Your guide to choosing the right MUTA membership category

August 22, 2024

MUTA offers a range of membership categories to accommodate various types of organisations across the marquee, tent and temporary structure industry.

But how do you know which membership category to choose? Whether you’re a prospective member or end user, this guide will help you decide.

Full hirer member (1-10 employees)

  • Eligibility: This category is for hire companies who have been trading for more than two years and have between 1-10 full-time employees, or equivalent, during the period May to September. Hirer members are subject to regular audits and therefore must abide by MUTA’s best practice guide and code of practice
  • Benefits: Full hirer members receive the most extensive benefits, including access to industry-specific advice, representation, marketing opportunities, discounts on products services, a listing on the MUTA website and much more. In addition, full hirer members benefit from advice and guidance from MUTA’s auditors
  • Fees: The current fee is £977 +VAT per annum

Currently, this is MUTA’s most popular membership category.

Full hirer member (11-25 employees)

  • Eligibility: This category is for hire companies who have been trading for more than two years and have between 11-25 full-time employees, or equivalent, during the period May to September. Hirer members are subject to regular audits and therefore must abide by MUTA’s best practice guide and code of practice
  • Benefits: Full hirer members receive the most extensive benefits, including access to industry-specific advice, representation, marketing opportunities, discounts on products services, a listing on the MUTA website and much more. In addition, full hirer members benefit from advice and guidance from MUTA’s auditors
  • Fees: The current fee is £1,136 +VAT per annum

Full hirer member (26+ employees)

  • Eligibility: This category is for hire companies who have been trading for more than two years and have more than 26 full-time employees, or equivalent, during the period May to September. Hirer members are subject to regular audits and therefore must abide by MUTA’s best practice guide and code of practice
  • Benefits: Full hirer members receive the most extensive benefits, including access to industry-specific advice, representation, marketing opportunities, discounts on products services, a listing on the MUTA website and much more. In addition, full hirer members benefit from advice and guidance from MUTA’s auditors
  • Fees: The current fee is £1,659 +VAT per annum

Developing hirer

  • Eligibility: This category is for hire companies who have not been trading for two years or do not feel ready to abide by MUTA’s best practice guide. Developing hirers get access to benefits and support, but they are not audited, which is why they cannot claim to be full hirer members
  • Benefits: Developing hirers have access to industry-specific guidance notes, pro forma templates, discounted training and reference documents to help them on their journey to becoming a full hirer member
  • Fees: The current fee is £497 +VAT per annum

Supplier member

  • Eligibility: This category is for UK based suppliers of goods or services relating to the temporary structure industry, and who have been trading for more than two years. This category is not open to companies who hire marquees, tents or temporary structures
  • Benefits: The most popular benefits are the networking and sponsorship opportunities. In addition, supplier members have a website and brochure listing, and the opportunity to promote their products and services via MUTA’s e-newsletter
  • Fees: The current fee is £254 +VAT per annum

International member

  • Eligibility: This category is for non UK based suppliers of goods or services relating to the temporary structure industry. This category is not open to organisations who hire marquees, tents or temporary structures
  • Benefits: The most popular benefits are the networking and sponsorship opportunities. In addition, international members have a website and brochure listing, and the opportunity to promote their products and services via MUTA’s e-newsletter
  • Fees: The current fee is £502 +VAT per annum

Venue member

  • Eligibility: This category is for UK based venues who own or hire marquees, tents or structures for use on their own grounds. A venue could be a showground, wedding venue, festival site, racecourse, hotel, restaurant or pub
  • Benefits: The benefit for venue members is having access to a ready network of hirer and supplier members who can assist with all manner of projects. Plus, venue members have access to industry news
  • Fees: The current fee is £276 +VAT per annum

MUTA’s guide to choosing a hirer provides further advice and pointers on what to look for when choosing a hirer for public and private events.

Unfortunately, a number of companies claim to be members of the association when they are not. The best way to check if a company is a current MUTA member is to search for them on our directory or request an up-to-date membership certificate.

If you’re interested in joining, please click here.

This article was written on August 22, 2024 and the fees quoted were accurate at the time of writing.