2016

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

1. SF BEER WEEK OPENING GALA

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

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

CIRCUS: TIGHTROPE & JUGGLING CLASS

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

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

ONE DEEP BREATH LAUNCH PARTY: YOGA + MIMOSAS!

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

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

ART AT THE DUMP: RECOLOGY’S RECYCLED ART EXHIBIT

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

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

SALSA DANCE SOCIAL

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

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

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

6 Ways to Spark Creativity Within Your Workspace

Event professionals are constantly trying to come up with new ways to create and design. Studies show that your workspace environment can boost innovation among yourself and others! ABCey has six fun ideas to help create a workspace that will optimize your creativity.

1. Lighting

Make sure you have a good balance of light. Turning down the lights can spark creativity. Also make sure to get natural light in to to keep the mood alive! Find a unique desk lamp with an adjustable nob so you can’t set the prefect amount of light and set up your space by a window.

2. Organized Clutter

Keep your desk organized but cluttered. Some disorder simulates creativity, but don’t have it so messy that you can’t find anything! Keep a desk organizer that holds all the office essentials, but leave some magazines or newspapers laying around for those days when you’re stuck. New ideas can come from anywhere!

3. Inspiration Board

Create a “mood board” by carving out a blank space of your office wall, or use a cork board. Whenever you see something that you love or sparks your interest add it to the board! Be sure to rotate pictures so you are always seeing something that inspires you in the moment. Your board can be a gateway for inspiration!

4. Comfort

You probably spend just as much time at the office as you do at home so make your space comfy with a great desk chair. If your sitting in a chair you love, you can do hours of undisturbed work. Add a colorful patterned pillow too!

5. Greenery

Add some real life to your desk by putting some small office plants or succulents. They not only make your desk prettier and more cheerful, but according to The Huffington Post the color green can boost your inventiveness!

6. Take a Break

Too much time at your desk can make you feel burnt out, no matter how much you love your space! Find a spot in the office where you can just get away, take a break and clear your mind. Not giving your brain a rest can actually hinder the flow of creative ideas.

Will you be upgrading or adding any of these elements to your workspace? Let us know in the comments or message us on Facebook and Twitter!

Startup Monday: Unwind Me, Massage Booking Made Simple

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!

Mondays don’t have to be so manic with this week’s startup – Unwind Me. Launched publicly last month at Y Combinator’s semi-annual Demo Day in Mountain View, Calif., Unwind Me is a web application massage booking service that lets you order a massage therapist straight to your home for a flat rate of $89.

How it Works: For customers, Unwind Me is simplifying the process of booking a massage and in true San Francisco startup fashion- allowing instant gratification to its many users through massages only hours after booking online; it’s massages made simple! For the massage therapists working with Unwind Me, the startup’s low overhead costs means they get to see a greater portion of the $89, all while enjoying an extremely flexible schedule.

Why We Love it: We’re so excited to watch this company grow. We’re thinking this will be incredibly useful for conferences. Imagine being able to offer massages at your conference booth or networking happy hour!

What type of events would you like to see Undwind Me at next? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

Tips to take your FIFA World Cup Viewing Party to the next level!

Calling all sports fans! In light of the recent start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, here are some tips to help make your next sports viewing party a win! Here at ABCey, we love these ideas and hope you can use them for your next viewing party!

1. Fans unite, online! Download the Official 2014 FIFA World Cup App on your smartphone and stay updated! This app provides live coverage of all 64 games, wherever you go! Unite with the players, coaches and fans worldwide. With this free app, you can now take the game with you everywhere you go, literally.

2. Seating! Bring the indoors outside and get creative with seating! Take the couches and blankets to instantly give your viewing party a different vibe! This is where you will be spending the most time, so make sure it’s comfortable. To make your party outdoors and affordable, just rent a projector if you don’t have one!

3. Make food, fun! Create an interactive, personalized snack bar so friends can customize and eat without having to wait for the snack bowl to make it’s rounds.

4. Photos! Take photos of your friends and all the fun you are having! Redefine the selfie and use the Muku Shuttr remote to capture all the guests at your party, including yourself! Check out the Muku Lab Shuttr!

5. Theme! Let your party show which team you’re rooting for! Don’t be afraid to create your food and wall decor using soccer balls and team flags as inspiration! Let your next event scream team spirit! We think an overarching Brazil theme is great too. Don’t know where to start? Try this brazilian pineapple and coconut batilda; it’s bound to be a hit at your next party!

Are you planning to throw a FIFA World Cup viewing party? Let us know if you would use any of these ideas! Leave us a comment below or on Facebook & Twitter.

Tech Tuesday: Maptiv8

Tech Tuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming companies for their innovative ideas and ability to think outside the box!

In today’s events world, we are always looking for ways to engage event attendees. Maptiv8, founded by Seth Familian of Familian&1, is a new private directory visualization platform for students, alumni, event attendees, and supporters.

The Map Admin sets branding and adds the member list, which enables you to visualize the list in an appealing and simple way. Maptiv8 will then invite members via email, and reveal affinities within the community. Once members sign in with Facebook, LinkedIn, or email, the map will automatically take shape! This ignites connections and actions among the Map members.

Some of Maptiv8’s powerful features are an easy 30-second profile setup, activity feeds and profile notes, up to three custom affinity groups which can be based off of cities, industries, or companies, campaigns and events, and volunteer tools to drive engagement.

What’s great about this platform is there are three different options that can be used based on the type of groups you are involved with. GradMap is designed for students, alumni, faculty and staff. OrgMap is for members and supporters of both non-profits and for-profits. RSVPeeps is for attendees of events and conferences to utilize, which will enable event networking!

The pricing is straightforward and aligned with the number of Map members. Mini is used for up to 100 members, Midsize is up to 500 members, and Mega is up to 5,000 members. We love Maptiv8 because it has so much versatility and adheres to audiences made up of different groups and sizes!

Would you use Maptiv8 to engage your attendees?! Which features do you like best? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!

Top 10 Event Tech Trends in 2014

The incredible advances in technology bring value and versatility to the event industry. At ABCey, we love keeping up on the latest in the tech world! While 2013 was filled with innovation, we can expect even more in 2014. Here are the top event tech trends to keep an eye on in the year ahead. This blog post has been adapted from George P. Johnson’s Kevin Jackson, Adding Value’s Randle Stonier, and TFI Group’s Simon Maier.

1. Event Apps: These innovative platforms cover everything from event itineraries to delegates being able to download files relevant to presenters, and attendees having the ability to directly interact with event speakers!

2. Connected Technology: Clients used to base their budget off of the number of guests they wanted to attend their event. In today’s world, advances in technology allow events to reach so many more people beyond the guest list.

3. Google Glass: Wearable technology, specifically Google Glass, is going to make a big impact on events this year. It will encourage planners to make event experiences more personal.

4. Tailored Social Networks: Public social networks will continue to be used to generate buzz for events. There is a growing number of tailored social networks that have features to connect people before, during, and after an event!

5. E-Posters: With the reduction of costs and advances in e-poster technology, the interactivity and versatility will be a hit for 2014 events!

6. Live Audience Engagement: Mobile apps and SMS texting can now enable guest conversations to be linked directly through to the podium, allowing the speaker to respond to inquiries. This can continue even after the session is over!

7. IPS and Geofencing: Indoor positioning systems lend themselves to plotting where you are in an indoor environment. Geofencing creates a virtual boundary of space so delegates can be given a route to various stands or booths in a venue.

8. Advanced Digital Display: In the events space, we can expect to see various monitors – one could display real-time news and another with content from the event, tied together with software that allows you to change over at the flick of a switch.

9. Spread of Content: It is common for organizers to set up portals such as live streaming and webcasting of live event content for larger audiences to have access to the valuable material. This will continue to be a trend in 2014.

10. Mobile App Integration: A key trend in 2014 will be incorporating more features into mobile apps, such as scientific abstracts, social networking, and interactive content!

What do you think of the top event tech trends for 2014?! Which do you hope to see at events? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!

Startup Monday: Kickstarter

As many of you know, Kickstarter is the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects. Every week, tens of thousands of people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, art, design, technology, film, publishing, games, fashion, food, and other creative fields. Since its launch in 2009, 5.8 million people have pledged $1 billion, funding 57,000 creative projects! They also recently won the most coveted award at the 7th Annual Tech Crunch Crunchies for Best Overall Startup of 2013!

What’s so great about Kickstarter is that each project is independently created. The unique creators have complete control over and responsibility for their projects. Creators are able to keep 100% ownership of their work, and backers support projects to help them come to life. Together, creators and backers make projects happen.

Kickstarter believes that creative projects make for a better world, and are thrilled to help support new ones. Anyone can launch a project on Kickstarter as long as it meets their deadlines. The startup is based in Brooklyn, New York and will support any creative minds! The Bay Area is filled with innovation and creativity, so if you have a project or idea you want to see come to life, Kickstarter is the right platform! Take a look at the thousands of projects launched from the San Francisco Bay Area or highlights from 2013, or the best projected Kickstarter projects of 2014.

What do you think of the Best Overall Startup of 2013?! Would you use it to launch a project? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!

Tech Tuesday: 5 Event Startups to Engage your Audience

The world of technology is constantly changing and is adding value to the event industry! Here at ABCey, we love to keep up on current startups and trends that can enhance the event experience for attendees. We did some digging to find 5 event startups that will engage your audience and make them active participants throughout your event.

1. Postano: Put your attendees in the spotlight and make them feel like social media rockstars through this unique platform! Bring your conversation to life at your next event by showcasing your attendees’ social content, tweets and Instagrams on social media displays. Attendees can actively participate rather than simply listen and this will enrich their experience and create visibility for your event.

2. Catchbox: The world’s first throwable microphone was created for audience engagement. It is a great way to get participants talking! Catchbox lowers the barrier for people to comment and present questions. The box comes in different bright colors and is easy to throw or pass from one audience member to the next, making participation easy and fun!

3. PowerVote: Maximize the value of your event by engaging your audience, encouraging your participants, and encouraging their feedback. If you want your to gather information about your audience’s opinion, PowerVote can instantly display voting results in an graphical format. Presentations can be directly streamed to the audience’s mobile devices and people can vote or provide feedback in the moment.

4. Sopreso: Through this unique platform, your audience can ask, comment, and like your presentation live. Once you develop a presentation and run Sopreso on your laptop, the audience can connect to the presentation with their smart devices. Additionally, this platform extends the lifetime of your presentation! You can easily follow up on your leads, answer all questions, and keep the community alive.

5. TweetWall Pro: A TweetWall offers a great opportunity to interact with audiences. Rather than asking a few audience members questions, inspire all attendees to share their thoughts. People can ask questions on Twitter and get live responses. Interesting topics can quietly be discussed, and interaction is highly encouraged. Onlookers of TweetWalls find it difficult not to participate, inspiring engagement from all viewers. Post event reports allow you to follow up with attendees directly!

With so many advances in technology, passive audience participation is coming to an end. We love each of these startups, and Postano really stands out to us because you can see what people are saying about your event and what popular topics of interest are, as well as create visibility for your event! Which of these unique event startups would you use to engage your audience members? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

ABCey’s Weekend Lineup 2.6.14 – 2.9.14

Don’t let the rain stand in the way of getting out this weekend! There are tons of awesome events going on, and we can’t wait to share our favorite picks! Our Weekend Lineup features a great mix of activities including tech mixers, a Film Festival, a Valentine’s themed 5k dash, and more.

FEATURED EVENT | Startup & Tech Mixer| 181 Third Street |Friday, February 7th| 5pm | San Francisco is a city filled with startups and tech companies! The Startup & Tech organization creates opportunities for learning, inspiration, and creation. The platform fosters an environment where participants can have interactions with the best and brightest of today’s innovators. This fun experience will include music, interactive exhibits, art displays, a speaker series with 4 dynamic panels and more! Get your tickets for this can’t miss event.

1. CrowdFunding Movement Extravaganza| 111 Minna|Thursday, February 6th |6-10 pm| The CrowdFunding Movement is throwing a party to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Come enjoy delicious sweets and drink specials at the city’s premier entrepreneurship event made possible by Crowdfunders for Crowdfunders. Product designers and developers will participate in a Keynote Speaker Series to showcase how they are using crowdfunding and technologies to startup. Entry is free, so get your tickets now!

2. SF Independent Film Fest | Roxie and Brava Theaters |Ongoing from February 6th|One of the cities biggest film festivals, also known as SF Indie, celebrates its “Sweet 16th” and kicks off this weekend! This annual festival showcases the best in independent, alternative, and subversive cinema from all around the globe. Screenings will be held at the Roxie and Brava Theaters in SF and at the New Parkway in Oakland. Don’t forget to attend the awesome parties such as the annual Disco costume party and The Big Lebowski party! Check out the full lineup and ticket information.

3. Food from The Heart| Ferry Plaza |Friday, February 7th |5-7:30 pm|Come out to stroll the candlelit Grand Nave where the Marketplace merchants and restaurateurs will be offering seasonal hors d’oeuvres ($2-4 each) and Slow Food will pour wine from different wine bars($6-8 per glass). The proceeds of these purchases benefit Slow Food San Francisco. Additionally, you can take advantage of the marketplace shops open until 8pm for Valentine shopping!

4. Salted featuring DJ Spinna|Mighty|Saturday, February 8th |6-10 pm|Best known around these parts for his Wonderfull Stevie Wonder tribute nights and Michael Jackson vs. Prince “soul slam” events, DJ Spinna makes his way back to the Bay from Brooklyn. He will debut at the soulful house haven Salted. As both a producer and DJ, Spinna has deep roots in house, soul, funk, and hip-hop. We can definitely expect to hear an eclectic mix from him!

5. San Francisco Valentine’s Day Dash 5K|Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park|Sunday, February 9th |9am|Come out for this Valentine’s day themed run/walk where people can participate individually or as a two-person team! There will be a costume contest, participant shirts, Tunnel of Love sign making area, free food and drink, and a finish-line festival beer garden! There is also a free kids dash for children 10 & under.

Let us know which one’s you will be attending in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter! Stay warm & dry kids!

“A Party Without Cake Is Really Just A Meeting”

In the words of Julia Child, “a party without cake is really just a meeting,” and we couldn’t agree more. That why ABCey has decided to put together 10 of our favorite cake designs that you can use as inspiration for your next event!

1. Rice Krispie Cake | This is such an easy and fun cake for any event! Kids and adults alike will love this adorable cake!

2. Black Cake | Black is definitely an underrated cake color. We think it looks so classy and sleek! Your cake will be the center of attention.

3. Ombre Cake | This color shifting cake looks beautiful on display at any event and will be sure to catch guests eyes!

4. Cookie Cake | Who doesn’t like cookies? This cake will make every guest happy and tastes great paired with ice cream!

5. Sprinkle Cake | Can’t pick a color for your cake? Why not use them all with sprinkles! So simple and cute!

6. Simple & Natural Cake | We love the simplicity of this white cake with a few plants placed on top. There is definitely beauty in simplicity, and this cake proves that!

7. Candy Cake | Next time you make a cake, spice it up with adding candy on top! This one has Whoppers on top! Cute and tasty!

8. Metallic Cake | Since sequins don’t really work on cakes, this is definitely the next best option to add a little “bling” to your cake and event!

9. Sweet & Salty Cake | There’s something about sweet and salty that satisfies everybody’s taste buds. This one has bacon and peanuts on it! YUM!

And last but not least…

10. Pumpkin Cake | Tis’ the season! This super easy cake (two bundt cakes!) makes the perfect Fall party accessory!

Which cake is your favorite?! Let us know in a comment or on Facebook or Twitter! We might just have to try them all to give you our answer! Make sure to stay updated with ABCey for more event ideas and tech updates!