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The Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce conducts
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies as a value added benefit of being
a Chamber member. Ceremonies can be performed by themselves
or as part of an open house or grand opening. Our Chamber
Representatives will bring the camera, official scissors and,
of course, the ribbon! To qualify, you must be a member
in good standing of the Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce
and:
- You are within your first year of opening
your business
- OR you should be an existing business in
a new business location
- OR you should be an existing business with
extensive remodel or addition to your facility
- OR you are under new ownership
- OR you are celebrating a “milestone”
anniversary
(i.e. 5th, 10th, 15th, 25th, 50th, 75th , 100th)
There are many benefits to having a ribbon
cutting ceremony for your business or location. A Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony is an important part of your overall marketing and
advertising plan and is a great way to kick-off the grand
opening of a business. It offers an opportunity to meet key
leaders in the community and get acquainted with your neighbors,
fellow business owners and Chamber members. Ribbon cutting
photos appear in the monthly “Chamber Connection”
newsletter which is mailed to
all member companies as well as being submitted for publication
in the Morning Journal and Salem News. The Columbiana Area
Chamber would enjoy assisting you in planning a successful
event for your company. Together we can garner optimum exposure
for your company.
| WHAT THE CHAMBER DOES |
- Sends out a broadcast email to Chamber
Representatives, Chamber Board Members, and dignitaries
to notify them of your event and invite them to attend.
- Promotes the event beforehand on
the Chamber website calendar of events (subject to
submission deadlines).
- Provides the “giant scissors”
and ribbon
to cut.
- Attends the event and takes pictures
– Photos emailed to you upon request.
- Publicizes the event with a photo
in the “Chamber Connection” newsletter.
- Electronically submit photo with
caption to the Morning Journal and the Salem News.
- Typically, our Representatives and
members
of the Board of Directors attend. On occa-
sion, the President of the Board, Columbiana City
Manager, Mayor of Columbiana, City Council Members,
or County Commissioners may attend as their schedules
permit.
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| WHAT THE COMPANY DOES |
- Sets the date and time of the event
– typically at the end of the work day (4PM
or later) – please coordinate this with the
Chamber at least two (2) weeks in advance to avoid
date and time conflicts.
- Although the Chamber will send out
an email, on your behalf, announcing your ribbon cutting
and inviting dignitaries to attend, you may want to
send printed invitations and respond cards. Those
you could personally invite may include:
- For the City – Mayor, City Manager,
City Council Members.
- For the County – County Commissioners.
- State officials if applicable (depending
on the nature of the business).
- Your Board of Directors, if applicable.
- Personal friends and family.
- Neighbor businesses, existing customers.
- Those who helped with your new location
– contractors, bankers, suppliers, etc.
- Invite the media – Morning
Journal, Salem News, etc.
- You could provide refreshments for
those in attendance – this is entirely up to
you. It can be as simple or elaborate as you
wish . . . or none at all.
- We strongly encourage you to prepare
an agenda, even if it’s just sketched out. Things
will run much more smoothly with a little advanced
planning. See the following section “How It
Runs”.
- Prior to your event, please provide
to your Chamber Representative background infor- mation
on your company and a list of any dignitaries you
know will be in attendance.
- Choose a photo location/props (such
as including your signage) and inform us if you would
like to pose some additional pictures.
- You could choose to promote your business
to people attending with the following:
- Drawings or door prizes
- Certificates or coupons
- Giveaways - promotional materials
- Marketing materials: cards, brochures, literature
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| HOW IT RUNS |
| Your agenda could be something like
this... |
- Welcome and congratulatory remarks–
given by a Chamber Representative (these are very
brief - 1-3 minutes).
- Introduction of Company President
or Manager.
- Intro on the company – done
by a company representative – Explain what you
do if a new business, about your new location –
if a second location or a move, your hours, introduce
your staff.
- Take photos as soon as everyone assumes
their positions for the ribbon cutting.
- Cut the ribbon – usually done
by dignitaries and head company rep
. . . you could choose to have all employees do the
cutting.
- Thank those in attendance –
done by a company representative. You could offer
everyone to come and take a look at your facility,
and if large enough, you might want to offer tours.
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| KEEP IN MIND |
- The further ahead you contact the
Chamber the more publicity we can give your event.
- Weekend ribbon cuttings (including
Friday after 5:00) are harder to draw attendance to
than weekday events.
- Keep in touch with the Chamber as
your plans progress, provide Chamber with names/titles
of those individuals you want us to recognize in the
“Welcome”.
- You may need to arrange for seating,
unless those attending will stand.
- Make sure you have enough parking
for all those invited.
If you have questions, or want to schedule
your Ribbon Cutting Ceremony,
please contact
the Chamber of Commerce office. |
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