ABCey’s Labor Day Weekend Lineup: 8/31-9/3

Happy almost Labor Day weekend! If you didn’t go to Burning Man this week and are looking for something fun to do, here are some of the top events happening in the Bay Area this long weekend!

1. Featured Event: BURNING MAN

August 26th-September 3nd | 6pm Sunday, August 26th-6pm Monday, September 3rd|$425+|Black Rock City

Burning Man is finally here! This year’s theme is I, Robot, which is a tribute to the future, artificial intelligence, and everything in between. There will be so much to enjoy at this event. From art cars, mutant vehicles, sound camps, art installations and more, there’s something for everyone! And don’t worry, you’re not too late. The man doesn’t go up in flames for another 3 days, so get your tickets now!

2. Beach Blanket Babylon

August 29th-September 2nd | 8pm on MWF; 6pm or 9pm on Sat. & Sun |$25-$135 |Club Fugazi

The famous Beach Blanket Babylon is back this Labor Day weekend! If you don’t have time to go during the week, it’s playing Saturday and Sunday so don’t miss it. Don’t wait too long to get tickets because they will sell out! You can also find discounted tickets on Goldstar.

3. Shakespeare in the Park

September 1st-3rd | 2pm |Free Admission |Presidio’s Main Post Parade Ground Lawn

This event is for all you Shakespeare lovers! Come out to see A Midsummer Nights Dream. There will be a short intro at 1:30pm, so come early if you want to hear it and get a good seat on the lawn!

4. Sausalito Art Festival

September 1st-3rd | 10am-7pm Sat. & Sun; 10am-5pm Mon. |$25 (children get in for free) |Marinship Park

One of the best art festivals in the Bay Area will be held this weekend in Sausalito, right across the Golden Gate Bridge! The festival includes fine wine, gourmet food, and premium beers. There will also be hundreds of pieces of art on display and live music all weekend long. There’s lots of fun to be had at this event!

5. Go on a Night Cruise

September 2nd| 10pm-1am|$20-27 on Goldstar|Pier 40

If you feel like blowing off some steam on Sunday night because you can (woohoo, no work on Monday), go on the Pier Pressure Party Cruise on the Cabernet Sauvignon Commodore Yacht. This three hour cruise begins with check-in at 8:45pm. Don’t forget to purchase tickets ahead of time!

6. Go on a Day Cruise

August 31st-September 3rd|10am|$39 on Goldstar|Pier 39

If night cruises aren’t your thing, sign up to go on a morning cruise! The 2-hour Golden Gate Champagne or Mimosa Cruise includes two drinks of Champagne or Mimosas. Check-in is at 9:45am, with a toast under the Golden Gate Bridge at 11!

7. Labor Day BBQ & Bacchus

September 3rd|12pm-3pm|Free Admission|The Winery SF

Come out to Treasure Island to enjoy a fun afternoon of food, music, wine, and beautiful Bay Area views! If you purchase a wine tasting, you’ll receive a FREE hot dog (with all the condiments). Instead of having to go through the hassle of hosting a BBQ in your backyard, just sit back and let The Winery SF do it for you, so you can relax on your precious day off!

Which events will you attend this Labor Day weekend?

Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

ABCey’s Startup Monday: Zipline!

Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that showcases some of the best and most innovative startups based in the San Francisco Bay Area! These are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past. This week, the spotlight’s on Zipline – the startup devoted to delivering life-saving medical supplies, even to the most remote locations!

What is Zipline?

Zipline is the only startup to take to the skies to deliver urgently-needed medicines, like blood and vaccines. They are able to work at a national level to provide these services to anyone with the help of drones! Since its launch in 2016, the team has delivered thousands of units of blood to those in need in Rwanda.

How does it work?

Their process is simplified into 5 steps. First, health workers at clinics and hospitals send a text message requesting the medical supplies they need. Then, the Zipline team quickly responds and packages the items at the Zipline Distribution Center. In addition to immediate access, having valued medicines located in the center maintains product integrity! Afterward, health workers receive a confirmation text when their order is launched. Traveling at over 100 km/h, the medical supplies are delivered in 30 minutes or less. When the order has safely descended via parachute in the designated recovery area, health workers are notified. Lastly, the drone returns to the Distribution Center to be quickly restocked and sent off again!

Why do we love Zipline?

We love Zipline for its innovation and its service! They were able to develop a revolutionary idea by utilizing one of the hottest tech trends of 2016 – drones. Their work ensures that those who live in remote locations are able to provide immediate medical care without worrying about access to medicines. Also, their drone delivery service cuts down the wait time by over an hour! We really admire that Zipline has given opportunities to thousands of individuals.

Have you heard of them? Do you like Zipline, too? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

If you’d like to see other San Francisco startups we’ve featured before, click here.

ABCey’s Startup Monday: Guardant Health

Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that showcases some of the most innovative startups based in San Francisco! These are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past. This week, we are putting the spotlight on Guardant Health!

What is Guardant Health?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWG24cjxZFY

Guardant Health was founded in 2012 by Amir Ali Talasaz and Helmy Eltoukhy. It works to improve patient health through technology breakthroughs that address long-standing unmet needs in oncology. It has helped thousands of oncologists learn actionable and accurate information about thousands of patients, while eliminating the risks and costs of tissue biopsies. Guardant Health’s genomic test allows them to appropriately match advanced-cancer patients to approved drugs in clinical trials as well as targeted therapies.

How Does it Work?

Using Guardant Health is simple. Start by submitting two tubes of blood. Guardant Health will then look for actionable somatic alterations on solid tumor sites. From there, doctors will get clear and accurate results within two weeks that they can use to help patients get the treatment they need. Guardant Health also manages billing and provides financial support, making your experience easy and affordable.

Why we Love Guardant Health!

Cancer is the second leading cause of death world-wide and 1 and 6 people will likely die of cancer. Guardant Health seeks to change this through minimally invasive biopsies using innovative technology, which helps doctors quickly and accurately determine the appropriate course of treatment based on patients’ needs. At ABCey, we love tech, especially when it is used for good! Also, as an event-planning company, we value fast service and Guardant Health certainly delivers fast results!

Have you had the opportunity to use Guardant Health or know someone who might benefit from trying it out? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter! If you’d like to see other San Francisco startups we’ve featured before, click here.

ABCey Presents: Our Top 10 Favorite Corporate Retreat Activities!

Every once in a while, everybody needs an escape from the confining quarters of their work – whether they work in an office or from home! A retreat is the perfect opportunity for companies to …. But what is there to do? ABCey has curated a list of our top 10 favorite corporate retreat activities fit for everyone!

1. Fort Miley Adventure Challenge Course

It’s a giant playground for adults! Located in Lands End, this obstacle course built with ropes, ladders, and cables is immersed in a mini forest located in our urban city. The ropes course will challenge you mentally and also get your blood rushing in ways an office may not. So go through the highs and lows (literally!) with your team, and it’ll surely bring out your adventurous side.

2. Nerd Improv

“Learning through laughter.” Nerd Improv strives to create workshops that are meant to help your team get the most out of your retreat. It was designed to help push the boundaries while making a safe environment for everyone to share. For any questions, you can contact them here.

3. Street Art Workshop

Hosted by 1AM, this workshop is meant to bring out your creative side with street art! Groups are encouraged to create their own street art individually and in groups with stencils and much more. Alongside the art, their team goes through the history of street art that you surely won’t forget! The best part? You won’t forget your experience anytime soon with the art hanging on your wall!

4. Reason

Escape your office with an escape room! Reason provides your team with high tech team building activities and immersive experiences. Instead of your typical escape room, you can experience this through VR goggles to transport yourself into another reality and much more. In addition to an awesome escape, this retreat will build a stronger and better team!

5. Captain Kirk’s San Francisco Sailing

Get up from your office chair and get on a boat! Your retreat will feature some of the most beautiful views and create some of the best memories. Your sailing experience will be personalized to whatever mood your team needs whether it be relaxing or thrilling! So pack your favorite sea sickness remedy and sail away!

6. Food Truck Challenge

Love food trucks? You’ll love this challenge even more! The Food Truck Challenge prompts teams to experience what it’s like to have your own and run your own food truck. Judges will base their decision on every aspect from the food to the marketing, so be prepared!

7. Charity Bike Build

Drop the pens and papers and swap it out with wrenches and gears! This charity event challenges teams to build as many bikes as they can, and all the bikes built are donated to children around the world. It’s an amazing cause and your team will build a competitive spirit together for a heartwarming cause as well.

8. Winery Team Challenge

This is great way to unwind after a long week of meetings. After splitting into teams, each group becomes their own winery (a dream come true)! After being briefed on the history of Sangria and competing in a trivia contest, teams have the opportunity to create their own unique blend, too.

9. Build Your Own Mini Golf Course

Who doesn’t love mini golf? Your team can make your own fun with challenging mini golf courses designed to trick the other team. If you’re feeling charitable, there’s also an option which involves cans of food to be donated as you complete the course. A little competition never hurt anyone, and hopefully you’ll leave with a sense of accomplishment!

10. Foodie Adventures

If you love food and you love San Francisco, we’ve got one of the most perfect retreat activities for you! This foodie adventure will prompt your teams to explore San Francisco while also trying some of the best foods around the city! You’ll be leaving with a full belly and a new love for our hometown!

What are your favorite off-site activities?

These off-site corporate retreat activities can be adjusted to any retreat you have! Are you ready? Which ones did we miss? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!

ABCey’s Startup Monday: Loopd

What is Loopd?

Loopd is an event engagement platform aimed to make networking easier and to access to relevant marketing materials for your attendees, but it doesn’t stop there! Loopd is a great tool that benefits event planners and booth staff, too! It allows you to track guest traffic information, view interaction history and follow up with attendees!

How does it work?

Loopd is able to provide information and promote engagement with two devices: Bluetooth beacons and chips located in lanyards! Beacons are placed around the venue and communicate with the chips around guests’ necks to allow for location-tracking tools. For guests to share networking information, a simple tap between their badges can help exchange all needed information! Talk about convenient. To receive materials from any booth you visited at the event, a quick look to the app will give you access to all the fliers and promotions from the exhibitor! As event planners, you are able to track how successful your event is with real time analytics and to see what attracts the most guests.

Why we love Loopd!

Aside from the networking capabilities and analytics, Loopd also cuts down on check in and check out times! Event planners always find ways to cut down on waiting times to prevent boring guests, and Loopd is an amazing solution. With this technology, guests are able to cut down on their carbon footprint by networking through the badges instead of passing out business cards. Also, it eliminates the need for printed fliers since it can be shared through the app!

Have you had to opportunity to use Loopd or interested in trying it out? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

If you’d like to see other San Francisco startups we’ve featured before, click here.

ABCey’s Startup Monday: Virta Health

Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that showcases some of the most innovative startups based in the San Francisco! These are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past. This week, the spotlight’s on Virta. This company that works to treat and reverse type 2 diabetes and other chronic metabolic diseases!

What is Virta?

Founded in 2014 by Sami Inkinen, Virta is an online specialty medical clinic that reverses type 2 diabetes safely and sustainably. There’s no need to worry about risks, costs, or side effects of medications or surgery with this treatment! Virta is clinically proven to work. Plus, their mission is to reverse type 2 diabetes in 100 million people by 2025. With 52% of the adult population in the U.S. suffering from type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, this startup is definitely one to watch.

How it Works?

So what does it mean to “reverse” type 2 diabetes? Although type 2 diabetes can’t be cured, if your blood sugar remains normal without having to use diabetes-specific medication and you no longer meet the diagnostic criteria, you have successfully reversed your type 2 diabetes. Virta bases their treatment off of nutritional ketosis. This is a natural metabolic state where your body adapts to burning fat rather than carbohydrates as its primary fuel. Nutritional ketosis is the most effective treatment option for reversing type 2 diabetes. Based on clinical trials, it directly reduces blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation, which are the three most significant problems caused by type 2 diabetes.

By offering all the necessary supplies, continuous physician supervision, personalized dietary guidance and health coaching, biomarker tracking and curated resources, and a private patient community, Virta gives patients everything they need to successfully reverse their type 2 diabetes all in the form of an app!

Why we Love Virta?

Virta offers long-lasting results fast! 87% of insulin users reduced or eliminated usage after just 10 weeks, 60% of patients reversed their type 2 diabetes after 1 year, and most patients have reduced their blood sugar levels by 1.0%. Now that’s effective! Virta also makes their treatment easy to manage and convenient through their use of technology. All of the treatment’s functions are on their app, so patients are frequently monitored and can easily access everything they need. We love to see companies like Virta using technology to make a difference!

Will you use Virta or recommend it to a friend who might need it? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter! If you’d like to see other San Francisco startups we’ve featured in the past, click here.

ABCey’s Startup Monday: Modsy

Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that showcases some of the best and most innovative startups based in the San Francisco Bay Area! These are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past. This week, the spotlight’s on Modsy – the company who wants to revolutionize the way we decorate our homes!

What is Modsy?

Founded in 2015, Modsy was designed to tackle a common problem: how will you know if the furniture you buy looks good in your house? If you’ve ever furnished or redecorated a house, you know it is a huge feat and involves tons of guesswork. Modsy wanted to make home design fun and easy to cut down all the trips to the furniture store. How? By letting their customers “try on” furniture!

How it works

If you’ve ever played The Sims, you’re going to love this! First, you snap a couple pictures of your space and include the measurements, and Modsy will create a 3D model of your space. Then, their team will create a personalized room design based on your vision, budget, and layout needs. If you’re not the biggest fan of the furniture, not to fret! Here’s where your personal touch comes in: you are able to swap out furniture to your liking. If you are head-over-heels in love with the customized design, you can also buy the furniture directly from the layout! There goes the trips to the furniture store out the window!

Why we love Modsy

We love Modsy because decorating our homes used to be a process that entails nail-biting, stressful guesswork in the middle of a showroom! We can see how experts would design our space and also switch elements out for a personal touch! As event planners, we would love to to see if it could use it to design spaces for events! It could be a fun way to try out new designs.

Will you use Modsy? Have you worked with them before? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

If you’d like to see other San Francisco startups we’ve featured before, click here.

ABCey’s San Francisco Weekend Lineup 7/27-7/29

It’s almost Friday! ABCey brings you this week’s San Francisco Weekend Lineup with the top events happening in the Bay Area! We hope you have plenty of room on your schedule. We have things from Street Soccer USA to TreasureFest to Guaclandia!

NorCal Night Market

July 27-29 | 3pm – 11pm | Free admission | Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, CA

Bring all your friends! It’s the first ever NorCal Night Market with with food, games, art, shopping, and performances at Alameda County Fairgrounds! It’s the perfect place to find unique and amazing gifts for all your loved ones from crafts vendors or commission a special piece by a local artist at our Art Walk!

Guaclandia: Instagram-able Avocado Experience

July 27-28 | Times vary by day | Free admission | SF Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, 2 Marina Boulevard

Love avocados? Express your love at Guaclandia! The makers of the WHOLLY GUACAMOLE® brand invite Bay Area residents to visit Guaclandia, its one-of-a-kind mobile exhibit dedicated to all things avocado. It’ll be filled with Instagram-able photo ops paired with tons of guacamole on the side!

Craving Chinatown Food Fest

Saturday, July 28 | 11am – 2:30pm | Free admission | Waverly Place, San Francisco

Craving Chinatown is the first food festival in the Chinatown community! It will feature a selection of restaurants and foods that bring back memories of the San Francisco Chinatown community. Local Chinatown restaurants will feature unique dishes and snacks as well as food demonstrations! It’ll be the perfect San Francisco weekend!

Street Soccer USA Cup Series 2018

July 28-29 | 9am – 5pm | Free | Union Square, San Francisco

We’re just as upset as you are that the World Cup ended! But not to fret, Street Soccer USA is coming to San Francisco! Teams from all ages and backgrounds will come together to share and to celebrate their diversity and passion for our city in our Social Impact, Corporate, and Open Cup competitions. Find your friends and cheer for your favorite team!

TreasureFest – Hawaii July

July 28-29 | 10am – 4pm | Cost: $5.00 | 500 Ave n, San Francisco, CA 94130

TreasureFest hosts 400+ local artists, makers, designers, antique collectors, under ground food start-ups, & more. Hope your bellies are empty and your dancing shoes are on because there are tons of food trucks and food tents with Hawaiian inspired dishes and local bands will be playing all day long! Also, the first 1000 each day get lei’d! (free leis).

Sunset Campout 2018

July 27-30 | Friday 12:00pm – Monday 9am | Cost: $205+ | Belden Town Resort, Belden CA 95915

Be prepared for a weekend full of amazing artists like Solar, Galen and J-Bird, to get you pumped! There’ll also be muralists and live painters, as well as art installations and interactive pieces. If you’re ready for a weekend full of fun in the river, friends, art, music, and food, pack your bags!

What does your San Francisco weekend lineup look like?

Which events are you most excited about? Did you go to one and loved it? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know about it in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter! We hope to see you there!

ABCey’s San Francisco Weekend Lineup 7/20-7/22

Tomorrow’s the day we’re all looking forward to: Friday! ABCey brings you this week’s San Francisco Weekend Lineup with the top events happening in the Bay Area! If you don’t have plans this weekend, we’ve got you covered from Star Wars at the Symphony Hall to a Burning Man trunk show!

Daybreaker SF

July 20 | 6am – 9am | Prices range from $30.00 – $45.00 | San Francisco Belle, Hornblower

Usually, you may not be a morning person, but you’re going to want to be one for Daybreaker SF! Get ready for an unforgettable time with crazy beats, amazing company, and tons of dancing! Being their 4th anniversary, their theme is “Come Sail Awake With Us” and they plan to entertain you all morning with activities like yoga, dancing, and face painting! It’s one our favorites for the weekend, will we see you there?

Summer with the Symphony

July 18 – August 3 | 7:30pm | Prices range from $75.00-$125.00 | Davies Symphony Hall

The SF Symphony summer concert series returns this weekend! If you love Star Wars, you’re going to be ecstatic! The orchestra will play live scores from the original Star Wars trilogy with the films projected on stage! Talk about an unforgettable experience!

Beyond the Fence Trunk Show

July 21 | 12:00pm – 6:00pm | Free admission | The Great Northern

Burning Man is coming up! Hope you’re ready to begin shopping of your costume at the 12th Annual “Beyond the Fence” Trunk show! There will be over 30 local and independent designers selling unique costumes perfect for the desert getaway! Local DJs and cocktails will be available for you to enjoy while you take in inspiration on and off the Playa!

Reverb: Dance Celebration of Larry Harvey

July 27-30 | 1:00pm – 10:00pm| Prices range from $20 and up, depending on donations | The Midway

In honor of Larry Harvey for starting Burning Man, we gather together to celebrate the passion he has created in others. This man dreamed of a world where creative minds can come together to cooperate and this vision led to the creation of Burning Man.

Off the Grid

July 22 | 11:00am – 4:00pm | Free admission | Main Parade Ground

Rain or shine, the Presidio takes place on the Main Parade Ground. It features many vendors to get a taste of the diverse foods and cultures of the Bay Area and a free cultural dance performance on the fourth Sunday of each month! It will feature more than 25 international mobile food inventors, music for everyone, lawn games, yoga, and nature-based crafts for kids!

Stern Grove Festival

July 22 | 2pm | Free admission; First come, First Serve | Stern Grove

Since 1938, the SF Symphony returns every summer for an annual performance, and their return dates for this Sunday! If you’re looking for a nice event to take your family or a relaxing day filled with beautiful music, we hope to see you there!

What does your San Francisco weekend lineup look like?

Which events will you be attending this weekend? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!

ABCey’s Startup Monday: Nurx

Nurx

Nurx, sometimes referred to as the “Uber for birth control,” is a free app for your smartphone device. Essentially, this company is dedicated to eliminating the headache of going to the doctor’s office for birth control. It also means not having to sit uncomfortably in a waiting room, dodging eye contact and hoping you don’t have to make awkward small talk. Hooray!

You simply download the app and provide as much information as you can. You can also chat with a doctor if you have any questions about the contraception! Afterwards, a doctor will review it, and the prescription will be delivered to the customers house, free of charge! If you are uninsured, it’s not a problem! With the information you provide, the doctors can help you find a brand that will fit your personal preference and your budget.

Why we love it!

Nurx is a company founded by women for women! The app gives women the opportunity to access contraception, like the pill, the ring, or the morning-after pill, especially those who cannot readily access it. Also, it was created to be convenient for women who are always on the go; they help you without breaking the bank too!

Do you use Nurx? How do you like it? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!