MEET THE TEAM

We are a family owned and operated party equipment rental business with over 21 years of combined experience in the rental industry and just won the Marin IJ’s readers choice award for Best Party Rentals in Marin. We have a full line of event equipment including tables, chairs, linens, dinnerware, drinkware, concessions machines, outdoor supplies, kids equipment and more. In May 2019, Celebrations started out of our garage with 20 tables and under 100 chairs. Then 2020 hit after our first season in the industry. Some might have quit but we were determined to make this dream a reality. We’ve done some major pivots and have grown. Over 60% of our business comes from referrals. Our mission is to provide anyone throughout the Bay Area with the highest quality rentals and top notch reliable service every time!

OWNER + DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Chris Clarke has over 17 years of sales and management experience within the equipment rental industry.
His career began at TBC Safety, a steel road plate rental company headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA. TBC Safety was owned and operated by Rob and Jennifer Pitts, a multigenerational rental industry family. Rob’s dad, Bob Pitts, owned Pacific Shoring Rentals, one of the first acquisitions for what is today known as United Rentals. Over the next 9 years Chris held roles of increasing responsibility starting as an outside sales rep where he grew market share in Sonoma, Marin, and San Francisco Counties. As a branch manager he opened 2 cold starts in San Francisco and Milpitas, hired and trained employees and as sales manager he oversaw sales reps in each territory. TBC Safety was later purchased by United Rentals. Rob and Jennifer Pitts also owned Country Party Rentals in Sebastopol CA.
Chris then went on to work for Blueline Rental, A Platinum Equity Company and was there during the Volvo Rents and Blueline Rental merger. Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with approximately $36 billion of assets under management, teams and investors around the world. It was during this time that Chris got a crash course in data analytics as Platinum implemented a wide range of tools for the sales team to use and review as a part of their sales strategy. Chris gained a valuable tool box of numbers driven strategies to increase revenue based on models and metrics. He specifically learned about OEC (original equipment costs), time utilization, fixed assets, EBITDA valuations and total business valuations for the purpose of selling. Chris won numerous sales awards there before moving on. In 2018 Blueline Rental sold to United Rentals in an all cash deal for $2.1 billion.
United Rentals, Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world with approximately 4,300 categories of equipment for rent with a total original equipment cost of $15.72 billion and annual revenue exceeding $11 billion. Chris stepped into United Rentals as a sales rep in the largest and most profitable territory in the country. After maintaining position as number two sales rep countrywide year over year he was promoted to Account Manager for one of United Rentals most high profile clients, Primoris Services Corporation - the largest PG&E gas transmission line subcontractor. It was during this time that he really started to understand what operational excellence meant. With over 24,000 employees, 6,000 commercial trucks on the road daily and the highest profile commercial clients in the country United Rentals has implemented the best operational procedures to maximize safety, order accuracy and efficiencies. His experience in this high demand position reinforced and expanded his expertise in quality control, layout and design, inventory, logistics and materials management, safety, customer retention and service. Chris was recognized throughout his career as an industry expert, team player, charismatic sales professional, passionate problem solver, detail oriented and consistent closer.
Chris is highly regarded with rental industry executives, rental industry investors, and private equity companies that hold interests in the rental industry. As of January 2023 Chis has joined Celebrations of Marin in a full time capacity as Director of Operational Excellence.

OWNER + DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
Kim has always been a determined and motivated individual driven to succeed. During the 7 years she stayed home to raise her young children she watched her husband and business partner Chris fiercely and successfully grow three top tier construction rental businesses as a high level sales manager. They had always talked about and dreamed of starting their own rental business in the events sector but with his demanding schedule it seemed impossible. After they purchased their first bit of inventory Kim took the initiative to start working tirelessly in her free time on the back end of the business, forming the LLC, applying for the business license, reseller's permit, implementing a bookkeeping system, and creating the website. In May 2019 she officially launched Celebrations Party Rental LLC dba Celebrations of Marin.
Things started slowly but she was determined to grow the business so that they could at least cover all overhead expenses and eventually have Chris come aboard the team full time. During the first year of operations she handled most of the orders from start to finish. She handled all quotes and orders over the phone or email, loaded trucks, delivered and picked up equipment, cleaned the rentals, maintained and ordered new inventory, facilitated subrentals, and managed the books. Then the pandemic hit and the events industry was devastated. Through pivoting the business model Celebrations was able to stay afloat by implementing new revenue streams and income opportunities.
Since events started to return to some state of normal in June 2021 Celebrations has seen an explosion in sales and growth. There has been a return to the core business model of event equipment rental. Kim now focuses on the front of house operations including order intake and client management, digital marketing, website design and maintenance, inventory tracking, ordering, financial management and more. The dream has become a reality and Chris has been able to join the team full time as co-owner and Director of Operational Excellence. Together they’ve been able to triple revenue year over year and are on a similar growth track for the foreseeable future. They've expanded offerings to satisfy local market demands and have successfully served several large local corporate clients. This business is truly the culmination of dedication, perseverance and collaboration between the husband and wife duo.

OUR CLIENTS

Our clients are the absolutely amazing and over the years we’ve had the good fortune to serve some of the best businesses and event planners in the region.

VENUES

We’ve worked at some of the most beautiful locations across the Bay Area. The venues we visit over and over again include the highlighted locations below as well as The Outdoor Art Club, Mill Valley, The Marin Art and Garden Center, San Anselmo, Unity Marin, Novato, Pacheco Ranch, Novato, Mountain Home Inn, Mill Valley and many more. Our relationships with these venues and the people on site there ensure smooth logistics for your special day.