Pool cover on a cruise ship? Sure, we can do that.

Industry insiders know that for custom swimming pool covers, the only company to call is In Depth Events. Our experts have handled everything from wedding receptions in private backyards, Bat Mitzvahs in palatial garden manors, chic clear installations for private events, and corporate parties at hotels, casinos, and country clubs across the US. Our staff is used to the challenges that come with providing clear, frosted, and utility pool covers. In fact, we are the ONLY company in the south that can provide flush mount pool covers for our clients.

In other words – we’re used to challenges when it comes to building custom swimming pool covers and stages. However, when the Tom Joiner people called us, we have to admit that we were taken a little off guard. Every year, the Tom Joiner Fantastic Voyage brings a Christian celebration of music and ministry to its attendees. In the spring of 2018, the cruise ship Carnival Breeze was selected as the host ship or this seven-day cruise. The Tom Joiner people wanted to know – can we build a performance stage over a pool – on a cruise ship?

Of course we can! After several meetings with Carnival staff, several sets of drawings, and several conversations with our engineers, we loaded our equipment on the pool deck in late April using a crane. We had to make sure every last part was in our pack – there are no Home Depots in the Gulf of Mexico. When the night of the build finally came around, our crew faced a rainy night and rough seas. It’s hard enough to build a stage in a swimming pool – it’s even more difficult when the swimming pool is moving around you!

However, our expert stage builders prevailed and finished the build well in time for the headliner, Anita Baker, to perform. The Tom Joiner people were amazed at the transformation of the pool deck, Cardinal’s staff was happy with our respect for their performance area and their engineering staff, and our stage builders went away with a sense of accomplishment for a job well done.

For your next swimming pool cover, make sure to contact the experts at In Depth Events. We look forward to hearing from you, and working with you!

A Personal Dr. Pepper Ramp Build Blog

One of the great things about working for In Depth Events is not having one day that is the same as the last. All of the previous events I have worked included stage and riser set up. This event was extremely different. I was assigned to work at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark on a wooden ramp. This ramp was being built in one of the seating sections by 3rd base. It was built in order to get equipment from the road down to the field so they could redo the field.

Preparing for Build of the Ramp

I showed up for this job on the third day of the build without any previous experience on a wood project. All risers and stages I have worked on in the past were steel with premade holes in the legs. As soon as I turned the corner I saw the massive wooden ramp about halfway built. An entire section of seating had been taken out and there were stacks upon stacks of wood. We had a team of nine (including myself) working on the ramp that day.

Two of us started working on putting together bolts for the ramp by taking a bolt and adding two washers and a nut to each one. Putting together these bolts saved a lot of time when we actually started inserting them into the wood on the ramp. Another person was using the power saw to cut wood pieces to the exact sizes needed for each piece of the ramp.

Building of the Ramp

Once the braces were in place we took a drill bit and made holes wide enough for the bolt to go through. After the hole was drilled another person would go behind inserting and tighten the bolts. This was repeated in the next step adding an extra piece of wood on either side of the brace and inserting four bolts. This was done ensure that each section was strong and stable. Finally, trestles where added flush with the braces using wood screws. The trestles were added in a pattern that had every other row of braces placed at the exact distance from the other.

The space available to work in while putting the pieces together was very small. It took a lot of patience and focus trying to drill each hole and insert each bolt. The gaps between each wood piece were just large enough to put one leg and a small handheld drill in. Our team quite literally worked side by side on this project, the entire duration of the build.

After all braces, bolts, and trestles were put together precut pieces of plywood were then added to the top. Two layers of the plywood covered the entire surface of the ramp. The plywood created the smooth surface needed for them to drive on. This specific project used around thousands of bolts and screws along with hundreds of pieces of wood.

My first day on site ended up being 10 hours of making, inserting, and tightening bolts. This project taught me many new and extremely useful skills in carpentry. It also tested my balance, focus, and patience throughout the build. I look forward to the next project with In Depth Events, I’ll be writing about it!

Flush Mount Acrylic Pool Covers – An Event Planners Guide

Maximize your event space and create a unique swimming pool cover look

At In Depth Events, we are always looking for innovative ways to really amplify the impact and create unforgettable memories for your event. We’ve recently developed a new swimming pool cover mounting technology that can transform any pool into a elegant dance floor or walkway that is completely flush with the deck surface. It’s almost as if your floating on water.

You will always have the normal pool cover options available: Standard rental staging surface / Frosted pool cover surface / Clear pool cover surface… which are all great options to maximize your event. You can learn more about the standard options for rental swimming pool covers here.

With the new flush mount swimming pool cover, we’re providing an enhanced option with more “WOW factor”. You can see in the image above the stunning ambiance created by a flush mount pool cover rental. This particular project was for a private event held in the Dallas area. After the party, the event coordinator stated the party was flawless and her client was extremely pleased.

Benefits of Using a Flush Mount Pool Cover

We’ve covered the sexy details about the flush mount pool cover, but there is a lot more to learn. Aside from the exquisite visual aspect, here are other key benefits that make a flush mount pool cover ideal for any corporate or residential event:

The frame is constructed from steel connected by steel crossbar stabilizers. We install all materials onto a protective barrier which prevents your swimming pool and deck surface from damage during the install or dismantle process. Your choice of clear or frosted plexi-glass panels are mounted to the frame and precisely cut to fit the size and shape of your pool area. The flush transition from the pool cover to the deck surface creates a safer area for your guests which can help minimize the risk of trips and falls.

Take a look at the before and after images below so you can see the amazing transformation that takes place during the flush mount pool cover installation process.

The image on the left is the swimming pool before the event took place. The image on the right is the same pool, after the flush mount pool cover installation was complete.

If you’re ready to take the plunge on a swimming pool cover rental, then Ask a Question of the experts at In Depth Events. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you!

Extreme Weather Conditions at Live Events

Outdoor events and activations are in a class by themselves. In addition to the difficulties of production requirements, parking and crowd control, you also have to add fencing, porta-potties and the tempestuous moods of Mother Nature. In this post, we’ll discuss how to plan for bad weather conditions at live events and the specific conditions that our technicians are trained to look for when determining whether or not to continue an event in bad weather.

Unpredictable weather and live events

Image of Safety During Bad Weather Conditions

Safety During Bad Weather Conditions is the Number One Priority for In Depth Events

In our home State of Texas, weather can be… fickle. It’s an old joke here that “If you don’t like the weather in Texas, just wait a minute and it will change.” Of course, our touring and logistics groups handle activations and experiential events all over the nation. We’ve been drowned in Denver, deluged in Duluth and snowed on in St Paul. We’ve been hailed on in Helena, had sleet in San Antonio and tornadoes in… well, you get the idea. The point is we are very experienced with bad weather conditions at live events and how to make sure the equipment and your attendees are safe before, during and after bad weather strikes.

As a production company, we have to be ready for all types of weather at an outdoor event. Rain gear and pop-up tents are part of every single pack that goes on the truck. All of our electrical distribution systems are water resistant and rated for outdoor use. Our ballast plans for our rooftops are specifically designed with high wind conditions in mind.

Speaking of rooftops – whenever we do a stage and roof system, we will always have a roof tech on site to monitor the roof and the weather conditions at any time there is activity on the stage. On most of our outdoor rental stage and roof system builds, you’ll see a weather station including an anemometer and a rain gauge on the structure. Monitoring the weather at all times is a big part of our commitment to safety on the event site.

Make sure your event company has a bad weather plan

After the rain – back to the show!

Especially when using rooftops or mobile stages – it’s imperative that production company that you have contracted has a bad weather plan. With our company, it’s our Rooftop Emergency Procedures. This document has very specific tolerances for wind and rain and clearly explains our responsibility to our clients in case of bad weather.

In addition to this document, it’s also important for everyone to sit down long before the event and discuss the issues related to bad weather conditions at live events. The promoter, production company, venue owner and (if possible) the municipality should all be given well-defined roles and responsibilities for dealing with bad weather. Knowing these roles beforehand can save precious minutes and provide a well-organized response for attendees.

Do you have questions about weather and your outdoor activation, concert, or festival? Ask a Question of the bad weather safety experts at In Depth Events. We’re happy to take our knowledge and experience and apply it to your event. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you!

Category: Design