Galas Due Soon; Tips on Entering

Gala madness has begun: Entries are due Sept. 5--but Sept. 12 is fine, too....

Aggreko Powers Opening Ceremonies

Veteran event supplier Aggreko, based in Scotland, played a major role in supporting the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing on Aug. 8....

Mexican Serrano Peppers Added to FDA Warning List

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week added serrano peppers from Mexico to its list of foods that consumers should avoid....

Party Pace Heats Up for Dem, GOP Conventions

By Lisa Hurley

The U.S. presidential election is still three months away, but two far bigger events--at least in terms of special events--are coming up quickly. The Democratic National Convention comes to Denver Aug. 25-28, followed by the Republican National Convention Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis-St. Paul. ...

U.S. Peppers Cleared, but Be Leery of Lobster Liver

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday gave the all-clear to jalapeno and serrano peppers grown in the United States, revoking its warning issued just two days before that consumers completely avoid the chiles....

California Balloon Ban Deflates

A proposed ban on helium-filled foil balloons has withered in the California Legislature in the face of vehement protests from manufacturers, decorators and florists....

Foil Balloons Under Attack

Charging that helium-filled foil balloons caused more than 800 power outages in California last year, a state legislator is pushing a bill to ban them....

Salmonella Outbreak: Are Peppers the Problem?

After nearly three months and close to 1,000 cases of foodborne illness in the U.S. and Canada, U.S. officials are beginning to look at jalapeno peppers as the culprits rather than fresh tomatoes....

Feds Now Unsure About Tomato Danger

Are fresh tomatoes to blame for sickening nearly 870 people in 36 states and the District of Columbia, or is it something else?...

Bandit Brides Targeting Event Pros for Big Bucks

Bogus brides continue to prey on event pros with cashier's check scams....

Tainted Tomatoes Linked to Florida, Mexican Farms

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has traced the source of tomatoes tainted with a rare strain of salmonella to specific farms in Florida and Mexico....

Same-sex Weddings To Boost Business, California Pros Say

Many California special event professionals who serve the social market predict an uptick in wedding business this year in light of the state Supreme Court's ruling last month that same-sex couples can wed in the Golden State....

Global Events Acquires New York-based Paint the Town Red

International event producer Global Events announced Thursday that it has acquired New York-based event marketing company Paint the Town Red....

Classic Picks up Hamptons Outlet, Fetes Event Industry

Los Angeles-based rental giant Classic Party Rentals announced yesterday that is has acquired Water Mill Party of Water Mill, N.Y., which primarily serves the upscale Hamptons market....

Tomatoes Pulled from Menus in Wake of Illness

The multi-state outbreak of salmonella linked to certain types of raw tomatoes reported in last week's Eventline has grown worse. ...

Gala Awards Competition '08 Debuts

Special Events Magazine is now accepting entries for its 2008 Gala Awards competition....

Military Balls Get New Polish

Although the military ball is a long-standing tradition, the event industry near Fort Bragg, N.C., is seeing a new surge in business this year from troops and their families celebrating the service members' return from Iraq....

American to Charge for All Checked Bags

American Airlines announced today that it will soon do away with no-cost checked baggage for most customers....

Texas Style Sets Tone for Wedding of President's Daughter

The beauty and culture of Texas Hill Country set the tone for the wedding of U.S. President George W. Bush's daughter Jenna on Saturday at a ceremony and reception held at the Bush family ranch in Crawford, Texas....

Events Get Big Green Game Plan

By Lisa Hurley

Last month, we showed how high-tech tools are helping event professionals create green events. In Part II, we look at comprehensive green programs. Every...

Torch Relay Torturing Planners?

The Olympic torch had--unsurprisingly--a calm run through North Korea Monday and landed in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, yesterday....

Event Companies Ensure Smooth Papal Visit to U.S.

Washington-area Voila Meetings and Events was the answer to an event pro's prayers during the recent papal visit to the U.S....

Just How Green Are You?

Event planner Joella Hopkins, founder of Los Angeles-based Simply Mumtaz, says social and association clients are far ahead of corporate clients....

Pope to Have Own Paramedics on U.S. Visit

To ensure the health of Pope Benedict XVI as he visits New York for three days this month, the 80-year-old pontiff will have his own team of 14 paramedics working in 12-hour shifts....