Holiday parties and event planning have been becoming more and more involved every year. These days, planning your holiday party isn’t as simple as a bar with some decorative poinsettias. Planning has become an ornate art and with the ever-increasing popularity of social media comes the constant need to keep up, be seen, and make a lasting impression. Make a Lasting Impression Elaborate and well-planned events gain attention on social media that becomes an extension of your marketing—it’s who you are as an organization. With each year, the influence and inspiration bar is set higher and higher. The best and most cutting-edge holiday parties are the ones with innovative ideas and new technology that are both functional and visually appealing. As the holiday season approaches and parties are getting booked, corporate event planners and HR tasked with planning the office holiday party will be looking for ways to stand out. Aside from signature cocktails, delectable appetizers, and seasonal decorations, how can these party planners make a lasting impression? Keep Guests Connected Attendees will want to take and post photos, update their social media, and create a buzz around the event. But, what happens when their mobile device dies… does the party die, too? Since party planners have to rent high top tables anyway, why not choose a table that can also keep mobile devices charged and guests connected? Our premium high top tables are capable of charging up to 18 devices at once and have the ability to be custom branded. Premium Charging Tables By providing guests with a way to charge their phones, the entire evening is captured, guests can stay connected to loved ones at home, or even video-chat co-workers who weren’t able to make it. There’s no need to worry about saving battery for calling a ride-share home—guests can keep charged and stay connected all night long. Additionally, providing charging tables prevents guests from plugging unsightly cords into the walls and creating a tripping hazard. In addition to providing this premium experience for guests, the branded charging tables help create a cohesive look and feel for the event and can be used to spread the event hashtag. Want to include our premium charging tables at your next event? Contact us to learn more about our high top, standard, and coffee tables.

POWER UP™ is integrating Qi wireless technology in its charging tables to connect moments that matterWe recently announced a new wireless charging feature for our POWER UP™ Charging Tables. We have begun integrating Qi wireless technology in order to provide users with additional ways to stay connected, regardless of the manufacturer or make of the device. With the addition of the wireless charging feature, each POWER UP™ Charging Table, equipped with a portable power bank, can power up to 19 phones, tablets, laptops or other devices. With one wireless charging pad, three standard electric outlets, six USB ports and nine charging cables, the table has multiple ways to help those in need connect with those who matter most. Ryan E. Doak, co-founder, said, "The Qi wireless charging standard has been an Android phone staple for more than five years. However, when Apple announced that from the iPhone 8 forward, users would be able to charge their devices on standard Qi charging stations, it was a natural progression for POWER UP to implement the technology into our products. Since individuals tend to stay at our charging tables for extended periods of time, it is the perfect added convenience to have the ability to charge devices without being tethered by a cord." The Qi wireless chargers installed in each POWER UP™ Charging Table are capable of "Fast Charge," by transferring up to 15 watts to a phone's battery. The chargers continue to transfer power at this increased rate until the battery reaches a saturation point, which is usually around 60-80 percent. At that point, the phone's power controller scales back the amount of power it's receiving and your phone will begin to charge more and more slowly as it approaches 100 percent. POWER UP™ works directly with our clients to create unique charging experiences that can be customized with branding and preloaded video and image content. The products are sent to the client completely set up and ready to be used. Learn more about POWER UP and our charging technology.

In the days before the Internet became a way of life, advertising was mostly confined to signs, mailed ads, and flyers. Now, however, ads are everywhere, with digital versions joining physical ads to the point where many of us feel bombarded with marketing around the clock. As a result, many people have become somewhat numb to ads, with the bells and whistles that used to grab attention now being largely ignored.

How Can You Stand Out?

So, how can brands stand out and get the attention of their audience in such an environment? Clever marketing uses the modern desire for constant connectivity to its advantage. Ad re-targeting might be a popular approach, but it’s far from the only way to get your message across. More and more companies are turning to experiential marketing to form a two-way connection with customers. Whether it’s an in-person giveaway or a flash mob, the trend is moving toward establishing a direct connection with customers. Experiential marketing doesn’t tell or show your brand’s messages to customers; it allows them to create their own relationships or memories with the brand, forging a powerful connection that can last for years.

Experiential Marketing in Action

One example of experiential marketing is the 29Rooms event carried out by lifestyle brand Refinery29. The company sets up an “interactive funhouse” made up of 29 rooms that are each individually branded and curated. People can enjoy a different experience inside each one, and they are all created with different brand partners ranging from artists to car manufacturers. Inside the rooms, people can try out different hands-on experiences that are as relevant as they are fun. Another example of experiential marketing is using branded cell phone charging stations to provide people with a service that is much-needed and very appreciated. By incorporating your logo and graphics or using HD displays to showcase your company while people charge their phones, you can increase the chances of getting people to engage with your brand and keep your name fresh in their minds when they do need the type of service or product you offer. By creating a memorable experience, companies are inviting consumers to participate in the evolution of their brand. Start evolving and power connections between people and your brand today.

Charging Tables will help guests stay powered up at the Barcoding, Inc. 7th Annual Executive Forum If you’ve ever attended a tradeshow, then you know it can be a fun, but long day. Between taking photos, scanning new contact information, and keeping in touch with everyone back at the office, a long day at a tradeshow can have both you and your mobile device running on empty. However, not all tradeshow vendors are created equally. While some may choose to give away pens or bags, our friends at Oracle + Netsuite wisely chose to give away the gift of power.

THE Supply Chain Event of the Year

On Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, our parent company, Barcoding, Inc., will be hosting its 7th Annual Executive Forum at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. We’re proud to say that our charging table technology will be in attendance, thanks to a sponsorship from Oracle + Netsuite. The four Charging Tables, which will be adorned with Oracle + Netsuite branding, will be conveniently located in Center Hall and offer the perfect opportunity to charge devices while connecting business professionals.

Charging Table Features

Each charging table can charge up to 18 phones, tablets or other devices with 9 cables and 6 USB ports. While devices are charging, the charging cables will be illuminated with a red LED light, which will change to green once fully charged, so there’s no need to let checking battery status get in the way of networking. We hope everyone at the Executive Forum will take advantage of our charging table technology and stay connected in the moments that matter.

Staying Connected

After the tradeshow, attendees will have plenty of battery left to get a ride over to the Horseshoe Casino and refuel themselves with light bites while continuing to connect with other business professionals. If you're attending the event, be sure to get a photo of the Oracle + Netsuite tables and tag us on social media, @PowerUpConnect. Interested in having charging tables at your next event? Contact us to keep your guests connected in the moments that matter.

POWER UP™ Charging Tables enable event attendees, exhibitors and administrators to stay connected in moments that matterBackground Established in 1990 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Association of Luxury Suite Directors (ALSD) is a leading authority in the $20 billion premium seating industry and represents over 1,000 major league and minor league teams, venues, facility development firms and food and beverage providers. ALSD provides a single platform with accurate and timely information from across the premium seating industry throughout North America with a growing global reach and is committed to organizing, supporting and developing a network for its members to share information, ideas and values with one another. Since the association’s inception, ALSD brings its member groups together at its annual Conference and Tradeshow for networking, education and entertainment opportunities. The association’s 2017 conference took place in Miami Beach, Florida and had approximately 12,000 participants. In addition, the conference runs concurrently with the ALSD Sports Sales Boot Camp and the Sports Venue Design & Build Forum, which brings together architects, designers and specifiers within the venue space for renovations and new builds. Challenges The ALSD is continuously looking to add diverse, innovative elements and relevant, top-notch companies who will participate in its conference and trade show in order to attract attendees who represent the specific venues that are looking for customer engagement products to go into their premium spaces and venues. Further, the organization sought a technology provider that would help keep attendees and vendors connected to those who matter most throughout the conference. Solution POWER UP™ (a Barcoding, Inc. Company), the industry's premium charging technology company, was a sponsor at the 2017 ALSD Conference and trade show. In addition, POWER UP displayed a booth in the exhibit hall showcasing its Charging Table, which delivers the power and branding needed to create a first-class experience for customers. POWER UP Charging Tables are convenient and flexible for keeping attendees connected and can power up to 18 phones, tablets or other devices with nine cables, three standard outlets and six USB ports. Due to the type and quality of POWER UP’s product, the ALSD Conference was able to integrate the Charging Tables throughout the show. Pat McCaffrey, Vice President, Business Development, ALSD, said, “The specific need POWER UP fulfills with its charging stations is extremely relevant to the premium seating industry and within the venue space. We were able to integrate 10 tables within the exhibit hall, session areas and the MLB All-Star game watch party outside of the conference location.” Results Throughout the conference and trade show, the Charging Tables were consistently used by attendees, vendors and ALSD administrators. McCaffrey adds, “I used them myself throughout the conference. With the amount of running around I needed to do to make sure things went smoothly, it was important to keep my phone charged and onboard throughout the lengthy day, POWER UP’s charging stations ensured it was.” Based on the success of the Charging Tables with its guests, ALSD has invited POWER UP to participate in its 2018 conference, which is taking place in Atlanta, Georgia. ALSD is interested in attracting companies in the tailgating industry to the event, as well as its membership, and plans to include the POWER UP Charging Trailer – a full-sized, custom branded, mobile device charging trailer, which can charge 60 devices to handle the demands of a large crowd or a tough environment with ease. The trailer is also equipped with two 55″ premium, outdoor-rated screens and an HD media player, perfect for elevating event-goers’ experiences. McCaffrey concludes, “The POWER UP team was absolutely terrific and extremely pleasant to work with before, during and after the event. Their Charging Table presentation fit into the premium mold that we work to present at this event. We would absolutely love to have POWER UP back with us next year.”

POWER UP™ (a Barcoding, Inc. Company), the industry's premium charging technology company, has partnered with WPTV and WFTS to bring emergency mobile charging stations to Floridians without power in the Tampa and West Palm Beach areas after Hurricane Irma. The company worked with Polaris Worldwide to transport four charging tables from Baltimore to the television stations in Florida in less than 24 hours prior to the devastating storm. Each charging table, equipped with a portable power bank, can power up to 18 phones, tablets, laptops or other devices on a single charge for 10-12 hours. With three standard electric outlets, six USB ports and nine charging cables, the table has multiple ways to help those in need connect with those who matter most. Ryan Doak, co-founder, POWER UP, said, "It is certainly an uneasy feeling when a natural disaster strikes. Fortunately, POWER UP has the technology in place to help connect moments that matter for those who are greatly affected. We appreciate WPTV and WFTS for reaching out to us about this partnership and extremely grateful for Polaris Worldwide for making this happen." POWER UP's technology was first used for disaster relief when Houston, Texas flooded in 2015. The charging technology company is also in the process of building a fleet of solar-powered charging trailers with 150 charging ports to be used as a relief effort in the event of natural disasters.

AIPAC Policy Conference

The AIPAC Policy Conference is the largest state-side gathering of the Pro-Israel movement, with over 14,000 delegates attending the conference. With high ranking political figures on both sides of the aisle, there is plenty of press at the three day event, which bills itself as “three of the most important days affecting Israel’s future.” Delegates, press, and public were all welcome to use free POWER UP™ charging stations, including Charging Trailers and Hightop Tables.