Event Guidelines

Automatticians can work from anywhere in the world. So it turned out our “office” was no longer necessary. In July 2017, we closed down the Lounge in San Francisco. Read more about it at Quartz.

Thank you for considering Automattic for your next event! We offer 15,000 square feet of space that allows for a variety of event configurations and formats. Our goal is to keep our events focused on groups that specialize in WordPress, technology, or open-source initiatives. It is best utilized for conferences, networking events, learning opportunities, panel discussions, and professional development within the tech industry. We are also open to hosting happy hours, cocktail receptions, and galas in our space.

You’ll find a list of our space options and rates based on half and full day rentals. Multi day rates are available upon request. 

Space Capacity Seated –
Presentation Style		 Capacity Seated –
Tables & Chairs		 Capacity
Standing		 Full Day
(8 Hours)		 Half Day
(4 Hours)		 Availability
All Access 300 200 500 $9,000 $4,500 Weekdays
All Hands Area 250 150 400 $7,000 $3,500 Weekdays
Upstairs 50 100 $3,000 $1,500 Weekdays
Boardroom 12 – 14 $1,500 $750 Weekdays

*Hours listed are inclusive of one hour load-in and one hour load-out time. For additional hours, please inquire. After 2 extra hours, regular rental rates apply. 

Interested in hosting your company holiday party at the Automattic Lounge? Please fill out the event request form to inquire about our holiday pricing!

We offer an onsite day of Property Manager for the duration of your event. They will be your main point of contact prior to and the day of your program and can handle any questions pertaining to the Lounge.

Included in the All Hands rental:

AV Equipment:

  • 2 Wireless Microphones
  • Projector with 1 HDMI input cord
  • HDMI to Thunderbolt converter
  • Projection screen 8’ x 12’
  • 6 x mounted speakers
  • Audio recording plugin

*Limitations

  • One input cord for projector (HDMI or Thunderbolt).
  • Control unit is fixed to the wall at the corner of the stage.

Furniture:

  • 10 Tables – 6′ x 2.5′
  • 2 Tables – 4′ x 1.5′
  • Approximately 140 Chairs
  • 90 Folding Black
  • 40 Grey rolling chairs

Upstairs Furniture:

We offer a variety of seating options in our Upstairs area only.

  • 5 x 3 person sofas
  • 6 low wing back padded chairs
  • 12 tall chairs with backs
  • 1 x 8’ tall table

Upstairs rental includes use of:

  • 2 x 4 person offices / breakout rooms
  • 1 soft seating breakout room
  • 1 x 65” Samsung TV
  • Apple TV
  • 12 person Boardroom
  • 78” Samsung TV
  • Apple TV
  • Conference camera capability
  • Polycom
  • Sliding privacy door
  • 12’ x 4’ whiteboard
  • Pool table*
  • Shuffleboard*   

Boardroom:

  • 12-14 person table with power outlets
  • 78” Samsung TV
  • Apple TV
  • Conference camera capability
  • Polycom
  • Sliding privacy door
  • 12’ x 4’ whiteboard

Certificate of Authenticity:

Automattic requires Clients to maintain a comprehensive general liability policy in an amount equal to or greater than $1,000,000 naming “Automattic Inc. and each of its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates” as Additional Insureds. Certificates of insurance coverage are required no later than 30 days prior to the event, or within five business days of events booked within 30 days of the event.

Catering and Bartending: 

You’re welcome to use whomever you’d like for catering, but here are some we recommend:

We offer a small freezer for catering use. There is an oven available for warming. We do not provide linens or kitchen supplies ie; pots, pans, bowls, plates, cups, cutlery.

Rentals & Furnishing:

A/V: Sound & Music: 

You’ll need to be onsite to receive both catering and rentals as well during their setup and takedown.

Alcohol:

If you’re planning to serve alcohol, you are required to have a bartender onsite with a TIPS training certification. We recommend one bartender per 75 guests. 

Alcohol cannot be consumed outside and we have zero tolerance for underage drinking. *You are required to ID guests at registration and provide wristbands for those over 21. 

Staffing:

  • If you’re hosting a non-Automattic event, you’re responsible for staffing including: hiring an event manager, caterers, bartender, and door staff until your event is complete.
  • With the exception of door staff, we require the use of professional vendors.
  • A full list of vendors, along with their load-in/load-out schedule is required one week prior to your event.
  • Additional custodial service is required for full day events.

Decorating:

Does your event have an Enchantment Under the Sea theme? Fine with us, pursuant to a few guidelines:

  • All décor items must be flame-proofed and free standing.
  • No items can be leaned against a wall, or affixed to the inside or outside of the building.
  • Nothing can be attached to walls using tacks, nails, tape, staples, or anything else that might damage the walls.
  • At the end of your event ALL items are removed and our workspace is returned to its upright and locked position before the next business day.

Entertainment:

We love hosting musical performances and other entertainment. To ensure the success of the event, we ask that all entertainment be set up before guests arrive and that no sound equipment is faulty or substandard. Some A/V equipment is available for use from Automattic.

Deliveries / Removals:

Delivery of props, equipment, and rental items are your responsibility and must be scheduled at least one week prior to the event. All props, entertainment, and rentals will be allowed into Hawthorne only on the day of the event.  Client must be onsite for all equipment deliveries. Everything must be removed from Hawthorne immediately following the event. One hour before and after the event are included in rates provided. Additional hours are available for an additional fee. Late fees are listed below.

Pre-event day setup rates are standard rental rates. Please see rates above for half and full day rentals.

Use Area Late Fee Per Hour
All Access $1,500
All Hands Area $1,000
Upstairs $500
Boardroom $250

Additional Equipment Available:

  • Coat rack with approximately 20 hangers.
  • Bike-racks for up to 9 bikes.
  • 3 x trash, recycle, and compost bins.

Parking:

Should you find you’d like to secure parking closest to our building, here are the local resource phone numbers and meter numbers.

  • MTA Phone Number: (415) 701-2311
  • Meter Numbers in front of Automattic: 46301280, 46301260, 46301200, 46301180.
  • The four meters listed above, and the driveway, will give you 115 ft. of loading space.
  • Additional meters (closest to furthest) 46301340, 46301360, 46301380, 46301400.

Additional Fees:

We require a $1,500 security deposit for all events. Refundable 10 business days post event. 50% Booking Fee is required for all events and accepted by check or wire transfer at time of deposit. Payment is due in full 30 days prior to the event.*Multi-Day Discounts may be available upon request.
Additional load-in, load-out hours are available at $250 per hour.

Clients with full day rentals must pay an additional Cleaning Fee of $500 per day. Half day rentals must pay $250. Payment is due 30 days prior to the event.

Cancellation policy:

All cancellation requests must be made in writing. With more than 90 days’ notice, the Initial Payment and the Security Deposit will be refunded in full. With less than 90 days’ notice only the Security Deposit will be refunded.

Other Rules:

  • No animals, except service pets
  • No smoking

Checklist for information required to have an event at the Automattic Lounge:

  • Insurance Certificate (30 days prior to event)
  • Vendor List (emailed one week prior to event)
  • Floor Plan (emailed one week prior to event)
  • Schedule from load-in to load-out (including, but not limited to, event content and vendor delivery/pick-up schedule. Emailed one week prior to event)

 

the Automattic Lounge