I figured we'd be at least a hair better than last year, but the drops continue...

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20091101/SMALLBIZ/311019960

actually it's going to be worse than this implies. i heard from a couple of IB types last year that their parties were cancelled but they had already actually been largely paid for in advance. it may be a tough year but maybe the tourists will cushion the blow.

Any corporation that has laid off workers or cut back hours should seriously consider the irony of having a "holiday party". At this point, I would think that a weekly paycheck is all the celebrating anyone really needs.

"They are eliminating the private cars"

OH, THE SUFFERING!

well, for the black car drivers...

;-)

Don't worry, the yellow cabs will pick up the business.

You don't really expect these people will use the SUBWAY, do you??

when your party ends during daylight, yeah...

There's a new restaurant in my building which I would think, under "normal" circumstances, be booked solid with parties. It will be interesting to see what happens.

This is certainly not news to musicians. All the musicians I know have been hurting for the last year.

Normally I have multiple holiday gigs booked by now. Currently the only paying gig I have coming up is a public supper and music event in January in Mt. Kisco (the Robert Burns Supper). It's a fantastic gig, but it's my only one since a wedding in June.

If you can possibly do so, please hire live musicians! They need you.

{Manhattan real estate agent.}

We booked our party and had absolutely no problem getting the night we wanted.

Usually, we try and book earlier, and still have to be flexible, and always end up with a Thursday at best. This included last year!

This year, same place... got the exact night we wanted... a Friday.