The Definitive Guide to a Successful Election-Night Party at Your Apartment Community
It's been a long, bumpy journey this election season.
It’s been a long, bumpy journey this election season. The campaigning has been going on for months and months. There have been attack ads. A seemingly endless stream of articles, think pieces, op-eds and memes. And, of course, Alec Baldwin. But the end is finally—finally—in sight. We all deserve a break (and a stiff drink). So here is the definitive guide to throwing a successful election-night party at your apartment community.
Step 1: Don’t.
Step 2: See Step 1.
Step 3: See Steps 1 and 2.
Step 4: Go watch Stranger Things or something instead. It’s pretty good.
Even if your community is located in a predominately Republican or Democratic area, don’t do it. You are just asking for trouble.
Look, it’s nice to have community events. We all know that. And parties are a way for residents to meet each other, for you to market to prospective renters and to make an apartment feel like home. They’re a value-add that don’t necessarily have to cost a lot, but they can reap tremendous benefits for the property.
But, trust me, there will be other opportunities. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. The Super Bowl always lends itself to celebrations. Mother’s Day. Birthdays. Even Arbor Day. There’s always an excuse to have a party.
Except this time.
Tensions are running at an all-time high. If you throw an election-night party in your common area, you might get, at best, some lively political debates while people eat chips. That wouldn’t be so bad. But, you might also get: residents fighting. Residents drinking too much. Residents insulting each other. And that ill-will might carry over to their opinions of the property. Maybe bad reviews. Even if not, it might leave a bad taste in your residents’ mouths, which could reflect poorly when it comes time for them to decide if they want to renew their lease.
The best thing you can do is stay neutral. This too shall pass. The election will be over, and we can go back to our regularly scheduled resident events, never to think about this again. For four more years, anyway.
Do you agree? Or are you doing something at your community for the election? Did you have an election party in the past, and if so, how did it go? Post your comments on our Facebook page or send a tweet to @MHNOnline or @jfiur.
