The Olympics, U.S. presidential elections--2008 has been a big year for big events. The companies profiled here, who made many of those events happen, predict an overall increase in business of 8 percent over last year. But that's down from the 15-plus percent boost in 2007, and chilling economic forecasts plus rising costs are on everyone's mind. To see what some of the best brains in the business are predicting in the months ahead, read on.

This article appeared in the print and digital editions of Special Events Magazine to benefit qualified subscribers.

A digital PDF of the complete article is available for a nominal fee. To order, please click here.

Photographed at Classic Party Rentals, Santa Ana, Calif. Photo by Ron Jaffe.