go disco - Local Events & Things to Do

The Challenge of Discovering Local Experiences

While Foursquare’s prominence has diminished, the difficulty of locating engaging local activities persists. Many individuals currently rely on a combination of platforms like Facebook and Instagram, alongside personal recommendations, to find things to do. However, a significant gap exists in the market for dedicated applications designed to encourage real-world engagement.

Introducing Go Disco: An Offline-Focused App

Go Disco aims to address this need by prioritizing experiences that draw users away from their devices and into the community. As co-founder Sean Conrad explained to TechCrunch, the app’s core function is to facilitate shared experiences with loved ones. It functions as an event recommendation engine, but also represents a deliberate counterpoint to social networks that prioritize user retention through constant engagement.

Technology's Double-Edged Sword

Conrad points out the paradoxical nature of technology, stating that while it has yielded remarkable advancements in fields like medicine and logistics, it simultaneously presents challenges to genuine social connection. Despite the power of modern devices, he suggests that they can negatively impact our social lives.

Launch and Expansion Plans

Founded by Sean Conrad, a consumer app developer, and Jesse Berns, a data scientist, Go Disco is now available on iOS, with an Android version planned for release in mid-2022. Initially, the app will focus on events in Los Angeles, before expanding to New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Miami, Portland, and Austin.

A Hybrid Approach to Event Discovery

Go Disco employs a unique method for identifying local events. It combines automated systems that gather information from public event listings with a dedicated editorial team. This team focuses on uncovering community-specific and lesser-known events that may not be widely publicized.

Personalized Recommendations Through Interests

The app’s technology analyzes public event listings and categorizes them based on relevant keywords. These keywords are then matched with a list of 65 interests that users can select during signup. These interests range from activities like rock climbing and reading to affiliations with communities like the LGBTQ community and activist groups.

The Importance of Human Curation

Conrad stresses the crucial role of human oversight in Go Disco’s recommendation process. This ensures that suggestions are inclusive, considerate, and tailored to individual preferences, moving beyond the limitations of a generic events calendar.

Quality Over Quantity

Go Disco prioritizes delivering a curated selection of events rather than attempting to list everything happening in a city. The goal is to present users with a small number of highly relevant and enjoyable options. Conrad believes the ideal experience is one where the desired event is immediately visible upon opening the app.

Future Social Features

While the initial version of the app focuses on event discovery, the team intends to integrate social features in the future. By March of the following year, Go Disco plans to introduce threaded replies within the app, allowing users to discuss upcoming events with each other. Currently, users can share events and add them to their calendars.

Streamlining Event Coordination

The addition of social features aims to replace the often-chaotic experience of coordinating events through multiple text message threads. The app will provide a dedicated space for event-specific conversations, eliminating the need to sift through lengthy and disorganized group chats.

Managing Diverse Social Circles

Conrad illustrates this point by describing the challenges of managing separate friend groups with distinct interests. He envisions Go Disco as a platform that allows users to connect with specific groups for relevant events without being overwhelmed by notifications from all their contacts.

Monetization Strategies

Go Disco is still in its early stages, but the founders have considered potential revenue models. They are committed to protecting user data and prefer options such as taking a commission on ticket sales or offering premium features to dedicated users. Any implementation of promoted events would be approached cautiously to maintain the app’s curated experience.

A Vision for a More Empathetic Future

Conrad expresses concern about the potential for social media to create echo chambers and exacerbate societal divisions. He believes that fostering real-world connections is essential for cultivating empathy and mitigating these negative effects. He posits that shared experiences can be a powerful catalyst for understanding and compassion.