Event Planning
Have you ever planned an event? There’s so much to consider—date, time, venue, guests, theme, budget, committees, set up, clean up, and follow up.
That was exactly my challenge when I came up with the idea for a neighborhood dog show. After moving into town a few years ago, I noticed how many people walked their dogs past our 100-year-old grade school building, which has since been converted into condos. It sparked the thought: what if we spoofed the famous Westminster Dog Show and hosted our own version, right here at the Washington School?
Not knowing a thing about organizing dog shows (as my wife kindly reminded me), I did what I often do: I asked my local AI friend, ChatGPT 5.
Here was my prompt:
“You are a professional organizer of dog shows such as the Westminster Dog Show. Our Washington School Neighborhood (WSN) would like to host an outdoor event in front of the Washington School Building past which many people walk their dogs after work or early evening. So, as a spoof of the real Westminster Dog Show, I thought it would be fun to hold a mock event with a panel of judges, a series of categories, and awards (every dog wins a certificate or trophy). With that as a general outline, create a proposal to the board of the WSN for a fun mock dog show in front of the Washington School Condo Building in Mid-September or early October. Next, create the document to announce the event, entry forms, categories, flyers and handouts announcing the event.”
And—shazam!—three minutes later I had a complete playbook: how to organize, host, and judge the show; rules and registration forms; safety checklists and emergency vet contacts; “winner” certificates (everyone wins something); and even a step-by-step timeline.
ChatGPT even drafted the proposal I used to gain approvals and recruit help from neighbors. What would have taken me weeks of planning came together in minutes.
So, if you ever find yourself staring down the task of organizing an event—whether it’s a neighborhood gathering, business conference, or community forum—give AI a try. You might be surprised at how much time and stress it saves.
And if you happen to be in my neighborhood on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 1:00 pm, come join us for the West Washington Dog Show. Bring your canine companion—or borrow a friend’s. Expect laughter, community spirit, and a lighthearted spoof of the Westminster tradition.