OSU Open House A Graveyard Smash

Holding an open house is an excellent way to show off your in-plant’s capabilities, but if you can make it a fun experience for visitors, their positive memories of the event will last a long time.

For years, Oregon State University Printing and Mailing Services has been holding a Halloween Open House, with staff dressing in costumes and Halloween-themed snacks and games. This year’s event, with the theme Great Pumpkin Carnival, drew more than 125 people. They spent their time playing games, like the pumpkin bean bag toss and the coin toss for charity, and winning small prizes, like mini footballs and fortune cookies.

The flow of traffic led visitors through prepress and into the production area, where the food and games were located, giving them a good view of the in-plant’s equipment. Vendors provided the food and also set up tables to show their wares. (OSU’s Agricultural Dairy program brought samples ofOSU classic cheese.) Guests enjoyed posing with props in a photo booth, and the in-plant sent the strip of photos to them after the event. Prizes like a duffle bag and a food basket were given away in a raffle.

“We really did try to create a true carnival atmosphere,” remarks Associate Director Ari Grossman-Naples, “and I think we did a pretty good job of it.”