ABCey’s #TechTuesday: Top 5 Event Tech Trends in 2018

#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. Today’s #TechTuesday features the top 5 event tech trends to make  your events stand out.

1. Facial Recognition

Man getting his face scanned - tech trends
Facial Recognition

Facial recognition serves many different functions at events, such as speeding up the registration process, improving security, and it helps with getting feedback from attendees. FR also allows you to reach new audiences via social media. Try encouraging your guests and staff to post photos of the event to Facebook and to tag themselves, which will help showcase your event!

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Chatbot being shown - tech trends
Chatbot

AI has also recently joined the event tech trends family, mainly because it has the ability to personalize guests’ experiences. One aspect of AI that has caught the attention of event planners are chatbots, which offer automated customer service to guests. Give it a try!

3. Event Apps

Someone holding an iPhone - tech trends
Event Apps

Event apps can help your event run more smoothly and efficiently, and has been a prominent event tech trend for a while. Grupio and CrowdCompass are just a few of the great event apps we recommend. Use our list of the Top 5 Apps for Event Engagement to find the best app for your next event!

4. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

A man using virtual reality - tech trends
Virtual Reality

These two tech trends are on the rise and can help make your event more interactive. VR is useful if you want to transport your guest into a completely different worldAR is helpful if you want your guests to be able to incorporate the environment around them so they can view and interact with it on their personal devices.  Which one will you use?

5. Social Media

The logos of different social media platforms - tech trends
Social Media Platforms

There are so many new ways to incorporate Social media into your next event. Try having a social vending machine filled with event or brand related swag/apparel! Another social media trend to use at events is a hashtag mosaic. Luster has a fun tool that takes your event hashtag to make a mosaic wall. These tools are sure to get your guests excited!

Which event tech trend will you use at your next event? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!


ABCey’s #TechTuesday: Top 5 Apps for Event Engagement

#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. Today’s #TechTuesday features the top 5 apps to engage your attendees.

1. Attendify

#TechTuesday Attendify

Attendify is an event management app that includes great features, such as creating a private social network for your event. In the network, you are able to share photos, messages, and quick polls on the event timeline. Also, with this, introductions are easy! People are notified once you join the network, so everyone will know you made it.

 

2. CrowdCompass

#TechTuesday CrowdCompass

CrowdCompass enables you to create an app for your event with cool features that prompt your attendees to engage with each other and your event! For example, guests can message each other one-on-one, participate in live Q&As, and take notes all in one app! Furthermore, attendees are able to create personalized schedules with an option to push notifications for reminders. Also, the event planners are able to track guest engagement and the event’s impact in easy-to-read charts and graphs.

 

3. Grupio

#TechTuesday Grupio

Grupio is an event app that allows you to link your social media channels, like Facebook or Twitter, to your customized app! With this feature, you and your guests are able to share their experiences through your favorite social media platform! Other features include being able to create advertisements for your sponsors to feature on the app and gamification to encourage attendee engagement.

 

4. Whova

Whova is an event app that gives event planners the ability to customize their own app with their brand. Some of their features include document sharing among attendees to limit paper handouts and interactive maps. Also, Whova pushes the guests to create more buzz and excitement with a convenient Twitter outlet built into the app!

 

5. Eventbase

Eventbase is a mobile event technology platform that allows its users to create an app for their event. Depending on the type of event, the company has a specially curated app for your event app needs! This app has a large variety of fonts and themes to cater to your preferences. Eventbase also has features such as “Around Me” that suggests people nearby and small descriptors to allow for better connections.

 

Which of these apps are your favorite? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!


ABCey Presents: #TechTuesday Evernote

#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world.  Today’s #TechTuesday, features Evernote, an app that keeps your notes and best ideas organized

Evernote

Evernote

We all know event planning can be a little hectic sometimes, but Evernote gives you the ability to keep all of your creative ideas and notes organized! The app ensures that everything is in sync and all in one place to easily find your work fast. Not to mention, it allows users to enhance their notes by adding checklists, attachments and audio recordings!

It’s easy to forget certain tasks when you’re searching through multiple checklists and trying to find what needs to get done! This mobile filing event app gives you organization skills event planners have always wanted! Organize your site selection research and travel itinerary notes, and quickly share with members of your team! 

We are always looking for innovative ways to make event planning more efficient for us and our clients. This app saves us a lot of stress by providing the organization all event planners need!


Do you use Evernote?  Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!


ABCey’s #TechTuesday Fly Another Day

#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world.  Today’s #TechTuesday, features Fly Another Day, software that will ensure the highest event participation all within seconds!


Fly Another Day
Fly Another Day

Events profs ever wonder why attendance numbers are low? Fly Another day makes date selection easier by choosing ideal dates and locations that encourage participation. The software does this by analyzing potential issues that may affect the availability of your audience!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcIwCrlZ5dU

Fly Another day can be used for various events like business functions, product launches, marketing releases, or even private events!

We are always looking for innovative ways to make event planning more efficient for us and our clients. This software saves us a lot of stress as well as increasing participation for our clients!


Do you use Fly Another Day?  Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!


ABCey’s #TechTuesday: Candy Mechanics

#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world.  In today’s #TechTuesday, we feature Candy Mechanics, a 3D scanning CNC Chocolate machine.

Candy Mechanics

Candy Mechanics 3D Printer

 

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Candy Mechanics has a created a hand-held portable 3D scanner, which is used to scan a persons head. After this is completed, the scan is created into a 3D model by using a ‘Candy Carve’ to sculpt the head out of chocolate in under 5 minutes! These chocolate treats are the ultimate addition to any event!

Candy Mechanics

These personalized and delicious chocolates are a fun gift that your guests will love! This new technology allows people to create their own face as a 3D chocolate Lolpop. Candy Mechanics also has customizable Candy Cards, which carves personalized letters onto chocolates. Candy Cards and Lolpops would make the perfect party favor for any occasion! Bring these fun chocolates to your next event with their Mobile Candy Card and make your event truly unique!

What do you think about Candy Mechanics? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter and Facebook!

 


ABCey Events Tech Tuesday: Olloclip

#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world.  In today’s #TechTuesday, we feature Olloclip the iPhone photography gadget that will step up your Instagram game!


The Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens

olloclip tech tuesday

This extremely versatile cell phone lens is tiny and simple to use! Users can quickly change between the four lenses to get four amazing shots!

Features

olloclip tech tuesday

The four lenses enable iPhone users to take professional and artistic photos and videos. There are four types of lenses: fisheye, wide angle, macro 10x and macro 15x! The lenses can be used on both the front and rear facing cameras so you can take awesome selfies as well! The images also come out crystal clear.

We are always looking for innovative ways to take photos of our events and these lenses enable us to do it quickly and creatively!


Do you use Olloclip?  Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!


ABCey’s #TechTuesday Valentine’s Edition

#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world.  In today’s #TechTuesday, we present Valentine’s Day tech to help you make today perfect!


Forgot to get a present? Spending tonight with your single girlfriends? These apps and gifts are great for any situation on Valentine’s Day!

Forgot to Get Flowers?

Farmgirl Flowers Valentine's Day

Try: Farmgirl Flowers

A V-Day classic, Farmgirl Flowers still have flowers available today! Have flowers delivered to your house or to an office!

Love Dinner and a Movie?

Valentine's Day Movie Night

Try: MoviePass

Watch all the Oscar-nominated movies by purchasing a MoviePass membership and see multiple movies a month for a flat fee!

Spending the Night in With Friends?

Dominos Valentine's

Try: Dominos App

Don’t want to leave the house? Make ordering part of the fun as Dominos allows you to order pizza via iPhone/Android, Twitter, Apple TV, Google Home, or Amazon Echo. We love that there are so many ways to order your favorite pizza!

Gift that Comes Every Month

Birch Box Valentine's

Try – BirchBox

Instead of one present on one day BirchBox delivers monthly boxes of goodies for men and women! What is better than one present? Many presents!

Looking for an Experience Gift?

Valentine's Experience Gift

Try: IfOnly

Experiences are often more fun to give than object. IfOnly offers experience packages like learning how to make a sushi meal, private baby penguins fish school experience at the SF Zoo, or a day in Napa or Sonoma with a local certified sommelier.

Gifting for a Pet Lover?

FitBark Valentine's

Try – Fitbark

The Fitbit for dogs, Fitbark  tracks a dog’s activity and sleep. The app lets users see their dog’s data and is all compatible with their own FitBit, HealthKit, or Jawbone.  The Fitbark attaches to their collar and is waterproof!


What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?  Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!


ABCey’s #TechTuesday – Social Tables

#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming technologies for their innovative ideas and impact on the event world! In today’s #TechTuesday, we present to you Social Tables, an awesome event planning software!


What is Social Tables?

Social Tables is event planning software that streamlines the floor plan and guest list creating process. We love Social Tables because of all its customizable features as well as their dedication to helping users maximize the software. It is cloud based so you can access your diagrams from anywhere and those shared on the event can get up to date changes as they are being made. Social Tables provides a customer success planner which helps you with any problems you might be having with the software. They can also coordinate with venues to get a floor plan if the software does not currently have it. We love that all these features truly let users personalize events to their needs and create very accurate representations of their upcoming event!

Creating Floor Plans

Social Tables Tech Tuesday

An awesome feature on Social Tables is their floor plan creator. You can take floor plans from the actual venue site and pull furniture etc. from the menu bar to create a realistic depiction of the floor plan. That floor plan can also come to life in a 3D rendering. Once you add tables to your layout, Social Tables also gives you the opportunity to create a seating chart. If you tend to work with a specific furniture company your customer success planner can also coordinate with the company to upload their furniture to the floor plan creator.  If you choose to share the floor plan with vendors you can give them a handy equipment list.

Managing Guest Lists

Social Tables Tech Tuesday

Social Tables also allows you to upload a guest list. You can use that guest list to seat people around tables on the floor plan. Additionally, you’re able to tag guests as “VIPs” or group certain guests together that you know should sit together. This guest list also proves helpful the day of the event. Using an iPad, you can check in guests as doors. If there are multiple entrances the guest list will automatically be updated to all tablets so you can see if guests have checked at any other entrances. If you have any VIP members you can receive texting notifications when they check in as well.

 


Have you tried Social Tables? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!


#TechTuesday:10 Tech Tools For Your Meetings Or Events

#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming technologies for their innovative ideas and impact on the event world! In today’s #TechTuesday, we present to you some of the best new Tech Tools for your meetings and events!


Tech has seen some pretty cool changes and improvements this year, and now it’s time to change up your tech tools so that you can produce better meetings and events. At ABCey, we have compiled 10 of our favorite apps and services that will keep you up to speed with all of the latest tech trends!

10 New Tech Tools That You Can’t Beat

1. Asana

Asana is a great overall web and mobile app for event professionals and others! You can track your progress from start to finish and stay on task! Team members will know exactly what needs to be done, and when it needs to be done. Not to mention, this app supports any collaboration and is free for teams of up to 15 people!

Tech Tools Asana

2. Meetoo

Got a huge conference coming up? That’s not the least of your troubles. Imagine the difficulty of when you’re trying to collect hundreds or even thousands of responses. Now that’s troublesome! Well, what better way to get that information than through Meetoo. Meetoo allows for real time messaging as well as live polling to get the information you need in the blink of an eye! Start your free trial today!

tech tools meetoo

3. Hootsuite

You’ve got the schedule posts down for Facebook, but what about Twitter and other social media websites? With Hootsuite, you can manage your social media in the best way! Schedule ahead and leave it to Hootsuite to post and share information for you! After all, you can’t be on social media all the time.

Tech Tools Hootsuite

4. HeyTell

Imagine a walkie talkie, but on your phone! That’s exactly what HeyTell is, except more modernized! You can add friends and know who you’re talking to. And to talk, simply hold and speak. “This is ABCey Events! Over.”

tech tools heytell

 

5. Super Planner

Have no fear! Super Planner is here! If you’ve got an iPhone, then go on ahead and download this business app. This app is great for event planners with a wide variety of tools to help with food and beverages, A/V, and venue capacities!

tech tools super planner

6. Pro Party Planner

Get all your planning needs in one place. With Pro Party Planner, you’ll be able to do a variety of tasks such as creating seating charts in a matter of minutes! You can manage all of your guests as well as track your budget easily. Also make sure to set reminders and build those shopping lists for anything that you need! Or, you can delegate your tasks to team members.

tech tools pro party planner

7. Monefy

As you’re planning your event, it’s important to keep track of your expenses. So Monefy them! Monefy can add expense records extremely fast and can be used on multiple devices. This app is also able to visually present how much you’re spending on each category.

tech tools monefy app

8. Bizzabo

Another great overall app is Bizzabo! Bizzabo has done events right by knowing exactly what event profs need! Bizzabo also includes the website, ticketing, CRM, event app, email, agenda, networking, sponsors, updates, polls and reports. That’s a lot to offer!

tech tools bizzabo

9. Event Assistant

Need to check in guests? Create a whole new experience for checking in with this app! Event assistant is a custom check in flow app that keeps the line moving even if you’re offline. You’ll also be able to check the progress and see how many guests have checked in!

Tech Tools Event Assistant

10. Event Farm

Organize your event before, during and after! Before your event, you can send out customized invitations, register your guests, and manage them. Check them in during your event and then after the event,  and you’ll have reports and data ready at hand.

EventFarm

 

Have you tried any of these great tech tools? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!


#TechTuesday: Affectiva – Emotion AI

#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming technologies for their innovative ideas and impact on the event world! This Tuesday, we are introducing Affectiva, a leading emotion recognition technology company! 


Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming the next big thing in the tech industry, and we are seeing startups making impactful changes. Co-founded by Rana el Kaliouby and Rosalind W. Picard, Affectiva is a leading startup that brings you emotion-aware AI! This is great for events because this technology lets you track your guests’s engagement level!

You can also integrate secure, emotion data to your apps with Affdex Software Development Kit (SDK) and APIs. allowing you to get more data about your customers and guests! However, Emotion as a Service gives you an alternative to simply send in videos to get emotion data, at low cost! Also, its Offline Lab Solutions allows you to further analyze and study emotional behavior by using biosensors!

Affective Pic 1

Add Emotional Intelligence into your Digital Experiences with Affectiva!


How it works: 

Affectiva uses a combination of computer vision and deep learning technology to analyze online facial expressions. Here are 3 solutions that are being offered!

1. APIs & SDKs

Affdex SDKs and APIs are now available for companies who want to integrate its software into their products. With SDKs, you will be able to capture your customers’ emotions in real-time when they are using your products. This software is available on iOS, Android, Mac OS X, Windows, or Linux devices. Now you can improve your platforms even more with Affectiva’s APIs, as it provides high accurate analytics, surveys, and interaction!

Try their demo here, and contact them at gaminginfo@affectiva.com if you are interested!

Affectiva Pic 2

2. Emotion As A Service 

Instead of using SDKs and APIs, you can use “Emotion as a Service”. This cost-effective service lets you send in your videos for analysis instead. You will be able to accurately measure your customer’s emotions. Also, you don’t need to set up or integrate anything! So contact them at sales@affectiva.com to get started!

Affectiva Pic 4

3. Offline Lab Solution 

Offline Lab Solution gives users more detailed reports. Because it uses biosensors such as Eye Tracking, EEGs, and more, you can now understand your customers’ emotional behavior on a deeper level. Learn more about it here!

ABCey - Affectiva Pic 5

Why we love it:

Affectiva is quickly becoming a prominent startup in the tech industry. The reason is simple! It lets us know how users feel and react in regards to our brands and products. This allows for improvement and will help create unique experiences that people enjoy.

Planning to use Affectiva? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!