Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

Holding a ribbon cutting ceremony is a great way to introduce your business to the Evanston community. If you are opening a new location in Evanston, please contact the Chamber office for assistance scheduling and running the event with local officials.

Here’s how the process typically works:

• Submit your Ribbon Cutting Ceremony request using the form below. 
• Requesting parties are asked to provide three dates at least one month in advance of the preferred dates.
• The Chamber will forward the three dates requested to the Alderperson of the Ward where the business is located.
• The Alderperson will reply with their availability and preferred date.
• The Chamber will forward the chosen date to the Mayor’s office to inform the Mayor of the event who may attend depending on their schedule.
• Once the date is determined, the Chamber will alert all Alderpersons, City Manager, City Economic Development staff, Downtown Evanston, Chicago North Shore Convention Bureau, Main-Dempster Mile, Central Street Merchants, and our other neighborhood groups, Evanston Chamber BOD, Evanston Chamber Ambassador committee.
• Ribbon cutting events will be posted on the Chamber’s event calendar.
• Ribbon cutting events will be announced via our weekly e-blasts that go to more than 2,100 members and subscriber, the Chamber media list—if the business wants the event to be that public—and will also go out in a special ribbon cutting only e-blast just prior to the event.
• The Chamber will attend if able, bring/or supply the scissors and the ribbon.
• We request that cuttings do not occur on Friday night or on the weekend.
• If the Chamber cannot attend, we will loan the scissors complete with a beautiful ribbon to the business.
  NOTE: If the scissors are loaned, the Chamber asks that they are returned by the receiver, the next business day, to the Chamber office, 1609 Sherman Ave., Suite 205.
• If the Chamber is performing a cutting for a non-member, there is a $100 charge.  Click HERE to become an Evanston Chamber Member!
• Any honors to be awarded at a Ribbon Cutting must be approved by the Chamber.

Additional Things You May Want To Consider

• Prepare and send a PDF invitation to the Chamber office that will go in the e-blast.
• Hire a photographer to take photos at your event.
• Provide light refreshments for guests.
• You may wish to prepare a short statement about your business.
• Promote your event to your contacts and media list.

Questions? Include any questions in the form below. Or, contact Evanston Chamber of Commerce staff at 847-328-1500 or info@evchamber.com.