Michiana banquet halls lose business as companies cut holiday events

By JIM MEENAN, South Bend Tribune Staff Writer

jmeenan@sbtinfo.com

This time of year, the Gurley-Leep Automotive Family usually has a holiday party at the Century Center attended by 600 employees.

It won't take place this year.

"We looked around at the community and with all the chaos that's going on in Michiana, especially Elkhart, we thought, 'How can we go out and celebrate our success,'" said Mike Leep Sr., president of the Gurley-Leep Automotive Family.

So the party was not held.

Other companies also are not having annual holiday parties that they usually do.