Jazz Comes to New Mexico….again! Pre Festival post

Here in Santa Fe we are blessed with music all around us, especially in the Summer.  Opera, chamber music, free concerts on the historic Plaza, and now the New Mexico Jazz Festival will make a third appearence here and in Alberqurque.  With a diverse line up featuring the likes of Pharoah Sanders, Cassandra Wison and Allen Toussaint spread accross two different citys, there will have to be some choices made!  This year’s music fest will also feature more venues, local artists, and tie-ins to other musical events and festivals.  I “covered” it last year with some posts here on Event City’s blog, and I’m glad to see there’s many more of you out there this time around to see what’s happening in the heart of New Mexico.  Stay tuned; the Festival begins later this week, and you know I’m going to have something to say about Pharoah Sanders this Friday night!

Invisible black light paint

It’s here!!!! Invisible UV Light (black light) paint.  We recently saw a demonstration of this product at a convention for the Special Events & Halloween industries. Sure, Black Lights are nothing new, some even consider them “Old School“, but wait till you see what this stuff can do!  The Invisible Black Light paint sprays or brushes on an invisible color coat of what seems to be just a clear paint, completely unrecognizable to the naked or “unassisted” eye; you absolutely cannot see a thing - NO Color.  Turn on your ultraviolet/black light, and this stuff comes to life!

If that’s too much to comprehend you can also apply it to your skin, face arms you name it. It is airbrush compatible too!  This is surely one of my favorite products so far, and I am really looking forward to decorating my house this halloween.  My kids are going to freak out!  Stay tuned for some pictures of the pad and others. Until then click on this link to buy some of your own and thanks for visiting!

Jeff@eventcity.net

Visit the Event City Cool Products Website for this and more unique merchandise for the Events & Creative Industries. If you are have any products that you would like to have us represent that you believe would sell well to the Events & Creative Industries membership, please send your inquiries to our New Products Manager.  To learn more about who the Event City industries are visit our Phase One Launch info page to grab a sneak peak at the details.

Event City Network to Offer WIRLBALL - Lighted Caps and SOFTWARE

Event City Products and the Marketplace Channel, Event City Emporium, which is currently in Alpha Test at their COOL PRODUCTS Site will feature the Wirlball and the Electro Caps as new products being introduced in the USA.

You can now sign up for the Company’s Beta Test at their main site - EVENT CITY.NET which will commence soon, or even contact them directly via their New WEB PHONE featured on their Creative Magazine.

“We hope to offer many different solutions for our Members, to help them learn more about technology, and to allow them to become more efficient and successful in their everyday business affairs”, exclaims Nolan Apostle, Founder & CEO of the Event City Network.

The company will commence their Beta launch in the Summer of 2008 and besides launching their Website Portal for the Events & Creative Industries, they also expect to offer a strong Software product for businesses who are serious about Planning Parties, Events, Meetings, Conferences, even Special Functions to Major Shows.

The company’s software will work partially as a back-end for the Event City Network, it will also be a powerful tool for planners who do everything from small events, meetings, or private parties all the way up the ladder to major Tradeshow Producers, Concert Promoters, Special Event Planners, even Festival Managers and Movie Industry Personnel. The initial software offer will most likely be a licensing deal which Event City Members can purchase with certain features and benefits depending on their objectives. Members will also receive a discount on purchase of the software product.

“We look forward to launching new products for our Members, it is exciting to be able to introduce them to new and unique merchandise they will use for their projects and to create a better overall ROI”, says Jeff Patino, Product Manager of the Halloween and Special Effects division. The company will also announce very soon some Strategic Alliances, special deals and promotions that are in the works.

Events, Meeting, and Hospitality Tradeshow Comes to Northern California

A boutique style industry trade show is coming to the heart of Silicon Valley next week and YOU’RE INVITED! All members of the Event City Network, and all Events & Creative Industry associates are welcomed to the Special Events & Business Mixer Expo at the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 from 5:30pm - 8:30pm.

The event is produced by Michael Aguilera and is being sponsored by the EVENT CITY NETWORK as well as several other fine companies. The Daily News Group, InfoBayArea, Times Media Group and the WAVE Magazine:

This is a must attend event for all Special Event Planners, Meeting Managers, Corporate Planners & Buyers, Hospitality and Entertainment industry professionals. We expect an eclectic array of attendees as each of the Media Sponsor publcations cater to a different and unique audience of these professional industries.

If you are a professional or have a company that you would like to showcase to the industry, please contact Michael Aguilera, producer of the event. There is still some booth space available at only $345/space. Mr. Aguilera can be reached at either Office: 408.972.1985 or by emailing Mike Aguilera directly.

Any questions please contact Event City for participation at other levels. To get a sneak peak at some of the products Event City will have on display, please visit the Event City Emporium Blog.

WIRLBALL™ DEBUTS IN AMERICA @ SUN’S JavaONE CONFERENCE

SUN Microsystems produces the JavaONE Conference every year and each year they plan an event for their Coummunity One group. This year it was the Cinco de Mayo party and our very own WIRLBALL™ was live at the event rolling along attendees to magnificent fun! Our friends at Plan-It Interactive managed the Wirlball activities for SUN. THANKS for the GREAT job with our Wirlball. After a few more WIRLING events they will become expert WIRLERS!!

This is our very first, unofficial corporate party in the USA for the Wirlball to make an appearance! Here are a couple of short video clips for you to see how much fun it can be Wirling around and around and around and around and…..

….around and around and around!!!

New Technology Series Announced-Beginners Java Programming TechTalk

Nolan Apostle - Talent, Producer and Contributing Editor
Event City Live, Event City TV & Event City Creative

PROGRAMMING In JAVA – How To’s

This week is the Java One Conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. It is of course not a Hospitality Expo about the Coffee industry, but more about the technology created by SUN Microsystems which is in many different applications and just about everywhere on the web. Oh yeah, and we’ll throw in a little bit of caffeine just for some kicks!

At Event City our Publishers, Editors, Managers, the “powers that be”, have decided to begin a series of articles and reports for all that is Technology, and how it spans into YOUR industry.

Little Maker Johnny A at Maker Faire Light Doodling

The Maker Faire has so much to offer, this is just one of the many. Join us at this years Maker Faire 2008, at the San Mateo Events Center, San Mateo, California.

Here’s a couple of pictures of our very own, Who What Where Why Guy, Johnny A at the Light Doodling area directly adjacent to the Disney Exhibit located in the BAYLUG (Bay Areas Lego Users Group). This is where you can “Paint” your own Light Photograph and have it available online for you when you get home.

This and many more exciting interactive exhibits await you at the Maker Faire 2008. See ya there!

Disney Enters Robotic Toy Market with New Line of Programmable Toy Robots

We got this story off “the wires”, but since Rollin’ Nolan is going to this very Maker Faire as I write this with his ever inquisitive son, we shoud get a post and wrap up from him after a while. Check for additional coverage at the Event City Creative Magazine. This should be interesting…anyone seen the Wall-E posters in the theaters yet? Pretty cool looking/ previews are way cute. Enjoy…!

Movie Mike

Disney Consumer Products Collaborates With Pixar, Thinkway Toys And WowWee To Develop Robotic Toys That Talk, Dance, Fly, Respond To Commands, Feature Motion Tracking And More

Disney Consumer Products today announced its entry into the robotic toy market with an innovative line of robotic toy products created in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios, Thinkway Toys and WowWee.

The robotic toys are inspired by WALL·E, the adorable robot from the Disney-Pixar theatrical release of the same name set to debut this summer, and Tinker Bell, the beloved Disney Fairy. The Ultimate WALL·E robotic toy and the iDance WALL·E dancing boombox, as well as a remote control Tinker Bell flying toy, will hit the market this fall. With life-like movements and features designed to impress and delight fans of all ages, these new robotic toys are anticipated to be big hits with holiday shoppers this year.

Disney has been a pioneer in the area of entertainment robotics and Audio-Animatronics technology since the early 1960s, beginning with the opening of Disneyland’s famed Enchanted Tiki Room, where a chorus of colorful tropical birds moved their eyes and faces to music, and at the 1964 World’s Fair, where a life-like Abe Lincoln recited famous speeches at the “Great Moments With Lincoln” exhibit. Audio-Animatronics technology has since become a ubiquitous feature of Disney’s Theme Parks and Resorts. More recently, Walt Disney Imagineering has debuted such innovations as Lucky The Dinosaur and The Muppet Mobile Lab – free-roaming Muppets capable of interacting with park guests.

The new line of WALL·E and Tinker Bell robotic toys carries on this tradition and seeks to bring its characters and their personalities to life through advanced movement and programming that entertains and delights kids by making them feel as if they are interacting with a real Disney character.

“Walt Disney and the Imagineers invented Audio-Animatronics, and Disney has been a leader in robotic entertainment in our theme parks for decades,” said Chris Heatherly, vice president of Technology & Innovation for Disney Consumer Products. “We’re excited that there is now the ability and technology to bring that experience into people’s homes. With robotics, we have a great opportunity to bring our characters to life in a very realistic and new way. If kids can interact, learn and play with our characters and they become an extension of their family, we will have done something that is truly magical.”

The WALL·E line of robotic toys was developed in collaboration with Toronto-based Thinkway Toys. In addition to the Ultimate WALL·E and iDance WALL·E, Thinkway will bring to market additional WALL·E-inspired robots, action figures, playsets, a role-play WALL·E robot arm, novelties and collectibles.

Disney’s new line of robotic toys will debut at Maker Faire, a popular, ever-growing gathering for die-hard geeks of all ages and tech do-it-yourselfers, which will be held May 3-4 at the San Mateo Fairgrounds.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to work with Disney on WALL·E,” sad Albert Chan, president and CEO of Thinkway Toys. “This exceptional story is filled with classic Pixar humor, adventure, and characters that are endearing and inspirational. The team at Thinkway Toys has been fast at work with Disney, integrating these key elements into the new WALL·E line of robotic toys.”

Based on the title character from this summer’s highly anticipated Disney*Pixar theatrical release, the Ultimate WALL·E is an advanced robot that truly brings the character to life. Designed and developed through a close collaboration between Disney, Pixar animators and Thinkway, the Ultimate WALL·E features 10 motors, giving it a high level of movement and animation. The remote control makes it easy for kids to program WALL·E’s movements. An innovative touch programming system lets kids direct WALL·E simply by making patterns on the remote’s touch pad. With voice activation and a follow-me mode, WALL·E can follow the sound of a human voice and detect someone entering a room. He also has several emotional states and an easy system for programming thousands of combinations of movements with the remote. Numerous sensors allow him to detect and respond to his environment, including infrared sensors that allow him to detect obstacles and steer around them, sonic ears that detect sound direction, and touch sensors. The Ultimate WALL·E is also MP3 compatible and features built-in speakers. USB cables and rechargeable batteries are included. The Ultimate WALL·E will debut this fall at ToysRUs and www.disneyshopping.com; SRP $189.99

The iDance WALL·E talks, dances and has animated eyes that move and groove to the music. Its audio in-jack works with any iPod or MP3 player. It features sound activation functionality, action and play. It will be available at ToysRUs, Target, Wal-Mart, Blockbuster and www.disneyshopping.com this fall; SRP $24.99.

Disney Consumer Products also collaborated with WowWee, a leading developer of innovative hi-tech consumer robotic and entertainment products, for the creation of an elegant flying toy wonder inspired by Tinker Bell.

Disney Fairies fans will get big thrills this fall with the new Tinker Bell featuring WowWee’s FlyTech technology, a vertical flyer featuring enchanting flight patterns, graceful wing design and a flower wand remote controller designed specifically for children’s hands. Users can control the height and speed of the Tinker Bell flyer with ease, allowing her to soar, dive and glide. Her light-weight, crash-resistant materials prevent her from getting into mischief.

WowWee’s award-winning FlyTech line of aeronautical products launched in 2007 with FlyTech Dragonfly™, the world’s first commercially available radio-controlled ornithopter and one of TIME Magazine’s “Best Inventions of the Year” (2007). Featuring the same dual wing design to provide lift and propulsion, the Tinker Bell flyer brings the magic of flight to the hands of a younger generation of girls. SRP $39.99, available at ToysRUs, Wal-Mart, Radio Shack and other major retailers beginning this fall.

About Maker Faire
Maker Faire is the premier event for grassroots American innovation. The event started in San Mateo, California in 2006 and expanded to Austin, Texas in 2007. Held annually in each of these locations, the event may expand elsewhere in the future. Maker Faire is supported by Make Magazine (www.makezine.com), Craft Magazine (www.craftzine.com) and O’Reilly Media, the premier information source for leading-edge computer technologies. The company’s books, conferences, and web sites bring to light the knowledge of technology innovators.

Web 2.0 Expo - What Is It and Why You Need to Attend

Nolan Apostle - Talent, Producer and Contributing Editor
Event City Live, Event City TV & Event City Creative

Web 2.0 is once again upon us (Year two) and we can’t wait to bring you the great details of this fantastic show. Unlike last year, when we just had begun our Email Industry Newsletter, this year we have both a BlogaZine and our Event City Creative Magazine to share with you all of the these great new technologies and how they relate to the Events & Creative Industries.

What is Web 2.0 Expo? Well, to be brief, Web 2.0 Expo San Francisco is a tradeshow featuring exhibitors showcasing all things Web 2.0—tools, technologies, services, infrastructures, and more! It is a global annual gathering of technical, design, marketing, and business professionals (Yes I’m sure you would fit into one of these categories) who are building the next generation web. It is truly an Internet Expo that will showcase technology, but not with that intimidating attitude one might expect from any technology expo. You see, this is not just “any” technology expo!

Web 2.0 Expo features the most innovative and successful Internet industry figures and companies providing attendees with examples of business models, development paradigms, and design strategies to enable mainstream businesses and new arrivals to the Web 2.0 world to take advantage of this new generation of services and opportunities. Web 2.0 Expo is co-presented by TechWeb and O’Reilly Media.

For a more detailed description of What WEB 2.0 is all about, visit the O’Reilly Website “What is Web 2.0 page”, written by Tim O’Reilly himself, founder of O’Reilly Publishing.

One of the companies that truly will shine not just at Web 2.0 but certainly beyond and into the Event City’s very own Events & Creative Industries is the company ETELOS.

They have created Web 2.0 based software products that venture into many of our industries, including the Special Events, Meeting Planning, Hospitality, Travel and Entertainment industries. The reality of who we are and what we do is simply projects that can’t get away from having some type of connection to the Internet. The new technologies are becoming much more user friendly and allowing us to be more successful.  I can’t wait to see what they have in store for this years show!

Here’s a sneak peak as to what you will see at their booth at this years show.

WHY INTERNET ADVERTISING?

Nolan Apostle - Talent, Producer and Contributing Editor
Event City Live, Event City TV & Event City Creative

Why not? Sure that’s the easy way out. Ask a question give a simple answer. For the last year or so since we have talked to many of our Alpha and Beta testers about being more successful on the Internet we have heard this question time and time again. Why Advertise on the Internet? Why spend any amount of time investing in the Internet besides a website? It’s too confusing. It’s too difficult. Hackers will just steal what we do anyway! How can we earn revenues when there are experts out there doing just that? We will attempt to answer all those questions and much more as we visit Ad Tech San Francisco at Moscone Center over the next few days. This is a fascinating subject and all of the technologies behind these solutions are truly brilliant!

First things first though. If you are involved in any of the Event City’s industries, the Events & Creative Industries you definitely should be attending Ad Tech. As we cover this three day show in San Francisco, we already realize the magnitude of it’s presence here in San Francisco alone. Social Networking a huge buzz word in general and at the show is seems to be a perfect fit for the Social Butterflies of the City By the Bay. Well as we come to realize there is so much more to “Social Networking” than one might perceive.

Ad dollars are just a part of what Ad Tech is all about. Sure the Goods are where the Gold is, or Cash is King (or is that Cache is King) but is that always true, especially in this day and age? I’m not too certain anymore. Tiny startups to major players like Google, Yahoo, Nestle and Kodak (Yep, even Nestle’s Chocolates and Kodak Film company) are here, and you can bet they are not just Chocolates and no more film for the once gigantic firms. So what are two companies like these doing here? Who incidentally fall into the realm of the Event City’s “Events & Creative Industries“?

Come on down and find out. Or if you can’t make it to Ad Tech San Francisco, please visit their website and learn about Ad Tech’s world tour, probably coming to a city near you. So if you are one of those who think that the Advertising and Marketing world on the Internet is not very important, you better think again; and that’s no threat, it’s reality. Come to Ad Tech and learn, that’s where I will be. Here are some highlights of this great show.

Attendees will converge on ad:tech San Francisco (http://www.ad-tech.com/sf/) April 15-17 at the Moscone Center to attend panel sessions, workshops and keynotes during three action-packed days of learning from today’s digital marketing industry game-changers. Attendees will take away the tools and techniques they need to compete in a changing marketing world, and gain first-hand insight into emerging opportunities with online video, social networks, mobile marketing, digital out-of-home advertising and more.

Hear from four of the hottest stars of online video, including Kevin Rose (pictured) of Diggnation, Ask a Ninja’s Kent Nichols, Jeff Macpherson of Tiki Bar TV and Martin Sargent of Revision3. View the live taping and hear and explore how you can leverage programs like these to expand your own audience.

That’s the key to what Ad Tech can offer. How you can learn to leverage programs like those above, and so much more to expand your own audience, no matter who that audience is. The Special Event, Meeting Planning, Hospitality, Travel, Art, Entertainment, Music, Motion Pictures, Food & Beverage are all industries that can leverage these programs and expand audiences and reap the benefits.

I look forward to attending this show and covering it for all of you, my associates on the battlegrounds of the Events & Creative Industries- the EVENT CITY NETWORK!