Prepare for your /Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting with this checklist!
- Design Invitations
- Prepare your guest list. What’s the target audience you’re hoping to attend your event? Current clients or prospective clients? Local dignitaries and politicians? Family members and friends? If you are looking to attract a broader crowd, is there a special demographic you want to attract (i.e., students, singles, couples, seniors)?
- Create both and A list and B list. The A list are guests that your have a personal relationship with. These A list persons should be personally contacted by the owner.
- Possible Guests Might Include
- business partners
- friends and family
- financiers/bankers
- contractors
- employees and their families
- customers
- neighboring businesses
- elected officials/council members/mayor (click here for list) . Please note that while we do provide contact information for key dignitaries, the Chamber does not send invitations or manage responses for you.
- neighbors
- landlord and building tenants
- Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media contacts
- Contacts in your phone, Outlook, etc.
- Chamber Staff Attendance: During normal working hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) staff may attend if they are available. For events held during the evening and/or on weekends, we cannot guarantee attendance.
- business partners
- Decide on your communications strategy
- Advertising
- Flyer distribution/invitations
- Social media
- Email, digital marketing, etc.
- Press releases
- Advertising
- Agenda or Program. Typically, 20- 0 minutes long, include speaker order
- Emcee or Guest Speakers
- Additional activities (tours, exhibits, posters, activities, games for children, etc.)
- Press Releases
- Caterer
- Photography
- Set Up
- Giveaways/Door Prizes
- Parking Assistance
- Greeters
- VIP Coordinator
- Tour Guides / Exhibits / Activities
- Music
- Microphone / PA System
- Thanking Departing Guest
- Ribbon and Scissors
- Clean-Up
- Sending thank-you notes
- Post photos and video and information on your website, newsletter, Facebook, etc.
Here is a PR Checklist Timeline to Maximize your Attendance
EIGHT WEEKS OUT
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SIX WEEKS OUT
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THREE WEEKS OUT
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TWO WEEKS OUT
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WEEK OF THE EVENT
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WEEK AFTER THE EVENT
Send out a press release announcing the success of the event and that you are now open for business. If possible , announce any grand opening specials. |
How to Notify Attendees of an Event on Facebook
Facebook provides several tools useful to the business-minded person. For instance, you can list an event on Facebook and invite your friends, colleagues or employees from your friends list. This serves as a useful feature for getting your event organized, allowing you to keep track of attendees. You can also provide instant updates on the event's page to make people aware of any changes.
Facebook provides several tools useful to the business-minded person. For instance, you can list an event on Facebook and invite your friends, colleagues or employees from your friends list. This serves as a useful feature for getting your event organized, allowing you to keep track of attendees. You can also provide instant updates on the event's page to make people aware of any changes.
- Click "Events" in the Favorites section of the Facebook homepage's sidebar to open your Events list.
- Click your event's name to open its page.