Celebrate Your Business the Right Way — With a Ribbon Cutting!
Whether you’re opening your doors for the first time, celebrating a major milestone, or launching something new, a ribbon cutting is the perfect way to shine a spotlight on your success. It’s more than a photo op — it’s your moment to gather community support, connect with local leaders, and generate buzz around your business.
At the Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce, we’re here to make your celebration easy, exciting, and impactful. From spreading the word to helping you plan the perfect moment, we’ll be by your side every step of the way.
Ready to cut the ribbon? Let’s get started!
Guidelines for a Donelson Hermitage Chamber Hosted Ribbon Cutting
Why Ribbon Cuttings Are Important
Celebrating Milestones & Strengthening Community Connections
- A Moment of Celebration
Ribbon cuttings are a joyful way to celebrate the grand opening, anniversary, expansion, or relocation of a business. They mark a key milestone and offer a formal moment to recognize all the hard work that led to this achievement. - Increased Visibility & Publicity
Ribbon cuttings generate buzz. With local chamber support, media coverage, social media exposure, and word-of-mouth, these events give businesses a chance to make a memorable first impression. The photo opportunity with a large ribbon and oversized scissors is iconic and highly shareable. - Strengthens Community Ties
These events bring together community leaders, fellow business owners, neighbors, and potential customers. They’re a reminder that community success and business success go hand in hand. - Signals Investment in the Local Economy
A ribbon cutting sends a message: "We’re here, and we’re investing in this community." It demonstrates confidence in the area’s future and contributes to the growth and vibrancy of the local economy. - Encourages Chamber Engagement
Ribbon cuttings are often a business’s first official interaction with the Chamber of Commerce. It's an opportunity to connect with local leadership, understand available resources, and explore future partnerships. - Builds Relationships
Networking is a key benefit. From customers and clients to other professionals and elected officials, attendees at ribbon cuttings can form relationships that lead to referrals, collaborations, and community support. - Boosts Morale and Recognition
For business owners and their teams, a ribbon cutting validates their work and energizes them for the journey ahead. It’s a public "congratulations" for their efforts.
In Summary
A ribbon cutting is more than a ceremony—it’s a strategic opportunity to generate excitement, celebrate progress, and strengthen ties between business and community.
Let’s cut the ribbon, open the doors, and welcome new possibilities!
Your business or organization qualifies for a ribbon cutting if
- you are a member in good standing,
- or you are a newly opened business or organization,
- or you are under under new ownership,
- or you are in a new location,
- or you have had a major remodel.
Scheduling a ribbon cutting with the Chamber should take place a minimum of two weeks in advance of the event to allow the Chamber time to invite Chamber Board members, Chamber Ambassadors, and Chamber members.
Ribbon cutting are scheduled Monday through Friday*, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
If you business is home-based, the event can take place at the Chamber office or an alternate location.
*Weekend ribbon cutting requests will be considered, however we cannot promise that we will be able to accommodate these requests.
A typical ribbon cutting ceremony
- is approximately 15 to 30 minutes long,
- includes a brief "Welcome" by Chamber Official,
- includes recognition of Elected Officials, Chamber Board Members and Ambassadors in attendance,
- includes comments by you, or a representative for your business/organization,
- includes official photo before the cutting of the ribbon,
- may include refreshments, tours, mingling, networking, etc.
Out of respect for your guests, it is important to start your ribbon cutting on time.
We suggest publicizing a start time and ribbon cutting time to give guests an arrival window opportunity.
You are not required to serve anything. However, if you choose to, you may provide light refreshments for your guests.
It's your event and your choice to make it as grand or as simple as you like. Whether that's coffee and donuts at a morning ribbon cutting; cheese and crackers or cookies/cake and soft drinks for an afternoon ribbon cutting; or a even a light lunch if your hosting the event during the lunch hour.
To optimize your ribbon cutting event we suggest that you:
- Invite employees, customers, family and friends to attend
- Share Chamber social media and event link
- Provide a light refreshments for guests (optional)
- Prepare a 2-3 minute speech to educate the group about your business or organization, thank anyone who helped with the endeavor that we are celebrating, and answer any questions that your guests may have.
To support your ribbon cutting, the Chamber
- Will Promote the event on the Chamber's
- website in the event calendar,
- Chamber e-blast,
- and on the Chamber's social media pages
- and at our Luncheon (based on scheduling & availabilty).
- Will invite
- Chamber Board members,
- Chamber Ambassadors,
- and Chamber Members.
- Will provide the ceremonial ribbon, and scissors.
- Post and share the photos on the Chamber's social media pages and e-blast.
Ready to submit your schedule request? Please fill out the form here and let our chamber staff support you throughout the rest of the process!