Some 300 invitations were sent out for the event, which thanks to some unexpected publicity, grew beyond expectations, organizers said.

CNN: Hollywood activists stage anti-Bush bash

FY2010 customer traffic tracked ahead of our expectations and grew by 4% vs. our expectations of 2.5% and average spend amount per visit by customers increased by 3% beating our earlier expectations of 2%.

FORBES: Starbucks Has Already Grown Into Its Stock Price

On Dec. 7 2009, as expectations grew for the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, Jackson signed an endangerment finding that asserted carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases pose a threat to human health when concentrated in the atmosphere.

FORBES: EPA Chief Resigns: Declared Carbon Dioxide A Pollutant

Also, spending on transportation equipment was below expectations, while government spending grew at a less-than-expected 0.6% over last year's second quarter.

FORBES: Rally On Rates

Indeed, he usually beat the expectations of analysts, even after they grew accustomed to him outperforming.

FORBES: Why General Dynamics Could Outperform Amid Defense Cutbacks

As expectations of a serious challenge from General Fonseka grew, the president's campaign got ugly.

ECONOMIST: Sri Lanka's election

It was also reported Friday that industrial production in the European Union grew 0.6% in August, which beat expectations of a 0.4% decline in August, from July.

FORBES: A.M. Kitco Metals Roundup: Gold Near Steady on Chart Consolidation; Fresh Fundamental Inputs Awaited

Last quarter, China's economy grew at a pace of 7.9%, slightly better than analyst expectations and breaking a pattern of seven straight quarters of decline.

CNN: China's economy grows 7.8% for 2012, better than expected

Fees from distributors for ESPN grew faster than expected in the latest quarter, while ad growth came in below expectations because of smaller audience numbers.

WSJ: ESPN cutting workforce, 'smartly managing costs'