Skip to main content

Ribbon Cuttings

Do you have a grand opening or significant anniversary to celebrate? The Chamber hosts ribbon cuttings throughout the year as a way of commemorating milestones for our Members.  We want to help celebrate your success — contact Vitella Barnes at (815) 436-4431 to schedule your Ribbon cutting today.

The Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce will provide you with the oversized, ceremonial scissors and a long length of ribbon. We will try and arrange for a Village official, Chamber Director or Board Member to officiate.  We will invite the Chamber Ambassadors, TEAM Members and Chamber Members to attend.  We will have an Ambassador in charge to visit and provide the scissors and ribbon and to take a digital photo to be posted to social media.  We will post your event to our Chamber & Community Calendar.

Here are some helpful tips to make your ribbon cutting a successful event.


Helpful Planning Tips

Because your ribbon cutting is your event, there are no set guidelines.

Date Selection

  • We only do Ribbon Cuttings on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 11:00 am or 4:00 pm.  During the summer months, we cannot do Tuesdays at 4:00 pm due to Cruise Nights. Choose a date that doesn't conflict with Chamber or community events and holidays.
  • Give yourself plenty of preparation time. Three to four weeks is sufficient.

Invitations

The Chamber will promote your ribbon cutting in the newsletter as well as on the Chamber calendar. But who you invite to your event is as important as hosting the event.

Your invitations may be as simple as an email or as elaborate as a formal invitation. Be sure to include the: who, what, where, why, and when as well as an RSVP method to help plan accordingly for food and beverage.

The Chamber is happy to assist you with members that can help with your printing and public relations needs. The following are some suggestions of people to consider when creating your invitation list:

  • Current, past, and potential customers
  • Family and friends
  • Suppliers
  • Your employees and their spouses/guests
  • Media
  • Those that helped you get started: banker, accountant, lawyer, architects, builder, realtor, etc.
  • Neighboring business people
  • Key local government officials
  • Fellow Chamber members

Refreshments

Providing time-appropriate refreshments is very well received. For example, during a morning event, it is nice to offer coffee, juice, bagels, or pastries, while during a lunch or evening event offering light hors-d'oeuvres or finger foods is appropriate. Enlisting the help of a caterer is often helpful. The Chamber can assist you with a list of current members that are happy to cater your event.

Additional Suggestions

Have plenty of brochures, business cards, and handouts available for your guests. If possible have promotional items such as pens, magnets, mugs, etc. available to hand out.
Have a drawing or giveaway. Winning a sample of your product or a gift certificate to a nice restaurant can add to your guests’ enjoyment and perhaps build attendance.