General question about setting up a portable Photography Studio?

I am trying to setup a small section of an event as a photography studio for the guests and I am in the process of buying the studio equipment… I am aware the the lighting equipment is the most important so I was wondering if someone who is experienced can offer some suggestions for the following…

Alien bees have some great packages that might help out:

http://www.alienbees.com/digi.html

I would suggest Paul C. Buff lights, if you can get them.
I’ve shot for another studio using his “White Lightning” lights that are just AMAZING.
And I’ve done my own with his Alien Bees line, which are a step down… But pretty good.

Do you plan on doing hi-key, or just a regular backdrop?

At any rate, you’ll need a portable background stand and backdrops. I generally prefer black and white.
However… Do NOT shoot on the white unless it is properly illuminated! Nothing looks tackier and more unprofessional than a wrinkly gray-ish background in a picture. Use at least two medium-high voltage lights for the backdrop, point one at the lower half, one at the upper. I tried getting by with just one, and it didn’t turn out so hot

You’ll need a main light and a filler for the side, and a hair light coming from the back for darker backdrops.

I personally use 1 alien bee 400 and 1 alien bee 800 in different positions for different backdrops, but if I was going to set up a portable booth, honestly, I would invest in at least 2 more lights (a 1200 for a filler, and a 1200 for the mainlight, I’d demote the 800 and 400 to background lights) so I can cut back the time in photoshop fixing the backdrops.