BY WENDY SWEET • PHOTO BY KRIS HANNING

ABOVE: Ken Flower (right), president of Arizona Party Rental and his wife Carrie, vice-president.

At Arizona Party Rental, "We supply everything but the guest!" says Ken Flower. "Purchasing our own
business after many years in the corporate world was the best business decision we ever made," Ken
says. "Carrie has a background in deisgn and event planning, and has a special flair for this work. She
oversees displays in the retail showroom, deals with purchasing products for our rentals, and works
closely with our customers. My background was in broadcasting and sports radio management. I
oversee the day-to-day functions and handle many of our key accounts," says Ken.

"We bought a well-run company with a large inventory, a great customer bse and a good heritage --
it was established in 1989. We have upgraded, introduced new services, brought in new staff and
added new accounts." As a result, he says the business has grown exponentially." It takes a lot of
hard work," he notes. "Fortunately, Carrie and I are surrounded by a great team. We have about
18 employees, and we are still growing."

What services and rental products do you provide?
"We have more than 50,000 items in our inventory. We can handle parties for 10 to 10,000 people.
One of our unique features is that we can coordiante an entire event. We provide tents, canopies,
chairs, tables, linens, china, glassware, flatware, décor, dance floors, stages, heaters, coolers, lighting
floral designs, wedding supplies, event planning and services for trade shows. We do parties, weddings,
receptions, festivals, proms, sporting events, fundraisers and graduations. We work with resorts, golf
clubs, hotels, restaurants, caterers. the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and trade shows, and we work
with families who are having a backyard barbecue."

What is your favorite kind of event to do?
“I particularly like a gathering that calls for special tenting, lighting, décor and planning. It can be fun,
challenging and very rewarded to take an event from the idea stage to actual execution. Large-scale
affairs require attention to detail; you have to be very organized to ensure a successful outcome.

"We have a great relationship with The University of Arizona, and are thrilled to be a part of their many
sports celebrations. For example, we do the Fan Fiesta at Bear Down Field before home football games.
We set up the day before the game, then at kick-off, our trucks and crews come in and we begin taking
down the tables, chairs, tents and fencing. It's a very organized effort, and by the fourth quarter, we
are done and out of there."

Are there any particular events that stand out?
“We handled a 700-person outdoor wedding reception at a resort. We provided majestic white tents
and well over 2,000 items, including personalized table settings, dining and food service, special
lighting, chairs, tables and staging for a band. The planning started a year ahead. It took about three
days to set up and then a couple of days to get it all down.

"Many weddings and receptions these days are choosing themes. We have done Western, French,
Mexican -- even a Broadway musical theme."

Who are your heroes?
“In the sports world, I'd say the 1982 San Francisco 49ers, winners of Super Bowl XVI. My dad was an
executive with the 49ers, and he took our family to Detroit for the game. We got to fly home on the
team plane, and we joined the team in the tickertape parade. My dad earned his first Super Bowl ring
that year, which was a proud moment for all of us."

Who was your mentor?
“I owe a great deal of the best things that have happened in my life and career to my late brother
Jeffrey and my parents. Jeffrey, who died of a brain tumor in 1991, always looked out for me and
taught me a lot about life's lessons. He's always been an inspiration to me. My life and career would
not be the same without the heart and soul of my family and my wife's family.”

What are some of the oddest requests you've received?
"It seems that every month we get odd requests, such as people wanting to rent a portable pool, horses
or belly dancers. We don't handle any of those!" TL