Did You Ever Have A Grand Opening for Your Business? Should You "Re-Open" Your Business- Read About Ours

I joined the local Weirton Chamber of Commerce as soon I  moved my family back to Weirton this past March.   The Chamber organizes a Grand Opening for every new business in town, replete with the local newspaper and a ribbon cutting ceremony.I was nervous at the thought of having one.  Who would show up?  Will my office actually have furniture by then?  We decided to push our opening to September 13.  (I scheduled it around my birthday date just so I could feel extra festive).  I am glad I waited and I am so thankful that I forced our firm to put on the event. I have come to learn that marketing is all about communicating who you are and what you do.   I ordered cupcakes from one of my clients Dozen Bake Shop and we had a bluegrass band Uncle Eddie & Robin trio.  I made prints of all of the industrial photos I have been taking in the local community.  To add to our office art collection, I also put together a collage of various photos I have taken at numerous fashion shows and tradeshow events.   We had paper brochures created describing our firm philosophies and practice areas (yes old school, but still important) and we ordered refrigerator magnets as giveaways.  My children and I wrote a thank you message on our Conference Room chalk board and my staff and associates and their families were here, intermingling with their special starred nametags.  At the event, we had over 50+ business men and women (and 4 toddlers and 3 adolescents) from the Ohio Valley come through our doors.  Thanks to everyone for your support. BUSINESS OWNERS:  I used to see business Grand Openings and then "Re-Openings" and wonder why a business is celebrating a re-opening.  Now I know.  If you haven't had your client and colleagues in your office space in a while, throw a simple happy hour, mingle/mixer, or re-opening.   I think you will be glad that you did.  If you don't have a physical space, rent one.Here is a Flickr photo slideshow of the event (note iphone died halfway through)- video of bluegrass band included.[slideshow]