Help! Planning My Fall & Christmas Open Houses

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores ideas and experiences related to planning Fall and Christmas open houses for Pampered Chef consultants. Participants share their thoughts on event themes, attendance strategies, and ways to engage customers effectively.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses uncertainty about whether to host both a Fall kickoff and a Christmas open house, considering attendance issues at past events.
  • Another participant suggests combining a Fall kickoff with a customer appreciation theme and hosting a separate cookie exchange closer to Christmas to create distinct events.
  • One participant shares their experience of achieving better attendance by offering themed events like New Recipe Tasting parties or Power Cooking Clinics instead of traditional open houses.
  • Another participant mentions incentivizing attendees from the first event to return for a second holiday-themed show with discounts or special offers.
  • One participant discusses the idea of hosting a series of events each month, featuring different themes and recipes to maintain interest and engagement.
  • Another participant notes that their customers prefer to be invited to events infrequently but appreciate opportunities to purchase holiday gifts during the appropriate season.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best approach to hosting events, with no clear consensus on whether to hold multiple events or focus on a single one.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences regarding event planning and customer engagement, reflecting a variety of strategies based on their individual consultant experiences.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for creative ideas and strategies for planning seasonal events may find the shared experiences and suggestions relevant to their own practices.

P
pampered2007
Messages
289
Here's my dilemma....

I have not had a lot of attendance at my past Fall or Spring open houses/kick off events. So therefore I have decided that in place of that I would host an open house at Christmas time. If I choose to do both and host a Fall kick off and a Christmas Open House then it will only be a short time before I invite everyone again. I am anxious to show off the new products and recipes and increase my sales and bookings for the Fall but I love to do the Christmas get together too. But I feel that I really should only do one or the other, and not both. Maybe go ahead and invite everyone including current and past hosts to the Fall kickoff and then have the Christmas show for just my hosts and my most supportive customers. Or just do one show and leave it at that. I am just not sure what I want to do. Any suggestions or ideas??? Thanks!
 
Maybe you could do a Fall Kick-off/Customer Appreciation event, and then closer to Christmas do a Cookie Exchange Winter Party. Now that we have a new cookie press and cookie sheet and nesting dry measuring cups, there could be a fun recipe you could demo and give out. Then the parties have 2 different themes to them and you won't feel like you're doing the same thing twice.
 
Amanda has the right idea. Don't hold an Open House - Do something that intrigues people and makes them want to come. Offer a New Recipe Tasting party, and invite everyone over to taste several of the new demo recipes and see new products, and rate them for you....or offer a Power Cooking Clinic, or a Sack Lunch Makeover Party (offering ideas for fun lunches to pack for themselves or their kids). I have found when I do this kind of thing, I get a much better attendance than if I just have an Open House.
 
I'd be tempted in incentivise your first crowd to return near Christmas. Give attendees who purchase at your first show an invite to your second 'Holiday Cookie Whatever'... tell them as a thank you for attending this show that you will show them how easy holiday cookies can be. If they come and make a purchase at the second show (promo gift shopping) as well, give them a discount - 5-10% off, $2 shipping, extra Mystery Host drawing tickets, whatever you can afford to give them. And make a big public deal of their attendance and smart savings shopping!
 
Thanks for getting my mind sparked about doing my own parties, rather than haul all my
stuff to someone elses house. How about inviting it as a Series, with something new each month. I'm crazy about the new Loaded Potato Soup Recipe, so would offer
that in late Aug. or early Sept.; because of the Stoneware incentives. October and forward are up for grabs on whatever theme you want to suggest to get the bookings you need. I'd send the invite via our e-vite system if anyone knows how to delete the prepared first two paragraphs. They are so confusing when you want to customize your own letter. Tech support has tried to help me twice to no avail, in the last 4 weeks.

I like all the ideas you have received so far. Thanks for the thread.
 
Perhaps do a show in early October as a new product and buy gifts for the holiday. I find people really only want to get invited once (at least my customers) but also love to buy Christmas gifts when it's time. Good luck.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective themes for my Fall & Christmas Open Houses?

Consider themes that resonate with the season, such as "Harvest Feast" for Fall or "Winter Wonderland" for Christmas. You can also focus on specific cooking techniques, holiday baking, or meal prep ideas that utilize Pampered Chef products. Incorporating seasonal decorations and recipes can enhance the theme and create a festive atmosphere.

How can I promote my Open Houses to increase attendance?

Utilize social media platforms, email newsletters, and personal invitations to spread the word. Create engaging posts that highlight the benefits of attending, such as exclusive discounts, free samples, or fun cooking demonstrations. Consider partnering with local businesses or community groups to expand your reach.

What types of Pampered Chef products should I feature during my Open Houses?

Focus on seasonal products that align with holiday cooking and entertaining, such as baking tools, serving platters, and kitchen gadgets. Highlight items that make meal prep easier during the busy holiday season. Additionally, showcase any new or popular products that attendees may not be familiar with.

How can I create a welcoming atmosphere for my guests?

Set up a comfortable space with adequate seating and festive decorations. Offer light refreshments or snacks made with Pampered Chef products to create a warm and inviting environment. Play seasonal music in the background to enhance the ambiance and encourage conversation among guests.

What activities can I include to keep guests engaged during the Open House?

Incorporate interactive cooking demonstrations, hands-on product trials, or recipe contests to keep guests engaged. You can also host a raffle or giveaway for attendees, encouraging them to participate and share their experiences on social media. Providing take-home recipe cards or product catalogs can also keep the excitement going beyond the event.

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