Johannesburg, South Africa-based The Event Co. knew there was a lot at stake in March when it created and produced a special event as part of South Africa's bid to host the 2006 soccer World Cup...

Tabletoppers Inc. has moved to a larger, custom building at 2130 Marietta Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30318; 404/355-5593, fax: 404/355-9533. The toll-free number remains 800/785-8885. Housing and registration software company Wyntrac LLC has moved to 6504...

Las Vegas-based Exquisite Impressions Special Events has opened a party and prop rental division. Call 702/898-9968; Web site: www.exquisitelasvegas.com. Laurie Sharp, CMP, has opened Sharp Events, a full-service meetings, events and destination...

If you ask winners of the Gala Awards-given annually by Special Events Magazine at The Special Event trade show-how it feels, many will tell you it's when they knew they had "arrived" in the event industry...

Now Read This Judy Allen's book "Event Planning: The Ultimate Guide to Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Confer-ences, Conventions, Incentives and Other Special Events" offers advice on choosing the best venue; preparing...

Their budgets aren't shrinking. The corporate brass is behind them...

Hotels Profit From Online Bookings Hotel companies that aren't riding the Internet wave of online booking could lose business to hotels that do offer the service...

Michael McCafferty is the new vice president and general manager of San Diego-based event production company Premier Productions International. Call 858/451-1814. Carly Johnstone has been promoted from executive assistant to event manager of MVKA...

Clean, pared-down design in black and white was a winner at the Sixth Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Held in March at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the SAG Awards drew a crowd of 1,064 profes-sional performers...

Chair manufacturers and distributors continue to invent better ways to serve the needs of the special event industry...