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To Cut or Not to Cut: Questions About Chamber Ribbon Cuttings

No one joins the chamber solely for chamber ribbon cuttings, yet they are a nice perk of membership. But should they be?

How do you handle chamber ribbon cuttings?
To Cut or Not to Cut: Questions About Chamber Ribbon Cuttings

What does your chamber do when a new business asks you to do a ribbon cutting but doesn’t want to join the chamber? What if that new business is connected in some way to a chamber board member or high-ranking local official and asks you to borrow your ribbon cutting scissors when you advise them chamber ribbon cuttings are for members only?

On this blog we’ve talked about the benefits of chambers viewing all businesses as members. Should that extend to ribbon cuttings?

 

Reasons Why You Don’t Want to Limit Ribbon Cuttings to Members

You don’t want to be known as (solely) the ribbon-cutting people because that’s probably something a business needs 1-2 times in its existence. If that’s all they want from you, they’ll join initially and choose not to renew the following year. Chamber ribbon cuttings don’t offer sustainable value. But that’s not the only reason you don’t want to make them a members’ only benefit.

Anyone Can Become the Ribbon Cutting People

There is very little cost of entry to take over that title. A pair of scissors, some ribbon, and a method to get the word out means someone can easily take over the reputation if that’s all you’re offering. Don’t make it tempting for them to do so by cutting off new business just because they refuse to pay dues.

Many chamber professionals charge for ribbon cuttings. Coincidentally, the cost of a ribbon cutting is often the same as the cost of membership.

It Makes a Great Impression

As Karen Teeters, the Executive Director of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce said, “We do ribbon cuttings for businesses whether they join or not. It’s a great way to make a positive impression on a new business. So for me it’s a nonissue. All we are out is a tiny bit of time and some ribbon. I don’t understand why a chamber would want to make a ribbon cutting a member only thing.”

What impression do you want to make to new business? Join the conversation here.

By Christina Green

Get the complete guide to ribbon cuttings with our Beginner’s Guide to the Chamber Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Our Authors

Frank Kenny is a successful entrepreneur, chamber member, chamber board member, chamber board of directors chair, and chamber President/CEO. He now coaches chamber professionals, consults with chambers, trains staff and members, and speaks professionally. He helps Chambers and Chamber Professionals reach their goals. See full bio.
Frank J. Kenny
Christina R. Green teaches chambers, associations and small businesses how to connect through content. Her articles have appeared in the Midwest Society of Association Executives’ Magazine, NTEN.org, AssociationTech, and Socialfish. She is a regular guest blogger on this site and Event Managers Blog. Christina is just your average bookish writer on a quest to bring great storytelling to organizations everywhere.Visit her site or connect with her on Twitter @christinagsmith. Helping small businesses, chambers & associations create content that inspires action. Everyone has a story.

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