Artificial intelligence is having a moment. It's right at the forefront of our cultural conversation, bringing with it rapidly evolving implications for how AI could shape our everyday lives. So just how far-reaching is the impact of AI? Could it, for example, be used to simplify and streamline planning and hosting events? We set out on a mission to find out.
Using a free account on Chat GPT, we put ourselves in the shoes of our coordinators and walked through the process of planning a hypothetical event using the power of AI. Here's what we came up with!
One-Stop Shop for Event Inspiration
Do you ever feel like you've cycled through every possible creative event idea? AI can be a simple way
to access fresh inspiration. I started by typing in the prompt "Give me five great event ideas to host 60 people in August," and within seconds received a bevy of ideas, including Beach Bonanza Pool Party, Summer Garden Party, and Outdoor Movie Night, along with simple directions on how to pull them off. For my example, I decided that I liked AI's suggestion of hosting a Tropical Luau as a send-off to summer. I can imagine hosting it poolside with some fun decorations and a beachy photobooth.
Menu Planning to Fit Your Budget
Now it's time to plan the menu. I wanted to test just how specific I could go with Chat GPT, so I typed in, "Help me plan a menu for a luau that will feed 60 people under $100." The results included eleven themed ideas for appetizers, side dishes, main courses, and desserts. They all had my mouth watering. Considering the cost of my potential groceries, I zeroed in on two options.
"Give me a recipe for Hawaiian meatballs and pineapple fried rice." After reviewing the detailed recipes, I decided that these would both be good options to feed a crowd and wouldn't be too difficult to prepare myself. That leaves me to decide on a festive beverage to top it all off. "Tell me how to make a fruity mocktail." AI responded with a detailed ingredient list and recipe for the Tropical Paradise mocktail, including coconut cream, orange and pineapple juice, and grenadine with a pineapple garnish. I knew it would be just as visually appealing as it was tasty, plus it included some of the same ingredients I would need for my food, so this would be perfect.
Extra Touches to Take Your Event Over the Top
With the theme and menu set, I wanted to take my event to the next level with some fun games and prize giveaways. I typed in, "List fun and easy outdoor activities for a tropical summer luau." AI came back with 10 engaging games and competitions that would give my guests a fun way to mingle and keep everyone entertained. My favorites were a limbo contest, pineapple bowling, and a lei-making station.
I felt confident about pulling off the first two activities, but a lei-making station seemed like it might require a lot of supplies, and I wanted to make sure I was prepared. I typed in, "Tell me what materials I need for a lei-making station." Seconds later, a numbered list appeared with 10 supplies, indicating which were optional and what each supply would be needed for. It even included the flower types that would work best for this activity and simple suggestions for creating the best possible experience, like keeping the flowers hydrated with bowls of water and providing paper towels for guests to dry their hands after handling them.
Overall, I spent about 15 minutes considering event ideas and narrowing them down to a tropical luau, planning out the activities, the menu, and a fun signature mocktail to match the evening, and coming up with a supply list of everything needed. I would definitely consider that a time-saver. Now it's your turn! Tell us how it goes planning your next event using Chat GPT or another AI tool. If you've found other tools to be helpful, drop them in the comment section below.
After the planning, we realize that there are still a LOT of details that go into pulling off a successful event. From promotion to shopping for supplies to set-up and tear-down, we realize that the average apartment staffer is typically busy with an already full plate. That's where we come in. Allow Apartment Life's trained coordinators to handle all the details and ensure your events turn out beautifully and your residents are fully engaged.
We are people-people, and taking events from an initial plan into a memorable experience is what we love to do. Reach out to us today if you'd like to learn more about bringing Apartment Life to your community or becoming a coordinator. We would love to hear from you!