SEARCH raises more than $112,000 at The Special Event Some 300 generous guests helped the SEARCH Foundation pull in more $112,000 at its 12th annual fundraiser two weeks ago in New Orleans; funds will support event professionals in need and promote educational initiatives for the advancement of the industry …

Caterers: What's hot in wedding reception menus? If you've got a story to tell, Special Events would love to hear it. Let us know if one of our editors should contact you by clicking here …

New Year's Eve party picture mixed Some 28 percent of respondents to an online poll from Special Events say their New Year's Eve party business last month was up from 2008. Thirteen percent said they booked an equal number of events, while 57 percent said they booked fewer events. And are you hiring yet? Tell us in our new poll, which appears on the right side of our Web site, beneath the Resource Center …

Words from a winner Veteran event planner Lena Malouf, based in Sydney, accepted the Gala Award for Lifetime Achievement at The Special Event on Jan. 15. Her heartfelt acceptance speech is available here.