Help - having a open house/show for appartment complex

[PamperedSD]

On my way home today I stopped at the office of my appartment complex expecting to pick up my Merrill order. I had forgot that 2 of my show orders were being delivered today as well. So, when I picked up my boxes several people in the office made a comment about the large pampered chef boxes and what was in them. The manager asked if I had a show or if I was selling it. I told her I was brand new and that I was now selling it. She asked if I would do a show or demo or something for the complex next month. Of course I said yes! She said she would call me next week to set up a date and time and ask what I wanted to do. She said if I wanted to make stuff up ahead of time I could use the office on a week night or if I wanted to do a cooking demo I could use any empty appartment and they would set up chairs for me.

I'm thinking precooked stuff would be great at the office. HERE is where I need YOUR HELP. What would I call this?? And does anyone have any ideas on where to start for wording on flyers. Maybe I could order post cards from vista print and pass them out to anyone I see and even post some on doors. Its a pretty big complex - 3 stories and 7 buildings. I know there are also tons of dogs (the only people I know I've meet by walking the dog) so maybe I could put something about home made dog treats?? I just started in August and I didn't have an open house so any tips or ideas would be GREAT! Thanks!! :D

[ChefGwendolyn]

Cory-
When I did my demo at my complex (2 stories, 17 buildings) I made up 1/2 sheets of paper, attached the paper to rubberbands and then placed on each door knob. We did that 10 days before. The manager then sent a recorded phone call to each resident reminding them about the event the day before. I think it worked okay, but I wish that I would have physically knocked on the doors myself to invite people. Of course, you have a dog which I did not so you have the advantage of meeting people everyday.

I did mine in our clubhouse which has a small kitchen, so I did a DCB recipe ahead of time and then did the Turtle Pretzel Candies as a demo.

I hope this helps!

[PamperedSD]

Thanks for the recipe and tips. I like the Kick off to Fall idea and the dip ideas you posted today. Thank you! Did you offer any type of raffle or discount to people?

[Sheila]

Have the office print up something with their letterhead & hang it on all the mailbox clusters in the neighborhood announcing that it's going to happen on ____ date.

The apartment we used to live in had a deal with the local Pizza Hut. PH would bring already made pizza's to the main entrance & sell them for dirt cheap. The way that the buildings were designed, all 8 apartments in each building had to pass the bottom of the stairwell to get to their door. The management would have a staff member walk around & hang a flyer on the end of every building's stairwell around 2PM reminding everyone that it was going on from 6-8 that night. That way, as each person came home from work, they saw the flyer. Apparently, they had a good response, as they kept it up for a VERY long time! LOL

I'd plan to prepare in advance and expect it to be more of a "drop in, check it out & then leave" event. If you try to do a demo, you'll (more than likely) be dealing with people coming in late & disrupting the demo and/or asking questions that you've already answered for the group. ;)