Perhaps it’s because two of us are Cheeseheads…

Perhaps it’s because the average consumption of cheese is at 23 pounds per year per person (Center for Science in the Public Interest)…

Or perhaps it’s that the popularity of the baby name “Cheese” increased 450 percent in 2013, according to www.Neatorama.com (no, we’re not kidding—although, admittedly, that only equaled nine babies)…

Whatever the reason, cheese is the “whey” to go when thinking about new trends for catering. Explore the familiar, unfamiliar, and creative ways to incorporate cheese into your next event on p. 8.

Thinking outside of the rind, the rest of this issue is filled with spectacular tips and inspiration. Get great ideas for creating hybrid Vietnamese and western-inspired weddings as well as inventive ideas for your office space by exploring the original rented and residential offices of several professional planners (p. 18). For the business end of things, you’ll read about how blogging and mobile websites can transform your marketing, discover tips for getting real weddings published, learn how kindness and upselling can enhance your bottom line, get tips on how to stay organized, and learn the difference between liability vs. responsibility.

So grab a beverage and a selection of your favorite cheeses and sit down with this issue to start looking at everything usual with new eyes! And don’t forget to say “hi” at the Association of Bridal Consultants Annual Business of Brides Conference at Sandals in Whitehouse, Jamaica, Nov. 8-12.