Tag: event profs
DIY: 4th Of July Party Decor
The 4th of July is just around the corner, which means it’s time for grilling out, chilling out, and celebrating one of the best days of the year! ABCey Events has 5 easy DIY ideas to get you party ready for the upcoming holiday weekend.
Center Pieces
1) Center pieces are a necessity to make any great theme party shine. Nothing screams summer quite like a mason jar does, so these easy to make, adorable center pieces are sure to make your party sparkle for the 4th! Check out how to make them here.
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2) Extra bottles laying around? We have your solution! This DIY is super easy and will no doubt give your 4th of July party the extra pop you’ve been looking for. Using wine bottles for a decoration? No complaints here! Be sure to find out how to make these adorable center pieces here.
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Door Decor
3) Make sure that your guests feel welcome upon arrival with these festive wreaths to hang on your front door! These are inexpensive to make and only require 3 materials- talk about an ideal DIY! You can find out how to make these here.
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4) Burlap wreath not your style? No worries- we’ve got back up options to make sure your guests are greeted in style at your front door. These awesome patriotic wreaths are easy to make and oh so chic! Don’t miss out on this great door dec, find out to make these here.
4th of July Photo Backdrop
5) ABCey knows no party is complete without that perfect Instagram picture. This simple DIY scrap flag is the ideal backdrop for guests to take photos at your 4th of July party! What better way to celebrate the 4th than by taking fun, festive photos with your pals? Read more on how to make these here!
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Wall Decor
6) Kites are a true symbol of summer time and can take anyone back to their childhood. This easy DIY kite garland is guaranteed to spruce up your wall space at your 4th of July get together! See here to find out how to make these kites the star of your party!
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7) If you need to primp up those white walls before you host your 4th of July party this weekend, these will definitely do the trick! This American flag painted window is the extra festive touch you need to make sure your July 4th party is one to remember. Check out how to make these here!
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Festive Table Decorations
8) Need some extra 4th of July table decor for your event? These simplistic and festive signs add some patriotic pride to your upcoming independence day party! Find out to to make these here.
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9) Nothing says festive fun quite like these darling red, white and blue inspired pin wheels! These are perfect for adding a little extra flare to your snack tables for the 4th. You can find out how to make these simple decorations here!
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4th of July Luminaries
10) Light up your 4th of july party with these adorable patriotic luminaries! This DIY is super simple and uses recycled jars as the main material- easy and green! Don’t miss out on the chance to illuminate your party, and find out how to do these here!
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Will you use any of these fun and creative DIY’s for your 4th of July party? ABCey wants to know your faves, or ones we missed! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and on Twitter.
ABCey’s Weekend Lineup 6/24/16-6/26/16
Summer has finally arrived! What better way to celebrate than by getting out and enjoying the beautiful Bay Area? ABCey Events has got you covered with what’s going on this weekend!
1) Friday Nights At The De Young: Dance-Off Hip-Hop
Friday June 24th | 5:00pm-8:45 pm | de Young Museum | FREE
Dance your way into the weekend with this dance-off hip-hop themed event happening at the de Young Museum Friday night starting at 5pm. In addition to showing off your best moves, the observation tower will be open until 8pm to see spectacular views of San Francisco. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to show everyone the hip hop guru you really are!
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2) San Francisco Pride Festival
Saturday June 25th, Noon-6pm | Sunday June 26th 10:30am-6pm | Civic Center Plaza & along Market St. | FREE
Head into the heart of San Francisco this weekend for the best of local musical talent and cultural performances. The San Francisco Pride event is home to over 20 community-run stages and venues. What better way to experience the city and see firsthand the amazing diversity of the LGBT community in San Francisco?
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3) San Francisco 240th Birthday Celebration
Saturday June 25th | 10:30-Noon | Presidio | FREE
This Saturday at the Pershing Square in the Presidio there will be a celebration for the wonderful city of San Francisco! In 1775-1776, 240 colonists traveled from what is present day Mexico and founded the Presidio of San Francisco. We have them to thank for their new cultural ideas and era of California history! Come and join the recognition of their incredible journey.
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4) Treasure Island “Summer Flea” Festival
Sunday June 26th | All Day | Treasure Island | $3
Don’t miss out on this modernized market that is home to around 400-curated vendors every month. Vendors sell everything from originally made and designed items, to art and vintage collections. If those weren’t enough to get you excited about this great event, there will also be over 15 food trucks to satisfy all your cravings while you shop! So come out and enjoy the summer while getting spectacular views of downtown San Francisco. What more could you ask for?
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5) George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic: Outdoor Concert
Sunday June 26th | 2pm | San Francisco | FREE
Come and be a part of the tradition that has been going strong since 1938! The Stern Grove festival throws free concerts in the park every summer- Free outdoor music? Count us in! Finish out your weekend in this stunning park setting and watch performers such as George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. Get in on the fun this Sunday starting at 2pm!
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Have special plans for this weekend? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
3 DIY Creative Lighting Ideas
Lighting can be one of the most important aspects of an event. It can help set the mood, create focus and draw attention. Guests may not even be aware of the power of lighting, but these creative lighting ideas are sure to get their attention.
1. String Light Strands Vertically
Light strands are inexpensive and easy to find. You can create a totally new look by stringing them vertically or you can create your own “chandelier” by draping the lights.
2. Turning unexpected objects into lamp shades
Virtually anything can be turned into a lamp shade. This is your chance to do something creative and reflect the theme of the party. It’s easy and can make all the difference at your next event. 
3. Rustic Tree Branch Chandelier
This one will take a bit more effort, but the results are absolutely stunning. Your guests will be so blown away by this piece and your artistic ability. Don’t worry, it’s simpler than it looks. Find instructions here.
We hope these brighten your day as much as they did ours. Let us know what you think on Facebook or Twitter!
3 Unique Food Bar Ideas for Your Next Party
Ever get tired of the same old menu for parties? ABCey has three food bar ideas that are sure to put a new spin on party food and make your taste buds scream “thank you”! The first two ideas are especially great for any event where little ones are invited!
1. Waffle Bar
Waffles are a fan favorite. For your next brunch event, make things easy on yourself by having your own waffle bar! The batter can be made a day ahead and you can just leave a waffle-maker plugged in so guests can help themselves. This is sure to be a delicious crowd pleaser!
2. Mac-n-Cheese Bar
Who doesn’t love mac-n-cheese? There are so many fun things to add to the cheesy goodness, the possibilities are endless! Our favorites are truffle shavings and some crispy bread crumbs!
3. Oyster Bar
For those who are having a fancier affair, or just love these little guys, an oyster bar can be a big hit! This one does require a bit more planning, but it will be worth it! These refreshing bites are perfect for those summer get togethers!
Tweet us or find us on Facebook and let us know what you think of these ideas!
5 Ways to Use Color to Communicate an Event’s Message
Different hues & color combinations can support your event’s message by helping to cement ideas or feelings in attendees.
Colors & color schemes create an ambiance at event venues both consciously and unconsciously. At ABCey Events, we have rounded up our top five tips on ways to utilize the psychology of color effectively at your next event!
1. Consider contrast levels
The number of colors and the contrast between them creates different effects. Less variation and low contrast is more calming, while multicolor and high contrast creates a more energetic & vibrant vibe. Consider the theme of your event as well as the season you are planning to have it in. Fall is perfect for burnt orange & brown shades and Spring calls for pastels!
2. Adjust chromas to make the combinations of color work
There are no bad or wrong colors, there are only some unfortunate combinations. The chroma of the color you use will make it right. If you want colors that are more harmonious, or close on the color wheel, you still want contrast to vary their values & accents.
3. Be aware of iconic color combinations
Avoid color schemes that will remind people of different corporations. For example, red and gold could remind attendees of a fast-food place because people have such a connection to the hues you’ve chosen. But if you opt for a rich red and brushed gold, people aren’t going to think McDonald’s. Get creative and mix it up!
4. Always incorporate the corporate color of the host or sponsor
Even if it’s color message is contrary to the event’s message, this is an important tip! The logo color could be used minimally and softly at a corporate meditation session to just punctuate the event, for example.
5. Study successful color messages
The beauty of color is that the more you know, the more you know how to use it. Look at luxury ad campaigns for clues of color palettes that evoke a psychological response, or note the fun, bright colors in kids’ products for examples of what works! Play it up!
What are your favorite color combinations to communicate a message to attendees? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!
Utilizing Loyalty to Make Your Event a Success
Loyalty has been used in marketing for hundreds of years but it is perhaps in the past 40 years that we have really seen the growth of loyalty programs. Programs such as airline frequent flyer points, credit card points, coffee shop loyalty cards or hotel club memberships are all examples of this growth.
This type of marketing is all about repeat business and if you run regular, or even annual events then you will know that repeat attendees are an incredibly important group of people; both in terms of direct bookings, but also because they help you advertise your event to their peers. At ABCey Events, we cherish these relationships and wanted to share a few ideas that can be borrowed from loyalty programs to make your next event a huge success!
1. Make Previous Attendees Feel Privileged: When announcing a new event think about the ways that you could make previous attendees feel exclusive. For example, you could leverage principles from airline loyalty schemes such as priority boarding by telling these people that you have reserved them a seat in the front row as long as they confirm before a certain date. Or perhaps you could offer them a free gift such as a shopping voucher or a free night in a nice local hotel if you know they are traveling from a distance.
2. More is Better: It’s true, we are all greedy and we all like more – aim to give a few additional surprises at your event that the attendees were not expecting. This will make your event memorable for all! This could be utilized in the form of a bonus speaker that the attendees were not expecting, a free gift for all, or even a surprise drink reception!
3. Incentivize Feedback: Positive feedback is a mechanism to confirm a good experience in someone’s mind. By asking all attendees at your event for feedback you will firstly give yourself the opportunity to improve your next event, but you will also improve loyalty amongst this group of people as it shows that you care about their opinions! For the people that give you positive feedback, it has the effect of helping them to relive and solidify in their mind the memory of something that they enjoyed. This positive recognition is very helpful when you contact them about future events as they are more likely to attend and also to share your event information with their peers.
4. Build Strong Relationships with Your Speakers: Having positive relationships with speakers will make more speakers come your way and want to work with you in the future.If your speakers enjoy being at your event and they have a strong rapport with you, this will be visible to all.
Events are a great opportunity to build a personal bond with your most loyal customers so make sure that you reward & incentivize them appropriately! Will you be using these tips to create that bond? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!
ABCey’s Countdown To The 10 Most Anticipated SF Events!
The Bay Area motto has to be “Work Hard, Play Hard!” Between the bevy of incredible tech event opportunities, huge concerts, and entire days devoted to chocolate, beer, and bacon, this city definitely keeps us busy. Join ABCey as we count down on our calendars to the 10 most anticipated SF events!
1. Bacon and Beer Festival | Saturday, August 25th | 2:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. | 950 Mason Street, San Francisco | As if every day of our lives wasn’t devoted to this classical combo already! We’re gonna keep it simple: bacon vendors, breweries, and tastings. Perfection.
2. Oracle OpenWorld | Sunday, September 22nd- Thursday, September 26th | Moscone Center, San Francisco | Oracle puts on its annual OpenWorld event to showcase any news and products to over 45,000 attendees. Amongst the hundreds of sponsors and exhibitions, customize your experience by choosing events that focus on communications, customer experience, big data, and more! In addition to the networking and learning opportunities, there’s bound to be plenty of fun integrating Oracle Team USA and the America’s Cup!
3. America’s Cup Finals | September 17th-21st | Pier 27/29, San Francisco| Whether you’re a boat racing fanatic or just love the waterfront views, the America’s Cup Finals are a must-see. Cheer on your favorite team before all these beautiful boats leave the bay!
4. TechCrunch’s Distrupt SF | Saturday, September 7th- Wednesday, September 11th | The Concourse at San Francisco Design Center | This tech conference is back with new startups, speakers, and technology to discuss! It kicks off with the much-anticipated hackathon, but the real stars of the show are the startups that have a chance to present their business plans in the Startup Battlefield.
5. Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival | September 14th-15th, 2013 | Ghirardelli Chocolate Company | Celebrate SF’s favorite chocolate company with ice-cream eating contests, chef demos, and tons of chocolate samples! This year, they’ve offered a wine and chocolate pavillion because, well, nothing’s better than chocolate and wine!
6. VM World Defy Convention 2013 | Sunday, August 25th- Thursday, August 29th | VMWorld Campus, San Francisco | VMWorld is all about pinpointing problems in the tech world and teaching you the skills to fix them. Attendees can visit over 350 training sessions, hands-on labs, or the Solutions Exchange to see what other companies are doing or compare notes with IT industry experts.
7. BurningMan | August 26th- September 2nd, 2013 | Black Rock Desert, Nevada | Take a break from the hustle of city life and find yourself in the art-based, self-reliant, and self-defiant community that is BurningMan. At this festival, YOU are the entertainment and play an active role in creating and participating in the events.
8. CloudBeat | Monday, September 9th- Tuesday, September 10th | The Grand Hyatt, San Francisco | Cloud technology has played a huge role in the changing face of technology and startups in the past few years, and attending CloudBeat will keep you on top of all things cloud. Through industry speakers and activities, the event will explore the rise of the cloud enterprise and its integration into the web.
9. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass | October 4th, 2013- October 6th, 2013 | Golden Gate Park| It’s hard to imagine going to a free, non-sponsored event anywhere, but HSB is a musical haven for the Bay Area community. Although it started as a bluegrass festival, the lineup has expanded to include artists like Emmylou Harris, Earl Scruggs, and more!
10. BoxWorks | Sunday, September 15th- Tuesday, September 17th | Hilton San Francisco | Box is sponsoring a two-day event aimed towards what’s possible and what’s next in technology, business, society, and Box itself. Expect visionary speakers, deep conversations, lasting connections, and an “epic after party!”
Event Inspiration: Top 10 Decor Trends
We’re Pinterest fanatics, just like you! After spending way too much time on our pinboards, ABCey decided to show everyone our favorite decorating ideas and event inspirations. Enjoy!
1. Balloon Chandeliers | Mixing balloons of different sizes, shapes, and colors along with other materials makes for an easy but gorgeous display!
2. Interactive Social Screens | These are innovative, tech-inspired ways to engage your guests at the event!
3. Bottle Trees | These wacky and rustic bottle displays are sure to set your event from the rest.
4. Flowers & Fruit | This DIY project will add a fresh and organic feel to your event. The best fruits to use are oranges, lemons, and limes because of their bright colors and sturdiness inside the water.
5. Greenery | For indoor or out, we love green spaces. You can never have too many plants and flowers!
6. Earthy Candles | Keep the vibe mellow and romantic with candles made from wood, bamboo, and leaves.
7. Mirrors | Mirrors are subtle and classy- use them to jazz up a bar menu or stack them for effortlessly chic decor!
8. Sparkle | Make your event as visually pleasing as possible with tons of sparkle and shine, like in this awesome display.
9. Metallic Cakes | Keep your cake elegant and edgy with metallic touches!
10. Macarons & Roses | Just add tea and it’s a girly match made in heaven!
Do you love these event ideas as much as we do?? Tell us your favorite event decorating idea in a comment and on Facebook & Twitter!
ABCey’s Weekend Line-Up 8.1.13-8.4.13
Thank goodness the weekend is almost here!! Get excited to find your perfect date, do some yoga in the park, hack to your heart’s content, and drink tons of wine! Have fun this weekend with ABCey.
1. Free Outdoor Yoga Day | Saturday, August 3rd | 11:00 a.m. | Big Rec Field, Golden Gate Park | Grab your mat and meet us at the park for some exercise and zen! If you’re a beginner or a regular yogi, you’ll find your pace with the excellent yoga instructors. Families and dogs are encouraged, so there’s no excuse not to spend an amazing day outdoors!
2. Outside Hacks | Saturday, August 3rd- Sunday, August 4th | 3:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. | 651 Brannan Street Suite 110, San Francisco | The challenge: improve Outside Lands for the artists and fans… in 24 hours! Coders compete for the glory of winning and a chance to have the ultimate Outside Lands experience. Good luck, hackers!
3. Twine App Launch Party | Thursday, August 1st | 6:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. |111 Minna Street, San Francisco | Don’t have a hot date for Thursday? Twine has you covered! This new dating app is celebrating its launch with plenty of beer, music, and singles galore!
4. AgriHack | Sunday, August 3rd | 9:00 a.m. | 144 2nd Street, San Francisco | Get ready to hack your way to a better future for agriculture, startups, and the tech industry! Naturally, there will be plenty of awesome refreshments to keep you full and doing your best.
5. Unlimited Wine Tasting at the Old Mint | Thursday, August 1st | 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. | 88 5th Street, San Francisco | Channel your class, inner wino at the Old SF Mint! Enjoy an evening filled with SF history, learning about the region’s wine history, and (of course!) all the wine you could want. What are you doing this weekend??
Let us know what you think of these events and other Bay Area happenings in a comment or on Facebook & Twitter!
ABCey’s Weekend Line-Up: 7.25.13-7.28.13
There is SO much to do this weekend all over the bay area! From learning about the science of beer or business tactics to SF scavenger hunts, there’s no way you’ll face boredom this weekend. Have a great time in the bay with ABCey!
1. Science of Brewing Nightlife | Thursday, July 25th | 6:00 p.m.- 10 p.m. | California Academy of Sciences | Beer drinkers and science lovers rejoice! CAS Nightlife’s theme this week promises a beer hall, tasty bar snacks provided by Whole Foods, DIY coasters, brew talks, and, of course, music. See you there!
2. WordCamp San Francisco | Friday, July 26th- Saturday, 27th | Mission Bay Conference Center | Need to get the most out of WordPress? Now’s the time to have all your questions answered, listen to over 30 speakers on the possibilities of this web service, and network with over 1,000 attendees.
3. Wine, Women & Shoes | Saturday, July 27th | 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. | Charles Krug Winery, Napa | Do all of your normal Napa activities (shopping, wining, & dining) for charity this weekend! Proceeds from auctions and sales at this event go towards supporting Napa Emergency Women’s Services.
4. Renegade Craft Fair | Saturday, July 27th- Sunday, July 28th | Fort Mason Center | Who loves getting crafty? We do! Meet hundreds of indie-inspired makers who create everything from jewelry to custom books, attend workshops, and get inspired!
5. Summer Circus in the Park | Friday, July 26th | 12:30 p.m. | Marin City Ballfield | The circus gets a classy facelift! Contemporary versions of all your circus favorites, like trapeze, rope walking, and acrobatics, are set to original live music by Robert Reich.
6. JPOP Summit Festival |Saturday, July 27th- Sunday, July 28th | Japantown | This pop culture-themed street fair is going to be HUGE! Tons of musical acts, films, and assorted activities will be initiated by a sake barrel break.
7. Burning Man Scavenger Hunt | Saturday, July 27th | 12:00 p.m. | Hayes Valley Park | The best way to explore SF is definitely on a wild scavenger hunt! Sponsored by Burning Man, spend your Saturday competing for prizes with your friends by being the first to find everything on the list!
8. Berkeley Kite Festival | Saturday, July 27th | Berkeley Marina | Kites aren’t for just for kids! Enjoy seeing the sky fill with artistic and unique kites floating over the bay and the SF skyline.
9. Park Street Art & Wine Faire | Saturday, July 27th | Park Street, Alameda | Celebrate summer with over 300 craft and food vendors, local wines, and regional beers.
10. Young Professionals Summit | Thursday, July 25th | Woodruff-Sawyer & Co | Designed to promote next-gen leadership, learn how to thrive at work and get what you want while getting things done.
What are you doing this weekend? Which event looks the most fun? Tell us in a comment or on Facebook & Twitter!