Open houses can generate a significant return on a modest investment.
To spotlight new capabilities and entice customers, many in-plants are hosting open door events and extensive shop tours with noticeable results.
For example, McGill University Health Centre in Montreal recently hosted an open house to promote the merger of its two print shops and relocation to a new facility. The event was organized by a team of three: Print Shop Manager Carmin Cristofaro, Assistant Manager Abel De Andrade and Administrative Technician Anna Colicchio.
 "Approximately 75 customers attended," explains Cristofaro. "Guests were extremely impressed with the organization of the event, the professionalism and the demonstrations." As a bonus benefit, the event boosted staff morale. "They really enjoyed hosting it and are already asking about next year."
Successful open houses don't require a major investment. For example MUHC invested approximately $200 in the design and production of a promotional pamphlet. The cost of refreshments, pens, mugs, lanyards and notepads were mostly covered by Xerox. In addition Xerox donated a Xerox Phaser Printer as a grand prize for a drawing. The large-format photo exhibit, which drew a lot of interest, cost approximately $1500 to produce, but is now being used as a permanent display year-round to promote the shop's capabilities.
MUHC's open house festivities included:
* Guided tours of the in-plant facility were hosted by staff. Each functional area was designated by sections ranging from A to H. In section A (reception and prepress) visitors were given an overview of the in-plant and an ID badge created on Xerox specialty paper. Once the badge was peeled off, the remaining sheet served as a guide with details about what they would see during the tour. At the conclusion of the tour the badge was used as an entry in a drawing for a Xerox Phaser Printer.
* The team also used this opportunity to introduce their new web submission tool, Prinstsys, from a Quebec-based company called Prisme.
* Demonstrations of color and wide-format services, as well as specialty paper supplies were conducted by Xerox representatives.
* Presentations were given on their lean approach to supplies management, document archiving/retention, as well as their process for the safe disposal of confidential information.
 * An exhibit of photographs produced on their wide-format printer in various sizes, showed visitors the possibilities available to them. The photos, created by a local photographer Dick Evans, were taken in locations all over the world and proved to be a great investment. Not only were they a hit at the Open House, but they continue to adorn the facilities and have generated several job orders.  MUHC's modern shop, located on the ground floor of a 14-story office building in downtown Montreal, provides printing services to six hospitals and 14,000 employees. In addition, the 14-person in-plant generates approximately $100,000 of revenue by insourcing work from five additional health care centers. Canadian shops closely resemble those in the United States, Cristofaro believes. "I am not aware of any differences -- we charge back for all services and have budget constraints. We are on-line and constantly striving to stay ahead on the cutting edge." | 
