The five steps to a successful open house are as follows:
- understand your objective and develop a work plan
- schedule a place and time
- advertise
- develop the display and supporting materials
- set up. (Ontario Public Consultation Guide 1994:47)
- Consider the target audience and your objectives to decide whether an open house is the most appropriate public participation tool for the issue being discussed.
- Some of the considerations in developing the workplan include: the cost of the display, how to convey information on the display, how much time it will take to design and produce the display and how the display materials can be transported from place to place.
- The choice of a central and easily accessible location is critical in the success of the open house. Organisers should maintain a low-key presence and make everyone feel welcome. They should also consider the needs of the particular audience (if there is a target group for the open house). The opening times should be flexible and change in response to the preference of the public. Comment sheets should be provided and staff should be available to answer questions and record comments.
- The publicity of the open house is also important to its success so advertising is necessary. The location, opening times and purpose of the open house should be publicised in the media. The open house should be left open as long as possible to allow as many of the public to use the facility as possible.
