About the Author As Chief Operating Officer of The Sales & Marketing Magic Companies,

Tami Siewruk shares more than 20 years of experience in multifamily

housing, encompassing leasing, marketing, management, training,

authoring, consulting, developing, and Brainstorming! For more

information on Tami's newsletter, Sales & Marketing Magic for

Apartment Professionals; the latest Tools & Forms Catalogue; The

Annual Multifamily Housing Brainstorming Sessions™; or to receive

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A PRESENTATION OF Sales & Marketing Magic

36473 US Highway 19 North

Palm Harbor, FL 34684

Telephone: 800-363-7384 Fax: 727-784-7978

email: info@smmonline.com

web site: www.Smmonline.com

“SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS”

leisure survey..................................................................................................................................1-3

Party/recreational activities..........................................................................................4

educational opportunities.....................................................................................................4

creating a theme for Your Party...............................................................................5-7

party suggestions.................................................................................................................8-10

Planning the event......................................................................................................................11

event and social planning guide...................................................................................12

promotion & setting the stage.....................................................................................13

invitation checklist......................................................................................................................14

staffing..................................................................................................................................................14

shopping list.....................................................................................................................................15

1

purpose and types of events

Community-sponsored and promoted resident activities and social events, involving both residents and their guests, can have a significant impact on your marketing efforts. The key to using activities and events as marketing tools lies in including not only your residents, but also extending the invitation to their friends and associates. The idea is to create interest and involvement in the community and to promote a feeling of "what a great place to live."

There are many types of resident activities that your community can sponsor. They include lectures, classes, parties, sporting events and competitions, talent shows,

art bazaars, flea markets, children's events, etc. Publicize events as thoroughly as possible, including a note in your monthly newsletter, special flyers, and posters. Don't neglect any opportunity to spread the news by word of mouth. Remind each resident as you see or speak to them, and be sure to invite all your future residents.

The only way to ensure that your residents will participate in a social event, is to plan with their recre- ational preferences in mind. The easiest way to build a social or recreational profile of your residents is to conduct a survey aimed at determining their idea of a good time. Following is a sample leisure survey that will help you to plan successful resident events, tailored to your residents' recreational habits.

Dear Resident, We'd like to remind you that our #1 goal is to make this the best home that we possibly can! To accomplish this, we need your

help. This survey is very, very important to us, because it tells us more about you. We intend to use the information that you provide us with to develop a calendar of social events that is based on the leisure and recreational activities that you enjoy most.

We recognize the value of your time, and sincerely appreciate your willingness to participate. Please complete the following questionnaire and return it to the management office at your earliest convenience. We intend to return the favor throughout the year in fun and exciting social activities that both you and your neighbors can enjoy! Age Group: [ ] Under 25 [ ] 25-35 [ ] 36-45 [ ] 46-55 [ ] 56-65 [ ] Over 65

Regarding our community, what do you like most?:__________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________

What one feature most attracted you to our community?:_____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________

What would make you happier to live here?:_______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are employed, how far do you drive to work?:____________________________

How long does it usually take?:_________

WHAT'S YOUR IDEA OF A GOOD TIME? leisure survey

2

Do you participate in a sport?: Do you follow a professional sport?: [ ] No [ ] No [ ] Softball/Baseball [ ] Baseball [ ] Football [ ] Football [ ] Basketball [ ] Basketball [ ] Volleyball [ ] Hockey [ ] Tennis [ ] Tennis [ ] Racquetball [ ] Golf [ ] Golf [ ] Auto racing [ ] Bowling [ ] Bowling [ ] Soccer [ ] Soccer [ ] Other: ____________ What team(s): ___________________

In what organized sport would you be most interested in participating?: [ ] Volleyball [ ] Tennis [ ] Softball [ ] Bowling [ ] Other: ____________

When do you have leisure time? [ ] Sunday [ ] Day [ ] Night [ ] Monday [ ] Day [ ] Night [ ] Tuesday [ ] Day [ ] Night [ ] Wednesday [ ] Day [ ] Night [ ] Thursday [ ] Day [ ] Night [ ] Friday [ ] Day [ ] Night [ ] Saturday [ ] Day [ ] Night

How do you most enjoy spending your leisure time during the day?_____________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ How do you most enjoy spending your leisure time in the evening?_____________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

Which events would you most like to see held here at our community? [ ] Coffee and Doughnut Socials [ ] Health Fairs [ ] Water Aerobics [ ] Planned Walks [ ] Bingo [ ] Card Parties [ ] Business Card Exchanges/Networking Socials [ ] Lectures or seminars (please note your preferred subject and/or speaker):

________________________________________________________ [ ] Other:__________________________________________________________

WHAT'S YOUR IDEA OF A GOOD TIME?

3

Leisure survey continued

Please number the following in order of preference (1=most fun; 6=least fun) [ ] Reading [ ] Cards/Board games [ ] Walking/Jogging/Running [ ] Arts/Crafts [ ] Movies/Videos [ ] Other:___________________________

Which do you prefer: [ ] Going to a cinema [ ] Renting videos

What movie genre do you prefer?: [ ] Drama [ ] Comedy [ ] Sci-fi [ ] Horror [ ] Action-Adventure [ ] Documentaries [ ] Foreign [ ] Art

How often do you rent videos?: [ ] Daily [ ] About twice a week [ ] A few times a month [ ] Once a month [ ] Every couple of months [ ] Never

What night(s) do you most frequently rent movies or go to the cinema? [ ] Sunday [ ] Thursday [ ] Monday [ ] Friday [ ] Tuesday [ ] Saturday [ ] Wednesday

Do you have children living with you?: [ ] Yes [ ] No

Is your child/children involved in a structured summer activity? [ ] Yes [ ] No

What are your children's special interests? [ ] Movies [ ] Board games:____________________ [ ] Swimming [ ] Arts/Crafts:______________________ [ ] Sports:___________________ [ ] Martial Arts:_____________________ [ ] Other: _________________________