Bid Day Planning: The Complete Checklist

Bid day is one of the most important days of the year, the first impression for your new members. A great one looks effortless because it was planned. Here’s the checklist to make yours run smoothly.

4 weeks out

• Lock your theme (need ideas? see our 15 bid day themes).
• Set a budget and order any custom merch or tees — these have the longest lead time.
• Reserve your location — house, lawn or venue.

2 weeks out

• Order decor, balloons and backdrops to match the theme.
• Plan the photo moment — the backdrop or balloon arch every new member wants a picture with.
• Line up food, drinks and music.

Week of

• Confirm deliveries and pickup times.
• Assign members to setup, greeting and photos.
• Build a simple run-of-show for the reveal.

Bid day itself

Set up early, assign a couple of point people, and let everyone else focus on welcoming your new class. The goal is energy and great photos, not a stressed exec board.

Want it fully handled?

We plan themed bid days end to end, decor, backdrops and logistics, so your chapter just shows up to celebrate. See how we plan bid day →