Whenever we gather, memories are created. Malaysia is a top destination for international acts as well as a canvas for creative local events. Being it an outdoor wedding, a gathering of food trucks or a community of truckers coming together to share joy, our event facilities and landscapes make for the perfect venues to realise even the most creative event concept.
Conceptualising an event, organisers may find themselves in the need of support in the form of equipment that they do not own themselves. The acquisition of highly specialised tools and machinery may not be feasible for a one-off event, although the realisation of the idea may depend on such assets.
This is where equipment rental companies can add value. With two decades of experience, local provider of rental equipment, Contmark Sdn Bhd, has been instrumental in running high-profile events. Here Chew Wei Jian, Technical Advisor shares some valuable insights into how to choose such service provider.
Firstly, an event organiser should be clear about the type and capacities of the equipment needed. Concerts for example require a lot of electrical power, supplied by mobile gen-sets. Gen-sets come in all sizes: from the ones used to power a stall at the Pasar Malam to heavy-duty machines that need to be moved with a truck-mounted crane.
To set up an event, sometimes even specialist equipment like pavement breakers may be required. Contmark for instance has over 1,000 items of machinery and equipment at their disposal to deploy at an event.
The worst-case scenario would be the failure of the rented equipment. A superstar on stage suddenly being cut off and engulfed in darkness because a catastrophic failure of the power supply not only ruins the experience of the audience but can also tarnish the reputation of the event organiser.
Even the prettiest outdoor wedding will not shine if there are issues with the equipment. Organisers should be confidently proposing their concepts, knowing they can depend on their partners.
Therefore, those seeking to rent equipment should enquire about the service and maintenance schedules an equipment rental company is applying. Ideally, machinery is serviced regularly and fitted with the highest quality parts to keep them running without a hitch.
Chew stressed the point that the equipment needs to be suitable for the type of event one is planning. Taking for instance power generation, a gen-set may be required to be sound-proof in case of an outdoor event. This is something that may not be such an issue if the equipment is placed outside an event hall, where the noise emitted is not interfering with the event.
Setting up an event requires technical understanding from all suppliers involved. A simple mistake like getting the set-up sequence wrong will impact the process. As such, equipment rental companies will be required to constantly update themselves with the latest developments.
Logistical expertise is part of this technical know-how and tapping int the vast experience of Contmark would allow event organisers to seamlessly orchestrate the set-up, running and dismantling of an event proper.
In the unlikely event of a technical issues, a quick response to have the event back on truck quickly is paramount. Here, Chew explained that Contmark would deploy an emergency response team that will be on site within the shortest possible time.
Oftentimes, staff would be commissioned to be on-site when an event takes place in order to immediately intervene in case of a problem. However, Contmark seldom encounters such issues as they heed their own advise to keep their equipment current and serviced to meet the most demanding needs of clients.
In line with Malaysia’s Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV) 2030, the National Tourism Policy (NTP) 2020–2030 and our Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s Strategic Plan 2021–2025, the Business Events Strategic Marketing Plan aims to effectively capitalise on our nation’s strengths and opportunities.
Event organisers will be supported by the knowledge that the government has in place a robust technologically driven public relations, sales, marketing and communication plan. Innovations as well as smart partnerships that would boost industry resilience, high-yield economic impacts, benefits beyond tourism and sustainable practices targeting to further elevate Malaysia as preferred business event destination are being implemented.
The framework provided by the government and the many creative spaces found in Malaysia are set to enable even the most radical event organiser to realise their concepts.
