Startup Monday: Gone|Selling on Demand

Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past & would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey Events!

Out with the old and in with the new! To start the new year off right, we want to help you lead a more productive life by tackling one unproductive nuisance: clutter.

Our living and working spaces are constantly full of so much junk and clutter. We tend to accumulate more stuff than we need, buying more and getting rid of less. Oftentimes, we either let the clutter continue to pile up or we resort to donating everything. Figuring out the how and where to sell our items is such a hassle and with our busy lives, we just don’t have the time. Today, we’re highlighting Gone, a startup that will resale, recycle and upcycle all of your old junk.

Gone is a concierge service that makes selling your unwanted items a whole lot easier. They manage all the logistics of the entire selling process so that you don’t have to and they unsure that all of your items get sold for the best possible value.

HOW IT WORKS:

Once you decide what items you wish to sell, you can either upload a pic into the app or through a text message. Gone will then pick up the items at the location of your choice.

After inspecting the items, Gone will set a selling price and list it for sale within 1-5 business days. In order to get the best bang for your buck, they analyze transactions from around the world in order to determine the proper market prices. The marketplace that they use to sell the items depends on the demand and average price for said item.

After your items are packaged, Gone will contact buyer, negotiate a deal and ship your items. You are able to monitor this entire process within the app!

PAYMENT:

Gone makes the payment process easy by allowing you to choose from several options: check, PayPal or Amazon Gift Card. After they deduct costs for preparing items for sale (inspection, pricing, postage and packing materials), they charge a commission of 7%-15% depending on the demand of the item. You’ll then receive payment within one to several weeks of sale.

If, for whatever reason, your items don’t sell within 90 days, they’ll either send the items back to you or extend the selling period for another 90 days. When needed, Gone can arrange a tax write-off for donations and even recycled items.

We love how Gone has revolutionized online selling, helping to make your life easier, clutter-free, and more productive.

Thinking about using this service the next time you have items that need to be sold? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

Guide to Super Bowl City

This upcoming week is a big one for the SF/Bay Area. If you didn’t already know (because you must be living under a rock), we are planning to host to one of the biggest events in sports, SUPER BOWL 50! Although the actual Super Bowl game will be held at the new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, SUPER BOWL CITY, a free-to-the-public fan village, will be located at the Justin Herman Plaza in SF. It will feature family-friendly activities for fans of all ages and will be the epicenter for all of the fan energy and excitement. And because we here at ABCey love planning things ahead of time (of course), we wanted to make sure you were in the know about what to expect during this momentous time.

First things first: TRAFFIC. SF is already known for it’s ridiculous rush-hour traffic so just be prepared for absolute madness. This might be the perfect time to actually follow through with your New Year goals of getting in shape and pull out that old cycle and bike to work. Or walk. Seriously, it WILL be that bad. But just for your convenience, here’s a couple of handy-dandy graphs that outline the street closures/detours for autos and the shifted bus routes. *click both to enlarge*

Second: WEATHER. I know you’re probably like who cares about the weather when it’s SUPER BOWL? But trust me, it matters. Most of Super Bowl City is outdoors and being that SF’s weather is extremely indecisive, it’s always best to be prepared. Here’s the forecasted weather for the upcoming week:

FAN ENERGY ZONE Powered by SAP:

This area in Super Bowl City will be celebrating the Bay Area’s technological leadership and innovations and will feature three distinct, yet connected areas:

THE FAN DOME. This 40-foot tall dome will be the place where fans get a chance to live out their sports dreams. There will be interactive games on giants screens and fans’ movement will be replicated by motions sensors that light up the Dome. Talk about innovative.

THE FAN WALL. This 50-foot wide x 15-foot tall video wall will capture the visual and virtual buzz of Super Bowl City. It’ll show the leader boards and stats from Fan Energy Zone games, display user-generated and social media content and even stream live video feeds from around Super Bowl City.

THE FAN STAGE. This “live” area of the Fan Energy Zone will be the hub for celebrity appearances, autograph signings, Djs and MCs.

THE CITY STAGE Presented by Levi’s:

This stage will be located in Sue Bierman Park inside Super Bowl City and will showcase live musical, cultural, and performing arts entertainers. It will also feature headlining performances from Alicia Keys, One Republic, The Band Perry and more! And it’s all FREE!

NFL EXPERIENCE Driven by Hyundai:

Located in the Moscone Center, this will be pro football’s interactive theme park celebrating the history of sports and the Super Bowl. It will include: interactive games, NFL Play 60 Zone for the youngest of fans, and meet & greet autograph signings with current and past football players. You’ll be able to get an up-close look at previous Super Bowl championship rings and have the chance for a photo-op with the iconic Vince Lombardi Trophy. It will also house the largest NFL shop offering official NFL limited-edition Super Bowl 50 merchandise and NFL products.

ROAD TO 50 APP:

This app right here will be your Super Bowl 50 survival guide. It will outline all of the celebrations happening around the Bay Area detailing the schedule of events, hours, ticket info and an interactive map. It will also feature location-based alerts, transportation info, photos and videos. The coolest part of the app is the Fan Mobile Pass. If you check-in at certain activities you can collect badges, unlock exclusive content and even be entered for a chance to win tickets for Super Bowl 50!

Of course, this guide is only scratching the surface of all the incredible events happening during the next week. For the complete, extensive list head on over to the official Super Bowl 50 website.

How excited are you for Super Bowl City and Super Bowl 50? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

ABCey’s Weekend Lineup: 1.29.16 – 1.31.16

The last weekend of January is here and we’re seriously wondering, where did the time go? If you’re not into the hype of Superbowl events (or just don’t want to deal with the madness that is Superbowl City), ABCey has compiled a list of our top 5 fave events happening in the SF/Bay Area this weekend. And guess what? They have nothing to do with sports. From beer parties to Chinese New Year celebrations, you’re sure to end off the month with a BANG!

1. BEER FRIDAY

Friday, January 29th, 2016 | 4pm-11pm | Devil’s Canyon, San Carlos, CA | FREE*

Looking to have a good ‘ole family-friendly time this weekend? Well, head on down to the Peninsula’s own Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company in San Carlos, CA. Enjoy a night filled with food trucks and live music with sustainable hand-crafted beer (for the adults) and root beer (for the kiddos). One dollar from each pint of beer sold will be donated to the Redwood City Animal Shelter – Pets in Need program, so be sure to drink up! For more info, check out their website.

2. JAZZ PIANIST: MAX CHANOWITZ

Friday, January 29th, 2016 | 6pm-8pm | PianoFight | FREE

After a stressful week, there’s no better way to relax than listening to the smooth sounds of jazz with a cocktail in hand. PianoFight, a full service restaurant and bar in the Tenderloin district, will be featuring renowned jazz pianist Max Chanowitz. Admission is free, but be sure to RSVP in advance.

3. 2016 CHINESE NEW YEAR FLOWER FAIR

Saturday, January 30th, 2016 | 10am – 8pm | Chinatown | FREE

Kick-off the celebration for the Year of The Red Monkey at the 2016 Chinese New Year Flower Fair. Hosted on the weekend before Lunar New Year, the flower fair is a chance for families to purchase the traditional flowers, plants and fruit for the holiday. While you’re shopping, enjoy traditional Chinese dances, music, art and cultural displays. The kiddos can enjoy the festivities too at the Children’s Play Area, where there will be a petting zoo, photo booth and other fun activities!

4. FREE ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY

Saturday, January 30th, 2016 | Noon – 4pm | Stonestown Galleria | FREE*

I-scream! You-scream! We-all-scream for ICE CREAM! And you know what’s even better than ice cream? Free ice cream! C.R.E.A.M. (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me) is celebrating their grand opening at Stonestown Galleria Mall by giving away free mini ice cream sandwiches. There’s no official rsvp for this event, but you must like the CREAM Facebook page or sign up for Five Stars.

5. TREASURE ISLAND FLEA

Sunday, January 31st, 2016 | 10am – 4pm | Treasure Island | FREE

Say farewell to January with a Sunday Funday. Head over to the beautiful Treasure Island for their monthly open-air flea market. Located on the west side of the island on the Great Lawn, you’ll get a chance to support numerous local vendors such as indie designers, handmakers, bakers and up-cyclers. Not interested in doing any shopping? No problem! You can enjoy outdoor exhibits and live music, participate in scavenger hunts, and satisfy your hunger with gourmet food trucks.

Which events are getting you most excited about the weekend? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

#TECHTUESDAY: SKIDDLE- Weekend’s Matter

#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!

“A small fish in a big pond” is how any person can feel living in a large city, especially San Francisco! The “Things to do” lists extends for miles, but still some remain unaware of the events and excitement occurring a few steps from their door. Skiddle recognized this detachment and brought a resolution with their Weekends Matter app! Before we even go into the deets, this event library includes more than 100,000 events at any given time! Combining that stealthy number with the additional features, it’s no question why this app is featured on this week’s #TechTuesday!

It’s a Friday night and there’s nothing to do- until you open up your Skiddle app and find all of the events occurring within your location! Events range from anything as large as a music festival to something as simple as an art exhibit. The beauty of this app is that it identifies with all interests, which is why it has such an extensive gallery. Don’t feel like scrolling through an entire archive? That’s okay! You can search events by date, location, category, what’s trending, and even Skiddle’s recommendations!

Every once in awhile there’s an event that’s so good it requires you to pack your things for a few days and explore a new territory! However, planning the housing and transportation can be a little strenuous especially when it’s a group. If you’re looking for simplicity, Skiddle has a search feature to scope out the nearest hotels to your event venue. Still confused on how you’ll get to the actual event? If you’re looking for a lift, Skiddle is integrated with the Uber app (first ride is free for the newbies!) or if you’re within walking distance and choose to sightsee it offers directions to your event location!

Looking for some new music to listen to? This app has access to music clips via Spotify to give you a taste of an artist before purchasing any tickets! Once you find your new favorite artist, you can track them and receive alerts when new events are announced. When your event is finally available and you’re ready to purchase tickets, don’t worry! There are no booking fees with this app and ticket delivery is instantaneous!

Why we love Skiddle Weekend’s Matter: Learning new things is what keeps us young! This progressive app introduces users to a range of events that extends beyond their regular “going out” vocabulary. Discovering new music is as easy as a click, which can inevitably lead to a random night on the town to experience something different! It’s exciting to see how many avenues and options are literally at the tip of our fingers, and how simplistic it’s been made for our convenience. This database was made for enjoyment and that statement is clear with the ease of it’s accessibility!

So, where are you headed next? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

Startup Spotlight: Snapcastr

A growing trend that has been sweeping almost every event blog is the necessity for audience engagement and interaction! Conferences, Festivals, and Sporting events all call for larger scale audiences that must be enticed to attend, excited through out, and anticipating the event return for the coming year. So, the question is, how do we as event planners create this buzz? This Monday, we would like to highlight Snapcastr, a tech-driven company that provides all of these solutions through their social media platform!

THE BUILD UP!

Before we get to the main attraction, we must have a plan of action, and Snapcastr certainly does! Their #Hashtag Campaign supplies companies with clear marketing and event strategies from the very beginning to ensure that promotion is being maximized. In addition, their Social Event Display optimizes on audience connection. These event displays are customizable to create a unique and exclusive feel that can educate and boost audience interaction! By the way, sponsors they did not forget you! These displays have a space for your logos to market your companies and thank you for your support!

WE’VE ARRIVED!

Integrating social media interaction at an event is no longer a question, it’s a MUST. Snapcastr’s Live Social Wall enables guests to feel connected with their live tweets, posts, and shared experiences utilizing the hashtag you created with the #Hashtag Campaign! However, it doesn’t stop there.

Hosting a sporting event anytime soon? The FanPhoto feature creates guest incentive to tweet and promote your event at a chance to be featured on their team’s video board or Jumbotron!

Not sold yet? We have a few more to share! The Leaderboard feature highlights your top fans, top contributors, and/or top influencers! This is a great way to recognize your fans for their dedication or your contributors and influencers for their amazing support!

Have an opinion you want to share? Twitter Polling enables guests to participate in polls concerning your event, which will not only keep them engaged, but it will give you some great insight to their interests and what they’re looking for!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

One of the best features of this company is the data capabilities that come with it! With all of these social media platforms being utilized, moderation and control is a necessity, and Snapcastr provides it. Interested in knowing your guest’s thoughts? The reporting features enables you to measure fan impact based on conversations. As well, you can monitor the growth of your social media accounts with real time analytics. This capability is a great way to track your success and pinpoint any problematic errors to ensure growth for the upcoming year!

What’s your favorite feature of our Startup Monday featuring Snapcastr? Let us know in the comments below or message us on Facebook or Twitter!

Friday Faves: SF Event Venues – Bimbo’s 365 Club

San Francisco is an event planners paradise. Being such a beautiful and vibrant city, there are a myriad of unique venues to choose from when it comes to planning your next event. Here at ABCey Events, we want to highlight and share some of our favorite local treasures!

Bimbo’s 365 Club has been a San Francisco landmark for the past 65 years. Originally opening on Market Street in 1931, it was established after the Great Depression to revive the spirit of San Francisco and bring fun back into the hearts of the people. Moving to its current location on Columbus Ave in 1951, it quickly became known as the hottest nightclub in town. Today, it’s a sought after venue for special events, private parties and concerts.

Step inside and you’ll immediately feel like you’re transported back in time to the golden age of entertainment. Designed with Art-Deco influences, the venue is dripping with elegance and class.

Surrounded by lush velvet drapes, the showroom showcases terraced dining platforms with tiered seating and elegantly draped tables topped with glowing candles.

They boast a full production stage with theatrical lighting, a front of house sound board that produces state-of-the-art sound and a large dance floor. They also host a bar, full kitchen available to caterers and valet parking upon request. With a capacity for up to 685+ for private parties or receptions and between 150-475+ for dinners, this venue is sure to meet all your event needs.

Clearly, it’s not hard to see why Bimbo’s 365 Club is one of our favorite venues. With its timeless decor, state-of-the-art amenities and incredible seating capacity you’re sure to wow every guest at your next event. Let ABCey know if you’d like help planning your next event there!

Wouldn’t you love to plan your next event here? Also, what are some of your favorite San Francisco treasures? Be sure to let us know in the comments below, or on Facebook and Twitter !

ABCey’s Weekend Lineup 1/22/2016-1/24/2016

TGI-A-F (Thank Goodness It’s Almost Friday)! The end of the month is swiftly approaching, and we can’t help but notice, where did the time go? Many, utilize the month of January to get the year’s resolutions, priorities, and agendas in order. However, with our minds consumed by tasks and workloads we must remember to schedule some fun into our daily lives. ABCey would like to take the time to applaud all of your hard work and in return reward you with an awesome weekend lineup to kick back your feet and smell the roses!

1. SF BEER WEEK OPENING GALA

FRIDAY. 22 JANUARY 2016 | 6:00-10:00 PM | PIER 35 | $80

One of the most anticipated events of the season has finally arrived! Beer week 2016 will run through January 22-January 31 and will give the Bay area 9 days of beer mayhem. This Friday, January 22, will be the official kick off party that will feature over 110 breweries from the Northern California area! If that’s not enough, all attendees will receive a complimentary commemorative glass, 4 oz samples of an array of beers, and an extensive selection of food options that can be purchased. Get your hands on a ticket now before it’s too late and make sure you check out the rest of the lineup!

CIRCUS: TIGHTROPE & JUGGLING CLASS

FRIDAY. 22 JANUARY 2016 | 7:00-9:00 PM | CIRCUS CENTER | FREE

Not a beer drinker? That’s okay! This fun spin on fitness & acrobats will bring you back to the days of ferris wheels, cotton candy, and popcorn. This open session will allow you to explore different circus acts like juggling, tight wire, rolla bolla, feather balancing, and clowning. Even better, it’s a family night, kids ages 8 and up are welcome to join in on the fun. Make sure you arrive to the Circus Center early to reserve your spot, space is limited and fills up quick!

ONE DEEP BREATH LAUNCH PARTY: YOGA + MIMOSAS!

SATURDAY. 23 JANUARY 2016 | 11:30 AM-1:30 PM | SPORTS BASEMENT | $15

Still feeling stressed and tired from the strenuous work week? Come unwind with some yoga and mimosas this Saturday at One Deep Breath‘s launch party! In celebration of this up and coming yoga business, guests will enjoy the relaxation and peace of an 1-hour Vinyasa flow yoga class followed by some yummy brunch items. Did we mention attendees will receive 20% off One Deep Breath private and small group session packages and 20% off a Sports Basement item purchased that day?

ART AT THE DUMP: RECOLOGY’S RECYCLED ART EXHIBIT

SATURDAY. 23 JANUARY 2016 | 1:00 PM-3:00 PM | RECOLOGY SAN FRANCISCO | FREE

This weekend is all about taking a break from reality and recognizing your hard work and achievements. This Saturday, Recology will be observing 4 months of artistic creation of their artists in-residence! This inspiring exhibition exemplifies work that has been created by gathering materials from the dump and utilizing it as a message to promote recycling and reuse of items. Enjoy this public exhibition to appreciate the artists, their craft, and the purpose it represents!

SALSA DANCE SOCIAL

SUNDAY. 24 JANUARY 2016 | 4:00 PM-12:00 AM | SLATE BAR | FREE BEFORE 6 PM

Are you rejuvenated, relaxed, and revitalized yet? Great, because this Salsa Dance Social is something you don’t want to miss! Close out the weekend with your dancing shoes and your best outfit. Dancing starts as early as 4 PM for those of you with an early Monday morning and ends as late as midnight for the rest of you daredevils! Enjoy some of the greatest salsa, merengue, bachata, and reggaeton hits!

Which events helped you unwind the most this weekend? Let us know this upcoming week in our comments below or find us on Facebook or Twitter!

#TechTuesday: Proud – A Time Management App

#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!

Proud app is the solution to the busy person’s time management woes. It assists you in making sure that every aspect of your life is in order, utilizing features such as lists, reminders and timers. It helps to increase your efficiency so you can spend your time more wisely, making for a more productive, stress-free life.

When last minute ideas or thoughts pop in your head, you can quickly jot them down in the app so that nothing is ever forgotten. You can even create custom categories and sub-categories so even those miscellaneous ideas are organized. Have one big task that needs to be completed? You can break it down into small chunks, allowing you to focus on one thing at a time, making tasks easier to accomplish before the day is over. You can also choose at which time of day (i.e. morning, afternoon or evening) you would like to be reminded to complete certain tasks.

Using the timers feature helps you to dedicate your focus to one task at a time. Once you complete a task, give your brain some much needed rejuvenation by scheduling a timed break as well. Wanting to develop and maintain better personal or professional habits? Set custom reminders (i.e. every Sunday or every 1st Friday of the month) for tasks/goals you are wanting to complete consistently.

A cool feature about this app are Superpowers. Utilize the “Destress” Superpower in the middle of a stressful situation to just take a moment to breath and collect your thoughts. When an hour or day off from your sometimes overwhelming to-do list is needed, use the “Give Me More Time” Superpower to reschedule or postpone your tasks. The “Travel Back In Time” Superpower allows you to see your progress from the last couple of weeks or month.

Why we love Proud: It’s not just your average time management app; it helps give you a clear vision for your life. It’s extremely customizable, so it feels personal. It stresses the importance of time management but it also supports and encourages you to take personal time for yourself, outside of your work world. As busy event planners, life often seems like one giant to-do list. This app helps with creating and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, allowing for a more productive and enriching life.

Planning on purchasing and downloading Proud? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

ABCey’s Weekend Lineup: 1.15.16 – 1.17.16

The weekend is here! *cue applause* And ABCey is back with our weekend lineup. We’ve compiled a list of our 5 favorites things happening in the Bay Area this weekend. In the mood to laugh, dance, or even play in some clay? We’ve got you covered. So get out and take advantage of all that the beautiful Bay Area has to offer!

1. SAN JOSE BIKE PARTY: 100TH RIDE

Friday, January 15, 2016 | 7:30pm | Secret San Jose Location, San Jose, CA | FREE

What better way to relieve some of that work week stress than a nighttime bike ride. Join the San Jose Bike Party this Friday as they celebrate their 100th ride in the streets of the largest city in the Bay Area. This is a great chance to build community and explore the various local treasures the city has to offer. The exact meeting location and route is posted 24 hours before the event so be sure to check out their website before heading down.

2. BATS IMPROV: FRIDAY NIGHT THEATER SPORTS

Friday, January 15, 2016 | 8pm | Bayfront Theater | $8.50- $20

BATS Improv has been named the Bay Area’s Best Theater Company and this Friday they are having their weekly Friday Night Theatersports. It’s a face-paced, exciting and interactive theater competition. Tix can be purchased here for a discounted price or on their website. Be prepared for the unexpected and get ready to laugh until you cry!

3. 2016 FAMILY TECH FAIRE

Saturday, January 16, 2016 | 10am – 2pm | Avenidas, Palo Alto, CA | FREE

Kick off your Saturday with a family fun day at the Avenidas Tech Faire. Whether you’re a self-proclaimed tech genius or merely looking to explore new technologies, there’s something for everyone here. Enjoy food trucks, interactive presentations, tech talks with industry experts, and some cool exhibitions featuring robots, 3D printers, and more! Check out their website for the complete list of all the exciting events they have to offer.

4. NEW WAVE DANCE PARTY: DEPECHE MODE NIGHT

Saturday January 16, 2016 | 9pm – 3am | The Cat Club | $7 before 10pm/$12 after

Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to party all night long! Join New Wave City at The Cat Club this Saturday for a night of socializing and dancing to the best of New Wave music. The front room will feature fan favorite music and videos, while the back room will be featuring the music and videos of Depeche Mode. Click here for more info.

5. POTTERY CLASS – CLAY + COFFEE

Sunday, January 17, 2016 | 9:30 – 11:30am | SMAart Gallery & Studio | $55

Wind down your weekend with a morning pottery class at SMAart Gallery & Studio. You’ll be provided with coffee and a pastry to get your mind and body energized and then the instructors will teach you the art of wheel throwing. These classes are small and spaces fill up quick so be sure to RSVP asap! Don’t worry if the tickets get sold out, they offer the same class every Saturday and Sunday morning so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to to explore your creative side.

Planning on heading out to any of these events this weekend? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter and Facebook!

Top 3 Tech Trends for 2016

Who’s ready to kick off the New Year? As we say goodbye to 2015, and move forward into 2016, there’s a few technological developments that are just too good to leave behind! These trends are taking huge strides in not only the tech world, but the event planning industry!

ABCey explored 3 of the Top Tech Trends for this upcoming year! From planning to entertainment, these trends have been proven to be extremely beneficial for a successful event!

1) AFFECTIVA

Want to know what your guests are thinking? Affectiva has analyzed over 3.5 million faces to match expressions with emotions. This software has app capabilities that enable it to analyze an audience’s interest and reactions to give the host better insight on the crowd’s engagement level. Their online demo gives you an idea of how it works!

2) GEORAMA

Not enough hours in the day? No problem! Georama has made it easy for event planners to find anything from an event venue to entertainment- no car required! These live virtual tours can take place from something as small as your phone with two way audio capabilities so all questions can be addressed. Not to mention, these tours are access code friendly, which provides the luxury of privacy!

3) OCULUS RIFT

As we dive deeper into the 2000’s we can expect our technological development to expand with us. Live experience interaction is no longer a foreign topic when it comes to events. Trends like Oculus Rift, allow educational conferences to become less boring and more interactive! What was once a conference room could now be an exotic land, and this tech device can be utilized for training and simulation purposes to create a more “real world” experience.

We can’t wait to see what the future holds for event planning. What trends do you like the best? Let us know in the comments below or find us on Facebook and Twitter!