Pumpkins Are Forever If you're frustrated because your gloriously carved pumpkins perish before the fall event season does, consider carving Fun-Kins instead. Made of polyurethane foam, the light-weight imposters look like the real thing, according to the company. They even have handcrafted irregularities. The permanent pumpkins have already popped up in places such as Six Flags in St. Louis and L.L. Bean and Cracker Barrel catalogs. Available in seven styles, the faux gourds retail at $29.95 apiece. Call MacJac Enterprises at 480/946-1828 or visit its Web site (www.funkins.com).
Virtual Buffets Do your hand-drawn chafers look more like UFOs? There's help-Room Viewer 4.3 software, which generates event and meeting space diagrams from fill-in-the-blank forms, recently came out with four new add-ons. The catering, buffet serving lines, advanced audiovisual and casino add-ons assist caterers and planners in presenting clients with diagrams, the company says. The Catering Shapes package, for example, has 37 shapes, including chafers, platters, bread bowls and serving utensils. The shapes can be printed in color. Contact TimeSaver Software at 888/877-1100 or 714/731-5390, or visit its Web site (www.timesaversoftware.com).
Video Nation Now you don't have to plan your event in a stadium or concert hall to use a giant video screen. The mobile Event TV screen can show full-motion video in broad daylight to crowds of 5,000 and more, the company says. The 13-by-17-foot screen is installed on a truck, which includes a generator and control room for video and computer playback. Designed for use at concerts, sporting events, promotions, festivals, political rallies and trade shows, the screen also can generate revenue through the sale of advertising and sponsorships. Call Mills/James Productions at 614/777-9933 or visit its Web site (www.millsjames.com).
"Lead by example. It is how you think, feel and behave that determines the success of any event."
Lena Malouf, CSEP, Event Specialist, Double Bay, Australia
