Is luxury losing out? Are your event guests still eager to use luxury products--crystal stemware, fine china and the like--or is the sour economy prompting them to trade down to less "over the top" event elements? Let us know by answering the poll, at the bottom right of our Web site beneath "Resource Center." And watch for results next week ...

Inaugural parade route lengthened The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Thursday that the entire length of Washington's National Mall will be open to the public to enable more people to view the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama on Jan. 20. For Special Events' preview of inaugural parties, click here ...

GEP releases DMC forecast Washington-based Global Events Partners announced the results of its annual worldwide DMC partner survey yesterday; the survey reflects economic concerns mixed with cautious optimism. According to GEP, DMCs will likely face challenges ranging from airline service issues to currency shifts. Revenues overall seem likely to decrease, the survey says, although short-term bookings are expected to increase in 2009. More than two-thirds of GEP’s partner DMCs responded to the survey, representing close to 40 countries worldwide--including Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America--and all major markets within the United States. Among those responding to the survey, more than two-thirds expect DMC sales to decrease due to the worldwide economic slowdown; close to three-fourths believe that “big events”--defined as programs for more than 200 attendees--will fall. The survey also revealed that Spain, Greece and Prague are now popular meeting and event destinations; “old reliable” locations such as London, Miami and Mexico remain on the list.

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