Congratulations on having a reason to host a ribbon cutting! Whether you are just opening your doors or expanding to a new location, it’s a very exciting time for your business or organization. The Greater Lowell Chamber is truly honored to be a part of your big day.
Ribbon Cutting ceremonies are the perfect way to celebrate a:
- Grand opening
- Expansion
- New Location
- Rebrand
- Anniversary
At the Greater Lowell Chamber, we are happy to help you coordinate your Ribbon Cutting ceremony. Please keep the following in mind:
- Advanced notice: We recommend scheduling your Ribbon Cutting at least two weeks in advance, preferably longer, to ensure that the Chamber and City/Town can attend. It’s much easier for us to pick a week or month and then work with City/Town officials on a date, rather than you give us a concrete date and time because there are a lot of schedules we need to coordinate.
- Time: The best time to schedule a Ribbon Cutting is on a Monday-Friday between the hours of 9am-4pm This ensures that someone at the Chamber, as well as, Town/City officials can attend. Night time and weekend events are difficult because of other professional/personal commitments.
- Coordinating with the Town/City: The Chamber will call the Town/City to coordinate with them and invite officials to attend.
- Supplies: The Chamber will bring ceremonial scissors and large red ribbon for you to cut. People often ask if our scissors actually cut. And yes, they certainly do!
- Marketing & Promotion: The Chamber will assist you in promoting your Ribbon Cutting. Your event can be open to the public or small and intimate with only invited guests. That’s entirely up to you! They work well either way.
Preparing for your Ribbon Cutting:
- Think about who you would like to attend your Ribbon Cutting. You can keep it small or make it a big event. This includes inviting the local media. (A great way to do this is by writing and issuing a press release.)
- Let the Chamber know if you want us to post it on our website as a Chamber event. This will ensure that we promote it via our website, email blasts and social media. Please email Danielle McFadden to see if we have availability before your Ribbon Cutting.
- If you choose to make this a grand event, be sure to share the event on social media (including creating a Facebook event that we will share – please add as a co-host), the homepage of your website, and email blasts.
- The best spot to cut the ribbon is in front of a sign, door, or wall with your company name or logo. This makes for a great photo opportunity.
- Designate someone to take photos of the ceremony for you and/or create a video of the event (consider using a Chamber member, click here for a list).
- Think about who you would like to be in the photo with you. The business owner or manager will be the person who actually holds the scissors and cuts the ribbon. Town/City officials and State Legislators in attendance should also be invited to join you. You may also want to include the Chamber, family members, and staff. Please keep in mind that two people will have to hold the ends of the ribbon.
- You may want to have a short speech prepared to say to your guests after you cut the ribbon. (To rent a small – but powerful – Bluetooth speaker and mic, contact Terry Moran at Crown Special Events at terry@crownent.com or (978) 483-0776 and tell him you are a Chamber member for special pricing!)
- Some businesses like to provide refreshments and a tour for their guests. This is not a requirement, but it’s a nice touch (here’s a list of members who provide catering services).
Remember, the Greater Lowell Chamber is here to help you along the way! Please reach out so we can ensure that your Ribbon Cutting goes off without a hitch!