STORY:
Phoenix is making plans for a big party

If you aren't already making plans for New Year's Eve 1999, you're running out of time. Especially if you or your business plans to be a host. In an article by the Phoenix Business Journal, rental companies, event planners, liquor distributors and even florists claim to be preparing for what many predict to be a record-breaking night.

"The read I get is people aren't going to hold back," said David Garrett, a sales consultant with Continental Catering Inc. in Phoenix. Josephine Messana, principal of Events With Taste, an event planning company, agreed. "I think (companies) are going to do more unusual things, so it looks like they might end up spending more," she said.

Messana also is working with corporations that are planning a blow-out holiday party to thank employees and celebrate the New Year simultaneously. For example, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale is planning a big event for the first time and is expecting close to 3,000 people.

Resorts, too, already have planned parties in their main ballrooms and are in the process of booking events in tents set up on the grounds. For example, The Ritz-Carlton Phoenix hotel has one millennium package going for $100,000 that includes the premier suite, his-and-her 18-karat gold watches, a chauffeur-driven Jaguar for the weekend, a flight to the Grand Canyon and tickets to attend the New Year's Eve party.

The Arizona Biltmore has hired The Righteous Brothers and The Temptations to perform at its party. Its millennium package includes a four-night, five-day stay and ranges from $6,500 to $15,000.

Local liquor distributors also are depleting their supplies early. "I'm out of Dom Pérignon right now," Jeff Taylor, United Beverage Co. manager told the Business Journal. "We anticipate a shortage throughout the year. I think Vegas is sold out, Atlantic City is sold out."

Flower shops have been receiving inquiries about when to place orders. "No one's actually put any money down, but there's been talking and solicitations from a lot of people," said Rick Spillman, owner of Donofrio Florist in Phoenix. The competition floral shops will have, he said, is Las Vegas, "a magnet for designers at that time of year," who are worked around the clock in preparation.

DATE: 1/4/99

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