Tag: app
5 Apps Every Event Planner Needs
It’s no secret that event planning can be stressful. From endless checklists to piles of receipts to long guests lines, there just doesn’t seem to be an end to it! However, at ABCey, we believe that with the right tools, your event planning experience can be stress-free! For that reason, we have compiled a list of 5 amazing apps that will surely make planning your events smooth and easy!
1. Wunderlist
Simplify your planning process with Wunderlist! This app allows you to easily manage and share your daily to-do lists with colleagues. By setting due dates and task reminders, you will easily complete important projects on time! Furthermore, you can organize these projects and lists into folders with a simple drag and drop. Jot down tasks while on the go, as Wunderlist is available on all major devices!
2. Basecamp
Use Basecamp to stay on top of all your work, schedules, and colleagues! Having launched Version 3 in 2015, Basecamp offers a variety of features to ensure everyone on your event team stays on the same page. At ABCey, we love that Basecamp has a variety of features such as message boards, group chats, schedules, notifications, web-based text documents and file sharing. Basecamp makes communication and organizing your team easier and faster than ever before! So sign up here and watch your event team work efficiently together!
3. Boomset
Put an end to headaches that come with long guest lines by using Boomset! This essential tool creates a seamless check-in experience for your guests. Not only can you import contacts onto your guest lists, but you can also let your guests check themselves in! In addition, Boomset is also a lead retrieval app, further allowing your guests and vendors to exchange contact information with one another. That being said, don’t wait up and start your free trial now!
4. Hootsuite
Manage all your social media networks at once with Hootsuite! This convenient app supports social network integration for over 35 popular networks, including Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google+. With this handy tool, you can post and manage each channel on a single dashboard! Also, save time by scheduling your posts in advance, while using its instant analytics feature to compare your platforms in terms of followers and influencers! Sign up now!
5. ScannerPro
Eliminate endless piles of receipts and papers by using ScannerPro! With this app, you can scan documents with a snapshot, convert them to PDFs and email them right away. Users can also resize, crop and edit their documents as they wish! Download ScannerPro now, and turn your phone into a portable scanner!
Planning to use any of these apps? Let us know with a comment or send us a message on Facebook or Twitter!
#TechTuesday: 3 ways to use Intel RealSense at your next event!
#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 have 3 ways to use Intel RealSense technology at your next event!
Intel is very well-known for their many unique and creative products. However, at ABCey, one line stands out the most for us: Intel RealSense. Intel RealSense includes cameras, platforms, and systems that are unbelievable and are must have tools for your events!
Moreover, these amazing products have 3D scanning, speech recognition, facial analysis, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), depth photo and video, and scene perception capabilities. These capabilities make Intel RealSense products cutting edge technology and make experiences more interactive and well, real! So here are 3 ways to use Intel RealSense at your next event!
1. Intel RealSense 3D Scanning
One special feature of RealSense technology is its 3D scanning capabilities. You can pretty much scan anything, and now, you have a replicated detailed 3D model on your computer. In addition, you can easily share it on social media and print it out on a 3D printer! Because this tech is perfect for showcasing and displaying anything at your events, this is an event tool you’ll definitely want to get! You’ll truly impress your attendees with one of a kind views of your 3D models. From a physical robot to yourself, almost anything can be turned into a 3D image!
Additionally, Intel’s scanning technology is creative because it incorporates gesture tech. By just moving your hands, you can spin and zoom in on these 3D images to show your attendees every angle. Let your guests experience this technology first hand and leave them amazed!
2. 3D: Scene Perception and video entertainment
For events, it’s important to know every detail about the venue, and RealSense technology gives you just that…an extremely useful layout of any site! Specifically, Intel’s Scene Perception gives you a digital representation of the scene/place you are recording, including the objects in it! As a result, you have immersive 3D images to help you plan or select the perfect venue like never before! In addition, this system lets you measure items from your scene perception, making it the perfect tool for event planners!
It can be difficult to decide how to decorate your venue when you can’t picture it. However, with RealSenses, you can experiment with different layouts and see how they look visually! For example, Capgemini used this tech to adjust furniture in the video below:
You can use this same technique for your events! First, adjust the software to show a virtual image of your venue. Then, use props (like the wooden blocks above) to represent event items (ex: sculptures, photos booths, large displays, etc). Lastly, just move these props around! There you have it! You can see on a screen what the venue would look like! And you didn’t have to lift a thing!
Another idea is to make yourself 3D! With Intel’s motion capture technology, you facial movements are replicated onto a fun 3D figure. Attendees will love getting to use this tech, and will be impressed with this top of the line entertainment!
3. Interactive Background Displays
Whether you’re hosting a virtual meeting or presenting at a conference, you want your background image to be the best fit for your event. Here is where RealSense comes in handy! Instead of spending time to edit or replace your background, you can simply replace it in real-time with any video or photo of your choosing-the perfect addition to make your next event top of the line!
Also, background replacement uses gesture technology. So simply flick your hands and the background will change! It’s that easy! Try out Intel’s RealSense at your next event!
How would you use Intel RealSense Technology? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook and on 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!
#TechTuesday: 5 ways to use drones for 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. ABCey has compiled 5 innovative ways event planners are utilizing drones!
Although they were first used for military purposes, drones are becoming extremely useful tools for the event planning industry. Drones are not only used to capture stunning aerial images, but also in previously unimaginable ways that go beyond just pictures and videos. Here are 5 great ways to use drones for your next event!
1. Aerial Event Photos and Videos
Drones are now a popular tool for event planners, because they can capture amazing aerial footage from an infinite number of angles. They are also extremely versatile and can be used at conferences, trade shows, galas, festivals, and sporting events! This tech allows for extraordinary 360 degree views of all attendees, as well as close ups of speakers and performances.
2. Choosing the Perfect Venue/Site Selection
Drones can also be used for pre-event prep to collect venue images. Photos and videos make it so easy for clients and planners to choose the perfect site for an event! From images of massive event properties to inside meeting rooms, there is almost no place a drone can’t fly!
3. Entertainment Drones to Wow Your Guests
Companies have outdone themselves by using drones as a new form of entertainment for their guests! Intel is one company that impressed their guests and set the world record by having 100 drones create a unique light show! Others, like Amsterdam Drone Entertainment, have programmed their drones to dance for crowds which has truly set a new standard for event entertainment!
4. The Best Delivery Service
Some other ways to use a drone? How about deliver food, drinks and invitations! This interactive way of distributing items to people is mostly used by restaurants to give food to their customers. But, this kind of delivery service can just as easily be adapted to fit the event industry’s needs. Using a drone to deliver items to guests is extremely innovative, interactive, and a great way to make your event stand out!
5. Extra $ From Advertising and Sponsors
Drones can also be lucrative for your business! If you are hosting an event, sponsors may offer to pay you if you use drones to promote their business. Attendees are often drawn to drone tech which is seen as a great opportunity for companies to advertise. Because drones can drop off samples/products, hold up company posters, and display a brand logo, they are becoming the newest advertising trend!
Apps are also being made and adapted to incorporate drone technology. Facebook recently announced they have updated their live video stream application, Facebook Live. This update allows users to stream videos live from a drone. Twitter‘s similar live video streaming application, Periscope, also announced this feature.
By capturing stunning footage, helping venue selection, entertaining and serving their guests, delivering items, and increasing revenue and an event’s wow factor, drones are the new must-have gadget for anyone in the event industry!
Know any other ways drones are used? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and on Twitter!
#TechTuesday: Spinn Coffee
#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!
What’s the best part of waking up? Why, it’s coffee of course! Nothing gets the day started quite like a piping hot cup o’ joe and for the busy professional, caffeine first thing in the morning is necessary for a productive day. For the coffee junkies out there, your mornings are going to get even better in the near future with Spinn Coffee, a WIFI connected coffee brewing machine.
Spinn uses centrifugal force to brew its coffee with beans only. No cups, pods or filters means zero environmental waste. Prefer drip, french press or espresso? Spinn can do it all.
How it works.
Download the Spinn App.
Connect your SpinnBrew to your WIFI network. Once connected, you can customize how you prefer your coffee to be brewed.
Brew coffee right from your phone.
Spinn uses only quality coffees from local and international roasters. Get connected to these community roasters through the app where you can browse, shop and review their coffees.
You can add your fave coffee beans to your Beanlist that acts as your coffee playlist. When your faves get low in stock, they’ll be automatically re-ordered and delivered right to your door.
It gets even better than that. Want to wake up to the sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee? Set Spinn to start making a brew while you’re still in bed and your coffee will literally make itself.
Why we love it. Spinn is the reinvention of coffee for the modern, technology-driven world; it’s a smarter way to drink coffee. It takes care of you by doing the coffee making for you and takes care of our planet by creating a more sustainable way to enjoy your favorite morning pick-me-up.
Need Spinn Coffee in your life? You can pre-order now!
Be sure to let us know how much you love your java on Facebook and Twitter!
TechTuesday: The 9th Annual Crunchies Awards!
#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 9th Annual Crunchies are here and just in time for #TechTuesday! For those of you that aren’t familiar, The Tech Crunchie Awards are the tech world’s equivalent to The Oscars. This award ceremony will take place this upcoming Monday, February 8th, 2016, and it will recognize the greatest technological innovations this past year has seen! ABCey has highlighted the top 5 best new tech startups for this weeks #TechTuesday! Congratulations to all of the nominees!
1. EAZE
The Eaze app is a quick and professional medical marijuana delivery service that has partnered with legally permitted dispensaries to provide patients with lab tested medication that is delivered fast and efficiently. Medication ranges from flowers, edibles, concentrates, and more!
WHY WE LOVE IT: Eaze utilizes it’s advanced technology to automatically assign drivers once the order is complete, so that your delivery is as sufficient as 10-20 minutes after purchase! Not to mention, their dispensaries are open earlier and later than most to provide their users with the most efficient convenience!
2. HONOR
For your loved ones that need extra care, Honor is the app for you! This app is centered around family and comfort, and it supplies the best & most skilled caregivers to your family’s home, while giving you the convenience of scheduling and monitoring their care from virtually anywhere! Caregivers can assist with meal prep/groceries, transportation, check in visits, personal care/hygiene, and the list goes on!
WHY WE LOVE IT: Not looking for a commitment? With Honor Care there are no long term contracts, and care can be scheduled by the hour, and paid by the hour! As well, this app does all of the work for you! The stress of screening and interviewing will be left in the hands of Honor for your convenience.
3. JET
Jet’s free membership does not come with a price, but more so with a savings! Literally, this app has created a marketplace that enables users to watch every dollar being spent, and provides smart choices and options to get the most for your money. Home goods, automative supplies, and even groceries- this app has made shopping simple and convenient!
WHY WE LOVE IT: Who doesn’t love saving money while spending money? One of the many perks of shopping with this app is JetCash! Jet customers that want to switch it up and shop from a different store just need to skim through the Jet Anywhere Retailers list and find the brand of their choice. The money spent at these websites will go towards your next JetCash purchase, all you need to do is forward your confirmation email of purchase to anywhere@jet.com!
4. OPERATOR
We’re past the days of dialing zero to get some assistance! This free messaging app is the equivalent of a personal shopper. Operator is available 24/7 and provides quick and helpful responses to meet users needs! For all of the men that are struggling to find their loved one something special for Valentine’s Day, look no further! Their staff will be glad to assist you and match you with the perfect gift!
WHY WE LOVE IT: From your local store to an exotic country, regardless of the location delivery is made to be easy! With the in-app tracking, Operator’s systems monitor your order around the clock and provide estimated delivery times and shipping updates for your convenience!
5. ROBINHOOD
Commission fees can be aggravating especially when you’re already dabbling with the buying and selling of stocks! The Robinhood app recognized this and created a stock brokerage that offers commission free trading for all of its users! Sounds too good to be true? Robinhood has raised $66 million from several different outlets so that they can make their predominant focus on building lasting experiences for you versus the short-term profits!
WHY WE LOVE IT: Robinhood’s Card feature provides guests with updates that cover basic account information, such as pending and completed transfers, but it also highlights movements within the stock industry! Top News Cards will deliver breaking news in regards to the financial market, while Top Mover Cards will showcase the biggest gains and/or losses on your watch list and in the S&P 500.
This is definitely a tough race! Who do you think will be The Best New Startup of 2016 at this year’s Tech Crunchies? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Splash – The Best Event Management Platform!
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!
We recently came across Splash, a comprehensive event management platform that helps to maximize the impact before, during, and after an event.
Splash makes it possible for you to control every aspect of your event making it easier and less stressful to organize. When using Splash, you can organize the perfect invite list – every time, maximize the impact of every touchpoint, and measure the impact to your brand and community.
Before your event, you can create a beautiful website to represent your event and that can be seen from any laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The website includes cool features that allows you to promote your event with an integrated custom design email sender list, sell tickets, and collect info you need on the perfect RSVP form!
While enjoying your event, Splash allows your attendees to share the action as it happens! The Splash On-Site Mobile App allows you to check in guests and scan their tickets. The App also has a live stream where the guests can be updated on what’s going on during the event and share the amazing moments they have just experienced.
After the event you can analyze the web traffic on your website, email performance, and more social activity. You can also create a targeted contact list with the profile information from your attendees.
Splash offers three great different packages to get you started:
- The Event Marketing Package this package gets you: dedicated account management, completely flexible and customizable web design, and the full power of our CRM and email marketing tools.
- The Influencer Marketing Package includes everything within the first package but with this package your community members are empowered to create their own events.
- The Sampling Package extend beyond awareness with Splash software see measurable upticks of local sales, community membership in key demos and produce the type of social content that has a real viral co-efficient.
Would you use Splash to help organize your next event? Let us know by commenting below or on Facebook or Twitter.
Tech Tuesday: ABCey’s Best Event Finder Apps
Tech Tuesday 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!
With hundreds of events out there each week, it’s not always easy to keep track. Other times, you miss an awesome event, because you simply didn’t know about it. ABCey has the perfect event finder apps for you, which help you to pick out the best events for you!
Gravy
Gravy is the perfect app for you if you belong to the indecisive crowd of people that like to make decisions according to their mood. Whether you like it “classy,” “brainy,” “lively,” or “whatever,” Gravy helps you to find the best events depending on your mood. You can also decide the distance you’re willing to travel to the event. If you don’t feel like a long car drive, why don’t you just chose something in walkable distance?
Like A Local
Do you travel a lot and want to see more than the typical tourist attractions? Like A Local is a real-time stream app, which is curated by locals and designed for you to discover the hidden gems of the city. Learn about the best spots to eat, party, shop, or relax. The app tells you why locals love the spot and why it’s worth a visit. With Like A Local, you can literally explore cities like a local!
SongKick
Are you crazy about music and love going to concerts? Don’t miss any concerts of your favorite bands and artists anymore with SongKick. The app connects with your music library and alerts you of upcoming concerts and shows in your area! It also marks the event down on your calendar and shows you where to buy tickets.
Spotsetter
If you have a lot of traveling friends, this app will be perfect for you! Spotsetter is a travel app that connects with your social media accounts and notices what your friends have said about particular spots on their trips. If you happen to travel to the same place, you can check out what your friends have said and either follow their recommendation or avoid a certain spot right away.
Time To Enjoy
This smart app connects to your smartphone calendar and looks for nearby events in your scheduled free time! For instance, if you have a busy day but a three hour break in between, Time to Enjoy offers you the right event for your off-time window! Use your free time to actually do something you enjoy and make the best of your day!
Which of these apps would you use and why? Tell us about it in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Tech Tuesday: Intro, the digital business card
Tech Tuesday 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 new app, Intro, from About.me will revolutionize the networking world because it is a digital business card!
While About.me provides a visually appealing snapshot of your professional profile, Intro makes creating and maintaining business connections so much easier. You decide how much information you share with your new friends and business acquaintances on this digital business card by deciding whether to share your page, phone number, and/or email address depending on the person!
Why We Love Intro: ABCey thinks Intro is so awesome because it lets you keep track of who you’ve shared your card with as well as who has shared with you. Since we tend to meet a lot of people at events, Intro lets us keep track and remember who’s who by viewing their About.me page and downloading specific information right into our phone’s address book! One of the biggest bonuses of this digital business card: Intro is FREE!
Would you use Intro to connect with friends and build stronger business acquaintances? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Tech Tuesday: EventMobi, Create, Customize, and Launch Your Event App
Tech Tuesday 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!
“Create, customize, and launch your event app!”
This week, we are encouraging you to check out EventMobi. This application enables event planners and marketers to create their own event app for their individual needs. Millions of event planners, marketers, and attendees from more than 40 countries use this app, which is easily accessible from a smartphone, tablet, or any other online device.
How it works: You have full control over the creation of your personalized event app. Whether you want to include registration features, post-event reporting, or attendee activities, EventMobi helps you to set up the features you need. If you’re in doubt, you can contact the EventMobi support team, who will help you design your app according to your needs.
Why we love it: EventMobi is easy to use and cost-efficient! You can customize your personal event app exclusively with features you really need, without any clutter. Using EventMobi also reduces the need for paper, which helps your event simultaneously go green and stay organized!
No matter what kind of app you create, EventMobi keeps it secure and confidential! You can create pre-event, on-site, and post-event features, with individual branding for your company. Organizations like Disney, IBM, and SalesForce are just some of EventMobi’s popular clients.