Thank you for your interest in hosting a Ribbon Cutting!
Please review the information below. Once you’ve had a chance to read through, we can proceed with booking. The Chamber will set up an event page and take reservations on your behalf.
Must meet the following criteria:
- The Chamber does not host more than two ribbon cuttings per week.
- Available times: Monday-Friday at either 12:00 PM or 4:00 PM.
- We do not offer ceremonies outside of these hours, on weekends, or holidays.
Ribbon Cuttings must celebrate a significant business milestone, such as:
- New building or location
- Major, complete renovation
- Significant milestone anniversary, in increments of five
- Grand Opening or Grand Re-Opening
*Chamber membership dues must be current at the time of your ribbon cutting.
What significant business milestone are you looking to celebrate?
While we celebrate your continued success, not all changes warrant a ribbon cutting ceremony. Examples of occasions that do not meet the criteria include:
- New ownership
- New office furniture, cosmetic remodels, or light refresh of a facility
- Addition of a partner or a change in firm structure
- Rebranding or name changes
- Launch of a new program, grant, or service
- Installation of new signage or driveways
Please Note: Chamber management has final discretion on the ribbon cutting date and reason.
Our ribbon cutting ceremonies are reserved for Duchess County businesses and organizations only. If your business is in a neighboring county, out of respect for the local community partner, we encourage you to ask your community organization to take the lead on your event.
- If you are a member for more than one year, we do not charge a fee for a ribbon cutting.
- For members that are new and within your first year of Chamber membership, a refundable deposit is charged, and this is how it works:
- For standard businesses, a $100 refundable deposit is charged and is applied to your second year of membership, upon renewal. If you do not renew your membership, you waive the $100 deposit.
- For formula and franchise businesses, a $250 refundable deposit is charged and is applied to your second year of membership, upon renewal. If you do not renew your membership, you waive the $250 deposit.
- Ribbon Cuttings must be scheduled at least 6 weeks in advance.
Once a date is selected:
- An invoice will be sent to you.
- Upon payment, your event will be confirmed and posted on our website and social media.
- Please sign and return the agreement to finalize your booking. Events are not officially finalized and scheduled until we receive your signed agreement and provide confirmation.
- Avoid scheduling a ribbon cutting around holidays and ahead of holiday weekends as it will significantly decrease your attendance.
- Try to avoid scheduling a ribbon cutting on a day where there are other Chamber or community events as it will dilute the number of attendees.
- If your facility is currently under construction, we will not book your ribbon cutting until construction is completed. We will do our best to secure a date at least six weeks after completion. This helps avoid delays, rescheduling challenges, and ensures your business is fully prepared to welcome guests.
Chamber promotions begin approximately six weeks leading up to your event and include:
- Social media - Creation of a Facebook event on the Chamber’s page
- Radio
- Chamber website - Placed on the Chamber Events Calendar
- The Hudson Valley Business Scene, monthly newsletter
- In-person Chamber events / flyers at events
- Flyers distributed to neighboring businesses and organizations
- Invitations to Elected Officials and Chamber & Chamber Foundation Board Members
- Email Blasts
- Text Alerts
- In the event of cancellation, weather or otherwise, the Chamber may be unable to notify all attendees.
- November 20 – March 20, Ribbon Cuttings are strongly discouraged, due to inclement weather.
- If a Ribbon Cutting is canceled for any reason, it cannot be rescheduled for a period of 6 months.
- We strongly suggest that you invite elected representatives, nearby businesses, customers, family, and friends to join the celebration.
- We ask that you provide light refreshments and recommend supporting another Chamber member. A list of members can be found in our Membership Directory.
- Since the Chamber is taking reservations on your behalf, please be sure to include the following when sending your invitations, so individuals planning to attend can RSVP:
- Share the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce Facebook event page link on your social media.
- Share the event page that was created for you on the Chamber’s website.
Please be prepared to welcome guests shortly before the scheduled time, some may arrive earlier.
- We will arrive shortly before your scheduled time with:
- Ribbon and ceremonial scissors
- Photographer
- Chamber staff
- Ceremony Flow – What to Expect
- The Chamber will be prepared to coordinate the ceremony with the following flow:
- Welcome by Chamber staff representative
- Remarks by elected officials (if present)
- Remarks by Chamber Board Members (if present)
- Remarks by you or a business representative (if requested)
- The Chamber will be prepared to coordinate the ceremony with the following flow:
The Chamber is happy to coordinate with another chamber or community partner organization you may be affiliated with. Please make us aware if this is a joint event when you begin planning, to allow time for coordination, and to determine which organization is designated to take the lead for the event.
Photos will be shared on social media following the event.
You are welcome to take them from our social media and reuse them for our promotional purposes.
Please Note: we do not create a video for our ribbon-cuttings, this was created by the company being recognized at their own expense
Thank You to Our Sponsor
#MICRONET_CONTENT#