Author: Emma Hubbard
Tech Tuesday: Watsi
The world is constantly experiencing change due to advances in technology. With the 7th Annual Crunchies Awards just a week away, we decided to reflect on companies that made the biggest impact in 2013. Watsi came right to mind. The global crowdfunding platform for healthcare enables anyone to donate in order to directly fund life-changing medical care for those in need.
The idea was developed by co-founder Chase Adam when he was visiting Watsi, a small village in Costa Rica. Chase noticed that while he was riding a bus through the village, a woman was walking through the isle holding a red folder and speaking to the passengers. The woman had a picture of her son who had an incision across the width of his stomach. Chase realized that although the bus passengers could help, what if he could connect the woman with his friends and family back home?
The story of how this idea came to live is truly an inspiration, and has motivated many to donate to people in need. Watsi thrives on a few core values: impact, innovation, efficiency, and transparency. The overall goal is to fund low-cost, high-impact medical treatments for a million people in need. Here is a breakdown of how the donation process works:
1. Connect. Browse different profiles on Watsi.org and connect with a person in need that you would like to support.
2. Fund Treatment. Make a donation of any amount you choose, as little as $5 can go a long way. This will fund a life-changing medical treatment for helping the person of your choice.
3. Get an Update. Not only can you fund a patient. Watsi goes even further. Receive an update about the outcome of the treatment you funded. You can directly learn about the difference you made in one’s life.
Watsi has an empowering vision: A world where people no longer die from conditions that society has the knowledge, resources, and power to treat. This non-profit startup is bringing the world together and giving us access to become connected with those in need.
We are seriously impressed with this platform and the social impact it has made! What do you think of Watsi? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!
6 Tips for Throwing a Super Bowl Party on a Budget!
It’s that time of year again! We are just days away from one of television’s most-watched events, the 48th annual Super Bowl! More than 108 million people tuned in for last year, and we can only expect that number will increase for this year’s event. The Super Bowl showdown takes place this Sunday, February 2nd between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos. Not only are the two best teams in the league facing one another, this is the first ever Super Bowl taking place in an outdoor stadium at the Meadowlands, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Year after year, people gather to enjoy the game of football, those hilarious commercials, the halftime show, and of course to see which team gets the Lombardi trophy. If you’re hosting a party this year, it can be stressful to decide how much to spend on food and beverages. No need to worry! Leah Ingram, author of Suddenly Frugal, brings us 6 tips to throwing a Super Bowl party on a budget.
1. Use coupons and buy on sale. It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t spend the time collecting coupons to save the most money. It will go a long way if you can save on each item you are looking to purchase.
2. Buy in bulk to save the most. Get out that Costco card and shop at a warehouse club! Any time of membership will do. Snacks and finger foods will be much cheaper if you buy them in bulk. Don’t forget about paper towels and bottled water, both are essentials to keeping a clean house and hydrated group!
3. Avoid convenience to keep costs down. If you’re adding a few healthy items to the menu, make sure to buy in large quantities. Dips can be a party favorite, so make sure to buy fruits and vegetables in bulk that can be cut for dipping. It’s a simple and easy to share dish!
4. Make your party menu with next week’s dinner in mind. Tons of planning can go into throwing a Super Bowl party, and often times we end up with more food than we can handle for one evening. Make sure your leftovers can be made into meals to feed yourself or family over the next week or so. This way you will have made the most of your party purchases!
5. Go with one-dish wonders. Think about a few bold dishes that will satisfy your guests! Chili, tacos, and macaroni and cheese are great options because you can add in a buffet for toppings where guests can dress up their dishes in any way they would like.
6. Think potluck. Ask your guests to chip in by bringing a dish! Hosting won’t seem as stressful, and you can save some extra cash. And hey, it can be fun to enjoy a variety of foods and see who came up with the most creative dish!
These useful tips can assist you in planning a party on a budget and make this Super Bowl a fun and exciting experience! What tips will you use when planning your Super Bowl Extravaganza, and who do you think will take home the Lombardi Trophy?! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!
Have You Been Missing Out On Lazy Bear?
San Francisco is one of America’s best cities for foodies as chosen by Travel + Leisure readers! With tons of eclectic restaurants in the Bay Area, it can be tricky to decide where to dine. When we heard about an underground fine dining restaurant, we had to find out more!
Lazy Bear, run by David Barzelay, serves dinner to the public about three weekends per month, typically on Friday, Saturday, and Monday. Reservations are usually closed, so the best way to snag a reservation is to get on the mailing list. With over 10,000 subscribers, you will be one of many to hear about upcoming events.
Each set of dinners is an all-new menu and no dishes are repeated. Lazy Bear is the highest-rated “New American” restaurant in all of San Francisco according to Yelp.com and has been named one of the best underground restaurants in the city.
This unique restaurant usually has 1,000+ waitlists for 120 spots in one weekend. While the public events are popular to say the very least, Lazy Bear also holds private dinners for groups. The team will craft a custom menu for every event, making each experience at Lazy Bear personalized and special.
Here at ABCey, we love to check out restaurants that stand out among others which is why we find Lazy Bear so fascinating! This underground dining experience gained its popularity from word of mouth, so go check it! Let us know what you think in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!
Startup Monday: Good Eggs
Startups, startups, startups! 2013 was booming as more and more startups hit the market! Have you checked out who is up for nomination at the 7th Annual Crunchies Awards? There are tons of great companies being recognized for their amazing work, and we would like to acknowledge one that is truly applicable to our everyday lives.
Good Eggs originated in the San Francisco Bay Area, and connects you to local farmers and foodmakers. You can shop for local and fresh groceries of your choice, and it will be delivered right to your door. As a recent newcomer to the Bay Area, I don’t always know the best places to do my grocery shopping and want farmer’s market quality food. Aside from their excellent products, great delivery, do-able pick-up hours, and fantastic service, the prices are affordable.
Here are a few of the awesome things Good Eggs has to offer:
1. Good Eggs city marketplaces support independent local farmers and foodmakers. These producers use sustainable practices and make their food with care. You can see who made your food, learn more about them, and contact them directly if you’d like.
2. Good Eggs carries food you can’t find anywhere else. Meals come from top independent chefs, you can find gluten-free anything, and baby food is made to order! This startup is able to support smaller foodmakers who can’t sell into grocery stores because their food is too fresh to live among the grocery store inventory.
3. Local food is better for everybody. The Good Eggs producers are using fair labor practices on their lands, caring for their animals, and producing food that is significantly healthier for you to eat. As more money goes towards locally-owned businesses, the more local food will become easily accessible.
4. Good Eggs Gifting is now available. Gift cards, boxes, and orders are great ways to share with friends and families. Allow your loved ones to pick out foods of their own, or send a box or care package that will be made for them!
How convenient is it to have your food delivered right to your door? It’s cheaper than the chain natural food supermarkets, and the local and fresh food is sure to be a hit! This startup provides a win-win for shoppers, local economies, and the environment.
It’s great for personal grocery shopping and shopping for a group! If your planning an event and need a few last minute items, don’t fret! You can order directly from Good Eggs and they will provide you with what you need.
Here at ABCey, we absolutely love what Good Eggs has to offer! Give it a try, and if you love it as much as we do, spread the word! Let us know what you think of Good Eggs, nominated in the Best E-Commerce Application category, in the comments section below or on Facebook & Twitter!
ABCey’s Weekend Lineup 1.23.14 – 1.26.14
We are so excited for all the fun things going on in San Francisco this weekend! Here at ABCey, we like to get a jump start by coming up with our plans for the days ahead. Here are the events we are really looking forward to!
FEATURED EVENT: Beats for Boobs | Saturday, January 25th| Mezzanine| 7pm| The volunteer based fundraiser is kicking off 2014 by celebrating its 10 Year Anniversary! Come out and enjoy the fun while contributing to a great cause. Beats for Boobs San Francisco has been raising funds for local breast cancer organizations for a decade! The event combines a live fashion show, food, DJ lineup, art, and education. This is a can’t miss celebration! The fun doesn’t stop there, challenge yourself by taking on the Boobie Prize Wheel, and hey, it’s all for an amazing cause. I know where I’ll be spending my Saturday! Purchase your tickets, and if you can’t make it, you can still give a donation.
1. Tech in Motion: Startup to Success | Thursday, January 23rd| Startup House| 6:30pm-8pm| Join the first Tech in Motion meet-up of 2014! Tech in Motion San Francisco is hosting its first ever panel discussion. Various experts in the tech industry will be participating by sharing their secrets to success. Perri Blake Gorman, Founder and CEO of Archively, a company that approaches problems in HR Tech, will serve as the moderator for the panel. Tech industry participants include Poornima Vijayashanker, Scott Bedard, Jakob Storm, and Kieran Farr. Hear their great insights and learn how you can be successful in the industry!
2. Smug Shift | Friday, January 24th| The Verdi Club| 10:30pm| Local comedians Brent Weinbach and Moshe Kasher began their comedy show in Oakland called Smug Shift. Their show is unique because it takes stand-up comedy out of the club, and into warehouse spaces and rock venues! These two comedians draw in audiences that wouldn’t normally go out to see comedy by bringing the comedy club to them! With sketch and video included throughout their show, Brent and Moshe will put on an unforgettable performance as part of SF Sketchfest! Named “Best of the Bay” by the East Bay Express, this is a comical experience you don’t want to miss.
3. Battle of the Decades| Friday, January 24th| Monroe| 6pm-10pm| Combine a Happy Hour, after work party, theme night, and DJ showcase and what do you get?! An awesome Friday night! Here is what you can expect for this fun-filled event: a Food Truck, and each hour representing a different decade of music and drink prices! 6 pm kicks off with 70’s music with 70’s drink prices. Each hour moves through the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, and the current top 40 music selections! Come out to see which decade is your favorite.
4. San Francisco Symphony | Saturday, January 25th| Davies Symphony Hall| 2pm| This production is both exciting and enjoyable for all ages! The kid-sized classical concert is designed for families in the Bay area. It explores Music Here, There, Everywhere! Music is everywhere in our lives, and people of all ages can learn to appreciate the sounds they hear wherever they go. Tickets come at a reasonable cost, and are half price for ages 17 and under. Enjoy a family filled Saturday with the San Francisco Symphony!
5. San Francisco Fine Print Fair | Saturday, January 25th – Sunday, January 26th| The Golden Gate Club | 10 am-6pm| The annual Fair is made up of comprehensive printmaking created by renowned artists. The event is organized by the International Fine Print Dealers Association, a non-profit organization. All work can be purchased at an affordable price. Gruenwald Press will put on printmaking demonstrations during the day. At 10 am on Sunday, January 26th, come out for a free lecture presented by Michael Labrie, Director of Collections at the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Tech Tuesday: Crowdtilt
The 7th Annual Crunchies Awards are just around the corner! Here at ABCey, we did lots of digging and research to cast our votes. There are truly some unique companies and apps up for nomination! Let’s take a look at a platform from the tech world that stood out to us: Crowdtilt.
Crowdtilt is nominated in the Best Collaborative Consumption Service category. It serves as the largest funding platform for group experiences, purchases, and causes! Crowdtilt is a quick and simple way to pool funds with your friends and family.
This platform makes it a breeze to collect money for shared experiences such as group vacations and birthday parties. Costs can be split evenly for group purchases like wedding gifts, concert tickets, or dinner parties. Is there a cause near and dear to your heart? Support your favorite non-profit or local community by pooling funds through Crowdtilt.
Check out the video on How it Works! Let’s break it down. There are 3 easy steps to how Crowdtilt can collect funds for you.
1. Set things up: Develop a campaign by creating a description for it, add an image, and choose how much money you want to raise or collect.
2. Spread the word: Generate buzz by telling friends and family about your campaign through social media. Email, tweet, and post on Facebook!
3. Get paid: As soon as the campaign tilts, every participant’s card is charged. You will get the funds via direct deposit.
We love what Crowdtilt has to offer! Would you try it to plan your next group vacation, dinner party, or fundraiser? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter! Don’t forget to vote and purchase your ticket for the 7th Annual Crunchies Awards!
Friday Five: Event Startups We Love!
The dynamic event industry enables ABCey to keep an eye on unique event startups that will help create an unforgettable experience! Here are five of our favorites that can inspire you to start planning your next occasion.
1. EventWith: When planning an event, it can be overwhelming to determine who handles each task. With collaborative planning on the rise, this user-friendly service assists you in deciding when the event will take place, who brings what, and the budgeting needs. Specific features include the division of group lists and tasks in a timely fashion! Check out how it works by watching the video: EventWith – What is it all about?
2. Boomset: Guest list check-in becomes a lot simpler with this innovative service! Forget long lines, now you can check guests in within seconds. Additional services offered include badge printing, and an opportunity to make a donation right then and there through Stripe or Paypal. Pricing is quite affordable for the services you will be provided with!
3. TableCrowd: If you are new to a city, industry, or hobby, it can be tough to find others that are alike. Find those with common interests by meeting and eating! It is simple to start a table, and all you have to do is a pick a restaurant and theme. The service will tell members all about it, and you can also invite friends! Options to join a table that already has a set location and theme is another easy option.
4. Seats.io: Developing the seating chart for an event can be a daunting task. Make your seating chart in a fun and simple way! This service provides an online seating chart drawing tool that can create rows and automatic seat numbering. With the click of the mouse, guests can choose their own seating. The seating charts are also available on any smartphone device for your guests to have full access to!
5. SlideKlowd: Presentations can serve as important elements at events. In order to keep your audience engaged, share your slides to any device! Real-time audience responses can be captured, allowing you to follow up with your participants and create an interactive environment. Guests can ask questions and submit comments for you to respond to. Presenters also have the ability to monitor attention levels and receive direct feedback from their audience!
These 5 event startups can bring innovation to your next event and make it stand out amongst others! Which would you use to leave a lasting impression?! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!
Event Designer Predictions: Top Trends in 2014
As 2014 quickly surfaced, event designers made their predictions for hot trends as well as tired ones. At ABCey, we love to keep ahead of the curve on emerging trends, especially in event design. Here are predictions from some top event designers based on three design elements: theme, props, and color palette.
LESLEE BELL
Leslee Bell, founder of Decor & More: Themes can truly set the tone for an event. Leslie says ‘Cirque’ and ‘Alice in Wonderland’ are themes that will remain popular in 2014. Stand-up receptions will continue to go for the club look, using colors such as grays and blacks to make the setting more enticing than the basic white on white. Circus is a theme that is predicted to be on its way out. As far as props go, Leslie believes the bolder the prop, the bigger the impact. Oversized props such as mirrors, moveable walls, and giant walk-through frames will add depth and drama. She also believes bold, tropical colors are in for the next year.
MATTHEW DAVID HOPKINS
Matthew David Hopkins from 360 Design Events: Aligned with Leslee’s predictions on color palettes, David believes bold colors are in, not only for 2014, but for the next few years. He says combining metallics is what’s hot for this year. A mix of gunmetal and gold or copper is in. What’s out: orange is a color that is fading, and won’t make an impact on your 2014 event. Metallic tableware and tinted glass will be found on tabletops at events in 2014. According to Matthew David, a neutral linen combined with a pop of color is “very now.” He also suggests to keep an eye out for cobalt glass, as it will be very prevalent over the next couple years.
EDGAR ZAMORA
Edgar Zamora from Revelry Event Designers: Mixtures of ‘trend’ and ‘Old World’ make unique themes for 2014 events. This theme can be executed by using wood, mirrored, and antique tables. This can create an unforgettable dining experience for 100 – 200 guests. Shabby chic is a theme that is tired, and will not be seen in 2014 events. According to Edgar, guests are looking for events that bring elements with legacy and history. Trending color palettes are basic whites with pops of lavenders and purples.
JAMES DOUGLAS
James Douglas from Shiraz Events: Rustic modern is a hot theme for 2014. This new trend is compiled of raw materials with wood finishes, and a color palette of black and silver. Mason jars, wood coffee tables, and vintage barn pendants can create a rustic setting with a modern twist. Black and gold decor is in, while pleated stage skirting is out. What’s up and coming? Furniture and various decor pieces with neon lining.
Themes, props, and color palettes are each important design elements that add to any event! What do you think of the 2014 predictions from these event designers? Do you have any predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Startup Monday: Mosey
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.
When traveling to a new city, it can be difficult to decide what activities to do and where to explore. Do you ever feel like there is not enough time in a trip to experience everything? While some research unfamiliar destinations beforehand, others wait until they reach their destination to finalize. Mosey is a great new app that may be able with your trip itinerary.
The free app is a quick way to put together a schedule for your trip! Fellow travelers post photos, recommendations, and tips for you to see.
Mosey was developed by a small team that is driven to deliver opportunities and adventure to travelers alike. Popular categories that can be searched through the app include Scenic, Foodie, Shopping, Nightlife, and more!
Along with the chance to take a look at insights from the social network made up of a variety of travelers, you can take a look at the visions and perceptions from the Mosey team! The user-friendly app makes it simple to create a ‘Mosey’, in which you can share your experiences and knowledge with others.
Learn about the hotspots, events, and local attractions for your next visit to a new place, such as the unique city of San Francisco! Whether you’re looking to plan a Saturday night with friends or a relaxing Sunday afternoon on your own, Mosey is the go-to app. Find out how to enjoy any location from the insights from others, or become inspired to create a path of your own. Your adventure awaits, so give the app a try!
The Mosey team recently ventured on a trip entitled The Great Southern Mosey, where they were in search of America’s Best 4 Hours. Check out their adventure here!
Would you try Mosey to help plan your next trip? Leave us a a comment below or on Facebook & Twitter!