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!

Outside Lands 2016 Survival Guide

Outside Lands 2016 is almost here! In less than a week, you’ll be able to experience live events, shows, food and other amazing activities. At ABCey Events, we’re looking forward to all the festivities and decided to put together an Outside Lands 2016 Survival Guide to ensure that you’d have an easier time. Our survival guide will prepare you with 10 pro tips and all the ins and outs of Outside Lands!

By Jennifer Fong, Jessica Li-Jo, Madeline Norling-Christensen, and Kristi Fujimoto

1. Pack Correctly

Now that you’ve got your tickets, what do you bring to Outside Lands? We would definitely recommend reusable water bottles that you can refill throughout the day, a blanket to sit on, a backpack to hold all your necessities, and cameras. All of these are a great starter pack to go to Outside Lands. Pack light and stay hydrated! To see the full list of do’s and dont’s of what to bring, check here.

2. Dress Smart

LAYER, LAYERS, LAYERS! For this 3 day music festival, you’ll want to dress comfortably in layers. One minute it’s sunny and the next, it’s foggy. SF weather is unpredictable! Yes, we all want to look Coachella cute, but this isn’t the time to forgo bringing a jacket. Also, keep it light because at the end of the day you’ll regret lugging around a heavy jacket! Did we mention to dress in layers? It’s that important.

Comfortable shoes are ALSO a must! Make sure your shoes can handle it all. With so many acts on 7 stages/places located throughout Golden Gate Park at different times, you’ll be rushing to get to them all and standing a lot. So avoid sore feet with comfy shoes!

3. $$$

Every place you can pay with cash, you can pay with your card. But don’t be that person who holds up the line! Cash is simpler without worrying about tips or needing reciepts. All of the vendors at the festival will accept cards and cash, but that’s not all! This is what’s new. You can now use your wristband as payment! You heard that right- you can add funds to your account using the Outside Lands App! So take advantage of this foodie feast this weekend and indulge! In additions, for every $75 you add to your wristband, Outside Lands will give you $5. But this offer is only available before the festival so go, go, go!

4. Nom Nom Nom

One of the best things about Outside Lands (besides the music) is the FOOD! Over 75 San Francisco restaurant partners and food trucks will be serving round’ the clock to make sure your taste buds are satisfied! Oysters, tamales, tacos, crab rolls, frozen custard bars, falafels, veggie dumplings, chicken and waffles…there is something for everyone, even the pickiest of eaters. Don’t miss out an incredible highlight of Outside Lands!

5. Go Mobile: Outside Lands 2016 App

If you’re going to Outside Lands, download the app now! Seriously, you will thank us later. Over 200,000 people attend this festival, so getting separated from your friends is basically inevitable. Don’t panic. With this app you can track your friends wherever they are! Also, this app has everyday’s entire lineup, so you’ll always know when and where your favorite artist is playing. You can add each each artist onto your own schedule and then share it with your #squad to keep everyone on the same page!

6. Your Lifeline, AKA Your Phone Battery

Were you really there if you didn’t Snapchat, Instagram, Tweet, or FB about it? Obviously not… Like most of the big festivals, Outside Lands has charging stations to save you. But try not to waste time and miss a performance by bringing a portable charger! Close apps you aren’t using, turn on low battery mode, and pray. Also, we’re warning you now: signal there SUCKS. 200k people are on every social media site and the Outside Lands app so expect a lot of lag. That being said…Don’t stay stuck to your phone. Take those important pics and then stop and experience the festival!

7. Simply Getting There

Getting to the city can be a hassle if not planned correctly. First off, don’t drive. Unless you’re willing to walk the extra mile (milesss), leave your car at home. However, you could bike easily from your far parking spot or where ever you are! You can rent a bike from these suggested places and there is even a secure bike valet at the park! In addition, there is also a shuttle service for $48.00 from Bill Graham Civic Auditorium to the park! Also, you can try taking public transportation. Services like Bart, AC Transit, Muni, Golden Gate Transit, and CalTrain run all day every 15-30 minutes. But public transportation will be super packed. So if you want to avoid the crowds, you can always conveniently use Uber, Lyft or even Rideshare. For additional information regarding transportation options, see here!

8. Living Situation

No need to wake up extra early to beat the morning traffic to get here. If you’re from out of town, think of Outside Lands as a vacation by staying at an SF hotel! So to help you out, Outside Lands 2016 has partnered up with certain hotels to give you great discounts! The hotels and their discounts are here: Hotel Zetta , Hotel Zeppelin , Hotel Abri , Joie De Vivre , Cavallo Point, and Stanford Court. In addition, all of these hotels are accessible through Muni. To learn more, click here.

Passion Pit fans rock out at Outside Lands in Golden Gate Park on Saturday Aug. 11, 2012 in San Francisco. (Photo by Alison Yin//Invision/AP)

9. Much More than Music

Take a break from music and check out what else Outside Lands has to offer. Take a minute (or 10) to enjoy everything that this one-of-a-kind festival has! From mini golf courses, to Wine Lands, Beer Lands, Eco Lands, magic, a Heinekin House, an arcade, and a the wide variety of shows other than music! Check out the Official Outside Lands 2016 Website for more info!

10. Last Minute Tips: bathrooms, lockers, and rest!

Bathrooms

Waiting in line for the bathrooms sucks, and unfortunately you will be doing A LOT of this at Outside Lands…Because the bathroom lines are at least 20-30 people long, you’ll be waiting around for 30+ mins. So plan to go between sets and you won’t miss a thing!

Lockers

Rest assured if you want to pack a bit more. There are lockers for rent at Outside Lands. Instead of having to go to Outside Lands ridiculously early to beat the crowd to get a locker, you can now reserve a locker online! But don’t wait, they sell out fast – the large lockers are already all sold out!

Rest

Rally all day by taking rest stops throughout the festival! Bring a blanket or just plop on the grass, enjoy some food, and listen to some tunes. Be careful not to sit in the middle of major walkways, but this park allows for lots of space to lay out and enjoy the unique atmosphere!

What are you most excited for at Outside Lands 2016? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and on Twitter!

5 Summer Apps That Make You Want To Party!

Here is our salute to the summertime barbeques and outdoor parties that are taking the nation by storm! ABCey Events has found the five best apps to make any summer party kick it up to the next level.

1. First, and most importantly, download the SunSmart App. After recording your skin type, this app will tell you when it is time for another layer of the lotion! Everyones’ skin is different so what is good for someone else is not neccesarily good for you. Please be careful this summer and where the appropriate amount of sunscreen!

2. No summer party is ever complete without the jams pumping! To ensure your party is music filled with only the best tunes, check out TuneIn Radio, a free radio app that lets you broadcast your own music or pick and choose your favorite songs! One of the best and newest music apps we have seen in a while.

3. To add to the party vibe of your event, download the Mixology app to learn how to make yummy cocktails! This app explains how to create each drink so your party is a booze-filled success! Perfect for pool parties!

4. On to one of the most fabulous grilling apps you will find, GrillTime. GrillTime sets off alarms on your phone when to flip burgers, chicken or any other meat! Instead of guessing when the food is ready, or forgetting about it because of how much fun your party is, rely on this app to help you make the best tasting barbeque anyone has ever had!

5. Finally, what is a party without a little Karaoke? Karaoke Anywhere is a mobile app that, like its’ title says, you can take and rock out anywhere! What other game is more perfect for a pool party than a little friendly karaoke competition?

How will you be celebrating this summer season? Let us know below in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!