Ribbon Cutting Guidelines

We want this special day to be a special day for your new business. Promoting and assuring an effective Centerton Area Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting event involves careful planning, attention to detail, and effective marketing. Here are the recommended steps to take to assure the best opportunity for success. 

1. Choose a Date and Time: In order to assure the best promotional and marketing of your event, we recommend that you schedule your ribbon-cutting at least 30-45 days out. Additionally, while exceptions can be made, we recommend holding your event on the 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month. This will assure the best overall participation rate possible. Best time tends to be over the lunch hour.
2. Send Invitations: Create a guest list and send out invitations to local officials, chamber members, business partners, and the media. Don't forget to invite the general public, too.
3. Plan the Ceremony: Outline the order of events, speeches, and any entertainment or special features like a live band or catering.
4. Arrange for Speakers: We can assist with this, but by identifying potential speakers, including local dignitaries, chamber leaders, and the business owns, we can help make it happen on our end.
5. Coordinate with the Media & Prepare a Press Release: With proper planning, it is very possible to get some media coverage of your event. By preparing and sending a press release to local media outlets, it may generate additional interest and coverage.
6. Social Media Promotion: Use social media platforms to promote the event. Create a Facebook event page, tweet about it, and share updates.
7. Cleaning, Decorating and Signage: Make sure you go through the extra efforts of cleaning, decorating, and preparing the venue with banners, balloons, and signage to make it visually appealing.
8. Refreshments: Always promote that food will be involved, it always draws more people and is a small price to pay for your kick-off. Arrange for refreshments, such as snacks, finger foods, and beverages, depending on the time of day.
9. Gifts and Prizes: Consider offering door prizes or small gifts to attendees as a token of appreciation.
10. Sound System: If your event is outdoors, if you think there may be a need, ensure you have a working sound system with microphones for speakers.
11. Follow-Up: After the event, send thank-you notes to all participants, share photos and videos on social media, and write a post-event summary for your website or newsletter.