner Gary Sweetman to join the Avalon family as warehouse manager. Gary accepted, bringing with him over 20 years of experience, a wonderful energy, and a great customer base.
 
Then, late in 2016, Avalon decided to add to their family yet again, this time buying out their northern competitor, Nor-Val Event Rentals in Vernon. Once again keeping the family in focus Nor-Val was merged with Avalon, with key employees staying in the fold, including former co-owner of Nor-Val, Shelli Clipperton.
 
"Today Avalon is lucky enough to say we are the largest event rental business in the BC interior and boasting the largest selection of event rental items," says Brad Buchanan. "We have grown to over 40 employees but maintain the same family and community values that we have always had. Our 25th anniversary is a momentous occasion and above all a celebration of family values, which is why we are so thrilled to be sharing it with our community and you, our loyal customers and extended family."

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