Calling great tabletop designers! Friday, Oct. 8, is the deadline to enter your outstanding tabletop designs in Tabletop Gallery 2011, a highlight of the show floor at The Special Event. But don't worry—you can mail or email your submissions. Find all the details on entering here …

Hotel rates ready to rise? The days of hotels slashing rates to book business are coming to an end, say experts at recent meetings industry forum. Our sister publication group—MeetingsNet—has the full story; just click here …

What makes a great designer? In the latest online poll from Special Events, 7 percent of respondents say that great designers are born with their talent, while only 6 percent say the skill can be learned. A whopping 85 percent say it takes both talent and a willingness to learn.