Eschewing classic engraved invitations, upstart fashion and Internet companies are getting overcreative to lure guests to opening shows and parties.

Oh, boy, I thought, picturing lovely white bells with an elusive fragrance that grows stronger at night - perfect for luring guests up to my roof garden.

She threw her own parties and stopped by other local shindigs, luring intoxicated guests, with goofy grins and half-mast eyes, to pose in a makeshift studio.

Cornero is also credited with the lucrative concept of putting slot machines in the hotel lobby to lure guests as they passed by.

LIKE the Concord, which bills itself as the golf and skiing resort, The Pines has tried different ways to lure new guests.

Talk show producers often try to lure guests on the air with the promise that the experience of baring all before millions of viewers will, in itself, have a therapeutic value.

Red wine is decanted and placed at strategic locations to lure guests in the right direction.

Often, Mr. Lopate said, the biggest challenge is to lure reluctant guests out of their shells.

"It will help us lure on-air guests if we move to Manhattan," said the program director, Steven Kingston.