Anyone working in events knows – it is a business of hurry hurry wait wait wait hurry hurry hurry oh dear lord hurry and… wait. It’s the nature of the beast.

Well the following Apps may help you to pass some time, refresh yourself and keep you focused, sharp and not bored. We present the top gaming and creativity apps for Event Professionals as certified by the FACTOR168 Creative Event Company crew.

Gaming

Entertainment in the form of ‘games’ on smartphones is pretty optimistic when compared to the sensational experiences delivered by the consoles such as PS3 and XBOX360 but there are some games that have proven handy while sitting in a taxi, or at the airport, or even in the waiting room of a CEO who has incredibly poor time management skills (or is just plain rude). Settle…

Unlike other iPhone Apps, there is a wide scope of games sitting on phones but these four seemed to have rated highly with the team. Interestingly enough of the four only one is free – and two of them are in fact the most expensive Apps purchased.

Perhaps in terms of moneterizing smartphones there is something in this after all!

• FaceFighter – The cool thing about this little game is that you can photograph a colleague (face straight on is best) and simple then place his or her face within your ‘foes’ face. Then proceed to kick and punch 8 different types of fluids out of them. Personally I haven’t felt compelled to change the face of one of our more annoying vendors for some time and at $1.99 has proven to be a bargain!

• Bubblewrap – This really is what you think it is. Just sit back and pop bubble wrap to your heart’s content. Oh and it’s free… the only thing we’d recommend is to throw your phone to mute as the sound of popping will eventually turn someone in the office into a ball of fury… and talking of fury…

SF IV (StreetFighter) – This is game is an extension of that old classic from Capcom. You fight against one opponent after another in various ‘exotic’ scenes. It was advertised as having had a make ovr but I can’t see it.

Same characters, same scenes, and most of the controls and special moves are same same. For $9.99 it’s pretty overpriced but it does deliver on providing instant entertainment while commuting so whaddya’ want? The little angst ridden dialogue pieces in between challenges are pretty funny.

• Real Racing – Of all the Apps, this is the second highest in cost – $4.99. Unlike SF IV it delivers and then some. I have to confess when I was shown this app I dismissed it as being kinda dumb for a smartphone but it actually really works in this medium. The nice thing is that if you have WiFi access, you can compete against others and yourself in leagues… kinda cool although at the end of the day it is a car racing around and around the same series of tracks. I suspect the love affair with this app will drop away quicker than others but until then vroom vroom!

Some kinda cool Creative Apps

• Idea Stimulator – The Idea Stimulator was developed by a leading creative evangelist in Australia, Nigel Collin. A friend and fan of the FACTOR168 team.  Nigel started many many moons ago as an actor, found himself in demand as a corporate events master of ceremonies before attending The Disney Institute’s Organizational Creativity course (the same one that one of our founding partners Darren Kerr also attended), found the mouse, and from there developed some seriously effective, inspirational, and powerful creativity tools. This is the iPhone App version of one of his popular business management books and it works really well. And priced at $1.19, yeah I know it’s a kinda strange number, it is really great value from Australia’s guru of creativity and recent TED star.

• Thought Leaders - This is super interesting… not sure as an App… but do check out their website.

Jac Bowie Burlesque – Despite the overt advertorial nature of this App, we just like it. This stylish lady is a smart cookie who has transformed herself from a flight attendant to the Queen of Burlesque in Australia and by all reports is in the process of taking over the world through her business endeavours. If nothing else, it serves as an interesting example of monetizing a business. And let’s face it… a little burlesque in a show is always good fun if it’s the right audience.

• PhotoTropedelic – This is sheer indulgence and was a recommendation by a pal through a pal via Facebook (welcome to 2010!) and on a whim we purchased it and it’s turned out to be our all time top App. Priced at $1.99 it’s well priced and we recommend this to anyone who has a passion or even a passing aesthetic interest in POPart style of design. Some quick examples of what it can do are below…. cool huh?

Source Notes:

if you’d like to read the original Best iPhone Apps for Event Professionals – click HERE.

All these Apps can be found at iTunes and we are sorry to all the Blackberry and Nokia users… but it seems we are an iPhone business by individual choice.

FACTOR168 Creative Event Company

Creative. Strategic. Tactical.

Sensational Events through Powerful Experiences.

The top of the pop Apps that all iPhones should ship with are, in no particular order of preference, the following:

AccuWeather (wet weather contingency), Twitterific (keep up to date in bite size data packets), Facebook (check out whats up with your people), Skype (for talking to your people long distance), Linkedin (keeping your professional profile in the minds-eye), FourSquare (where is everyone else right now), and the electronic ideas scrap book in the form of Evernote

All the other Apps that most iPhone users should have on-board.

In no particular order we also recommend Alarm Clock, the News gathering at one spot portal of NewsOneLite – you’ll quickly realize like us that most ‘newspapers’ run the same news just under slightly different slug-lines.

We also like ‘Studio 54′ inspired Battery LED app which tells you in a trippy visual way how much power your phone has got in it depending on your future use.

The app Bump is a really cool idea although we have to confess that we know of NO ONE who has actually used it.

However almost everyone who works within the international environment seems to use XE Currency which is really good. The desktop version also has a tool for calculating overseas expenses which is mana from heaven.

Another handy app is Free Wi-Fi – a quick email sync at no or little costs. Bless.

All these Apps are Free with the exception of the Alarm Clock that has gone Pro. This Pro version will set you back a whole .99c but in return you can wake up to The Steve Miller Band’s ‘Fly Like An Eagle’ (or a song of your choice that you’ve pre-loaded) which is much more civilized than the BLEEP BLEEP BLEEPing version.

Kinda handy tools

These four Apps are free although we suspect that the sensational Dropbox will be the first to start charging a fee for their services. Really hand app for anyone who comes across lots of stuff in their day on the web but doesn’t have the time to read or review right there and then – easy, just drop it into your box. Probably better suited for your laptop but still you never know, and it will sync.

The other three are just plain handy. Ever wondered what to do if bitten by a snake? Before passing out from the shock, click on your wikiHow app and all things will be revealed.

The SitorSquat app is very American-centric but then it’s development was ‘sponsored’ by Charmin who are huge in the States when it comes to toilet paper… nice synergy there. The future usefullness of this sort of app is dependent in part by the data that users contribute to and certainly within Australia and Hong Kong it is… well spotty at best. Still… if your travelling and can’t find a restroom, it certainly couldn’t hurt to have this on hand.

The last handy tools app should really just come loaded on with the iPhone and perhaps with the new model it will. Some really nice Backgrounds for your iPhone can be found here. Oh and it’s free which is a good price.

Communications

FakeCaller – Free and yet Priceless. This App is often referred to as the Dating Parachute and employed as part of one’s Meeting Exit strategy… come on – like you never wished you’d had this at one of those hideous committee meetings where everything needs to be debated. Bam! That’y my man Tommy White – must take it!

The two other communications Apps that are popular are Meebo and another free app called WhatsApp To be honest we are not 100% sold into either but we are run them for different reasons.

We use Meebo as a instant messaging dashboard of choice off our PC’s. It’s big drawcards is that it allows you to IM with people regardless of their own messaging preference provider. One person could be on yahoo, another on gmail, other son hotmail or even meebo itself – and you can chat across these proprietry domains. Cool.

WhatsApp was recommended to us as a handy way of IMing over iPhone… seems to be replicating the IM element of Skype and some people we’ve invited to communicate via this app have been successful and others not. Hmmm… this app may not be long for our phones me thinks.

Hope you’ve found this list and quasi reviews handy – if you have any you can recommend please let us know.

The second part of this post can be viewed here.

FACTOR168 Creative Event Company

Creative. Strategic. Tactical.

Sensational Events through Powerful Experiences.

No one in the office has ever recieved more than 25 roses ever – and 108 means marry me, so we were wondering what 168 would mean?

A single bloom of red rose    love at first sight or “I still love you”

A single rose in any colour    indicates simplicity and gratitude
2 roses           mutual feelings
3 roses           “I love you”
7 roses           “I’m infatuated with you”
9 roses           “We’ll be together forever”
10 roses         “You are perfect”
11 roses         “You are My Treasured One”
12 roses         “Be mine!”
13 roses        “Friends forever”
15 roses         “I’m truly sorry”
20 roses         “I’m truly sincere towards you”
21 roses         “I’m dedicated to you”
24 roses         “Forever yours”
25 roses         Congratulations
36 roses         “Remembering our romantic times”
40 roses         “My genuine love for you”
50 roses         Unconditional love
99 roses         “I will love you all the days of my life”
101 roses       “I’m completely devoted to you”
108 roses       “Will you marry me?”
999 roses       “I love you till the end of time”

Sure.. though this sounds like the name of some long-defeated Decepticon, I assure you fine people (and Autobots) that it’s something far less diabolical.

Simply visit  the Gravatar website , sign up for the free account, upload the photo you’d like to use, and you’re all set. Your newly-created avatar will now show up here along with a plethera of other website and blogs.

Well, as long as you put the electronic mailing address you used to sign up to gravatar.com in the e-mail field when adding your comment.

That’s it. Easy. So do it.

We hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed compiling it and if there are any flowers that we have missed, please drop us an email with your suggestions. A Sunflower for you all.

Scabiosa Admiration
Scilla                            Forgive & forget
Snapdragon                  Please don’t misunderstand
Snowball/Viburnum     Commitment
Spider Flower               Elope with Me
Stock                           Lasting beauty
Sunflower                    Adoration
Sweet Pea                    Delicate pleasures
Smilax                         Loveliness
Snapdragon                 Deception; Gracious Lady
Stephanotis                 Happiness in Marriage; Desire to Travel
Stock                          Bonds of Affection; Promptness; You’ll Always Be Beautiful to Me
Sweetpea                    Good-bye; Departure; Blissful Pleasure; Thank You for a Lovely Time

Tulip, Cream I will love you forever
Tulip, Red                   Declaration of love; Believe Me; Declaration of Love
Tulip, Yellow               I am hopelessly in love; There’s Sunshine in Your Smile
Tulip, General             Perfect Lover; Frame; Flower Emblem of Holland
Tulip, Variegated        Beautiful Eyes

Veronica Fidelity
Violet                          Modesty
Violet, Blue                 Watchfulness; Faithfulness; I’ll Always Be True
Violet, White               Let’s Take a Chance

Waratah Prosperity
Willow                         Bravery & humanity Zinnia Thoughts of absent friends

Zinnia, Magenta Lasting Affection
Zinnia, Mixed            Thinking (or In Memory) of an Absent Friend
Zinnia, Scarlet           Constancy
Zinnia, White             Goodness
Zinnia, Yellow            Daily Remembrance

We’ve delivered a huge number of projects in Sydney Australia and the state of Sydney is New South Wales. The state flower is the Waratah. Nice.

We like Nasturtium, we just find it hard to pronounce. And rosebud is a gem as a flower, even Citizen Kane loved it… the flower and as a decorative finish on snow sleds.
Magnolia Nobility
Marigold                    Cruelty; Grief; Jealousy
Mistletoe                   Kiss me; Affection; To Surmount Difficulties;Sacred Plant of India
Monkshood               Beware; A Deadly Foe is Near
Moss                         Maternal Love; Charity
Myrtle                        Love; Hebrew Emblem of Marriage

Narcissus Egotism; Formality; Stay as Sweet as You Are

Nasturtium                Conquest; Victory in Battle
Oleander Caution
Orange Blossom         Innocence; Eternal Love; Marriage and Fruitfulness
Orange Mock              Deceit
Orchid                        Love; Beauty; Refinement; Beautiful Lady; Chinese Symbol for Many Children
Orchid, Cattleya         Mature Charm
Paeonia Bashful
Palm leaves               Victory and Success
Peony                        Shame; Happy Life; Happy Marriage
Petunia                      Resentment; Anger; Your Presence Sooths Me
Phlox                         A good partnership; harmony
Pine                           Hope; Pity
Poppy, Oriental         Silence is golden
Poppy, Red                Consolation; Pleasure
Poppy, Scarlet           Extravagance
Poppy, White             Tranquility; Consolation
Poppy, General          Eternal Sleep; Oblivion; Imagination
Poppy, Yellow           Wealth; Success
Primrose                   I Can’t Live Without You
Primrose, Evening     Inconstancy
Ranunculus You are very attractive
Rose, Black                You are my obsession
Rose, Champagne      You are tender & loving
Rose, Leonidas          Sweet love
Rose, Nicole              You are graceful & elegant; aristocratic
Rose, Orange             You are my secret love
Rose, Pink                  Brilliant Complexion; the glow of your smile; Perfect Happiness; Please Believe Me
Rose, Red                   Passionate love; Love; I Love You
Rose, Single Stems     Simplicity
Rose, White                I am worthy of you; spiritual love; Innocence and Purity; I am Worthy of You;
Rose, White & Red      We are not separable; unity
Rose, White & Red Mixed    Unity; Flower Emblem of England
Rose, White-Dried     Death is Preferable to Loss of Virtue
Rose, Yellow              I am not worthy of your love; Decrease of Love; Jealousy; Try to Care
Rose, Bridal               Happy Love
Rose, Dark Crimson  Mourning
Rose, Hibiscus          Delicate Beauty
Rose, Leaf                 You May Hope
Rose, Tea                  I’ll Remember Always
Rose, Thornless        Love at First Sight
Roses, Bouquet of Mature Blooms    Gratitude
Roses, Single Full Bloom    I Love You; I Still Love You
Rosebud                   Beauty and Youth; A Heart Innocent of Love
Rosebud, Red           Pure and Lovely
Rosebud, White        Girlhood
Rosebud, Moss        Confessions of Love

FERN Magic; Fascination; Confidence and Shelter
FIR                                 Time
FLAX                              Domestic Symbol
Flowering Cabbage        Prosperity
Foget-Me-Not               True Love; Memories
Forsythia                       Anticipation
Forget Me Not               True love

Gardenia You’re Lovely; Secret Love
Geranium                      Stupidity; Folly
Gerbera                         You are the sunshine of my life
Ginger, Pink                  Diversity
Ginger, Red                   Unlimited Wealth
Gladioli                         Give Me a Break; I’m Really Sincere; Flower of the Gladiators
Gladiolus / Sword Lily   Strength of Character
Gloxinia                         Love at First Sight

Heather, Lavender Admiration; Solitude
Heather, White               Protection; Wishes Will Come True
Helenium                       I miss you very much
Heliconia                       Great returns
Holly                              Defense; Domestic Happiness
Hyacinth, General          Games and Sports; Rashness; Flower Dedicated to Apollo
Hyacinth, Blue               Constancy; Predictability; reliable
Hyacinth, Purple            I am Sorry; Please Forgive Me; Sorrow
Hyacinth, Red Or Pink   Play
Hyacinth, White             Loveliness; I’ll Pray for You; Subtle and graceful
Hyacinth, Yellow           Jealousy
Hyacinthus, Pink          Active; energetic
Hydrangea                    Thank You for Understanding; Frigidity; Heartlessness; Arrogance; aloofness

Iris Fleur-de-lis; Emblem of France; Your Friendship Means so Much to Me;                                                         Hope; Wisdom and Valor; My Compliments; Passion
Ivy                                Wedded Love; Fidelity; Friendship; Affection; Friendship; fidelity; marriage

Jasmine Amiability
Jonquil                          Love Me; Affection Returned; Desire; Sympathy; Desire for Affection Returned

Larkspur, White Joyful; happy-go-lucky
Larkspur, Pink               Fickleness
Larkspur, Purple            Sweet disposition
Lilac                              Field Humility
Lilac, Purple                  You are my first love
Lilac, White                   You are so pure and innocent
Lily of the Valley           Return of happiness
Lily, Calla                      Your voice is music to my ears
Lily, Casablanca            I am in heaven when I’m with you
Lily, Pink                       Romantic
Lily, Stargazer               I see heaven in your eyes
Lily, Yellow                   Live for the moment; nothing is forever; I’m Walking on Air; False and Gay
Lily, White                    Virginity; Purity; Majesty; It’s Heavenly to be with You My love is pure and innocent
Lily, Calla                     Beauty
Lily, Day                       Coquetry; Chinese Emblem for Mother
Lily, Eucharis               Maiden Charms
Lily, Tiger                    Wealth; Pride
Lily Of The Valley        Sweetness; Tears of the Virgin Mary; Return to Happiness; Humility

Naturally budget makes an impact on our selection as does the season, but above all – it is the artistry of the design of the floral work that is key. Together with our floral artists we have created some sensational creations – beautiful celebration bouquets, featured ‘hero’ displays, table centrepieces that serve as great conversation starters and so on.

But sometimes that’s all not enough…

What we discovered on one high profile event for an international financial firm from Hong Kong was that flowers came with specific associations that we needed to be mindful of. We were familiar with roses but anything more than that… thankful our client guided us and the day was saved and happiness was everywhere.

It took us some time, a couple of missteps, but eventually we developed a quick reference list of major flowers and their possible meanings. The flowers listed from A through to L are detailed here for your consideration.

Acacia Concealed Love; Beauty in Retirement; Chaste Love
Ambrosia                            Your Love is Reciprocated
Amaryllis                            Pride; Pastoral Poetry
Amaryllis/Hippeastrum      I am proud of you; pride
Anemone                            Forsaken
Anemone/Mona Lisa           I don’t want to lose you
Anthurium, Red                  You work to get where you are
Anthurium, White               Think of me
Arbutus                              Thee Only Do I Love
Aster                                  Symbol of Love, Daintiness

Aster China                        Variety is the spice of life

Azalea                                Take Care of Yourself for Me; Temperance; Fragile Passion; Chinese Symbol of Womanhood

Bachelor Button Single Blessedness
Begonia                             Beware
Bells Of Ireland                 Good Luck
Bellflower / Campanula    Gratitude
Bird of Paradise Flower     Freedom, Good perspective
Bittersweet                       Truth
Butterfly Orchid                You are always on my mind
Bluebell                            Humility

Cactus Endurance
Camellia, Pink                  Longing for you
Camellia, Red                   You’re a Flame in My Heart
Camellia, White                You’re Adorable
Carnation, General           Fascination; Woman Love
Carnation, Pink                I’ll Never Forget You; Motherly love
Carnation, Red                 My Heart Aches For You; Admiration; I hold you in high esteem; respect
Carnation, Purple             Capriciousness
Carnation, Solid Color      Yes
Carnation, Striped            No; Refusal; Sorry I Can’t Be With You; Wish I Could Be With You
Carnation, White              Sweet and Lovely; Innocence; Pure Love; Woman’s Good Luck Gift
Carnation, Yellow             You Have Disappointed Me; Rejection; Enjoy the moment
Cattail                              Peace; Prosperity
Celosia                             Fortune
Chrysanthemum              You’re a Wonderful Friend; Cheerfulness and Rest
Chrysanthemum, White   Truth
Chrysanthemum, Yellow  Slighted Love
Crocus                             Cheerfulness
Cyclamen                         Don’t lose faith in me
Cypress                            Mourning
Cyclamen                         Resignation and Good-bye

Daffodil Regard; Unrequited Love; You’re the Only One; The Sun is Always Shining with You
Daffodil Narcissus           You are an angel
Dahlia                              Fickleness
Daisy                               Innocence; Loyal Love; I’ll Never Tell; Purity
Daisy, Garden                  I share your sentiment
Daisy, Red                       Joy
Daisy, White                    Innocence; truth
Daisy, Yellow                  I will try hard to earn your love
Dandelion                       Faithfulness; Happiness

It is certainly not an exhaustive list so if a flower doesn’t feature and it should – your feedback is appreciated.