What is a Chamber ribbon cutting?
A ribbon cutting is the ceremonial opening of a brand-new or newly-renovated/relocated business. The ribbon cutting marks a very significant moment in the business’ history, this is also a great photo opportunity. The ceremony gives the business owner or manager a chance to say a few words to those gathered. Business owners have used this time to publicly thank their financial backers, their employees, their friends and family, and/or their business partners. They also take the opportunity to talk about what their business does.
You must be a new or current Clinton Chamber of Commerce member to participate in your ribbon cutting.
Who qualifies for a ribbon cutting?
Clinton Chamber of Commerce is available to assist with your ceremony if your business has:
- Is a new business
- Moved to a new location
- Has been remodeled or has expanded its current location
- Is celebrating a milestone anniversary
What are the benefits of holding a Chamber ribbon cutting?
By hosting a ribbon cutting, you can:
- Introduce both the public and Chamber members to your business
- Announce your ribbon cutting on through the Chamber’s email marketing campaign and social media outlets
- Familiarize the public and Chamber members with your product/services
- Familiarize the public and Chamber members with your physical location
- Publish a photo of your ribbon cutting in the Chamber’s newsletter with a distribution list of over 1,200 subscribers
Is the ribbon cutting my business’ event or a Chamber event?
This is your event. The Chamber will gladly assist you with the following:
- Notify the Chamber’s Board of Directors, members and the general public of your ribbon cutting, encouraging their attendance
- Invite local officials on your behalf (upon request only)
- List your ribbon cutting on the Chamber’s social media outlets
- Bring the “giant scissors” and ribbon
- Take pictures at the event and publish a photo in our newsletter, the Chamber monthly electronic newsletter and social media outlets
While the Chamber will extend the above mentioned invitations and promote your ribbon cutting on our website and social media outlets, we strongly encourage you to conduct your own PR campaign to increase the attendance and awareness of your business’s opening. You should also consider inviting your business partners, financiers, contractors, employees, customers, friends, and family to be with you to celebrate this momentous occasion in your business’s history. Please understand that you should not rely solely on the Chamber to attract your audience.
What do we do?
Because your ribbon cutting is your event, there are no set rules. To make your event successful, carefully consider the following:
- Schedule your event by contacting the Chamber at 315-853-1735 at least two weeks in advance. Determine who will cut the ribbon. The owners most frequently do the honors, but each business is different and can pick whomever they like.
- Who will be in the photo(s). Some businesses will take multiple photos with various groups of people before actually cutting the ribbon. Photos might include employees, family, Chamber members, business partners, and local officials.
- Your remarks or speech. This is usually done when everyone is gathered before cutting the ribbon.
- Invite everyone you know! Invite your family, friends, past, current and potential customers, business associates (including your accountant, banker, and property owner,) suppliers, your employees, the media, neighboring businesses, and government officials.
- Consider having giveaways, especially logo items that guests can take back to their offices. Food and beverage is not required, but for open house events, it makes a nice touch. The Chamber is happy to provide you with members who can help you with catering.
- Prepare a quick speech and be sure to have plenty of brochures available.
Other details to enhance your event
Refreshments, drinks, door prizes, music and decorations are optional and up to you. Many businesses add these extra touches when conducting a public grand opening in conjunction with the ribbon cutting.
Organize a separate PR campaign. If you would like to invite the general public, you should explore other advertising avenues and/or consider sending a press release to the local media.
Please contact Molly Marris, Executive Director at 315-835-1735 or info@clintonnychamber.org with any questions.
