5 Interesting Ways To Use Videos For Your Next Event!

Videos may seem a bit overrated, but as technology continues to explode, there continues to be new and exciting ways to use video at events. Videos can be used for a variety of purposes in ways that you may have never known about, or tried yet. From live streaming, to projection mapping, video competitions, user generated videos, and event recap videos, ABCey Events has compiled a list of 5 interesting ways to use video for your events!

Incorporate videos into your next event with these 5 ideas!

1. Live Streaming

Live stream your event! This is a great alternative for those who couldn’t purchase tickets or just simply couldn’t make it. By allowing viewers to watch in on the fun, they’ll want to come to your event even more the following year. In addition, you’ll be able to boost attendance rates by allowing people to view your live stream. Use apps and features that are trend like Facebook Live or Periscope to live stream you event! If you want to learn more about Facebook Live, stay tuned for next Tuesday’s blog!

2. Video projection mapping

Video projection mapping has the capacity to transform any object into a screen. Forget flat projection, as projection mapping has the ability to take a real-world object, such as a building, and project onto its walls without any distortion. Events combine motion graphics, 3D animation, and an occasional bit of video that playfully highlights or manipulates a building’s usual geometry.

3. Video Competitions

Have guests form a team or form a team! Then, have them do a fun activity around the venue for a small prize. One of the participating team members can record their team’s adventure on their personal mobile phone while doing the event. Then, have the teams post their video on social media to get validated to win. This can help guests network make new friends, as well as show other people how fun your event was!

4. User Generated Video

Get your attendees to voluntarily help you do product reviews on your latest product. You can let them try it out and, as an incentive, give them a small prize or a sample of the product afterwards to further promote your brand! Make a promotional video for your product afterwards!

5. Event Recap Video

End your event off with a recap video of all of your event highlights. These highlights help to show guests the best and the most successful activities from your event. Attendees will be able to remember all of the fun that they had, and can share with co-workers, friends, and family. This video can even be used to promote future events as well, or to help build your brand!

Will you be using any of these video ideas for your next event? Comment below or on Facebook and Twitter!

Startup Monday: Share in a Better Way with Buffer

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! In today’s Startup Monday, we highlight Buffer, a smarter way to share on social media!

Being an event professional can be overwhelming at times. To top it all off, you have to worry about social media marketing? The struggle is real! The downside of posting on social media is that you can’t be on all the time, so being able to schedule your posts can be a huge help. Well, what better way than to do all that than with Buffer? Buffer helps to manage your social media all on one platform by scheduling posts and is great for teams!

Features of Buffer

Schedule Your Posts For Later

This is the most important feature out of everything that Buffer has to offer. Ease your mind by scheduling your social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google Plus! You can also make sure your team shares posts during specific times to drive the most traffic to your website. Stay on schedule and keep those posts coming!

Collaborate With Your Team

Avoid posting at the same time on social media with other team members! You definitely don’t want to flood your followers with a bunch of spam. Instead, collaborate smoothly and effortlessly! You’ll be able to see what your team members have lined up and can easily manage collaborations.

Identify Insights

Get the stats you need to track how you’re doing! Buffer helps you to easily visualize your social media growth. Through this, you’ll be able to track reader engagement and trends. This will not only let you know what your readers like, but also helps you to get to know your readers better.

There are over 2,500+ businesses using this web and mobile app already! Will you be using Buffer next? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

How Waze’s New Events Program Can Help Avoid Traffic

Waze has long been one of our favorite navigation apps, providing users with real-time traffic information. For those who don’t already use this amazing service, Waze is the largest community based app that shares real time traffic and gives you “Waze” to avoid traffic. If you love this app as much as we do and events for that matter, you’ll be super excited to hear about their new feature. Read below to find more about their Global Events Partner Program!

How can people use this new Waze feature?

With Waze’s newly implemented Global Events Partner Program, users can avoid traffic caused by events! However, that’s not all. This can also potentially help out event proffesionals in more ways than you think!

1. For Partners

Partner up with Waze to create a better road. By alerting Waze of your event, you can create better experiences for your guests as well as others! With this app, attendees will know how to get to your event and where to park. In addition, it shows you the best and nearest parking lots and you’ll be alerting non-attending Wazers to stay away from the event venue to create better traffic flow! Apply for the Waze Global Event Partners to prevent traffic for everyone!

2. For Attendees

Don’t get stuck in traffic while you’re going to an event! Download this app to know which alternate route is your best option to avoid road closures, changes, and traffic delays.

How does it give you this information? Since this app is community based, the information is obtained collectively from other users. When users turn on the app, it can detect traffic by calculating how fast people are going and if you’re going slower than normal, then other users will be alerted and rerouted to avoid traffic!

3. For Wazers

Outsmart traffic caused by events! You may not mean to get into it, but sometimes it happens. We know the troubles and want to help you prevent that from happening. Since you Wazers already know how beneficial this app can be, make sure to keep the app on to avoid event traffic and help others get there faster by steering clear of the area.

Learning how to beat traffic is a must and with this app, and it’s easier than ever! You’ll get all the information you need while you’re on the road!

Would you partner up with Waze to try this awesome new feature? Let us know if the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

ABCey’s Weekend Lineup: Top 5 Bay Area Events 8/19/16 – 8/21/16

Happy Thursday everyone! Are you as excited for the weekend as we are? From the Pokemon World Championship Viewing Party to the Pacific Sound System Summer Boat Party & After Party, there are so many events happening. To help you plan the perfect weekend, ABCey Events has compiled a list of the top 5 Bay Area events for our Weekend Lineup!

Top 5 Bay Area Events

1. Pokemon World Championship Viewing Party

Fri, 8/19/16 | 12pm – 8:30pm | Free | Razer Store San Francisco

Even with all of the Pokemon Go coverage, we still miss the good ol’ days. What are they? Pokemon cards of course! This Friday, you can watch the Pokemon World Championships and relive your childhood. Although the championship isn’t open to the public, you can check out the action at the Razer Store’s viewing party! In addition, this party will have tons of raffles and giveaways. If you’re a Pokemon fan, dress up in your best costume and play Pokemon Go with the masses!

2. Startup Basecamp Motel Launch Party

Fri, 8/19/16 | 6pm – 8:30pm | $10, buy here | Startup Basecamp

As you grow older, it’s harder to find and connect with like-minded people! Thus, Startup Basecamp was created to give entrepreneurs, startup professionals, investors, and digital nomads a place to both live and work! Not only is this a cheap alternative to hotels but it also gives professionals a way to connect. To celebrate the opening of their newest motel, Startup Basecamp is hosting a launch party with an open bar, refreshments, and a DJ. Come join in, network, and connect!

3. Noise Pop’s 20th Street Block Party: Food & Music Festival

Sat, 8/20/16 | 12pm – 6pm | $5-10 suggested entry donation, $95-Headliner Experience tickets | 20th Street Corridor

Do you like music? Love great food? Want to support a great local cause? If so, head over to the Mission district and hangout with 15,000 people at this SF block party hosted by Noise Pop! On 19th & 20th Street, between Bryant and Harrison, this block party will fill the streets with alternative indie music from a variety of artists. There are 17 neighborhood food vendors, 29 craft business/artisan vendors, a cooking demo and more! You can get the VIP treatment with $95 Headliner Experience tickets or pay the $5-$10 suggested entry donation. But these funds are going to an amazing cause: the Mission Language & Vocational School! Also, if your 21+, go to the pre and after party for even more fun!

4. Bloom Festival & Campout

Sat-Sun, 8/20/16-8/21/16 | Sat, 11am – Sun, 7pm | $50 – $130, buy here | Lake Sonoma Resort

If you love electronic music festivals and camping, then this is the event for you! The Bloom Festival will have artists performing all day long, so break out your camping clothes and gear to stay warm. In addition, Jeno & Garth, DJ M3, DJ Sharon Buck, and Harry Who are just a few of the amazing performers at this festival! This event is all ages, but don’t forget to bring your ID! In addition, CalGang Thai Eatery will be there to give you amazing food and beverages. You can also take advantage of Lake Sonoma and bring a boat, or rent water equipment. Best of all, parking is free! Come enjoy the music and camp out under the stars this weekend at one of the top Bay Area events!

5. Sunset Sound System Summer Boat Party + After Party

Sun, 8/21/16 | 5pm-11pm, after party: 10:30-2am | 21+ years old | $70, buy here; after party $5 with boat ticket, $10 without | Pier 3

Climb aboard the San Francisco Spirit this Sunday for an evening of great music and lots of partying! On this boat party, you’ll get to hear tons of great beats from DJ’s Galen, J-Bird, and Solar, and special guest, Chez Damier! Then, head over to Monarch for the official after-party. Don’t miss this opportunity to mingle, lounge, and dance the night away!

Which one of these Bay Area events will you be attending? 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!

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!

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.

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.”

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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

7 Unique Fall Centerpieces For Your Event

Get excited because Fall is approaching quickly! Time to sip warm cocoa, plan your get togethers with family and friends, and watch the leaves magically change. Make sure you’re ready for all your Autumn events with unique seasonal decorations! To help you, ABCey Events has compiled a list of 7 unique Fall centerpieces!

1. Autumn Log Centerpiece

You can light up your table with just a log and tealight candles! With a little drilling and placing, you have the perfect centerpiece! Also, this candlelit log goes great with anything earthy like small acorns and fall colored leaves. If you want a color pop, add in some bright red cranberries and pumpkins around the log! Leave your guests feeling toasty and warm while they enjoy their meal!

2. Glittery Acorn Fall Centerpieces

Already seeing acorns on your neighborhood street? Preserve and reuse them as a budget-friendly fall decor! These DIY Glitter Acorns are great centerpieces and will surely make your event look colorful and shiny! Simply spray paint them in a variety of colors, add a touch of glitter, and put them in a vase on display for all your guests to see. Also, you can spread them out on your table for a more casual yet colorful style!

3. Citrus Centerpieces

Citrus fruit comes in so many fun and festive colors. So use them this Fall as perfect bright centerpieces! Combine decorative flowers, branches, acorns, etc. with real oranges and limes to create a vibrant feel. And this is so simple to put together. Create this sophisticated and classy citrus centerpiece!

3. Floral Pumpkins

Combine your pumpkins with flowers to create a one of a kind design! Intrigue your guests with these floral pumpkins and use this unique trick to decorate your centerpieces. In addition, this quick DIY is perfect if you ever need a fast centerpiece! And, there are different ways of making this flower covered pumpkin!

4. Autumn Leaf Bowl

Upgrade your bowl and get into the Autumn spirit with this DIY! Great for decorating or holding treats, this Fall leaf bowl is very versatile. So grab some Mod Podge glue, fake Fall leaves, Kryon Glaze, plastic wrap, and a bowl or balloon. In fact it’s that easy to make this creative fall centerpiece.

5. Paper Pumpkins

Tired of real pumpkins? Then try paper pumpkins! Make your centerpieces stand out with these creatively colored paper pumpkins. They are absolutely adorable and super easy to make! Because there are so many colors to choose from, you’re options are unlimited!

7. Turkey Masterpiece

When it comes to Fall, turkey is a must have for your events! Don’t have a real, paper, ceramic, or clay turkey? No problem! Instead, you can create this artistic turkey centerpiece! So grab a pumpkin, Sahara floral foam, glue, carrots, cranberries and amongst other foods to create this! Set this turkey out during your event and watch your guests marvel at your masterpiece!

Which of these Fall centerpieces do you like best? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

Startup Monday: No more hunting with Product Hunt

Are you a tech junkie? This can be trying to discover new technologies most days and seeing what other new products come out the next! These products can be anything from books, podcasts, and games. So, if that sounds like you, ABCey Events has found the website to cater to your tech needs. Instead of searching endlessly on the web, meet the new social media of tech, Product Hunt! This website and app gives you the latest, up and coming tech just for you. We know how busy event profs can get, so save time with thanks to this great company!

Upvote

Product Hunt helps you discover new tech content. And soon it will be your next favorite thing! Specifically, the best part of this is that there are upvote buttons that help push tech to the top of the list. This makes it easier for you to find the most popular tech. Now, event profs easily can see which tech will be the next big thing!

Collections

If you’re ready for loads of tech finds, check out the collections section of Product Hunt. These collections are a heap of grouped products that you love and want to share! With this great feature, you can see what others have collected or start a collection yourself!

More of what Product Hunt has to include!

Plus, Product Hunt is more social than you think. Product Hunt encourages live chats, shopping, and meetups. So get out there! What are you waiting for? This is a great opportunity to meet new people with the same interests as you and explore new material too! Moreover, Product Hunt provides their own blogs, tips and podcasts. Stay tuned, because you don’t want to miss out!

So if you plan to use Product Hunt to discover new tech, let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

Startup Monday: Last minute hotels with Hotel Tonight

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! Today, we want to highlight Hotel Tonight, a useful app that helps you to book hotels last minute!

Event planning can get hectic and with your busy schedule, you might forget to book a hotel for you or your attendees. Don’t be forced to pay these outrageous prices that can rise up to 300%. At ABCey, we have an app to solve this problem: Hotel Tonight! This app was awarded the best-on-demand service at the 8th annual tech Crunchie Awards and definitely deserved it! Of course you should always try to book hotels in advance. But if you are stuck in a bind, Hotel Tonight is a great app that gives you the best prices for last minute hotel reservations.

Booking last minute hotels with Hotel Tonight:

After downloading the app on your mobile phone, you’ll have a great variety of available rooms! Also, we love this app because it includes the mood of the hotel. From hip to charming, you can experience hotels like never before! By comparing major travel sites, Hotel Tonight gives you the best hotel options and the biggest bang for your buck. Additionally, if you introduce this app to someone, both you and your friend get $25 off their first stay. But there’s more! They have amazing 24/7 customer support to ensure your last minute hotel reservation is perfect. So if you’re in a bind for a hotel, try out Hotel Tonight to get your last minute room for the best price and the best experience!

Have you used Hotel Tonight before or are you thinking of using this app? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and on Twitter!

Startup Monday: Operator, Message to Shop!

Who doesn’t love online shopping? At ABCey, we’re loving Operator, a messaging app that helps you shop created by Uber cofounder Garrett Camp and former Zynga exec Robin Chan! It combines the best parts of brick-and-mortar and online shopping. This app gives you the expert personal service you’d expect from an in-store employee. But, it doesn’t lock you into shopping at just one physical location. Operator also offers the convenience of shopping from anywhere, anytime via your phone. Operator can even handle the heavy research you might want to skip or not be qualified to do. Afterwards, the annoying checkout experience is handled as well.

Operator Overview

It all starts with a message. Then, you’re directly connected you to a network of shopping expertise that will find the best products. You can request almost anything and best of all, the service is free. Operator will take in mind price ranges, problem-related solutions, and even recommendations? Well, that’s not what we usually hear nowadays when shopping online. The closest we get to getting recommendations when shopping alone online is through the reviews.

After deciding what you want, Operator also takes care of the billing process with no extra charges. Easily track your packages and ensure that your packages arrive! Also, if you need to return or exchange anything, message the Operator and they’ll be there to help.

Start shopping anywhere and anytime! If you’re planning on using this convenient shopping app, let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter.

#TechTuesday: 5 Creative Ways To Use Robots at 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!

The future of event tech and entertainment is here: Robots! Don’t worry, these robots won’t turn evil like the ones in science fiction movies. Instead, they are the new tool for event planners! From robotic bartenders and mobile telepresence to self service holograms, these robots can be used for product demos, corporate speeches, trade stand activations, corporate parties and as the central figure of bigger productions!

Here are 5 creative ways to use robots for your next event:

1. Entertainment

Come one and come all to see Titan the Robot! Titan the robot has been described as “crowdpulling“, “hysterically funny” and even “surprassing all expectations“. Titan’s a magnet for people and you definitely wouldn’t want to miss out on all the coverage.

2.Mobile Telepresence

Are some attendees or important management staff not able to make the event? No problem! With Double Robotics, they are able to attend without physically being there. Just hop on skype, attach a tablet onto the dolly and you can start roving around the venue.

3. Interactive Self-Service Holograms

Holograms may look real, but looks can be deceiving! A company called Prsonas creates self-service holograms that provide information as well as interact with guests. You just have to load up FAQs, event descriptions or anything else that you would like into the program!

4. Robotic Bartender

Fill my event with booze! Sure thing, but let’s have a robotic bartender serve it up! Robotic bartenders are not only able to mix drinks in a matter of seconds, but it’s also just plain cool for you to see a robot moving around and concocting yumminess. A few innovative companies that we love are Inebriator and Makr Shakr…be sure to check them out for your next event!

5. Photo Booth

Make your event memorable with RobotBooth! RobotBooth was designed to reflect quality, and it certainly does! Using an algorithm for the software, RobotBooth is able to adjust lighting aspects and other photography techniques to create stunning pictures. You won’t need to worry about getting the perfect angle or lighting anymore! Plus, you get unlimited pictures as souvenirs.

Robots are the tech of the future, and we’re loving all the ways we can use them for our events! We’re excited to see how they can make increase the success of an event, or enhance the guest experience. They may even be able to cut down transportation and labor costs! Will you be bringing in robots to your next event? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!