RIBBON CUTTING & GROUNDBREAKING GUIDE CONGRATULATIONS!

The Springs Chamber & EDC would like to help introduce your business to the community. If you’re preparing for a grand opening, have recently remodeled, have a new location or are a new member, let us celebrate with you.

Benefits of hosting a Chamber & EDC ground breaking • Opportunity to publicly thank your family, friends, business associates, employees and financial partners • Introduce your company to potential new customers • Expand visibility for your organization and raise your profile in our community

We’ve created this guide to help you and your business get the most out of your Chamber & EDC ribbon cutting or groundbreaking ceremony. As always, we’re here for you and working to make your event special!

Just follow our 5 Easy Steps for Hosting A Ribbon Cutting Or Groundbreaking Ceremony: 1. Submit Form 2. Invitations 3. Promotion 4. Event Logistics 5. Pay it Forward

If you have any questions or need additional information, contact us at [email protected] or call (719) 471-8183.

2018 - True North Chiropractic Ribbon Cutting SUBMIT FORM Please submit ribbon cutting or groundbreaking request form at least two weeks before your preferred date. Be sure you have supplied all necessary information to ensure we can best present your business to the community. To maximize attendance please note the best times for ribbon cuttings are Wednesdays or Fridays at 10am, 2pm or 4pm. We do our best to accommodate all requests.

• These are the best times to increase attendance of Ground Breaking Request

Today’s date: Chamber & EDC staff, Ambassadors and other ______Save your form and email to Please submit ground breaking requests at least two weeks before your preferred [email protected] Preferred date: ______Alternate date: ______business professionals Perferred time: ______Ground breakings may be scheduled on Wednesdays or Fridays at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Alternate time: ______Reason for ground breaking: ______• Please avoid scheduling a ground breaking around What was the capital investment for your improvement or new location?

Will there be new jobs now or in the future? ______other events or holidays (i.e. any Friday before or after Company bio: ______

holidays). Please check the Chamber & EDC events ______

Company name: ______

calendar on our website at cscedc.com/events Type of business: ______

Address (Please include zip code and any major intersections):

______

Contact person: ______CHAMBER & EDC ACTIONS Signature of owner/representative of business: ______Telephone: ______Email: ______

Website: ______Submit completed request forms to [email protected]. You will Chamber & EDC Representative ______Agenda submitted: ______Officials invited: ______receive an email confirmation. Interested in a video recording of your ground breaking? Check the box to receive details.

Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC | cscedc.com | 719.471.8183 | [email protected] INVITATIONS After receiving your confirmation email for your ribbon cutting or groundbreaking ceremony, it is time to think about sending out invites for your celebration! Who to invite: Elected officials, neighboring businesses, existing customers, supplier or vendors to your trade, prospects, media, and personal family and friends • The mayor’s assistant can be reached at [email protected] or call (719) 385-5900 • The city counselors can be reached at [email protected] or call (719) 550-1900 • The county commissioners can be reached at [email protected] or for a list of phone numbers, visit www.elpasoco.com/contact-us/

Utilize the Member Information Center (MIC) to access the Members-only business directory and send personal invites to fellow members you’d like to connect and collaborate with. CHAMBER & EDC ACTIONS We’ll post the Event to our online Events Calendar at www.cscedc.com. Feel free to share the link in your event invatations. We’ll invite our Ambassadors, so please share any information on parking or RSVP links with [email protected]. PROMOTION It’s up to you to make the event as big or as little as you want it - this is your celebration! If you’re looking to attract a lot of attention, consider some of these options for promoting your celebration and business.

Media Community • Post press release on the MIC • Create social media event - Invite • Prepare and send press release to Chamber & EDC to co-host the event to media outlets: reach our followers • [email protected] • Post event on community calendars • [email protected] • visitcos.com • [email protected] • peakradar.com • krdo.com/about/contact • downtowncs.com • [email protected] • springsmag.com • .org/contact • csindy.com/coloradosprings/ Advertising ContactUs/Page • Utilize paid print, digital, or radio ads • coloradospringsstyle.com/contact-us • Cash in on your benefits and send a • .org direct mailer to all Chamber & EDC • coloradospringskids.com members • 989magicfm.com • Share fliers, member-to-member deals • Jazz93.5.org or public hot deals on the MIC • xtrasports1300.com

Event Attendee Promotions • Host drawings or giveaway door prizes • Supply certificates or coupons • Provide print collateral material like Contact us at info@ cscedc.com cards or brochures to receive your FREE press • Have promotional items or grab bag release template. favors for attendees

CHAMBER & EDC ACTIONS 2018 - Murphy USA Groundbreaking We’ll post the Event to our online Events Calendar at www.cscedc.com. Feel free to share the link in your press release. We can supply a press release template, if needed. We’ll mention the event in the Chamber & EDC’s bi-weekly newsletter and share a photo on social media following the event. EVENT LOGISTICS We’re here to support the best event for you and your business. Make it a memorable experience for employees, attendees, and you! Here are some ideas to consider to help make it a great event and leave a lasting impression on attendees. Food & Drink Speakers • Serve light snacks and beverages for • Prepare your remarks ahead of time guests • Consider thanking any partners and • If you are interested in catering the event, collaborators in your remarks check out our caterer members: • Have a sound system if you are • Creekside Events Center expecting a larger audience • Jason’s Deli • Be prepared to answer questions about • Salsa on the Rock your operations, history, and business • Summit Catering goals • Taste of the Wild Catering Event Attendee Promotions • The Picnic Basket Catering Co. • Host drawings or giveaway door prizes • Supply certificates or coupons • Provide print collateral material like Tours cards or brochures •Offer tours to check out your new space • Have promotional items or grab bag favors for attendees CHAMBER & EDC ACTIONS We bring the ceremonial giant scissors and ribbon or golden shovel and hard hat. We’ll take photos or video of the event to post on social media to share with our members and followers. We prepare opening remarks to introduce your business to the community and generally cut the ribbon or break ground 15 minutes after the ceremony start time. Be sure to include speaker names and titles and pertinent business information on your request form. PAY IT FORWARD You’re part of the largest professional business network in the Pikes Peak Region; pro actively attend member ribbon cuttings and groundbreaking ceremonies to celebrate and support fellow members and continue to make valuable connections. Be in-the-know about what’s happening with the growing and thriving business community of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.

BOOKMARK THE EVENTS CALENDAR TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON CHAMBER & EDC EVENTS