And, West reports, corporate holiday parties are an indicator of the business climate as a whole. Holiday parties were down in '96, but were back up last year and this year. At the Inn, built-in holiday decor is spectacular. You won't need to add much for your individual party. Electric trains circle live trees, and decorations include fresh pine boughs and holiday ribbons.
Most companies order centerpieces that they raffle away at the end of the night.
Far more money goes toward food and entertainment than to decor, West reports. As at all other hotels, corporate clients can hire their own entertainment, or work with the Inn. In any corporate culture, you have people in their 20s to 50s, so most try to have music selections for everyone. Downtown at the Westin, where typical holiday parties range from 350 to 750, the Titanic California Ballroom already is booked every Friday and Saturday night in December, except for Dec. 18, the final Friday before Christmas. For large parties under 550, though, many prime nights still remain at the new pavilion.