Ribbon Cutting Request

Whether you’re celebrating a new business opening, anniversary or business milestone, expansion or new location, change in ownership, or new product launch, let the Aurora Regional Economic Alliance help you get the attention and community support you deserve!

As the Chamber of Commerce for the City of Aurora and the Village of North Aurora, the Aurora Regional Economic Alliance organizes ribbon cuttings for businesses within these municipalities. Businesses in the greater Aurora region (especially Alliance members) also may apply for ribbon cuttings.

Alliance personnel work with the organization owners or managers to plan the ceremony to make it a fun, professional experience.

Cost

The coordination of ribbon cuttings is FREE for Alliance members; however, non-members can still take advantage of ribbon cuttings through the Alliance for a fee of $250. Non-members are encouraged to join the Alliance today to waive the fee! Learn more about Membership with the Alliance.
When

Ribbon cuttings are held between 9 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday; subject to availability. Ceremonies later in the week typically have higher attendance. Note: We require at least 30 days’ notice to properly coordinate the event. The Alliance works with local and city officials to finalize and confirm the date and time.
Length of Ceremony

The actual ribbon cutting takes no more than 30 minutes, but you can host a longer celebration if you wish.

FAQs

WHAT SHOULD BE CELEBRATED?

IS THERE A FEE FOR RIBBON CUTTINGS?

For members of the Aurora Alliance, there is no ribbon cutting fee. For businesses that are not members, a fee of $250 is required, payable before the scheduling of the ribbon cutting. Email membership@auroraalliance.org to request an invoice for the fee. If you are interested in seeking membership to avoid this fee, please look at our Membership & Benefits Plans. We would love to have you join.

DO I NEED TO BE AN ALLIANCE MEMBER TO HAVE A RIBBON CUTTING?

Businesses in any of the four counties (Kane, Kendall, Will, and DuPage) that the Aurora Alliance serves may schedule a ribbon cutting. Membership in a chamber of commerce is not required. The investment by Aurora Alliance members across the region allows for these special events to take place; however, businesses without an Aurora Alliance membership must pay a $250 fee. For businesses outside of the immediate Aurora area (i.e., North Aurora, Aurora, Montgomery), membership is strongly encouraged.

HOW DO I BOOK OR SCHEDULE A RIBBON CUTTING?

ARE THERE PREFERRED DAYS/TIMES FOR RIBBON CUTTINGS?

Ribbon cuttings generally are hosted Tuesday–Thursday between 9 am and 4 pm. Ribbon cuttings held Wednesday or Thursday typically have the highest attendance from elected officials and the business community. Tuesdays are difficult for elected officials with Council meetings. Ribbon cuttings are subject to scheduling availability. Whenever possible, businesses are encouraged to schedule ribbon cuttings between 4 to 6 weeks in advance.

DOES THE ALLIANCE ARRANGE FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ATTEND THE RIBBON CUTTING?

Yes. We work with the City of Aurora/Village of North Aurora as well as the two other chambers in the Aurora region. On your behalf, we reach out to the Mayor’s/Village President’s offices to check schedule availability. In Aurora, we also reach out to the Aldermen/Alderwomen and City Council members as well as local state elected officials and invite them to attend. Attendance is not guaranteed.

DOES THE ALLIANCE PROMOTE THE RIBBON CUTTING?

Yes, the Aurora Alliance promotes the ribbon cutting via social media (if it is a public ceremony), but we are not responsible for generating a crowd. It’s up to the business to invite friends, family, and customers, etc.

The Aurora Alliance will:

Send out a calendar meeting request to encourage attendance. We send this to trusted media outlets, the community members,
businesses, Aurora Alliance Board and staff, City/Village officials, and state/local elected officials.
Emcee the ceremony (typically someone from the Aurora Alliance leadership).
Arrange for other notable dignitaries to contribute during the ceremony.
Add the ribbon cutting as an event on Facebook and on the Aurora Alliance website.
Take photo(s) to post to Aurora Alliance social media, tagging the business.

The Business will:

Complete the Ribbon Cutting Scheduling Form to start the process.
Provide the Aurora Alliance with a company logo and description of the business.
Invite your staff, family, friends, customers, friends, and more to celebrate with you. Ask your
invitees to arrive ahead of the ceremony so they don’t miss your big moment.
Arrange for any food, drink, or giveaways you desire. This is your celebration, so personalize it.
Provide microphone, speaker, mic stand, if desired.

WHAT DOES THE ALLIANCE BRING TO THE CEREMONY?

HOW LONG DO RIBBON CUTTINGS LAST?

We typically plan for one hour, which includes guest arrival and the ceremony. The official ceremony lasts 15–20 minutes and starts 30 minutes after guest arrivals (no more than 5 minutes late. For example, a 2 pm guest arrival would have a 2:30 pm ceremony start time and will end no later than 3 pm with networking and mingling afterward. Note that Aurora Alliance staff will arrive 30 minutes prior to guest arrival to set up and review the order of events with the business.

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

Amy's Academics: Speech, Language, and Literacy

Ready to Schedule Your Ribbon Cutting?

Use the following form to schedule your ribbon cutting celebration in Aurora, North Aurora, or the greater Aurora region.

Schedule your celebration in Aurora, North Aurora, or the greater Aurora region by filling out this form. Note: We require at least 30 days' notice. Ribbon cuttings are free for Aurora Alliance members; non-members will be charged a $250 fee. Email membership@auroraalliance.org to arrangement payment or join the Aurora Alliance to waive the fee.

For Businesses in Aurora and North Aurora: The Aurora Regional Economic Alliance is honored to celebrate business grand openings with the official ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the City of Aurora and the Village of North Aurora. We work with business owners to plan the ceremony to make it a fun, first-class experience.
For Businesses in the Greater Alliance Region: If you are a member of the Aurora Regional Economic Alliance that is hosting a ribbon cutting or celebration outside the City of Aurora or the Village of North Aurora and you would like us to attend and perform your ribbon cutting, email membership@auroraalliance.org.

Fields marked with an * are required.

Page 1/2

Business Contact Information
Let us know about your business and how to contact you about coordinating this event.

Business Name *

Address *

Website *

Contact Rep Name *

Provide the name of the business owner or key personnel in charge of coordination for the Ribbon Cutting.

Phone *

Contact Email *

Business Social Media Handles

Provide your Facebook and/or LinkedIn handle(s) so we may connect you to the Ribbon Cutting event when it is created. (@...)

About the Business

Provide a brief description of your business.

Business Logo *

Provide us with a logo to use when promoting the Ribbon Cutting.

20MB max

Page 2/2

Ribbon Cutting Event Information
Fill out this section about the ribbon cutting event.

Reason for the Ribbon Cutting *

Let us know whether this is a grand opening, major milestone anniversary (e.g., 5, 10, 15 years), or something else.

Address

Provide the address of the ribbon cutting event (if it is different from the business address listed previously).

Public or Private Event *

Is this event open to the public or invite only? If it is open to the public, the event will be promoted through emails to local officials, on the Alliance website, on Alliance social media, and via a Facebook event.

Private

Open to the Public

What will be happening at the Ribbon Cutting?

List any special or interesting activities, promotions, and vendors (if any) that you will have at your event.

Who will speak at the Ribbon Cutting? *

List the name(s) and title(s) of individuals from the business who will speak and/or hold the scissors during the ceremony.

Preferred Date(s) for Ribbon Cutting *

Provide at least three options for the date of the event.

Ribbon cuttings generally are held between 9 am and 4 pm Tuesday through Thursday; subject to availability. Ceremonies later in the week typically have higher attendance. The Alliance works with local and city officials to finalize and confirm the date and time. The actual ribbon cutting takes no more than 30 minutes, but you can host a longer celebration if you wish. Note: We require at least 30 days’ notice to properly coordinate the event.

Time of Day *

Provide your preferred start time for the event.

Ribbon Cutting Request

Cost

When

Length of Ceremony

FAQs

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

Amy's Academics: Speech, Language, and Literacy

Ready to Schedule Your Ribbon Cutting?

Page 1/2

Page 2/2

Business Catalysts

Premier Members

Key Stakeholders

Ribbon Cutting Request

Cost

When

Length of Ceremony

FAQs

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

Amy's Academics: Speech, Language, and Literacy

Ready to Schedule Your Ribbon Cutting?

Please verify that you have checked the “I'm not a robot” checkbox.

Page 1/2

Page 2/2