Special Events Magazine

Katie Mast,Director of Community,Rock Paper Coin Fall isn’t just for pumpkin spice and the holidays. It’s the best time to pause, take a deep breath, and give your business a much-needed overall tune-up. For wedding and event pros, this time of year is your sweet spot.

This is it! Submissions will close for the ACE & Gala Awards tomorrow! Submit by October 31, 2025, by 6 p.m. Central Time/4 p.m. Pacific Time to be recognized as one of the best in the industry. Submission fees are: It's once again time to celebrate the best of the best! Submissions are now being accepted for the 2026 ACE & Gala Awards!  We invite you to submit your best work from the past year.

The event industry is always changing, and staying ahead means being ready to mix things up. For event pros, diversifying your services is a great way to meet clients’ evolving needs and stay competitive. It’s not just about adding new services but staying fresh and offering what your clients really want in a fast-moving market. The event industry is always changing, and staying ahead means being ready to mix things up.

If you are planning an event, you have one major goal in mind: success! However, especially in recent years, we have seen how things like a global pandemic can turn plans on their head. Event planners had to quickly adapt to a rapidly changing world. With the rise of tech, and especially AI, planners have had to become even more resilient to ensure a successful event.

Constellation Culinary Group catered an extraordinary Día de los Muertos–themed Halloween celebration at Miami Beach's iconic Temple House. The October 2024 event successfully fulfilled the client's vision of fostering cross-team connections while immersing guests in Mexican traditions that form an integral part of Miami's cultural fabric.

The newly redesigned rideshare area features vibrant lighting, selfie walls and more Las Vegas debuted the new Fabulous Pickups at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) with a completely reimagined rideshare pickup area at Terminal 1. The unveiling was celebrated in true Las Vegas fashion with showgirls and a DJ welcoming visitors arriving for a weekend of festivities, including Mexican Independence Day concerts and events, and the Canelo vs. Crawford fight at Allegiant Stadium.

Halloween has long been a goldmine for event planning pros. Imagination and atmosphere thrive in October, but the freight factor alone isn’t always enough for memorable events. Key takeaways Balance spooky atmosphere with visuals that pop for photos—guests need both. Skilfully pepper interactive experiences throughout to keep energy and content flowing. Cohesive storytelling helps attendees share narratives. Simple tech tools can be just as effective as more expensive alternatives.

Decor transcends mere aesthetics; it weaves a narrative that reflects the theme of the event or the host's journey. Editor’s note: This is part two in a four-part series from celebrity event planner Edward Perotti where he’ll explore four vital aspects that elevate events into extraordinary experiences: personalized welcome moments, decor that tells a story, interactive elements, and hosting confidence boosters.

Missed the Early Bird Deadline? Don’t worry—you can still submit your entries for the ACE & Gala Awards! The Late Entry Deadline is October 31, 2025, by 6 p.m. Central Time/4 p.m. Pacific Time, but don’t wait until the last minute. It's once again time to celebrate the best of the best! Submissions are now being accepted for the 2026 ACE & Gala Awards!  We invite you to submit your best work from the past year.

From a double-decker bus tour through Manhattan, landmark light-ups from Times Square to Niagara Falls, to pizza shop conversations across the state, AARP New York brought Social Security’s impact to life AARP New York led a statewide celebration of Social Security’s 90th anniversary on August 14, bringing together communities across the state to honor a program that has provided generations of New Yorkers with financial security, dignity, and peace of mind.