Cheerful outlook for caterers' holiday party business As the holiday-party booking window narrows, 44 percent of caterers in the latest online poll from Special Events say they expect to book more business this year than they did in 2009. A total of 27 percent say their holiday party business will be on par with last year, while an equal number say they expect to book fewer holiday parties this year than last …

One for the troops A Special Events reader contacted us for ideas to help her son--a morale officer at a NATO base in Afghanistan--who is looking for ideas for low-cost, fun projects to keep the troops' spirits up during the holidays. Please share your creative ideas on our Facebook page, and thank you!

Exclusive: Registration discount to Academic Event Professional Conference for Special Events readers! Registration is now open for the Academic Event Professional Conference 2011. Now in its fifth year, AEP is a forum where you can meet and learn from your academic event planning peers as well event industry leaders to help develop professional event management skills.

AEP 2011 will run alongside The Special Event Show in Phoenix on Jan. 23-24. For more information on speakers and to view the conference agenda, please visit the AEP Homepage. The 2011 conference will begin on Arizona State University's downtown campus in the A.E. England building, with the main conference day being held at the Wyndham Phoenix.

Attendee registration is $295, but Special Events subscribers will receive a special $50 discount. Register before midnight on Dec. 31, 2010, using the promotional code SEMAG to receive your $50 off. To register now and secure your seat at AEP 2011, please visit the official registration page.