How to Host an Open House for Your Business

Most business owners want to be accepted by the community. By opening your business to the public, you can make new contacts, new friends, and have the opportunity to show a side of your business to locals that they would ordinarily never see. Hosting such an event, however, takes a lot of planning, some creativity, help from your staff, money and a little guidance.

Instructions

1. Decide when you want to have an open house. Give yourself about five months to plan the event. Establish your target audience, and if you have more than one, decide whether to have one group of people one day and another group of people the next day.

2. Estimate your budget for the event. Remember, if you want the employees to help out, they may expect to be paid. Figure in costs for food, any entertainment such as a band, and any promotional items you plan to give to guests.

3. Figure out what your main goal is in having the open house. Do you want to impress the people with your high-tech machines? Do you want to show that your company is friendly, ethical, and truly cares about the community? Your goal will direct what activities you plan. For instance, if you want to impress the guests with your high-tech robotics, plan an entertaining demonstration of a robot completing some everyday task, such as cracking an egg and making an omelet.

4. Plan what refreshments you will offer. Food is an important feature at open houses, so to make it easy on yourself, make arrangements with a local restaurant to cater your event. Punch, finger sandwiches, cheese trays, salads and dips will provide the necessary nourishment.

5. Two weeks before the open house, send a press release to all local newspapers, radio and TV stations announcing the event. Some radio and TV stations will promote the event if it involves something that benefits a charity. Therefore, you might have a raffle for a new kitchen appliance and offer a matching appliance to Habitat for Humanity, for example.

Tips & Warnings

• It is important that the public not only learn about your business, but enjoy themselves, too, so ensure the activities are fun and interesting.

• Plan ahead and make sure employees are clear on whether they will be paid for their time, receive comp time, or are expected to volunteer their time.