I am a PhD student at the Unviersity of Oklahoma, and I work a lot with a variety of events for my graduate assistantship. These events increase heavily around football season. I know how important it is for these tailgating events with donors, alumni, and potential new students to go well!
Over the years, I have gathered a few helpful tips and have a better understanding on how to throw one heck of an event, especially a professional one.
The best tailgating events generally have some sort of shade, like large tents or collapsible pavilions. Especially in Oklahoma, this is an absolute must, and the same goes for the south as a whole. Football season is too hot to be outside with no shade!
Secondly, people love to drink at tailgates. This does not always mean alcohol, just in general, people love to have a drink in their hands when meandering around and getting in the football spirit. Personally, I tend to stick with water as I get way too dehydrated if not.
This being said, you need a way to serve and keep drinks cold without constantly pulling from a ice chest or running inside. For professionalism, keep the slightly tacky ice chest away when looking for new donors or to impress your alumni. Go for one of the Chillin Products, such as the Fill N’ Chill Table or the Little Chiller. This is a revolutionary table that keeps drinks cold without compromising style.
Lastly, you need some pedestal tables for when your guests want to eat those little bar snacks and other catering you have for them. No tailgate is complete without a spread of some awesome food, but you need somewhere to put it. So, think about our Commercialite tables for food display and the Pedestal table for guests.
Keeps it casual, clean, and fun. As always, if you have questions, ask one of our McCourt Manufacturing professionals who boast a plethora of event product knowledge.