A ribbon cutting is the ceremonial opening of a brand-new or newly-renovated/relocated business that has opened within the last six months. It can inaugurate an organization’s first day of business or it can take place weeks after the business’ soft opening.

Because the ribbon cutting marks a very significant moment in the business’ history, this is also a great photo opportunity. The ceremony gives the business owner or manager a chance to say a few words to those gathered. Business owners have used this time to publicly thank their financial backers, their employees, their friends and family, and/or their business partners. They also take the opportunity to talk about what their business does.

You must be a new or current Chamber member in good standing (including dues paid) for the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce to participate in your ribbon cutting.

• Your business is a current or new chamber member
• has opened its doors within the past six months
• has opened a new location or relocated to San Marcos
• has been remodeled or has expanded its current location
• is celebrating a milestone anniversary or groundbreaking

Hosting your ribbon cutting with the San Marcos Chamber provides opportunities to:

• Introduce both the public and Chamber members to your business
• Increase traffic to your business by advertising your event on the Chamber’s website
• Gain visibility with a customized web banner ad on the Chamber’s home page and event calendar
• Further your reach with cross-platform promotion on the Chamber’s social media pages
• Drive offline traffic to your location to generate leads from attendees

There is not a fee for the Chamber to participate in your ribbon cutting.

Since the focus will be on promoting your business with the chambers assistance, this event is considered your business event.  The Chamber will assist in promoting your ribbon cutting in the following manner: 

• Notify the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Committee members of your ribbon cutting, encouraging their attendance.*
• List your ribbon cutting on the Chamber’s Main Event Calendar with a customized Ribbon Cutting Graphic for at least two weeks prior to the event.
• Promote your ribbon cutting in the weekly Chamber e-Blast and event updates.
• Share Ribbon Cutting Photo(s) on social media and e-Blast (Delivery to Up to 4,300 Opt-In Subscribers).
• Bring the ceremonial ribbon-cutting scissors, the ribbon and certificate of appreciation from the Chamber.

While the Chamber will extend the above mentioned invitations and list your ribbon cutting on our Calendar, we strongly encourage you to conduct your own PR campaign to increase the attendance and awareness of your business’s opening. You should also consider personnely inviting the city officials, your business partners, financiers, contractors, employees, customers, friends, and family to be with you to celebrate this momentous occasion in your business’s history. Please understand that you should not rely solely on the Chamber to attract your audience.

*Note: Given the number of events the Chamber hosts and limited staffing, it is not always possible for Chamber staff to attend all ribbon cuttings. The number of guests in attendance is not guaranteed. To best serve you, the Chamber has an elite group of seasoned Chamber volunteers who are often (but not always, as they are employed in community businesses – either their own or others) available to help.

Because your ribbon cutting is your event, there are no set rules. To make your event successful, carefully consider the following:

• What day your event will take place. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are usually best days during the week for business people, not earlier than 8:00 a.m. and avoiding later evening functions unless this is the type business you have. The Chamber does not offer ribbon cuttings on weekends and holidays.
• Who will cut the ribbon. The owners or top executives most frequently do the honors, but each business is different and can pick whomever they like.
• Who will be in the photo(s). Some businesses will take multiple photos with various groups of people before actually cutting the ribbon. Photos might include employees, family, Chamber members, business partners, and Ambassadors for example.
• Your remarks or speech. This is usually done when everyone is gathered before cutting the ribbon.
• Invite everyone you know! Invite your family, friends, past, current and potential customers, business associates (including your accountant, banker, and property owner,) suppliers, your employees, the media, neighboring businesses, and government officials.
• Consider having giveaways, especially logo items that guests can take back to their offices. The Chamber is happy to provide you with members who can help you create gifts.
• Food and beverage are encouraged.  Per request, the Chamber is happy to recommend members who can help you with catering.
• Prepare a quick speech and be sure to have plenty of brochures available.

Please be advised that Chamber ribbon cuttings are hosted during the time frames shown below, as we try to be mindful of the demands on Chamber staff and volunteers. Times requested outside of these hours and days, may or may not be available, are approved by special request only. Contact the Chamber as early as possible, as additional time may be required to coordinate special requests. Pre-registration with the Chamber for Ribbon Cuttings is required with two weeks advance notice.

Events are scheduled based upon availability during business hours only (Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). Once your request is received, the Chamber’s Membership Director will contact you to coordinate and verify date selections and pertinent details to help ensure your ceremony is as memorable as possible.