CeremonialSupplies.com carries the best and widest (literally!) selection of quality grand opening ribbons on the net. Following the announcement by Alabama governor Kay Ivey that companies relocating to facilities in Alabama have invested $8.7 billion in growth projects, we're pretty confident there will be no shortage of grand opening ribbon cuttings in Alabama any time soon! "Made in Alabama" is quickly becoming a gold standard brand name and, possibly the reason why Alabama has attracted foreign direct investment from 16 different countries. This has generated thousands of new and future jobs and needless to say, expanding locations and their introduction with grand opening ribbon cuttings in Alabama communities. With this in mind CeremonialSupplies.com has some tips on grand opening ribbon cuttings especially for businesses in the Yellowhammer State!
Choosing the Ceremonial Ribbon
The words "Grand Opening" have an instantaneous effect on people. When a new business, or a newly constructed location is inaugurated, or opened for business for the first time, it is usually accompanied with a grand opening ceremony and celebration. A grand opening is a traditional social event meant to introduce a new business to the community with a party, special events and prizes, and of course, special pricing. It's a great way to generate a buzz and receive media attention. Duluth Trading Co., the USA made clothing store brand opened it's 57th store and the first one in Alabama last September 26 in Madison, and stores like Dollar General, Earth Fare, in Mobile, Aldi grocers in Homewood and Decatur, and restaurants like the Bottle Tree and the Grille and Oyster Bar in Birmingham are just a handful of the upswing in new business and grand openings throughout the state of Alabama. Photos of these events show a variety of ribbons and ribbon colors that complement the brand or the company logo colors, but here are some observations when choosing the ceremonial ribbon:
Aside from choosing a color (that's the easy part!) that matches or complements the logo or the company colors, the width of the ribbon is important - especially if there will be photographs or videos. CeremonialSupplies.com offers a selection of satin finish quality, colorful ribbons in widths from the customary 4 - 6 inches to the extra-wide ribbons ranging from 8 - 12 inches! When you have your company name printed on a 10" ceremonial ribbon, it will be as attention-grabbing as the name of the business itself! Dollar General, for instance, we would have recommended an 8 or 10 inch wide yellow ribbon with black print for a perfect color effect. When choosing a grand opening ribbon, remember to go wide and use a contrasting print that will make the business name pop out!
To Print the Ribbon Or Not?
For goodness' sake, if you've gone as far as to get a good size ribbon... print it! Put the name of the company on it, or the logo, but print it! Tight shot photos will likely not be able to include the business' name that appears over the door and these shots are great for showing the people up close. The name on the ribbon will make sure that all the photos of the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon will easily identify the business. CeremonialSupplies.com offers ribbons of top quality material that can be customized in all design fonts and colors, pre-printed "Grand Opening" ribbons, and plain solid color ribbons, and we recommend not to pass up the additional publicity and print the ribbon!
The Importance of Stanchions in a Grand Opening
You've got a beautiful 8" ribbon that matches your business logo, and the name printed repeatedly throughout it, but wait...now that you're looking at the pictures, the ribbon is lopsided and folded over in the center! How did THAT happen? The answer is because there were several people holding the ribbon at separate intervals, some of them are taller than others, and they each are holding it differently. How do you get the grand-opening ribbon to look picture perfect? You use stanchions on each side and tightly attach each end of the grand-opening ribbon to a stanchion. Now you have a perfect level, taut, and easy to read grand opening ribbon! For an additional touch consider a giant bow over the part of the ribbon attached to the stanchion. It not only covers any tape or knot used, it also adds an embellishment. CeremonialSupplies.com offers classic stanchions and weatherproof plastic stanchions from where you will be sure to find the perfect ones to hold your grand opening ribbon on opening day, and other uses after the event! Bows? We've got those too, in every color to match the ceremonial ribbon! To truly dominate the view, consider attaching three multi-level balloons that say "Grand Opening" on each stanchion and you're all set!
Remember the Ribbon-cutting Scissors
If we had a dime for each rush order of ribbon-cutting scissors...oh, wait. We do! Forgetting to order the ceremonial scissors seems to be more common than thought possible and we think we know why this happens. In the hard work that goes into planning a grand opening, looking at all the details of the ribbon, the in-store signage, and the guest list, it is not uncommon to forget about the stars of the show: the ceremonial ribbon-cutting scissors! The grand opening scissors should command attention and CeremonialSupplies.com ribbon-cutting scissors will do exactly that. Choose from silver or gold blades, and handle color to match the ribbon. Our crafted quality ceremonial scissors are available in 2 giant sizes: 25" and 30" and yes, they DO cut ribbon and are actually quite sharp! You can customize the scissors on one of the blades with your company name, brand, or logo - and you should, if you mean to present the ceremonial scissors to the Boss after the event, or if the scissors will be kept and displayed. And don't worry if you are a last minute grand opening scissors order - check out our assortment of pre-printed scissors that say "Grand Opening" or "Ribbon Cutting Ceremony." When the ceremonial scissors are not in use before, or after the grand opening ceremony they should be displayed and used as a decorative element for the official event photo, for example. For a more conservative and traditional grand opening style of scissors CeremonialSupplies.com offers the Golden Handle regular size (10") scissors, and we also carry display cases for the traditional regular size scissors as well as the giant, 25" and 30" scissors. After all, you'll want to display these beauties!
Getting the Word Out!
Creating a guest list is a key part of any celebration and when it's a business, the guest list should include a media list with the names of local reporters and journalists who cover social events. A special gift token for all guests is always a great way to establish goodwill in the community, but for the media, be sure to have a special gift bag that includes information about the business, or about the new location. Take an ad on at least 3 of Alabama's newspapers such as the Birmingham News, the Montgomery Advertiser, the Huntsville Times, Tuscaloosa News, Decatur Daily, or Mobile Press-Register.
Grand Opening Day!
The big day is here and everyone is arriving! The business or the store inside is merchandised with grand opening signs, and the outside is decorated with the grand opening ribbon, the stanchions, balloons, and the ceremonial scissors displayed on their stand. The name of the business is everywhere you look, and the guests you invited from your media list are there with their videographer. People who saw your ad, and those who've been driving by the location are trickling in and you - you are ecstatic! Happy to have found CeremonialSupplies.com because all your items were ordered and received with time to spare. Shop CeremonialSupplies.com for quality products, budget friendly prices, and prompt and efficient shipping wherever you are in Alabama or anywhere else in the world! Click here for a shipping quote.