Tag: media
7 Tech Gadgets for Event Professionals
Welcome to the digital age! Yes, robots taking over can be scary, but technology can also be used for good. With so many gizmos and tools on the market, we want to keep you in with some of the top must-haves for event tech. ABCey Events has compiled a list of 7 great tech gadgets and apps for all event professionals to help make your job just a little bit easier!
7 Tech Gadgets and Apps for Events
1. Measuring Tools: Camera measuring app
Whether you want to know the measurements at a site visit, or see if the venue will fit a certain event prop, knowing exactly how much room you have is important. Instead of struggling with a regular measuring tape, turn your iPhone into a measuring tool with the EasyMeasure app! This app uses your camera to measure your distance from an object and dimensions of an image. Simply point your camera, click, and get very accurate measurements!
2. HD Livestream Broadcaster
It sucks when guests can’t make it your event, but they can still be part of the event action with livestream broadcasting! Event tech gadgets, like Livestream’s Broadcaster Pro, allow you to broadcast your event live in HD! You can easily attach this to any HDMI camera or your smartphone’s Livestream app. Then, click play and you’ll be recording live! Help guests who couldn’t make it, get your event noticed, and let people see how tech savvy you are!
3. Lightwave: Biometric sensor-equipped wristbands
Did you ever want to know how your guests are feeling? Now you can with Lightwave wristbands! These sensor wristbands pick up on a person’s body temperature, movement, and other biometric data. You can then use this data to adjust your event in real time. Change everything from the lighting brightness to music tempo and mic volume to create the perfect balance!
4. Digital Portable Scanner
If you’re an event professional on the go, it’s hard to keep track of documents, floor plans, proposals, and more! And, now that we live in the digital age, having hard copies of papers is almost pointless. To help fix this problem, try a digital portable scanner! With this magic wand, you can take physical copies of important docs and scan them to make digital copies. This way you won’t ever lose a contract, bank statement, or receipt ever again!
5. Crowd Mic App
It’s great to hear from your audience, but walking around to each person in a crowd with a microphone can be a hassle. Crowd Mic’s app lets any event guest’s smartphone become a microphone. Tap to request to speak, and the presenter can accept it, mute you, and let everyone speak with the open mic mode. Also, this app lets you have live polls and text, so you can directly connect with your attendees. Don’t make your staff run around and engage your guests with this fun event tech!
6. Google Chrome Work Devices
Make your virtual meetings a breeze with Google Chrome Devices! Google has devices and packages that can include everything from speakers, a remote control, a mechanical pan and tilt HD camera, tech support, and the physical Chromebox system/core processor. In addition, the box is equipped with Google app software which makes it easy to share docs, spreadsheets, Google invitations and more! Next time you have a virtual conference call, use this event gadget to help your video conference run smoothly!
7. Portable Projector
As an event prof, you have to be prepared for the worst, like your projector breaking down! Instead of having a massive projector, get a small portable projector. These are great for both meeting presentations and displaying videos or images at your parties! For a great all purpose projector, check out the Epson PowerLite Multimedia Projector. Not only does it project high quality data, videos, and photos, but it also connects directly and wirelessly to phones, computers, tablets, and USB memory drives. Give attendees a great presentation with a remote or a mouse control, and easily carry this 3.7 pound projector in your bag!
Do you plan on using any of these event gadgets for your events? Let us know in the comments below and on Facebook or Twitter!
How to Use Instagram Stories for Events
In this day and age, Social media is arguably the most useful tool for event planners! Recently, Instagram has come out with a new feature, Instagram Stories, that rivals Snapchat Stories. At ABCey, we want to keep you updated with all of the newest social marketing developments and how they effect the event world. So, here are our tips so you can use Instagram Stories for your next event!
How similar are Snapchat Stories and Instagram Stories?
If you recently updated your Instagram, you’ve probably noticed little circles above your regular feed. This new feature is Instagram Stories which is their version of Snapchat Stories. Like Snapchat, Instagram Stories can be edited with text and emojis and only last for 24 hours. In addition, you can see which of your followers (similar to Snapchat friends) have seen your stories. Although they may seem the same, there are some important differences that all eventprofs should know!
How are they different for events?
1. Social Media Marketing
One huge thing that sets Instagram Stories apart from Snapchat Stories are their audiences. On Snapchat, you have to be friends with someone to watch their stories. However on Instagram, it’s a whole different story! With a private account, all your followers can view your story. But if you have a public account, anyone can see it. This means your company and upcoming events can get tons of exposure from social media marketing!
2. Privacy Feature
In addition, only Instagram Stories have a privacy feature. This feature lets you block anyone from seeing your story. Take advantage of this for your events, and keep the event a secret from certain followers! Also, you can reward your followers by making your account private for a certain period. During that time, you can post special coupons or inside info on your story and only your loyal followers can see these prizes!
3. Permanent Posting From Your Story
Although Snapchat and Instagram Stories are alike, Instagram has some extra bonus features! Now you can easily take videos or images of an event from your story and post them permanently on your Instagram. This keeps the memory of an event alive, even when the event is over!
4. Audience Interaction
Instead of a chronological order like Snapchat, Instagram Stories are sorted by who you interact with the most. Now you can see who your best followers are and reward them with prizes! Also, it’s super important to engage with your guests! Encourage them to post event images and ask questions on their Instagram story. After, give your guests a unique event experience by answering their questions and giving them a shout out on your story or by directly messaging them!
5. Use Snapchat How To’s
Because this feature is similar to Snapchat Stories, you can use these Snapchat event tips for your Instagram! Instagram Stories give you great features of Snapchat and more of their of their own. You can post everything from behind-the-scenes footage of the event production process to shout outs from important speakers and sponsored advertisements during your events!
Do you plan to use Instagram Stories for your events? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Event Spotlight: Mobile Theory All Hands Company Retreat
We’re gearing up over here at the ABCey HQ for this week’s company retreat for Mobile Theory Inc., a division of Opera Mediaworks and the 3rd largest US mobile network! Mobile Theory is a a mobile advertising network that provides technology, solutions, and services to deliver advertising campaigns for brands, publishers/app developers, advertisers, and end users.
We were super thrilled to help out with their first ever All Hands event at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley. Their jam packed itinerary includes a private event at the acclaimed Artesa Winery, daytime work sessions, a private wine tour, tasting and luncheon at Silverado Vineyards, and of course some poolside lounge time!
Mobile Theory has taken the executive role in everything from founding brands to building brands for top interactive companies like Tribal Fusion, Quantcast, Greystripe, Collective Media, Engage, Unicast, 24/7 Real Media and Glam Media. MT’s network of premium-quality mobile sites and apps provides exclusive, unduplicated reach to 90 million mobile Internet users, accessing 8 out of 10 US smartphone users via 1.2 billion impressions per month. WOWZA!
We can’t wait to meet the Mobile Theory team. A big welcome goes out to the NY, Midwest, LA, and Boston offices. Stay tuned for an event recap and be sure to leave us your thoughts below or on Facebook & Twitter!
ABCey Presents: Planning & Promoting Your Event with Pinterest
Here at ABCey, we are constantly using Pinterest as a tool for inspiration! As social media has become key for promoting events online, Pinterest is an effective tool in brainstorming and behind-the-scenes planning for events. Being able to make multiple boards and research through relevant content inspires creativity and organization when planning any kind of event!
Find “Pinspiration”
Decorating for events can be the most fun, but challenging part of your event. Decorations and little details tie the event together from start to finish. Whether you’re looking for table setting ideas or invitation inspiration, Pinterest is the perfect tool to start gathering pins. Start pinning!
Organize Your Boards in Categories For Your Event
It’s time to start pulling together every new idea you find in the Pinterest universe onto your own board. This can be done on your own personal page or on the official board for your organization, corporation, nonprofit, etc. Additionally, your boards can be organized by food, decorations, invitations, themes, florals etc.
Interaction with Vendors & Clients
First, as boards are created, the link can be shared with others, whether or not they have an account.We often create event decor boards for our clients, and then share them directly for feedback to make sure we are on the right track. Pinterest also makes it possible to identify other Pinners with similar needs and tastes. Therefore, by liking, pinning and commenting on other posts, you can connect to Pinners with similar interests and build ideas. In addition, if you both follow each other, you can use the private messaging feature to start a more in-depth collaboration.
Read the Crafting/DIY/How-To Articles
Ultimately, Pinterest is known for having some of the best creative content out there. Clicked on pins reconnect you to an article or webpage to show you where the Pin came from. Take advantage of these articles as they provide some great insight on how to make your own projects or decor!
Promote Your Event on Pinterest
Pinterest gears towards connecting everyone to content and ideas that align with their interests and passions. You can even use your own board to actually promote your event which also gives you a chance to start marketing your original content, creating brand awareness and media attention. It is a very visual platform, so choosing compelling photographs & visuals with bright colors will bring your event board more success!
_________________________________________________________________________
Love Pinterest and want some event inspiration? Check our Pinterest page for creative event ideas! Let us know how you use Pinterest in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Sources: EventFarm, Capterra, Hello Endless