How Dr. Shulze’s Grand Opening Turned into a Community Blockbuster (and Brought in 32 New Patients)
The Challenge: New Practice, Zero Visibility
When Dr. Shulze opened his brand-new dental practice, he had the equipment, the training, the team, and the freshly unwrapped fluoride trays…but hardly anybody in the community knew he existed.
He needed a way to:
- Introduce his office to the neighborhood
- Start building a relationship with local families
- And let parents know: “Hey! There’s a new family dentist in town who gets what you’re juggling.”
In other words, he needed more than a sign on the door.
He needed a launch that would turn heads, fill appointment books, and maybe even entertain a few bored toddlers.
The Strategy: Throw a Grand Opening That Families Actually Want to Attend
So what did we do?
We turned the Grand Opening into a full-on mini carnival for kids and parents alike. Because let’s face it: parents will go wherever the kids want to go. Even if it’s the dentist. (Especially if there’s a bounce house.)
Here’s what the event featured:
- Live reptiles – nothing gets attention like a 12-foot python named “Glen”
- Bounce house – the unofficial stress relief zone for children
- Face painting – because kids love becoming tigers, butterflies, and the occasional robot
- A money booth from a local radio station – because nothing says “family dentistry” like watching Dad try to grab $1 bills like he’s on a game show from 1993
We didn’t just want people to show up. We wanted them to connect, remember, and leave saying, “That was fun… and hey, we should book a checkup.”
The Promotion: Making Sure the Neighborhood Knew It Was On
What’s the point of throwing a party if nobody knows it’s happening?
To build buzz and drive attendance, we launched a targeted marketing campaign that included:
- Email outreach to local families and community members
- Social media content and ads to build hype (and maybe a little FOMO)
- Partnership with a local radio station, who promoted the event on-air and brought the cash booth fun to life
Translation: We went full Beyoncé with the promotion. No surprise album drops here – just a lot of loud, effective messaging to the right audience.
The Results: A Packed House and a Practice People Now Know
The results? Let’s just say this wasn’t your average ribbon-cutting.
- ✅ 200+ attendees (and a lot of juice box-fueled laughter)
- ✅ 32 new patient appointments booked from the event
- ✅ Tons of families walking through the office, meeting the team, and getting a first impression that felt personal, not clinical
Even better, the event gave the practice something many new offices struggle to build quickly: name recognition.
Now when people in the neighborhood think “family dentist,” they think:
“Oh, the one with the bounce house and the giant snake. That was actually pretty cool.”
The Takeaway: First Impressions Matter (Especially When You Have Reptiles)
What made this event work wasn’t just the fun stuff. It was the strategy behind it.
By understanding Dr. Shulze’s audience (families), creating a reason to show up (fun for the kids), and making sure people actually heard about it (multi-channel promotion), we helped him:
- Build brand awareness fast
- Connect emotionally with his target market
- And generate real business in the form of 32 new patient appointments
Not bad for one Friday afternoon.
Want to Launch Your Practice With a Bang?
A grand opening should be more than balloons and brochures. Done right, it becomes the catalyst for early growth, community connection, and long-term loyalty.
If you’re opening a new practice – or just want to reintroduce yourself to your town – we’ll help you create a launch event that people actually want to attend… and that your future patients won’t forget.
Let’s plan something amazing (live reptiles optional).
Click Here to start hatching our master plan!