Tag: technology
ABCey Presents Startup Monday: Spoke
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. Today, we’d like to highlight Spoke!
Spoke
What is it?
Spoke is a workplace manager system that gives support teams within organizations a single place to manage employee requests. It includes ticketing, knowledge management, and self-service powered by artificial intelligence (A.I.). By allowing employees from different departments to communicate on a single platform, this system makes workplace management simpler and more efficient!
Why We Love It?
Spoke uses advanced technology to make work management faster and easier, and at ABCey, we love tech! This system allows companies to focus more on the work that’s important to them. It helps employees get answers quickly, so they can continue doing their jobs well. Not to mention, it’s extremely affordable with prices ranging from as little as $1/month-$3/month, depending on the type of plan you get. Now that’s a steal!
How Does it Work?
Spoke uses chatbots, which automatically respond to employees’ questions on Slack, email, SMS, and the web, so you don’t have to respond to every single request! Its ticketing system is also organized and easy to use, unlike traditional ticketing systems, giving you everything you need to manage employee requests all in one place. Not only this, but Spoke’s knowledge management base keeps tabs on all sorts of important information, no matter where it came from within the company. This way, you don’t have to worry about keeping track of it all yourself!
Do you use Spoke? How do you like it? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!
ABCey Presents: Top 10 Event Marketing Strategies
Knowing how to market your events is essential to your success as an event planner. There is a lot to consider for event promotion, but don’t be overwhelmed! ABCey presents a list of the top 10 event marketing strategies for you to test out at your next event!
1. Experimenting With AR Content
It is no surprise that augmented reality (AR) is becoming more and more popular at events. However, this opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the type of content you can create to promote your event. Especially now that the iPhone X is going mainstream, AR will be so much easier for event marketers to use.
2. Social Media Influencers
Social media influencers are another powerful event marketing trend and finding the right one can put your event on the map. However, finding the right influencer for your event can be a challenge. Luckily, several social media tools are out there to help you, like SocialRank, Scrunch, SocialLadder, and StreetTeam.
3. Experiential Marketing
Experiential marketing can take many different forms, but at its core it’s all about immersing your guests in a memorable, live experience. Attendees crave personalized, unique experiences, so this marketing strategy is sure to be well-received!
4. Event Distribution
Event distribution allows consumers to purchase tickets the moment they find out about your event instead of having to visit your site. This marketing strategy makes ticket purchasing quick and easy and can help you find potential attendees naturally. An example of this process is the event discovery app Goldstar, which is very successful with 7 million members.
5. Invest in Short and Snappy Video Content
Video content can capture your audience’s attention quickly and is easily shared, which helps spread the world about your event. 70% of marketing professionals find that video converts better than any other medium, so it’s a marketing tool worth investing in!
6. Use Call to Actions That Demand Action
Believe it or not, call to actions such as “register now” or “click to learn more” actually work! Be sure to use them in your marketing messages. You can even get creative with how you phrase them!
7. Creating a “Why Attend” Page With Compelling Content
A “Why Attend” page is intended to explain to consumers why investing their time and money in your event is worth it. When creating this page, it’s important to envision your ideal attendee and appeal to that type of person. If done right, “Why Attend” pages are highly likely to increase event attendance!
8. Real-Time Crowd Shaping Through Smartphones and Wearables
With the capabilities of smartphones and wearable technology, it will be so much easier to adjust elements of the event’s environment based on the attendees’ behavior in real time! For example, if the attendees look cold, you can increase the temperature in the room right then in there, or if the music’s too loud, you can turn it down on the spot! Smartphones and wearables will ensure your events run smoothly!
9. Measuring ROI
ROI (return on investment) is very important for event planners to keep in mind when trying to get hired. By measuring ROI ahead of time, you’ll show your client that you can help them get the most bang for their buck. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to prove how you plan to do that! The numbers are just as important as the final product!
10. Highly Targeted Emails
Contrary to popular belief, email is a very effective channel for marketing. Event marketing through emails allows you to segment your audience based on interest, location, and engagement, which will help you build rapport by creating meaningful content. Email personalizes your message, and everybody likes to feel special!
Which event marketing strategy will you try? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey’s #TechTuesday: Top 5 Apps for Event Engagement
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. Today’s #TechTuesday features the top 5 apps to engage your attendees.
1. Attendify
Attendify is an event management app that includes great features, such as creating a private social network for your event. In the network, you are able to share photos, messages, and quick polls on the event timeline. Also, with this, introductions are easy! People are notified once you join the network, so everyone will know you made it.
2. CrowdCompass
CrowdCompass enables you to create an app for your event with cool features that prompt your attendees to engage with each other and your event! For example, guests can message each other one-on-one, participate in live Q&As, and take notes all in one app! Furthermore, attendees are able to create personalized schedules with an option to push notifications for reminders. Also, the event planners are able to track guest engagement and the event’s impact in easy-to-read charts and graphs.
3. Grupio
Grupio is an event app that allows you to link your social media channels, like Facebook or Twitter, to your customized app! With this feature, you and your guests are able to share their experiences through your favorite social media platform! Other features include being able to create advertisements for your sponsors to feature on the app and gamification to encourage attendee engagement.
4. Whova
Whova is an event app that gives event planners the ability to customize their own app with their brand. Some of their features include document sharing among attendees to limit paper handouts and interactive maps. Also, Whova pushes the guests to create more buzz and excitement with a convenient Twitter outlet built into the app!
5. Eventbase
Eventbase is a mobile event technology platform that allows its users to create an app for their event. Depending on the type of event, the company has a specially curated app for your event app needs! This app has a large variety of fonts and themes to cater to your preferences. Eventbase also has features such as “Around Me” that suggests people nearby and small descriptors to allow for better connections.
Which of these apps are your favorite? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey’s #TechTuesday Fly Another Day
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. Today’s #TechTuesday, features Fly Another Day, a software that will ensure the highest event participation all within seconds!
Fly Another Day
Events profs ever wonder why attendance numbers are low? Fly Another day makes date selection easier by choosing ideal dates and locations that encourage participation. The software does this by analyzing potential issues that may affect the availability of your audience!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcIwCrlZ5dU
Fly Another day can be used for various events like business functions, product launches, marketing releases, or even private events!
We are always looking for innovative ways to make event planning more efficient for us and our clients. This software saves us a lot of stress as well as increasing participation for our clients!
Do you use Fly Another Day? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey’s Top 10 Trends in Projection Mapping & Lighting
New trends in projection mapping & lighting make events immersive and interactive for any sized audience! From lasers, to 3D projection mapping, to motorized lights, these trends will blow your mind and create a memorable event that your guests will never forget!
1. Motorized Lighting Structures
No matter how big your event is, Motorized lights are a great way to involve your whole audience and make them feel closer to the center of the event! These funky and fun lights will bring your event to the next level!
2. Lasers
Lasers will enhance any event! They have the ability to sync with your music, be programmed to draw shapes, project basic images on surfaces, and extend across your entire audience! Who wouldn’t want lasers at their event?
3. LED Beam/Spots
Whether it is a corporate event or a night out with friends, LED beam/spot lights make the experience colorful and fun! LED Beams/Spots are immersive lights that are placed on a beam and then programmed with colors, positions, cues, and patterned motions. These dynamic lights bring the room to life!
4. 3D Projection Mapping
3D projection maps are a must have at every event! The projection maps light onto 3D objects to bring them to life as engaging displays. These extraordinary displays make a great fit for reveals, brand launches, all kinds of presentations, concerts, entertainment events and corporate events! Not to mention, they’re fun and cool to look at!
5. Sports Arena Projection Mapping & Lighting
Make any sports game more interactive and fun by adding projection lighting! Use these lights to entice more people to buy tickets and boost sales! Projection lighting can be used after a goal is scored, an exciting half-time show and so much more!
6. Hologram Videos
Spinifex Group created an awesome hologram videohfor Buick Shanghai Auto Show! Hologram videos are a great feature for all kinds of events!
7. Interactive Projection Mapping
Interactive projection mapping is the perfect addition to any event! This new technology is the best way to get guest’s feedback as well as engage with your audience!
8. GostMESH
TDC presents the newest updates in projection fabrics: GostMesh! This incredible new technology combined with projection allows for a one of a kind experience. GostMESH creates bright moving images that are sure to make your event venue pop!
9. Architectural Video Mapping
Make your next event an experience your guests will never forget! Architectural video mapping will make your event an out of this world experience by transforming the event venue into absolutely anything you want!
10. Neon Black Lights
Neon UV Black lights makes any event venue extraordinary! Turn your bland ordinary event space into a funky glow in the dark black light party!
How would you use this new and exciting technology to improve your event? What’re your favorite trends in projection mapping & lighting? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter?
ABCey’s #TechTuesday: Candy Mechanics
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. In today’s #TechTuesday, we feature Candy Mechanics, a 3D scanning CNC Chocolate machine.
Candy Mechanics
Who doesn’t love chocolate? Candy Mechanics has a created a hand-held portable 3D scanner, which is used to scan a persons head. After this is completed, the scan is created into a 3D model by using a ‘Candy Carve’ to sculpt the head out of chocolate in under 5 minutes! These chocolate treats are the ultimate addition to any event!
These personalized and delicious chocolates are a fun gift that your guests will love! This new technology allows people to create their own face as a 3D chocolate Lolpop. Candy Mechanics also has customizable Candy Cards, which carves personalized letters onto chocolates. Candy Cards and Lolpops would make the perfect party favor for any occasion! Bring these fun chocolates to your next event with their Mobile Candy Card and make your event truly unique!
What do you think about Candy Mechanics? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter and Facebook!
ABCey’s Startup Monday: Otto
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! Today’s Startup Monday highlights Otto, a technology- based truck that enables self-driving.
About Otto
If you happen to see a commercial truck with no driver, this may be the new startup Otto! This new technology allows drivers to take a break from the road and let the truck do all the driving. Truck drivers now have the ability to eat lunch or even take a nap on long haul drives!
The development of this technology continues to increase as the need for freight steadily rises. With the shortage of truck drivers, this self driving device will help the trucking industry with their deliveries. These deliveries provide events with the necessary goods needed such as chairs and tables. Without this delivery, the event may not go as planned as people would not have anywhere to sit!
Last year, Otto had it’s first successful shipment using the technology of the self-driving truck with delivering 50,000 Budweiser beers and I mean, who doesn’t love beer?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb0Kzb3haK8
Another great characteristic of Otto, is that they are always looking to enhance their transportation network. The modern technology is advancing at a rapid speed, as they desire to fulfill their mission.
We love that Otto wants to always take new approaches to better the future, just like ABCey Events!
Are you interested in Otto? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!
ABCey’s Event Review: Battle of the Startups
At ABCey, we love to keep our eye on all the hottest events, trends, and startups here in the Bay Area. This past week, Google hosted their annual Google for Entrepreneurs Demo Day 2017 (@GoogleForEntrep) here in San Francisco. Google brought together thirteen of the best startups from all across North America to compete on one stage.
At Google Demo Day, startups got the opportunity to showcase their technology as well as meet a crowd full of top investors. Startups like PRSONAS and Triton Wear battled on stage for two awards. Read on to see which startups won the judge’s award and the audience’s game changer award!
Battle of the Startups #GoogleDemoDay
Meet the Startup Winners:
Judge’s Award: This award went to Stackfolio, a major player in today’s market, and one of main reasons why their pitch caught the judge’s attention. At Stackfolio, their goal is to create a faster way for institutions to trade. So, they developed a great online marketplace for loan trading!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBYHqdjStUg
Audience’s Game Changer Award: This award went to Waymark, an art and tech startup located in Detroit, Michigan. It didn’t take much for them to take home the award for the crowd favorite. Waymark’s mission is to make video marketing more efficient for businesses by using their tool, MOVEMENT. Waymark’s tool collects information from your business’s website to create your very own personalized business commercial, all within seconds!
Do you want to showcase your technology and meet top investors and mentors? Read more here on how to get nominated for next year’s event! Which startup is your fave? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey Events Tech Tuesday: Olloclip
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. In today’s #TechTuesday, we feature Olloclip the iPhone photography gadget that will step up your Instagram game!
The Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens
This extremely versatile cell phone lens is tiny and simple to use! Users can quickly change between the four lenses to get four amazing shots!
Features
The four lenses enable iPhone users to take professional and artistic photos and videos. There are four types of lenses: fisheye, wide angle, macro 10x and macro 15x! The lenses can be used on both the front and rear facing cameras so you can take awesome selfies as well! The images also come out crystal clear.
We are always looking for innovative ways to take photos of our events and these lenses enable us to do it quickly and creatively!
ABCey’s #TechTuesday Valentine’s Edition
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. In today’s #TechTuesday, we present Valentine’s Day tech to help you make today perfect!
Forgot to get a present? Spending tonight with your single girlfriends? These apps and gifts are great for any situation on Valentine’s Day!
Forgot to Get Flowers?
Try: Farmgirl Flowers
A V-Day classic, Farmgirl Flowers still have flowers available today! Have flowers delivered to your house or to an office!
Love Dinner and a Movie?
Try: MoviePass
Watch all the Oscar-nominated movies by purchasing a MoviePass membership and see multiple movies a month for a flat fee!
Spending the Night in With Friends?
Try: Dominos App
Don’t want to leave the house? Make ordering part of the fun as Dominos allows you to order pizza via iPhone/Android, Twitter, Apple TV, Google Home, or Amazon Echo. We love that there are so many ways to order your favorite pizza!
Gift that Comes Every Month
Try – BirchBox
The Fitbit for dogs, Fitbark tracks a dog’s activity and sleep. The app lets users see their dog’s data and is all compatible with their own FitBit, HealthKit, or Jawbone. The Fitbark attaches to their collar and is waterproof!
What are you doing for Valentine’s Day? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!