Are you ready for Apartment Onsite Teams Day? This annual event, first kicked off during the COVID-19 pandemic to recognize the tireless dedication of onsite staff, falls on Wednesday, April 17 in 2024.
Onsite teams — including property managers, leasing agents, maintenance staff, groundskeepers, and more — are the foundation that sustains apartment communities. It’s time to celebrate these essential members of the multifamily world. Let your teams know that you appreciate them with these fun ideas.
1. Throw a party for onsite staff
Nothing says celebration like a party. Whether you opt for a pizza party on site, make a reservation at a nearby restaurant, or host an outdoor party at a local park or garden, offer refreshments that meet your team’s tastes and dietary restrictions. Reserve time for staff to attend, and consider using this opportunity to offer speeches or awards to recognize team members for their individual achievements over the past year.
2. Provide a catered breakfast
Start the day on a delicious note with a catered breakfast for all staff. Offer your team members their choice of morning nourishment. Whether your team loves bagels and donuts, eggs and bacon, or granola and fruit salad, serve up their favorites alongside coffee and tea. A hearty breakfast will give your team not just an energy boost — but also a morale boost.
3. Give each staff member a gift card
To recognize their hard work, pamper your people with a treat. A gift card to a local restaurant is a great way to say thank you and encourage your team to enjoy a special meal with a loved one. A voucher for a spa day can help employees relax and recharge. If your team is more athletically inclined, consider providing passes or tickets to a favorite sporting event.
4. Create a gratitude wall
Each member of your team makes a difference in the lives of your residents. Showcase their impact with a gratitude wall. Start by dedicating a wall in your leasing office or lobby, and create a section to highlight each team member with his or her name, photo, and some fun facts.
Reach out to your residents and other staff members to solicit stories, comments, and photos. What do they appreciate most about this team member? Post their handwritten notes on the board, along with a thank-you letter from management.
5. Prepare care packages
Who doesn’t love getting a surprise gift? Put together care packages for your staff that combine practical and indulgent items. Fill a bag or small box with gifts such as chocolates, gourmet snacks, high-quality coffee or tea, personalized pens or mugs, and self-care goodies like luxurious soaps, lotions, and bath bombs. For an added touch, slip in a handwritten thank-you note.
6. Design custom T-shirts
Show your staff and your residents what April 17, 2024 is all about: celebrating the people who keep your community running! Create custom T-shirts for the whole team to honor the day and serve as a memento of your community’s appreciation.
7. Write each team member a thank-you card
Sometimes words can make the biggest impact of all. Make Apartment Onsite Teams Day feel personal by composing a handwritten thank-you card for each team member. In the note, share a favorite story about their contributions to your apartment community. This thoughtful gesture shows your staff that you notice and care about their impact.
Depending on the size of your workforce, you may want to ask your team leads and managers to write a note for each person under their supervision.
Share the celebrations on social media
Whether you’re throwing a party or handing out #APTeamsDay T-shirts, don’t forget to showcase the festivities on your community’s social media channels! Share fun photos and videos of your onsite teams, and give them a public shoutout for all their hard work. Invite your residents to join in with likes and favorite memories.
How do you celebrate your onsite teams? Share your best tips and pics, and remember to use the hashtag #APTeamsDay.
Watch: Onsite teams are critical
From Brad Bellflower to property management companies across the nation, everyone agrees. Onsite teams form the backbone of the multifamily industry.
Watch the video:
Explore Apartment Onsite Teams Day
For more on the history of Apartment Onsite Teams Day, check out this conversation between Apartments.com’s Marcia Bollinger and Asset Living’s LuAnne Acton Ross. Jump to the 11:00 mark to hear their discussion of how Apartment Onsite Teams Day was created.
Looking for more ideas? Browse Apartment Onsite Teams Day resources from the National Apartment Association, including a toolkit with social media graphics and web banners to post.
Enter for a chance to win an onsite party
What would you do with $1,500 to celebrate your onsite team? Enter the giveaway no later than Sunday, April 21, for your chance to be one of three winning communities.
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