With the economy noticeably healthier, a strong note of optimism seems to waft in the air along with the crisp fall weather and approaching holidays. Given this changing climate, are companies again willing to hold large-scale special events? Once upon a time (i.e. a few years back, before the recession hit hard) corporations, nonprofits, fraternal and advocacy organizations, entertainment and production companies, retail and restaurant chains would fete their staff, even at times including key customers and vendors. There they were, gathered for one night or one afternoon in one big space for one goal-oriented intention: to facilitate the bonding in order to help get them aligned to meet preset goals and milestones in the months and years ahead.