What is a ribbon cutting?
A ribbon cutting is a ceremony to celebrate new, renovated, relocated businesses or anniversaries. It can inaugurate your first day of business or it can take place weeks after your soft opening.
We provide these services complimentary for Chamber members.
Yes, you actually cut a ribbon. The most common location is the main entrance of the building but it can also be stretched across another important location within the business, especially during inclement weather.
What are the benefits of hosting a ribbon cutting?
This is a great opportunity for photos and increased visibility for your organization. You choose the group of people you want to invite and let your Chamber representative know if you would like assistance promoting to a broader audience.
This is also a time to publicly thank your financial backers, employees, friends, family, and/or your partners. You must be a new or current St. Paul Area Chamber member in good standing to receive this member benefit.
What does the Chamber do for my ribbon cutting?
The St. Paul Area Chamber will invite the Chamber Ambassadors and local government officials to attend, promote your event through our online calendar, social media, and e-newsletter. Chamber staff will arrive at your location with the ribbon and the oversized scissors, welcome attendees, and take photos.
Things To Consider:
Who will cut the ribbon? Typically organizational leadership will do the honors, but are welcome to choose whomever you think makes the most sense for your event.
When will you hold your event? We find that Tuesday – Thursday, mid-day over the lunch hour, late afternoon or early evenings draw the largest crowds. We cannot assist with events scheduled on weekends or holidays.
What information you wish to share during the ceremony. You can thank those who helped along the process, how you came about owning/updating/moving, and share any specials or upcoming events. Please limit your speech to 3 minutes. To view a sample schedule of events, click here.
How you can maximize this program. Consider sending a special invitation to your clients, offering a drawing to collect business cards to build your database. We recommend requesting RSVP's to gauge attendance and to create an email list to follow up on.
Ribbon cutting events are typically one hour long. Refreshments, drinks, door prizes, and decorations are optional and up to you. Keep in mind, however, that the actual cutting of the ribbon is typically short, but the event may last an hour or more. We recommend utilizing the services of fellow Chamber members for your catering needs. You can view our Member Directory here.
Chamber Ribbon Cuttings must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. Requests will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.