Houston's event industry is fighting to get back on its feet after Hurricane Ike plowed through Texas over the weekend. The storm is now causing power outages in the Midwest. Ike has been blamed for 38 deaths in the U.S.

Houston's venerable Party Props spent today at work despite the fact the operation and its 40,000-square-foot warehouse have no power. President Jan Rocco (shown at right, working the phone) and team tell Special Events, "The party must go on, even if just by helping our neighbors and first responders."

If you are an event professional in need due to Hurricane Ike, or if you can contribute to fellow event professionals harmed by the storm, please send an e-mail here. In concert with ISES, Special Events will create an online resource to assist storm victims.