Author: Justin Rumpff

Barlens has been busy rebuilding from the 2014 fire that took out most of our shopfront, and are delighted to be launching our new showroom very soon!

“When we complete the rebuild after the fire, you’ll have a showroom where people can walk through and see all our products on offer,” explains CEO Peter Taylor.

Visitors to Barlens will be able to view some of our featured products, providing a chance to visualise the right setup for your event, working with on-site staff to make product selections for corporate and personal parties alike!

Here are our top 3 reasons why having a showroom is so important:

1. Creating a hands-on experience

Our showroom is all about creating an experience for our clients.

While a picture may be worth a thousand words, nothing beats the hands-on experience that a showroom provides.

“A showroom is really a point of difference in getting people in to see, feel, and touch” explains Operations Manager Greg Whittle.

“I believe this is the right way to express our product because you can have a look at photos and you can have a look at websites, but it’s not the actual thing. You’ll be able to see true colours and sizes that photos often distort and feel the textures of the many products. I’m a very strong believer in being able to do this so you know what you’re going to get.”

2. Providing timely advice

Our on-floor staff have seen a few parties in their time, and will be able to help you out with any questions, queries or requests on the spot. We’re also happy to offer our opinion on what you might need for your special event!

“We love to throw in a few opinions” says Isaac Taylor from the sales team. “At times there are some bizarre requests but we like to talk clients through the process and help them to visualise what will look good. The new showroom will be a big help in doing this.”

3. Inspiration

Looking for inspiration?

Our showroom aims to provide creative fuel for your event, demonstrating some of the unique ways our range of hire marquees and equipment can be used. We know that there is no limit to creativity and hope that you find our showroom useful for your tough starters!

If you already have a concept in mind, that’s fantastic! Our showrooms can help give you ideas regarding the kinds of products you need to bring your ideas to life.

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Earlier this year to celebrate Barlens 50^th Anniversary, we asked you to share some of your favourite Barlens memories with us.

Below are a few of the entries we received. Click to enlarge and scroll through the gallery.

Congratulations to Anthea Hull who’s memory won her a $2,000 voucher to spend with Barlens! Competition has now closed.

Over 50 years Barlens has become an integral part of the Canberra and Albury communities. From birthdays to weddings and corporate events, Barlens is proud to provide a service that makes great parties live on forever.

Do you have a favourite Barlens memory? Share it with us on Facebook.

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For the very first time, the team at Barlens are excited to be partnering with HerCanberra to help them introduce the upcoming event Unveiled. A modern wedding event for the brides of Canberra.

“With interactive installations, workshops, beauty bars, fashion and a very special VIP long-table dinner, UNVEILED is shaking things up with a wedding event unlike anything this city has ever seen” – Her Canberra.

Hosted within the beautiful National Portrait Gallery, this unique event will allow the bride and groom to truly immerse themselves in every single aspect the event has to offer.

From the engagement, ceremony, reception, to the day after BBQ, Barlens have a broad range of event furniture, marquees and catering equipment to help you pull together the perfect celebration.

This event is due to be a sell-out. To secure your tickets, check out the ticket options below;
General Session Tickets – http://hercanberra.com.au/unveiled-event-landing/
Wedding Feast Tickets – http://hercanberra.com.au/unveiled-event-landing/

We love Australia Day at Barlens which is why we have collaborated, culled and collated a killer all Australian playlist for your Australia Day 2017 celebrations. A mix for the generations that will suit the whole family.  In true Aussie spirit we’re giving away a secret prize to 1 lucky Barlens lover who follows and shares our playlist, but you must remember to tag @BarlensEvents to win!

http://https://open.spotify.com/user/barlensevents/playlist/6cwnxM90QcBfWoeHrB96Hh

Lave a comment on Facebook if you have a song you would like to see included in the list.

So, now that you have the tunes sorted it’s time to take on Thursday the 26^th of January at your place. Make sure that Uncle Pete is bringing the ice and check that there is enough gas for the barbie. Set up a glow bar by the pool, host musical chairs and get some extra crockery to avoid washing up. Make sure there’s enough shade and ample storage for the cold drinks, all of this and more at Barlens.

Time is running out so visit our online catalogue today and lock in your order so that you don’t miss out!

For over 50 years now Barlens has been with you on Christmas day, be that by keeping the food warm, your guests comfy around the table or even the glasses clinking as you toast to another wonderful year (I guess you could call us Santa’s unofficial helpers).

With the amount of chocolates in our advent calendars slowly decreasing it is a true sign that Christmas will be among us any day now. A day dedicated to sitting around the table, filling your plate to the sky and eating far too much, all in the lead up to a game of backyard cricket.

We are all big fans of tinsel day at Barlens and that is why our doors are back open from the 28^th of December where we’ll have all your New Year’s party gear ready to go.

So from the whole team at Barlens, we are wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!

Spring has sprung and the party season is upon us. Ready to shake off the icey winter weather and counting down the days to the next backyard bash, the team at Barlens have compiled a list of what we believe are the top 5 reasons that spring rules in Australia.

1. Blossoms everywhere

Whip out your hay fever medication because it is near impossible to stay inside when everything is in full bloom and looking beautiful. The outdoors is intriguing enough on its own but to add to the excitement, Floriade 2016 is only one month away! Australia’s biggest celebration of Spring is returning to Canberra for the 29^th year and the Barlens build is already underway.

2. The sausage sizzle

With almost every BBQ hired out for the next three months the smell of a good sausage sizzle is definitely in the air. From school fetes to thebackyard MasterChefs on a Sunday afternoon, we can’t resist a good snag.

3. Hibernation is over

Spring marks the end of hibernation season, meaning that you will hear from those friends you thought moved to Newcastle but in fact spent the

whole of winter at home watching Netflix… Get ready because your social calendar is about to be flooded.

4. Festival season

Whether you’re a food critique, arts and craft guru or music lover, Spring kicks off a number of festivals in your local region, encouraging you to gather your friends and family to celebrate something the things that you love.

And last but definitely not least…

5. Any excuse to party

Like any good team behind a party, we will take any excuse to throw one. Spring marks the start of a new season and that is reason enough for us!

If you think we’ve missed anything be sure to tweet it through to @BarlensEvents.

Naturally an icy windscreen and frosty breath would encourage anyone to stay indoors, as the gloomy weather creeps in Barlens have devised a winter bucket list to keep you out and about on the social scene.

So, polish those dancing shoes and whip out your warmest coats as this winter is set to be a big one, both in the capital and along the border.

CANBERRA

Canberra will host a variety of events, urging everyone to embrace the capitals glorious winter.  From watching the GWS Giants take on the Richmond Tigers at Manuka Oval, to an array of wine and truffle festivals that will leave every foodie drooling.

Canberra Bucket List

o    Cheer on the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium

o    Skate into the Winter Festival at Garema Place

o    Digg for truffles at the 2016 Truffle festival

o    Toboggan down the alpine slide of Corin Forest

ALBURY

The Albury region is not to be underestimated, from witnessing the Irish charisma of Foster and Allen to a wide selection of farmers markets, your calendar will be cluttered with must see events.

Albury Bucket List

o    Laugh until it hurts at the Long Room Comedy Lockdown, hosted by Albion Hotel

o    Experience the fresh flavours and aromas of the Gateway Markets

o    Soak in the sunset with nibbles and good company at Lake Moodemere Estate

o    Take the plunge into the icy waters of Rocky Valley Dam to celebrate the first day of winter

For more information on how to make the most of the Albury winter visit: www.visitalburywodonga.com

Or, alternatively you could throw your own winter whopper, celebrating with a backyard bash or girls night in. Whatever you decide it is important to celebrate winter in all of its glory.

Last Friday, some of the Barlens team were lucky enough to join Australia’s event hire elite as a Rental Company of the Year Finalist at the Hire and Rental Association’s HIRE16 convention at the Gold Coast.

Competing against some of Australia’s best event suppliers, receiving a nomination as finalist was no small feat for our locally owned and grown business operating out of Canberra and Albury, especially following  the challenges of rebuilding the business over the past 18 months.

“I’m incredibly proud of the Barlens team and how we’ve pulled together to create something great out of a less than desirable situation,” says Barlens CEO Peter Taylor.

The title of the HRIA Rental Company of the Year – Events Division, is that of the highest honour to any rental organisation within Australia. Barlens nomination on this occasion has not only fortified our position as industry leaders, but also assured the team that every ounce of hard work contributed was worth it.

“Barlens is a unique business in which we get to be part of the happiness and enjoyment of Canberra and the surrounding community. From weddings and backyard parties to Floriade and the Multicultural Festival, Barlens is there and that is an incredibly rewarding experience”, Says Peter.

The team were incredibly proud to represent amongst the greats in the Gold Coast. We caught up with friends, old and new and, like any good team behind a party, a party we did have. Because at Barlens, we know, Great Parties Live on Forever.