Marquee Hire for Corporate Events

Best marquee types for corporate events

Common corporate uses

• Product launches — clearspan with staging, lighting rigs, PA system
• Awards dinners — round-table layouts, stage and dance floor, full catering
• Exhibitions and trade shows — open floor plans, stand infrastructure, heavy power
• Team building days — casual setup, BBQ catering, open-sided or stretch
• Sporting events — hospitality marquees at races, regattas, polo, golf
• Conference overflow — additional breakout or dining capacity alongside a venue

Pricing

Corporate marquees tend to be larger and more heavily specified than private hires. A 200-guest awards dinner with full flooring, lighting, catering tent and furniture typically runs £8,000-£15,000. A basic 100-person conference marquee with power and AV starts around £3,000-£5,000. Large-scale exhibition builds or multi-day events can exceed £20,000.

Prices include structure, delivery and collection. Furniture, catering equipment, AV and power distribution are usually quoted separately. See the full cost guide.

What corporate clients need that wedding clients don't

Wedding marquees are about aesthetics. Corporate marquees are about infrastructure. The specification gap is significant and affects cost.

• Power distribution — three-phase supply for AV, lighting rigs, catering equipment and exhibition stands. Domestic sockets won't cut it. Budget for a generator or temporary mains connection.
• Branding — hard-walled clearspan structures accept printed panels, vinyl wraps and suspended banners. Stretch tents and traditional marquees are harder to brand.
• Catering-grade kitchen — a production kitchen tent adjacent to the main structure, with extraction, hot and cold water, and commercial power. Required for any sit-down meal over 100 covers.
• Climate control — heating for winter events, cooling for summer. Corporate guests expect consistent comfort regardless of weather.
• Fire exits and accessibility — minimum two emergency exits for 100+ capacity, clearly signed. Level access throughout for wheelchair users. Accessible toilets.

Health and safety

Corporate events carry liability that private parties don't. Your supplier should provide all of the following as standard. If they can't, find one who can.

• Fire certificate for the structure (BS EN 13782 or equivalent)
• Structural calculations signed by a chartered engineer
• Emergency lighting on independent battery backup
• Risk assessment specific to your site and event
• Method statement for installation and de-rig
• PAT-tested electrical equipment

For events over 500 people or on public land, you'll likely need an Event Management Plan and may require licensing approval from the local authority.

Site requirements

Corporate marquees are large and heavy. The site needs to accommodate delivery as well as the structure.

• Vehicle access — articulated lorries for large builds, 7.5-tonne trucks minimum. Check width of gates, turning circles, weight limits on drives.
• Ground conditions — flat, well-drained grass or hardstanding. Slopes over 1:20 need levelling. Soft ground may need trackway for vehicles.
• Power supply — confirm available amperage on site. Most corporate events need 63A or 125A three-phase, or a generator.
• Services — check for underground pipes, cables and drains before staking. Request utility maps from the site owner.
• Parking — guests, caterers, AV crew, talent. Often overlooked until the last minute.

Lead times

Corporate suppliers book up faster than you'd expect. Peak corporate season runs June through September, with a second peak in December for Christmas events. Large builds need structural engineering, permits and coordination with AV and catering contractors.

• Standard corporate hire (under 200 guests): 2-4 months
• Large builds or exhibition structures: 4-6 months
• Peak season (June-September, December): 6+ months
• Multi-day or multi-structure installations: 6-12 months

Insurance

Your company's existing public liability insurance may cover the event, but check the policy wording — many exclude temporary structures or outdoor events. The marquee supplier should carry their own public liability (minimum £5 million for corporate work) and employer's liability insurance.

For high-value events, consider event cancellation insurance. It covers weather, supplier failure, venue access problems and other risks that could force a last-minute cancellation. Costs roughly 1-3% of total event spend.