Whether you are celebrating a grand opening, re-opening, or groundbreaking, the Haywood Chamber provides your business with a ribbon cutting ceremony at no cost. The Chamber invites the Board of Directors, Ambassadors, and elected officials. A Chamber staff member is present to take photos of the ribbon cutting and provides the ribbon and scissors. Ribbon cuttings are reserved for Haywood Chamber members only.
The Chamber will:
•Provide ceremonial ribbon and scissors
•Invite Chamber Ambassadors, Board Members, Members, Mayor, and Alderman to attend
•A Chamber representative will give a brief welcome at event and give the business an opportunityto speak
•The chamber will list your Ribbon Cutting on our website, newsletter, and social media during theweek of the event
The Business will:
•Work with Chamber staff to identify the date and time. Typically, these are held Tuesday-Thursday at 11 a.m. or 4 p.m.
•Please inform staff at least two weeks prior to event to properly inform our volunteers and staff
•Invite friends, family, and those who have contributed to the success and support of yourbusiness
•Light Refreshments
•Please note, out of respect for our volunteers and staff, we do not conduct Ribbon Cuttings onholidays or weekend
COVID 19 Safety Guidelines
The Haywood Chamber of Commerce will continue to provide our member businesses with the same service and dedication while we continue to navigate COVID-19.
This document will list the procedures and guidelines that will be followed until further notice to ensure the safety of those in attendance for our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
What the Chamber staff will provide:
• Contact the Mayor’s office, Smoky Mountain News and the Mountaineer
• Communicate with one representative from the business being celebrated to determine approximately how many people will be attending the ceremony.
• Communicate to the representative from the business being celebrated that masks and social distancing guidelines are mandatory for this event
• Ensure that there are extra masks and hand sanitizer are provided for Chamber staff use, as well as guests, if needed.
Day of the Event:
On the day of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, the Haywood Chamber will do the following:
• Check the temperatures of Haywood Chamber of Commerce staff
• Coordinate the event and make sure it is running smoothly
• Sanitize the ribbon and scissors to be used during the ceremony
• Take photos to put on social media sites and our newsletter. For group photos, please follow CDC guidelines for social distancing – maintain a 6-foot distance between individuals.
Ribbon Cutting Guidelines for your Business. The guidelines listed below are intended to provide a safe environment for all attending this event that follow COVID-19 guidelines at this time.
• It is the responsibility of the business to check temperatures of their staff and all guests
attending the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. An infrared, no touch thermometer can be provided by Haywood Chamber Team upon arrival.
• The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held outside to allow for adequate social distancing and will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
• One representative from the business celebrated will be asked to join the Chamber President for the Ribbon Cutting Presentation. This individual will be given an opportunity to provide a brief statement regarding the business, cut the ribbon. All other employees of the business will be asked to stand 6 feet behind the presenters.
• Refreshments may be provided by the business. If they wish to provide food or beverages, we ask that they be individually packaged to limit the spread of germs.
If you are interested in a ribbon cutting, reopening, or groundbreaking please fill out the application and contact the Haywood Chamber at 828.456.3021 or