Hey everyone…did you miss me?  I’ve been running around so much I haven’t had the time to sit down and write a newsletter. Don’t lie…I know you’ve been Jonesing for one of our newsletters…for those of you who don’t know what that means, well, ask someone a little older…or, just watch a Cheech and Chong movie!

Anyway, we’ve gone through some pretty interesting times lately. Putting all partisan politics aside, what an incredible election…what an incredible statement about our country. We have shown the world what our country is about…the opportunity that exists here. While I was expecting something a little different, the shots of the crowd in Grant Park in Chicago assembling to hear our new President were just wonderful…the patriotism, the emotion, the pride in our country was palpable and it moved me…what an AWESOME experience. No matter where on the political spectrum you lie, you have to be proud of our country. Let’s all give our new president a chance…he is now OUR president regardless of your party affiliation. So let’s rally behind him; and for those of you who know me, and at the expense of being repetitive, LET’S ROCK AND ROLL!!!

Now what’s with the economy? OK, for those of you who actually read my August letter,  at the time we were doing a LOT better. But you know what? Let’s get through this. We, as an industry, have an incredible opportunity to gut this out and mine our creativity for ways to provide an awesome event experience at a reduced cost. What can we do to make our client’s experience truly unforgettable and at the same time give them the most absolute BANG FOR THEIR BUCK?!?

It doesn’t matter if you’re a planner or a vendor, we need to put our heads together and come up with something… QUICK!!! Just kidding… but let’s work together and get through all this. Now is not the time to retreat, to pull our heads back like turtles. We need to offer our clients some really cool programs…some really cool products…and some really cool service. So let’s get together and do this thing…I don’t mean offering something for nothing…that helps nobody. In fact, it hurts us all. But let’s all be creative and figure out a way through this mess. WE are the one’s who make things happen. WE are the ones who are supposed to be creative…to come up with TOTALLY COOL events. Let’s figure out a way to do this at a lower cost…at least ‘till we’re out of this jungle. Just a few more months…come on…we can DO THIS.  So, let’s DO IT!  Call me, we’ll figure it out…any ideas? Let’s put them together and ROCK THIS WORLD!!!

Finally, what an incredible time of year.  Did you all have a great Thanksgiving? I hope so. I got fatter than I already am!  Now comes this beautiful Holiday Season.  I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating…what an absolutely wonderful time of year. We are so blessed to be in an industry that provides fun, that provides enjoyment, that provides, I don't know, a blast for people all over the world! Please think about that for a second...how special is it to make dreams come true?...how special is it to provide an avenue for people to have fun...to enjoy themselves? I think it's awesome and I enjoy every minute of it. I thank God every day for what I do...I hope you do to.

Think of our country...of the men and women giving their lives to keep us free and keep us safe...thank God for them. Regardless of your political stripe, these young men and women are putting their lives on the line for us...how awesome is that? Think about the selflessness of these young people...especially at this time of year. Pray for them...pray for their families...pray that they make it home safe...too often we hear about the negative...for once, for God's sake, let's think about the positive right now...this season.

Family and friends...What's more important than that? Here’s a little story I’ve told before…I lost my uncle a couple years ago.  He was someone who meant a great deal to me. He had cancer of the stomach and had 80% of his stomach removed but the outlook was very good. I visited his hospital room the day after his surgery...he was asleep...I didn't want to bother him...so I went downstairs and bought a bunch of Get Well balloons and left them in his room. I wrote a note on the bulletin board that I had been by and said Hi. He woke up the day after I was there and saw the balloons...his son was in the room and left me a message asking me if I had left them...he said that Uncle Mel was smiling and got a kick out of the balloons. Well, he died two days later and I never got a chance to speak with him...he died before I could...but you know what? I got the chance to make some of his last moments on earth happy ones.

My point?...you never know...please, tell your family, tell your friends that you love them. Of course, this applies any time of year. But if there's any time of year to reach out, it's now. A time for giving, a time for thankfulness, the most beautiful time of the year. And you know what? Just be yourself...just give...just help...expecting no recognition...no thanks...no pat on the back. Do good because you should...do good because it's the right thing to do...

So, let’s celebrate life...be thankful for your family...be thankful for your friends...be thankful for this industry and our country. God Bless All of You...and God Bless this country.

Merry Christmas everyone...have an awesome New Year,

Jeff Anderson and all your Party Pals

And always remember…It’s Not a Party Without the Pals!!!

Don’t forget to visit our booth (#623) at The Special Event 2009 Trade Show, January 28-th at the San Diego Convention Center.

Party Pals is also proud to announce that Jeff Anderson is a Chairperson for The Welcome Event, co-sponsored by NACE, on January 28th at On Broadway in lovely downtown San Diego. For more information click here or visit:

http://thespecialeventshow.com/specialevent2009/Public/Content.aspx?ID=2990