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THIS WEEK IN EVENTS

Merry, Bright, and Socially Distanced: 32 Festive Ideas From This Year’s Most Creative Holiday Events

This season may look a bit different than in years past, but the holiday spirit lives on through these festive, out-of-the-box brand activations, drive-thrus, pop-ups, and other events.

What Does the Future of Catering Look Like? 13 Industry Experts Share Their Ideas

While event pros have become masters of virtual and hybrid events, one sector of the live event industry remains a mystery: catering. Here's a glimpse at what could happen with F&B at future live events.

#ThrowbackThursday:
12 Steal-Worthy Event Design Ideas From Past Winter Benefits

We're paying homage to the season of giving with a look back at these inventive ideas for design, florals, catering, and more from past winter benefits across
North America.

Most Innovative People in
Events 2020: Andrew Roby

The CEO and creative director of Andrew Roby Events is paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive industry.

10 Useful, Fun, or Just Plain Wacky Ideas for Virtual
Event Deliveries

Delivered swag and care packages are an increasingly popular way to immerse attendees in your virtual event. Here are the coolest ideas we've spotted lately.

INDUSTRY NEWS

NATIONAL: Event management software company Aventri has launched Aventri Digital Lead Capture, a new tech solution that enhances networking and connections between exhibitors and attendees at virtual events. The software combines tools for chat, lead qualification, video conferencing, content delivery, and reporting.

HOUSTON: Last week, Four Seasons Hotel Houston, Hilton Americas-Houston, Marriott Marquis Houston, and local food rescue nonprofit Second Servings of Houston distributed 500 chef-prepared meals to current, former, and furloughed hospitality workers and their families through their Houston Holiday Hospitality Food Distribution. Meals were prepared by each hotel's chefs and were distributed in a contactless drive-thru experience by hotel staff, volunteers, and even Four Seasons chef Alejandro Dibello dressed as Santa Claus.

LOS ANGELES: The 55th annual NAACP Image Awards will air on BET Feb. 20; nominees will be announced in January. In addition, the NAACP Image Awards Dinner, which traditionally takes place the night before the telecast, will livestream over six nights from Feb. 15-19. The virtual ceremonies will recognize winners in more than 60 non-televised award categories in the fields of television and streaming, music, literature, film, and activism.

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: The Central Florida International Auto Show takes place at the Orange County Convention Center from Dec. 18-20. The event will showcase hundreds of new vehicles, test drives, and more. To protect attendees, vendors, and employees, organizers are implementing advanced health and safety measures. To decrease in-person contact, attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets online prior to the event.

HRI Lodging has named Patrick J. Sorge as general manager and Arsen Khodosov as director of sales and marketing for the new dual-branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House in Tampa. The 345-room hotel, which has 3,600 square feet of meeting space, is slated to open in early 2021.

What's happening on the event scene in your city? Email us and share the news!