ABCey’s Weekend Lineup: 11/13/15 – 11/15/15

Time flies when you’re having fun! Make the most of this festive season by getting out this weekend and attending some of the many exciting events that this city has to offer. ABCey’s Weekend lineup is back again with even more fun bay area events to spice up your weekend!

1. Friday Nights at the de Young

Friday, November 13th, 2015 | 5PM – 8:45PM | de Young Museum | FREE

Tap into your artistic side with fun Friday events at the de Young! This isn’t your regular museum visit. There is live music, hands on craft making, performances, tours, and even film screenings. This week there is a hypnosis tour in the sculpture garden that lets us get in touch with our inner selves. Sounds enlightening, right?

2. Hardwell

Friday, November 13th, 2015 | 8pm | Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, SF | $65

For those Friday nights where you want to get off work and dance the night away, there is a DJ to the rescue. Hardwell, the world renowned electronic/dance DJ is coming to the Bay this Friday to create an amazing live experience you will remember all the way until next Monday. Tickets can be purchased here.

3. Green Festival

All Weekend, November 13th-15th, 2015 | All Day| Cow Palace, SF | $15

Go green this Saturday with the 2015 Green Festival! The focus is on health and wellness with this event, featuring live speakers discussing healthy and sustainable habits and many other green focused activities. You can also shop with over 250 eco friendly vendors and learn how to put those greens to good use with demo cooking classes. See the event guide here.

4. Holiday Boutique

Saturday, November 14th, 2015 | 10AM-5PM | Los Altos, CA | $FREE

Get your Christmas shopping started early with a holiday boutique filled with tons of unique hand crafted items made by local artists and vendors. There is jewelry, gourmet food, holiday decor and much more great gift ideas! The best part about this is that the proceeds go to Children Advocates of Silicon Valley which supports foster children. Talk about shopping for a cause!

5. Chocolate Salon

Sunday, November 15th, 2015 | 10AM-5PM | Fort Mason: The Generals Residence, SF | $25

Few things are sweeter than Sundays and chocolate, which is why pairing the two is a genius idea! Join the tasting party this Sunday at the Fall Chocolate Salon hosted in Fort Mason at a quaint old Victorian. There are over 30 chocolatiers and masters of culinary art there to educate and more importantly provide samples of their exquisite luxury chocolates! Get tickets here.

With so many great events happening this weekend, which ones will you attend? Let us know in the comments below or find us on twitter and facebook!

5 New Tech Innovations for Events

There is no foreseeable end to technology and the amazing capabilities of what it will do for the future of events. ABCey will explore 5 of the most budding tech advances that could develop into some very cool features for events!

1. NFC tech

NFC tech originally stems from RFID but is an even more advanced solution. An NFC (Near Field Communication) chip is a part of one wireless link that when connected with another chip transfers data within seconds. These chips run on very low amounts of power so they are energy efficient. ITN International is a company that utilizes this technology for events like conferences and trade shows.

2. Memory Spot

HP unveiled this high tech chip that’s the size of a grain of rice! This chip can attach to any object discretely and hold boundless amounts of media and data. HP reveals the chip to be a merging of the “digital and physical worlds”. One such example is a picture album with the chip attached to it, when pressed audio from the visual can be heard. Find more about this new tech here.

3. RuBee

This new on the rise tech boasts of the highest security that can go through steel and even liquid. RuBee operates on radio waves and active transceivers that communicate peer-to-peer. This tech gets farther reach ranges the RFID and also provides a cheaper option. While this new tech is used mainly for security purposes, we can see this tech evolving into something more mainstream for event usage. Find out more on RuBee here.

4. BLE Tech

BLE, otherwise known as Bluetooth technology or iBeacon uses transmitters to connect in mobile apps to share data. Users can find guest attendees in a specific venue, see who’s arrived and view profiles on the people there on their mobile app. One can see data analyzing movement of guests and time spent in a certain area. We like how the company FISH integrates this technology with various others mentioned to utilize multiple tech platforms.

5. Wireless Microphones

Try a wireless movable microphone for audience engagement! These state of the art microphones connect to any sound system with their built in receiver. The company Catchbox has a feature which allows the mic to be muted when the box is in motion. This is a great tool for audience interaction that allows guests to be seen and heard.

Which of these new inventions are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below or find us on facebook or twitter!

5 Unique Options for Event Registration

Registration for large events can be quicker and more steamlined thanks to new event tech on the rise. This is crucial for massive events because it allows improvement of the guests experience in terms of a fast and easy check-in, instant data collection, and even payment options. ABCey will explore 5 different registration programs and the strategies some of these top companies use to check in thousand of guests!

1. RFID tech

What is RFID tech? RFID stands for radio-frequency identification which utilizes electromagnetic fields in order to transfer data to objects with tracking tags that hold even more electronically stored information. A Montreal based company Connect & Go is a leader in the in this tech. In a project they did for WE day, they created bracelets embedded with tech that allowed for guests to register before the event and could also connect the bands to their email, facebook, and twitter. And of course, take selfies at event kiosks and instantly save them.

2. Online Registration Software

Custom online registration software allows users to implement ones own registration creation. Etouches is an online registration software and tracking platform that allows the user to implement the registration questions, agenda, and check in while also being able to creatively tailor the fonts, colors, and logos so that they are cohesive with your event. You can print badges with bar and QR codes for your guests.

3. Mobile Check-In App

Since everyone has their phones on hand mobile check in seems like the most obvious choice, especially with the rise of new mobile applications that can personalize and simplify the event check in process. One such mobile app called Boomset assists the event manager with just that. You can make a variety of registration adjustments straight from your phone and can even collect guest selfies upon check in to immediately print badges or store for your records!

4. WordPress Event Registration

WordPress has a function that allows admin users to curate their own event check-in guest list as well as offers editing features for detailed transcripts on registered guests and easy payments. There are multiple WordPress plugins you can utilize for event management. Event Manager has all these features and is even integrated with Google Maps.

5. Event Marketing Companies

Try an all in one event marketing company that merges multiple tech aspects to get the job done. Make your event registration as high tech as possible like the company FISH! They offer a “Live Event Operating Systems” which means they offer a multitude of registration options including pre-registration, mobile, and onsite registration.

With all this new technology on the rise the future of registering and data sharing for events is endless! Tell us which tech seems the most effective to you in the comments below, or find us on facebook or twitter!

5 Ways To Connect Event Attendees With Tech

ABCey is always on the lookout for new tech trends that can change up the way attendees experience their events. We’re highlighting some of the best and brightest apps and trends so that you can be up to date on the ever changing event planning experience.

Here are 5 of some of the best new tech trends to help your guests network and connect to create a more immersive experience!

1. iBeacon

Apple has introduced another cutting edge technology that will change the distribution of information from phone, places, and people. Using Bluetooth (LE) signals iBeacon can identify location instantaneously, sense other phones, and gains information on people around them. Using the iBeacon for events can link attendees by being alerted to exactly who is where during an event which allows for easier navigation through the event, finding recognizable colleges, and recommend networking.

See what the Eventbase app did with iBeacon here.

2. Wearable Tech

Wearable technology is vastly growing in variety and complexity. Whether it be a pair of glasses, a shirt, or accessory this kind of tech is a great way to track engagement and allow attendees to see information in a more convenient way. Guests can get into the competitive spirit and participate in more activities with freedom from their smartphone.

Find out just how effective wearable tech can be in this article by BizBash.

3. 3D printing

3D printing was once an exclusive privilege because of the high price cost of equipment but has recently become more affordable. Attendees can have a keepsake to take home with them that they created with the printers to remind them of the event. It allows guests to be interactive with the event tech which makes for a more immersive experience.

Check out the low cost 3D printing that Carbon 3D offers here.

4. Engagement and Interaction with Speakers

Head speakers are largely the main focus of any corporate event but can lose guest attention if unable to connect with them in a personal way. Hand raising questionnaires are a thing of the past with new mobile apps that allow the guests inquires and participation to be apart of the speakers presentation experience. The Livecube app allows guests to gain “points” for checking into conferences on their mobile phone and getting prizes at the events for the tweets they post through out the event.

5. Projection Art

We like how guests can add input and post during an event via a social media app but when we can take that interaction and make it into tangible art that is something we love! Projecting attendee tweets on the wall in a creatively is a unique way for guests to see their comments being a part of the over all experience.

See more amazing projection mapping here.

All the new tech trends facilitate guest networking and connection in the event atmosphere. Which tech will you incorporate to add a little more to your events? Let us know with a comment or find us on Twitter and Facebook!