Grand openings are a very exciting time of your company. Whether introducing a new location or opening the doors to the public for the first time, this is a significant benchmark for you! A grand opening marks the beginning of a long and exciting journey to come. CeremonialSupplies.com understands how important it is and provides all the materials and guidance you will need to make it perfect. We host a large inventory of grand opening supplies and materials on our website along with a blog providing guidance on planning your big day!
Grand openings are a fun and exciting way to involve the community in the beginning of a new business venture or the opening of a new location or establishment. Often, the local press will join and, for this reason, it is important to have the right tools and look your best. Here at CeremonialSupplies.com we have provided you with all the tips and instructions you will need to accomplish a grand opening that will make you beam with pride. This is your guide to grandeur on how to throw a grand opening!
P-L-A-N Your Grand Opening!
This is your big moment! You have worked hard to set up a foundation and get organized and now it is time to open the doors to the public. Whether for a small business, new location or a large corporation the key is to encourage excitement and enthusiasm from your guests. Thorough planning and effective execution of your grand opening event can be a huge asset to your business going forward. This is your chance to make a fantastic first impression with guests and attendees alike. Your first and most important decision is your budget- how much do you have to spend on the grand opening? Factors such as size of the crowd, music, food, decorations, coupons and/or free giveaways, marketing for the event, etc. all need to be considered. Organizing this at least 4-6 months ahead of time is best to give yourself enough time to prepare and book/obtain everything for the day of the event. The grand opening is a chance to set a tone for your business and raise awareness and this starts with the invitations. Spreading the word about your grand opening event can be done with fliers, newspaper and online ads, word of mouth or from actual delivered invitations. For those individuals you want to specifically request attendance from, such as press, chambers of commerce or investors, a mailed or hand-delivered invitation not less than 3 months in advance is advised. For all others in the community and beyond, use all available outlets of advertise your grand opening event. Start setting the tone right away; mention if you will have music, games, discounts, prizes, fun for the whole family! This will encourage excitement and interest and help to spread the word for your event.
After marketing and advertising your event, start acquiring the items and equipment you will need for the grand opening. Booking DJs, hiring caterers, balloons, banners, ribbons, prizes should all be on a list. Remember- the sooner you book, the more cost-efficient and organized your grand opening event will be. As for décor, it is always best to emphasize the “grand opening” throughout your event, evoking people’s interest and feeding their excitement. Ribbons, balloons and banners are just a few of the items we here at CeremonialSupplies.com offer to encourage the atmosphere. These items can even be customized with your business name or logo as another way to show pride and advertise your presence. Depending on the time of year and location, consider the weather. While an outdoor grand opening event allows for a larger crowd, it is best to have back up plans or accommodations in the event of rain or other poor weather conditions. An outdoor event also comes with having to obtain the necessary permits. Check with your local chamber of commerce or city hall to determine what is needed to hold your event and regulations need to be considered. If your grand opening event is being held in a busy area or public space than there is traffic and parking to consider. Will certain lanes or streets need to be blocked off from local traffic to accommodate the grand opening? Is there a spacious and legal area for parking at the event? Will guests have a way to safety walk to and from the event? These are all extremely important issues to discuss with your town or city hall before establishing your location.
Ready, Set, Open!
Now that everything has been organized and obtained, it is time to start the big day. Again, the key is enthusiasm and fun! Your grand opening event will be a first impression for your business and people should walk away feeling good. Grand Opening events can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, this was why planning supplies and materials ahead of time was so important. Having enough food, decorations, giveaways, etc. to last the entire event is what keeps people there. Once guests start arriving, your grand opening event will take on a life of its own! People will have a chance to mingle, explore, enjoy and network throughout the event. Owners and employees should be spread out to answer questions, provide information and regulate the activities within the event for a more enjoyable experience for everyone attending. CeremonialSupplies.com also provides signs, stanchions, and rope to assist with crowd management. This can help with guiding people through the event in a more organized way and keep from overwhelming those working the event.
As the organizer of the grand opening event you too should enjoy the moment- take photographs, shake hands and meet the community. There is no better way to enjoy the grand opening of your business or location than be being right in the middle of it. Those attending are future clientele and one of the best ways to get the word out about your company. Ensure everyone is happy and all their questions are answered at your event. If they leave feeling happy, they are more likely to return to the establishment and encourage others to do the same. The grand opening of a business or new location is a wonderful milestone and should be enjoyed. Several moving parts need to come together to make it effective and it can often come with stress, but we at CeremonialSupplies.com are here to help. We love being a part of these moments and offer the materials and guidance to you and yours so you can look back years later and smile at the fantastic first impression you made.