I recently read in an article that you can use evite.com to invite your entire community where they can RSVP to help you get a better headcount. Good luck!

We made a deal with local pizza vendors and started giving out free pizzas dinner. They had to sign up in advance but its amazing how many actually do. Our teams hand deliver them to their doors!

It's not a typical social but has been a GREAT retention tool!!

I found promoting 3 weeks a head of time with all possible means of communication. Giveaways always make it more appealing. Recognize the last event and the winners and prizes in newsletter, send hand written thank you cards for participating. Send "We missed you" letters to residents that didn't participate on next announcement of upcoming events. I had nice signs to place at entrance counting down days starting at 3 days a way, 2, 1 and Today or tonight. Always include time and dates. People are very busy there days and they sometimes forget...reminders always help. Ask a neighbor to bring a neighbor.

You might want to rethink having one big event that will draw a huge crowd. Think about smaller events that appeal to different interests. A pet party for residents with pets. A game night or card party, a wine tasting hosted by a local wine store. If you have a lot of baby boomers in your community consider opportunities for giving back to the community. It is not a one size fits all. Ask them what they like and build on that.

Have vendors sponsor prizes and those that are planning to attend should sign up. Attendance would be required to win the prizes.

I’ve seen success with contests. In garden style, the building with most residents in attendance wins something fun (even just bragging rights on social media could be enough). We also had building ambassadors who helped knock on doors before party started as a way to remind people (reminded me of dorm life. It was a younger demographic). In a high rise, maybe it’s a contest by floor. Advance notice and Day- of -Signage is definitely important. I also had a property where we planned our events for the entire year and gave a calendar as a New Year’s gift with the parties already on the calendar (they all had a theme too). Finally, dog friendly events had the best turnout ever! Pet costume contests, best trick, etc.