NATIONAL: Panera and Pepsi have teamed up with actor Andrew Bachelor (aka "King Bach") for a $50,000 giveaway. To enter, pizza lovers are encouraged to post a virtual party selfie to Instagram or Twitter and tag #PaneraPepsiSweepstakes, @PaneraBread, and @Pepsi by Dec. 20. For your selfie, think button-down shirt on top and pajama pants on the bottom—perfect for a virtual gathering! One-thousand winners will receive a $50 e-gift card to use for their own at-home pizza party with Panera’s new flatbread pizza, complete with Pepsi pairings.

Sparks, a global experiential marketing agency, has acquired Group Delphi’s trade show and event business. The acquisition aims to expand Sparks’ full-service offerings to become a stronger industry leader as a go-to live and digital brand and experience agency worldwide.

NEW YORK: Bizzabo has raised $138 million in series E funding and will use the investment to meet growing demands of the platform as COVID-19 reshapes live events into hybrid and completely virtual experiences. Upgrades will include building comprehensive technology to help virtual, hybrid, and in-person events be successful experiences for both organizers and attendees.

PHILADELPHIA: Courtyard Marriott Philadelphia South at the Navy Yard recently completed renovations to enhance public and private meeting spaces in efforts for an improved overall guest experience. A revamping of the 1,400-square-foot meeting space will now allow corporate and private events to incorporate audiovisual technology, and a Plasma Air purifying system has been installed throughout the property that will protect guests against viruses both in the air and on surfaces.

WASHINGTON, DC: The Smithsonian at 8 event will take place virtually this year on Dec. 18 from 7:30-11:00 p.m. The winter solstice celebration will kick off with a live DJ set, a cocktail-making demonstration, a cheese board-building workshop, and a guided tasting. Later on, guests will discuss the history of the winter solstice with Smithsonian experts, play trivia, and get a live tour of the night sky. Tickets are $15 and with purchase, attendees can choose to pick up a cheese board kit or download a shopping list to buy their own ingredients.

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