In this episode of Pitchin’ Tents, Ray and Davis sit down with Matt Smith of Special Events Virginia and MATRA for a conversation about building a career in the tent industry from the ground up.

Matt shares how a summer job at 19 turned into a lifelong career, the mentors who helped shape him, and how MATRA became a major part of his growth in the industry. The conversation covers hands-on education, mentorship, certification, PPE, code officials, and what it takes to help the next generation of tent professionals succeed.

From field experience to industry leadership, this episode is a real-world look at how people, training, and a little stubborn tenacity can shape the future of tenting.

Hosts Ray and Davis welcome industry veteran Bryan Bolt to Pitchin' Tents to discuss his new role at the ARA and the Safe Tenting initiative. They cover upcoming nationwide in-person trainings, certification programs, the ground-testing tool for stake holding power, and how ARA is engaging with codes and regulators to improve tent safety.

The episode highlights efforts to professionalize tent installation, document site testing, and give rental companies practical resources.

Davis & Ray sit down with industry legend Brian Richardson, President of L & A Rentals Inc. and ARA President, for a conversation filled with stories, humor, and hard-earned insight. From on-the-job mishaps to leadership and mentorship, Brian shares practical lessons on safety, employee culture, and building lasting relationships in the tent and event industry.