Relationships are the lifeblood of chambers everywhere, so any chance you have to make members (and the community) feel like VIPs is a great one.
Most people associate a red carpet with a special event. It automatically puts them in the mood for something extraordinary to happen. They see a red carpet and feel like they will be treated to an amazing time. It sets their expectations with a quick visual clue–no words needed.
There are many ways to use this type of VIP treatment to make your attendees feel special and we’ll showcase some creative ideas from three chambers at the end of the article. But for now, let’s talk about why feeling valued is so important.
Beyond the Velvet Rope: Why Making Members Feel Valued is Your Best Event Strategy
When it comes to hosting unforgettable events for your chamber, the red carpet is just the beginning. While dazzling decor and gourmet food create an exciting atmosphere, the most impactful element is how you make your members feel. A successful event isn’t just about the experience itself; it’s about fostering a deeper sense of connection and belonging within your chamber community.
Your members invest time, resources, and passion into supporting your mission. A well-executed red carpet event becomes an opportunity to say “thank you” in a way that’s both meaningful and memorable. When members feel truly seen, appreciated, and valued, their loyalty and engagement naturally grow. Plus, it’s fun to be a VIP–even if only for a few hours.
But that’s the thing about a successful red carpet event. You want that feeling to last.
Creating a Lasting Impression
How do you turn a red carpet event into an experience that resonates long after the last photo is snapped?
Consider these strategies:
- Personalized Touches. From handwritten welcome notes to custom awards recognizing their contributions, personalized touches show members you know and care about them as individuals.
- VIP Treatment. Offer exclusive perks like early access, reserved seating, or meet-and-greets with influential figures. Make them feel like the stars of the show.
- Opportunities to Shine. Feature member businesses prominently at the event. Whether it’s showcasing their products in a dedicated area or inviting them to speak, give members a chance to take center stage.
- Post-Event Follow-Up: Don’t let the excitement fade away. Send personalized thank-you notes, share photos from the event, or offer exclusive post-event deals. This keeps the positive momentum going.
A red carpet event makes your members feel valued and appreciated. By hosting one, you can create a ripple effect that strengthens relationships, boosts morale, and drives long-term appreciation for the chamber and its mission.
However, a red carpet event needn’t be saved for your annual gala or awards ceremony (although that’s a great time to use this sort of theme as you’ll see below). There are many ways you can incorporate one into your chamber events.
Red Carpet-Themed Event Ideas
Here are a few ideas from chambers that have hosted successful events incorporating a VIP theme.
Movie Premiere – Cordell Chamber of Commerce
Nothing says red carpet quite the way a movie premier does and the Cordell (OK) Chamber of Commerce was all-in when they realized they might be able to host a movie premiere at their chamber-run theater for the summer blockbuster movie Twisters. Instead of merely selling tickets to the film, Executive Director Sarah Lau used some creativity to build a Hollywood-sized buzz around the event.
She shared, “This is the biggest thing we have ever done as a chamber. Saturday is our big event that goes with it. Storm chasers, bingo inside the theater, vendors, entertainment, and extras from the movie are coming two hours to be here with us…Yesterday I took ten tickets and hid them at local chamber members’ businesses. It was so fun trying to explain to them what I was doing…Then I went to the theater and decorated it!! Plus, I got word today that after the movie, one of the storm chasers is going to show the first movie in the road on their projector in their truck bed. We are having so much fun with this!!! Trying to show the film people that we want a movie filmed here and we will get behind it for sure!!! Red carpet and all!!! This was a 3 in the morning idea that has become something so much more!!! If you have an event coming up with tickets go hide them around town. It is fun to see people go in and look for them or call you and say ‘we found one’ or ‘are there any left?’!!!”
Annual Awards Social and Banquet – Cuero Chamber of Commerce
An awards ceremony is the ideal time to roll out the red carpet. For their Fifth Annual Awards Social and Banquet, the Cuero Chamber of Commerce selected a red carpet theme. The event included a live auction, which raised $3,000 and their red carpet event increased attendance to about 400 people.
Check out their event video, which shows their gorgeous red and gold theme, photo backdrop, star decor, velvet ropes, and statuary:
Honoring the Hueytown Stars – Hueytown Area Chamber of Commerce
The Hueytown Area Chamber of Commerce also rolled out the red carpet for its 2023 Annual Awards Celebration treating its award winners like the stars they are.
The Power of Words: New Member 101 to VIP Mixer
Creating a red carpet atmosphere doesn’t always have to come with a literal red carpet. You can make attendees feel special with weekly or monthly events too. The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber discovered the impact that words have when they renamed their Chamber 101 event for new members to a VIP Luncheon. Their event went from a small monthly attendance to sold-out with a name change because everyone wants to feel like a VIP.
Whether you roll out a red carpet for your next event or simply look for ways to make your members feel like stars, the excitement that comes from feeling valued and special is undeniable. It goes a long way to cementing the relationship and building loyalty. It also gives them something they can’t do for themselves–fanfare. If you want more engagement and loyalty among your members, think of ways to help your members stand out in the community.
