Our History

History Timeline

1985 - Even back then the entrepeneurial spirit of President/Owner Neil Goodkey was evident.

1990 - Special Event Rentals in 1990 having reloacted to its current address at 6010-99 Street.

1991 - Entire Special Event Rental and Edmonton Wedding staff, eager and ready! Four of the ten are still part of our important team today!

1994 - Very Condensed rental and retail showroom.

1997 - Ground breaking for our third division, Event Planning Headquarters!

2001 - Not two trucks anymore, now we have fourteen to get the jobs done!

2002 - This all new state-of-the-art, 50,000+ square foot facility was officially dedicated on October 24, 2002. Special Event Rentals has over 250,000 rental items representing some 1,800 products in its new facility.

2005 - Now place orders online on our new website at www.specialeventrentals.com for all your needs.

As you tour our newly renovated and expanded, state-of-the-art facility, it’s hard to believe this party rental operation started out so modestly so few years ago.

In fact, it all started with a little sugar and corn. Back in July 1985, owner Neil Goodkey began to sell candy floss and popcorn at local trade fairs and shows, which enabled him to establish the beginning of Special Event Rentals. With only one employee and a small inventory of tables and chairs, they operated out of a 2,100 square foot building which was located on 85th Street and Yellowhead Trail in Edmonton, Alberta.

In January of 1990, Special Event Rentals began to grow. Expanding their rental inventory to meet rental demands now had relocated to the south side of Edmonton to our current address of 6010-99 Street, having now expanded to 10 employees and 10,000 square feet of space. This was when the first division of Special Event Rentals was introduced being, Edmonton Wedding & Party Centre. Modern wedding and special event accessories, disposable items, fresh and artificial cakes and florals, elegant rentals, are just a few of the fine items available through this trend setting division.

Since 1997, expertise and assistance are readily available through Event Planning Headquarters, who offer the latest trends in complete event design and planning. Proud of its cutting edge decor and decorating, the unique service of on-site directing and coordination, full event planning includes catering, custom printing, musicians, entertainment, unique favors, and photographers. From beginning to end, Event Planning Headquarters is the answer for any perfect event!

Special Event Rentals newest tent division was then introduced in 2002. We are proud to introduce an all new white tent inventory, which is independently owned by Special Event Rentals, perfect for any prominent event. Our tents are specially designed with a sculpted roof line and eight-foot-high walls. On our frame structured tents the walls slide open and closed for your convenience and quick adjustment. Leading the Edmonton market, distinctive Hexagonal shaped tents are also available, suitable for any occasion and for an extra added touch Canadian flags or your own flags of choice may be installed for the peaks on the top of the tents, should this fit your decor.

If renting doesn’t suit our customers requirements, Special Event Sales & Manufacturing is the place for high quality Samsonite Series chairs, a large selection of SnapLock dance flooring & RaceDeck multipurpose flooring products along with a large selection of Lifetime products consisting of plastic tables, chairs and dollies. Our warehouse is consistently stocked equipped for orders which are required immediately.

Our Sales and Manufacturing also manufactures tables in a wide selection of custom designs, sizes and finishes (manufactured at our location) and quality Steakmate heavy duty commercial barbecues and griddles, all which may be acquired through this division for distribution throughout the Canadian Industry.

As the business evolved, so did the needs of our customers. Responding those needs and the business and population growth in the City of Edmonton and surrounding areas, here we are today. Now the largest rental and event planning company in Alberta, operating out of a newly renovated and expanded 50,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, which employs up to 90 employees. This multi-faceted company is able to provide a vast array of the most up-to-date equipment in the marketplace and services that will meet your needs and exceed your expectations! Together we are truly your one stop shop for your entire event needs!