Tag: planning
ABCey Presents: Top 5 Event Planning Apps
Smart phone apps have become increasingly beneficial, especially in the event planning industry. There are many apps available now that can help event profs become more efficient in their day-to-day tasks. Here are ABCey’s Top 5 Event Planning Apps that are crucial for staying up to date on all the latest event trends!
1. Super Planner
This useful app is a great business application tool for the professional event planner, including calculators for venue capacity, staffing, catering, staging, projection and dance floor, as well as useful tips. ($9.99)
2. Boomset
Boomset focuses on event registration. Easily check attendees in with their QR scanner. Event organizers can also use this event app to print badges, or create wristbands. It also has integrations with other event management platforms so that event registration is as painless for organizers as possible. (FREE app)
3. myParties
“myParties” is simple and extremely easy-to-use event planner app. It lets you organize your party with utmost convenience. You can schedule times, make invitations and have the much-needed control of the bills. (FREE app)
4. Social Tables
Social Tables is a super efficient check-in tool. It provides a fast, professional and secure alternative to Excel or paper event guest lists. Their web-based app also makes 2D or 3D diagramming and seating charts easier. (FREE app, monthly service pricing)
5. Monefy
Monefy aims to remove all the clutter from tracking expenses. It allows you to view graphs, export data, and sync to Dropbox. The app makes it easy to manage all of your event expenses in one place. Event planning is an on-the-go job, having an app like this is a godsend. ($0.99)
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What event planning apps do you use? Have you tried any of these apps? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook & Twitter pages!
Sources: Social Tables, Bizzabo, iGeeksBlog, Ticketbud
5 Apps to Ease Meal Planning
Whether you’re hosting a small get-together, big celebration, or just a night in, decisions about food can be difficult to make. Not to worry, we have a great list of apps to ease meal planning! From recipes, to restaurant suggestion,s to food delivery apps we’ve got you covered! We’re excited to try EatWith and their private chefs for our next dinner party!
1. ChefsFeed
ChefsFeed is the inside connection to the best dishes and food culture. They offers chefs a platform to engage with guests, featuring reviews from more than 1,000 chefs in 24 cities. Who doesn’t want the inside scoop from the chefs themselves? Users can read up to date reviews on food and restaurant reviews, check out chefs recommendations and search for reviews by chef, dish, cuisine or keywords.
2. Grubhub
GrubHub is an online and mobile food ordering company dedicated to connecting hungry diners with local takeout restaurants. You can order directly from approximately 35,000 takeout restaurants in more than 900 U.S. cities and London. If your hosting a get together, but don’t feel like cooking, just order in. With Grubhub, food for everyone is just a click away!
3. EatWith
EatWith is a community marketplace offering authentic dining experiences in people’s homes in over 150 cities around the world. Through EatWith guests can not only connect with amazing hosts, and enjoy delicious homemade cuisine, but you can also hire a chef for your very own custom private event! You team up with a chef to create an intimate event and personalized menu your guests will not forget!
4. Yummly
Yummly is the ultimate kitchen tool and recipe discovery app that combines beautiful pictures with recipes from around the web to make it easier for you cook, eat and share. You can filter recipes by the ingredients you have on hand, create different recipe boxes, and build shopping lists for the week based on the recipes you choose. It’s perfect if you’re hosting a dinner party and plan to cook!
5. Evernote Food
Evernote is a great event planning tool we often talk about to stay organized, but there is also food version? Whether you’re organizing recipes, looking for a good place to eat, or just want to lifelog meals, Evernote Food is an ideal companion app. You can save recipes from the web just like Evernote, and so much more!
What food apps do you use? Let us know with a comments below or message us on Facebook and Twitter!
Three Easy Tips to Make Planning Your Next Party a Breeze
Planning a party can be difficult. But don’t worry, ABCey Events is here with three easy tips! Whether you are planning a small dinner party or a family reunion for 50, here our some great ideas to keep the party planning simple!
1. Planning Early
Always allow more time than you think for an event. With everything that needs to get done, its always better to have extra time on your hands than to be rushing to get everything finalized. How far in advance you should plan really depends on the size and complexity of the event. Also keep in mind that venues and entertainment get booked far in advance, so if you want to snag a great venue or band for your party, you may have to think ahead.
2. Stay on Budget
Budget is a key component to a party. Make sure you are very honest with yourself, or your event planner on how much you are willing to spend. Make a list of everything you will need and keep track of receipts and purchases. By being organized and staying on top of things, you can keep tabs on spending and make sure to not go over budget. Drinks, food and venue are usually the bigger ticket items. You can often save on things like decor and invitations using DIY tips and finding unique items at vintage and second hand stores.
3. Leverage the Experts
Your event planning experts can take a lot of the stress off of your plate to make your party more enjoyable for you. Event coordinators are trained to stay within a budget, and work with you to create your perfect event. Don’t assume it will cost you more to bring in help. Professionals are more knowledgeable about hidden treasures and can save you valuable time in your planning process. Not to mention their creative ideas and will be sure to bring your vision to life.
Was this post helpful for planning your next party? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook!
Startup Monday: Mosey
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.
When traveling to a new city, it can be difficult to decide what activities to do and where to explore. Do you ever feel like there is not enough time in a trip to experience everything? While some research unfamiliar destinations beforehand, others wait until they reach their destination to finalize. Mosey is a great new app that may be able with your trip itinerary.
The free app is a quick way to put together a schedule for your trip! Fellow travelers post photos, recommendations, and tips for you to see.
Mosey was developed by a small team that is driven to deliver opportunities and adventure to travelers alike. Popular categories that can be searched through the app include Scenic, Foodie, Shopping, Nightlife, and more!
Along with the chance to take a look at insights from the social network made up of a variety of travelers, you can take a look at the visions and perceptions from the Mosey team! The user-friendly app makes it simple to create a ‘Mosey’, in which you can share your experiences and knowledge with others.
Learn about the hotspots, events, and local attractions for your next visit to a new place, such as the unique city of San Francisco! Whether you’re looking to plan a Saturday night with friends or a relaxing Sunday afternoon on your own, Mosey is the go-to app. Find out how to enjoy any location from the insights from others, or become inspired to create a path of your own. Your adventure awaits, so give the app a try!
The Mosey team recently ventured on a trip entitled The Great Southern Mosey, where they were in search of America’s Best 4 Hours. Check out their adventure here!
Would you try Mosey to help plan your next trip? Leave us a a comment below or on Facebook & 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!
5 Easy Ways To Go Eco-Friendly For Your Next Big Event!
There is so much emphasis on being environmentally conscious nowadays, so ABCey has come up with a few tips on how to plan your next event while keeping the environment in mind. Here are a few of our favorite ideas to make your event that much more environmentally friendly! We challenge you to try at least one of these next time you have an event. We sure will!
1. Use plants as favors! It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
2. Design the menu according to the season and focus on locally grown food. (It usually tastes better anyway!)
3. Decorate with eco-friendly items. Try some dried flowers for a beautiful display! Check out Etsy for some beautiful, handmade options!
4. Shop your local antique store for vintage finds. Mismatched cups make for a fun atmosphere!
5. Collect pictures electronically by giving guests a hash tag for any pictures they post! You’ll collect so many funny pictures from everyone’s point of view!
What’s your next event and how are you going to incorporate eco-conscious planning? Let us know with a comment or a tweet! Make sure to follow us on Pinterest and stay updated with ABCey for more fun party planning tips!
Startup Monday: Sevenlogics
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 that we would like to share with the friends and followers of ABCey Events.
When you’re planning for the big day, you need all the help you can get! That’s why we love Sevenlogics‘ wedding planning apps.
This LA-based company has been filling the Android and Apple app markets with its products since 2009! Sevenlogics focuses on problem-solving apps in categories including baby, lifestyle, finance, and (of course!) wedding prep. Since every app is free, there’s no excuse not to take them out for a spin!
Our favorite apps are the wedding-themed ones, like Wedding To-Do and Wedding Budget. Although these are obviously marketed towards brides and grooms, these apps are great for any upcoming project you have on your hands. Wedding Budget is our hands-down favorite because keeping track of the budget is always a huge concern, no matter the size! Set up strict allocations for each phase of the event planning process, including venue and catering costs. The clear calculations and graphics make it easy to see what’s consuming too much money and which areas came in under budget.
Would you use a Sevenlogics app for your next big project? Let us know in a comment or on Facebook & Twitter!
Startup Monday: TripIt
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 that we would like to share with the friends and followers of ABCey Events.
As event planners, we are well aware of the frustration that turns up after attempting to organize a trip. With so many details to worry about, people often end up losing track of valuable information or forgetting to tie up all the loose ends of what they’ve worked so hard to plan.
Luckily, there’s a mobile app called TripIt that can help you organize all these pesky little details in one spot! Even if you’ve made arrangements on multiple travel sites, TripIt will still be able to organize all trip details into one master online itinerary. This itinerary includes maps, directions, and weather reports for the locations that you’ll be visiting. Besides filing all of your trip information in one convenient spot, you also have the option to book restaurants, theatre tickets, activities, and anything else you could possibly think of straight from the app.
We think TripIt could really lighten the stress load the next time you’re traveling for a conference, convention or meeting! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!