Your complete guide to hosting resident events
 
 
 

Events trends

57% of multifamily firms are hosting resident events*

 
 

Creating a sense of community for your renters is one of the most important things you can do as a property management company. Resident events not only help foster great relationships between you, your residents, and their neighbors, but they also provide you with marketing opportunities for prospects.

Since the global Covid-19 pandemic, hosting events has never been more important to reconnect with residents, maintain relationships, and even support mental health. Hosting in-person events is often the preferred way to connect with members of your community face-to-face, while virtual events allow you to connect with your residents any time, anywhere. Weather permitting, hosting outdoor events offers the opportunity to engage with renters in-person while also taking advantage of your outdoor amenities.

 

Not only is community culture good for residents, it’s also good for you: On average, buildings that list more amenities can command rental rates that are 16% higher, and retaining high occupancy can lead to higher net operating income.

Now’s the time to find ways to surprise and delight your residents so they view your property as more than just a place to sleep.

 
 
 
 

Management Perspective

 

'Events filled a social gap'

 

"The pandemic changed how residents viewed their homes. Many of our residents lost jobs or had to navigate through remote working. I could sense a mental strain that the pandemic and our new norm was creating at the property I managed, and I found that hosting amazing events filled a social gap that the pandemic had caused."

 

Joelis Barandica

Regional Director of Education

CONAM Management Corporation

 
 
 
 

Planning

Hosting the ideal event for your renters

 
 

We reached out to members of the multifamily community to find out which events have had the most success. Here are some to consider.

 
 
Placement

Virtual events

  • Virtual yoga or fitness class

  • Virtual cooking class from local chef

  • Netflix watch party

  • Virtual resident talent show

  • Virtual mixology class with grab-and-go supplies

  • Virtual comedian or trivia night

 
plant

Outdoor events

  • On-site food trucks

  • Live band

  • Outdoor yoga + mimosas

  • Courtyard happy hour

  • Outdoor paint and sip with local artist

  • Poolside movie with grab and go snacks

 
 
 
 

Events calendar

Two types of events that can help you easily plan out your calendar

 

Celebrating major moments is a great way to recognize important holidays and events in the lives of your residents, but sometimes, your events can be as simple as gestures of appreciation for your resident community- much like a flower bouquet: ‘just because’.

Building your events calendar around popular holidays and seasons is an easy way to ensure a robust offering that will gather the most resident participation. Appreciation events show your gratitude to your residents and can help to keep occupancy of your units high with valued, responsible renters. Remember: When throwing holiday events, it’s important to be inclusive as to not single out or exclude any demographic in your rental community.

Here are some examples of such moments we recommend celebrating:

 
 
seasonal icon

Seasonal

  • Super Bowl watch party with game time snacks

  • Valentine’s Day floral arrangement class or chocolate and wine pairing

  • St. Patrick's Day lobby/outdoor space happy hour

  • Spring egg decorating

  • Gardening tips from local horticulturist with kits for home windowsill herb gardens

  • Summer cook-out

  • Halloween costume party and contest

  • Thanksgiving canned food drive to benefit local food bank

  • Holiday gift wrapping station with cocktails/appetizers

 
resident appreciation icon

Resident appreciation

  • Appetizers and cocktails at a local bar or restaurant

  • Grab-and-go glam kits available in the lobby with face masks and other self care products

  • Wine and chocolate pairing dropped off at the door of each unit

  • Waffle/breakfast bar

  • Morning coffee available as residents leave for work

  • Gift cards to local business partners

  • Pet treats and toy drop off for pet-friendly buildings

  • Take and bake pizza night

 
 
 

A look back at successful renter events

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

How to make your best event yet

The secret to great events is fourfold: preparation, marketing, strategic details, and gathering feedback.

 
 
Renter-Event-Success
 

Planning

 

Survey your residents
Not sure where to start? Ask your residents what types of events they’d like to see. Meet them where they are. Consider sending a Google form of potential events and let your residents choose which event they would be most interested in attending.

Look at past successes
Did something work really well last year? Consider making it an annual event, or improving it for the future.

 

Identify your budget
Evaluate your yearly budget and decide what funds can be allocated to resident events. Larger events will require more funds, whereas smaller resident appreciation events can utilize more conservative spending.

 

 

 
 
Virtual-Class
 

Marketing

 

Promote each event well in advance
Start the promotion of your event well in advance of the date to give residents enough opportunity to make time in their schedule. Ideally, promotion should start 1-2 months before the scheduled event, with an increase in emails or call outs on social media in the 1-2 weeks leading up to the event.

 

Create eye-catching invitations and distribute widely
All of your marketing should call attention to the event and excite residents. Distribute invitations and event calendars to your residents both in email, flyers in all common spaces, and even flyers on the doors of each unit. Canva is a great free program to use to design eye-catching flyers.

 

Create a monthly calendar
Display it in common areas, and send emails or newsletters regularly with upcoming event information.

Leverage social media
Create a hashtag of the building and event name, and consider offering residents the opportunity to win a raffle entry for each photo posted at the event with the included hashtag. Don’t forget to post after the event to give prospective tenants an idea of the type of community they can expect when signing a lease for your property.

 
 
Outdoor-Renter-Event
 

Strategic details

 

Find local partners

Consider tapping into the greater community around your property. Partner with local businesses for mutual promotion/giveaways.

 

Invite prospects and residents’ friends
Resident referrals are a great way to increase occupancy, especially if you offer a referral bonus program. Have staff on hand to show any available units during the event.

 
 
Renter-Event-Feedback
 

After the event

 

Gather feedback

Distribute a survey to residents post-event, and make any changes or improvements for future gatherings. Consider a Google form to be sent automatically to inboxes after the event. This is an optimal opportunity to reiterate the value of their feedback in making your rental community stronger.

 

Ask for community photos
Ask your residents to submit any photos they would like to share directly, and request that they tag you on any social media posts to grow your presence. You can use these for future marketing and social media posts.

 
 
 

Learn more

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