Although sour economic news dominates the headlines, mega events such as the Summer Olympics in Beijing and the U.S. presidential conventions this summer are adding up to a strong year for event planning companies. In the seventh annual "50 Top Event Companies" list, which appears in the September issue of Special Events Magazine, respondents say they expect to stage 7 percent more events this year than they did in 2007. They also predict an 8 percent boost in revenue. The list includes event companies with expertise ranging from corporate events to fundraisers to social events.

Experience marketing giant George P. Johnson Co., based in Auburn Hills, Mich., again leads the list, with $250 million in revenue from events predicted for this year.

Largely thanks to its work on the Summer Olympics this year, Larkspur, Calif.-based Sportsmark Management Group vaulted from spot No. 25 last year to No. 14 this year.

Also, mergers have changed rankings on the list from last year. The entity now known as Premiere Global Sports, headquartered in Chicago, debuts at No. 6 this year. The company is the result of the re-branding of North American Sports Media and its acquisition of Dodds Athletic Tours and TSE Sports and Entertainment; TSE ranked as No. 18 last year.

For the full story, see the September issue of Special Events.