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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Corporate Open House Ideas

A corporate open house is the time to show off your office, your staff and your equipment while building loyalty among your customers, suppliers, vendors and the community. Use this opportunity to create an unforgettable event that will make your company memorable. Educate visitors about your business, build trust and gain friends.

Plan Ahead

    A plan will pave the way for a smooth and worry-free day. Brainstorm creative ways to display your business. This is the opportunity to show off your innovative products and services, so allow sufficient time to excute your best idea. Great ideas will bring in the media and enhance the publicity value of your event.

Memorable Entertainment

    Great entertainment will make your open house an event to remember. Choose entertainment options based on the date and time of the open house and the guest list. If this is an adults-only business affair over lunch on Thursday, provide a celebrity speaker. For instance, if you manufacture golf clubs, invite a PGA golfer to give tips on swings. However, if this is a family event to be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, you must also provide entertainment for the children or the parents will quickly become disgruntled. Music, clowns, ponies, relay races, dancers, karate demonstrations, science experiments, race cars--your choice should be age appropriate, fun and related to your business, if possible.

Crowd Pleaser

    Your corporate open house will please the crowds when you stage an unforgettable event. When your next outdoor boat show is on the lakefront, invite water ski professionals to perform an acrobatic show. If you sell police tactical equipment, give a demonstration of the power of a Taser gun. If you own a dog-grooming service, hold a dog show, complete with blue ribbons.

Facilities and Decorations

    While this is an opportunity to show off your business, a large crowd might require additional space. You may need more tables and chairs. In case of inclement weather, reserve tents. Consider renting portable rest rooms. Plan to have your business cleaned professionally the day before the event. Guest parking, first aid stations and security may also be considerations.

    Make this event stand out with unusual and unexpected decorations. If you own a travel agency, consider decorating the outdoor tents as Hawaiian paradise huts. Cover the inside walls with bamboo and bring lush, tropical plants in along the walls, with colorful birds of paradise and hibiscus plants to grace the tables.

Event Day

    Do a final cleaning and stocking of restrooms. Walk around the grounds and pick up any litter. Hang the welcome banner. Set up decorations. Cordon off any dangerous or restricted areas. Make name tags for all employees.

    Be sure and greet everyone who attends. If you might not be able to reach every person, appoint a high-level staff member to help you greet guests. Have a staff member with decision-making power in charge of details, leaving you free to circulate.

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