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GET INSPIRED! Three Real People Share their Successful Community Event Stories Sometimes, the best way to learn how to do something is to learn from others' experiences. To give you real-world insights into planning the perfect event, we polled three community association professionals who helped communities just like yours plan events for National Night Out, an annual event that promotes law enforcement and community partnerships. In 2017, thousands of National Night Out events were held throughout the country. Here are three accounts from the people who hosted them. 1. "This year's [National Night Out] celebration was attended by over 420 residents and guests. The event, which was sponsored by the Charter Colony Foundation and Neighborhood Watch, featured a vendor fair with 18 local businesses that promote safety, wellness and improved lifestyle, a door prize raffle with prizes provided by the vendors, a school supply drive, visits from members of the local police and fire departments along with a fire truck, a sponsored bounce house, a DJ playing fun music with prizes, complimentary ice cream cones, an Associa tent with information and giveaways and the Slideway's Mobile Bistro serving a full menu for cash sales. The event was a successful way of bringing the community together to meet, greet and build connections with neighbors, local first responders, and local businesses." -Michele Roberts, CMCA® Community Accounting Manager, Community Group, Inc. 2. "We always invite the local police and fire department to participate and bring pertinent equipment to display. We had a secured, professional shredding contractor on site, along with a couple of kid activities and food vendors. Creating an environment suitable for all – kids and adults alike – through education, entertainment and food always brings our Piney Orchard Community Association residents out." -Jose Ponton, Jr., AMS®, PCAM® General Manager for POCA, Community Management Corporation 3. "We formatted our local National Night Out event as a family event with food and fun. We had laser tag, a 60-foot inflatable obstacle course and bungee basketball as activities. In addition, we worked with the Rio Rancho Police Department and we had about three to six officers on hand throughout the event. We ordered 30 large pizzas and served 15 gallons of water and lemonade. Officers, a city councillor, and volunteers passed out safety ID kits and other information throughout the event. I think this year's event was successful because we geared it towards the entire family and got the community involved. We ended up having about 250 to 300 people in attendance. I think having the police there as a positive presence, as well as having so many activities for kids, helped to attract parents looking for information on safety, an easy dinner for the family, and a way for kids to expend energy." -Mike Doyle, CMCA®, AMS® Community Association Manager, Asssocia Canyon Gate

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