Are you looking to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony? 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 Wilkes-Barre Chamber is honored to be a part of your big day.

Ribbon cutting ceremonies are the perfect way to celebrate:

• Grand Openings
• Expansions
• New Locations
• Rebrands
• Anniversaries

At the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber, we are happy to help you coordinate your ribbon cutting ceremony! Throughout the planning process, 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 representatives can attend and promote the event. We can work with you to pick a week or month that works best for you, and help to coordinate with city/town officials on a specific date, to make sure that they have the opportunity and availability to attend your celebration. 
• 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 a large red ribbon for you to cut. People often ask if our scissors actually cut and yes, they do! 
• Marketing & promotion: The Chamber will assist you in promoting your ribbon cutting leading up to the event through our weekly email communications and social media channels, if your event is open to the public. Your event can be open to the public or small and intimate with only invited guests. Both types have proven to be successful! 

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, newsletter and social media. Please email Ben Eaton to see if we have availability before your ribbon cutting.
• If you chose to make this a grand event, be sure to share the event on social media (including creating a Facebook event that we will share), the homepage of your website and newsletters.
• The best spot to cut the ribbon is in front of a sign, door, or wall that has your company name or logo as it makes for a great photo opportunity.
• We will take photos at the event that we will share with you. Consider hiring a professional photographer for the event to supplement that photos of the ceremony for you.
• 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 any 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.
• Some businesses like to provide refreshments and a tour for their guests. This is not a requirement, but it’s a nice touch.

Remember, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber is here to help you along the way! Please reach out so we can ensure that your ribbon cutting ceremony goes off without a hitch!