Don't Leave the Restaurant Without It In an effort to boost catering revenue for restaurants, American Express has launched the Catering and Private Party Program, a business-building marketing campaign available to restaurants that accept American Express Cards. The program uses print advertising in consumer media, direct mail postcards and seasonal promotions to help restaurateurs who want to develop and/or increase catering and event revenue from their clients. According to the 1997 Restaurant Industry Operations Report, restaurant catering represents a $17.7 billion niche segment in the restaurant industry-a figure American Express hopes to help increase with the Catering and Private Party Program. Merchants may choose the components suitable to their businesses; cost of the program is based on the services selected. For more information, call 888/263-9267
Out of Site Finding an unusual event site just got a little bit easier. EventSource, an Internet-based event-planning search engine, has added the Unique Space Guide to its Web site, connecting planners with information on more than 2,000 museums, attractions, theaters and other unique event venues, as well as EventSource's existing site database of 9,000. EventSource not only enables users to browse potential sites, they can use the BookIt! tool to send immediate requests when they find a desired location. For more information, visit www.eventsource.com
A Floating Spa Get a massage, practice yoga, explore tai chi or enjoy a little gourmet lunch-all while cruising along the sunny South Florida coast. The YachtDay Spa provides those luxuries and more to those looking for something both sybaritic and seafaring. The yacht, which can accommodate up to 75 guests (there is a 10-guest minimum), departs from almost anywhere in South Florida. The cruises, which can be combined with meetings, run four to seven hours. For more information, call 888/9-DAY-SPA or visit its Web site (www.yachtdayspa.com).
Light Peddler Towards 2000, a Marina del Rey, California-based lighting and special effects company, has opened a new division in association with its Web site that caters exclusively to recycled lighting. Called Lightbroker, the Web site allows buyers and sellers to match up their equipment needs-sellers list the equipment they want to sell, and buyers e-mail offers. For more information call 818/557-0903 or visit www.lightbroker.com
