What is a Groundbreaking Ceremony?
A dictionary definition of the word groundbreaking is the ceremonial ‘breaking of the ground’ to begin construction projects.
Typically, before the builders begin their work, a business’s owners, president, and key employees will gather to celebrate the beginning of the project. It marks a milestone in the business and is an opportunity for publicity and team building.
It usually involves a special ‘golden shovel’ and remarks from contractors, corporate and local officials. Groundbreaking events are so impactful that the dictionary definition of a major change is the word groundbreaking.
Let's Get StartedWhat is a Grand Opening Ceremony?
A Grand Opening is the conclusion of the construction project. The Grand Opening is the opportunity for the builders to present the building to the owners and open the doors for the public to learn about the new facility.
Other Construction Event Examples
There are other examples of milestones in the process that builders recognize. Topping out (or topping off) is the placement of the last beam at the highest point. It’s origins are in Scandinavian countries where a small tree was placed on the highest log as an offering to spirits that lived in the trees used in construction.
Weathertight (or dry in) is when the roof, doors and windows are installed in a new construction project. These are opportunities to either hold a small event or as a stage in promoting the grand opening.
These can be a way to test your publicity and social media plans for the grand opening and learn how to receive more coverage. Consider regular updates on all your social media apps.
By PKS at Danish Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.5, Link
Why Celebrate Groundbreaking and Grand Openings?
Celebrations like groundbreaking and grand openings provide an opportunity for team building, publicity, and marketing. You can turn your new building into a showroom to highlight your business.
Politicians and local Chamber of Commerce officials like cutting ribbons, vendors like networking and free food, customers enjoy a day out of the office and the public is interested to see what the builders have produced.
Local news media will often cover a well-planned event and it also provides content for your own social media website and other outreach.
(Click here to tell us about your business’ groundbreaking or grand opening celebrations)
Budgets for Groundbreaking and Grand Opening Projects
Construction project budgets can be a challenge. Sometimes it’s tempting to cut back to help cover construction overruns, but don’t sell yourself short. Our team has the tools to manage your event budget to save you money and produce an event that provides a great ROI.
What Makes a Great Groundbreaking?
1. Participation of stakeholders including:
- Construction GC and subs
- Local Elected officials
- Vendors
- Customers
- Employees
- Neighboring businesses
- Non Profit partner organization (your company’s designated charity or a personal favorite)
2. Plenty of ‘Golden shovels’.
You don’t need to limit it to one, have six or a dozen. You can do shifts and give everyone an opportunity to dig in the dirt.
3. Have an “official shovel” and picture you can display in your new building or addition
Many people, especially those present, will enjoy seeing mementoes of the event. And it provides a centerpiece for future corporate anniversary celebrations.
4. Food and Drink make it a party
Catering and beverage service help set the proper mood for hospitality, to work and play.
5. You need a tent at your Groundbreaking event.
Protect your guests from Sun or rain and provide a visual anchor to the event, especially if you’re in an open field.
6. Don’t forget to include the Chamber of Commerce
They are great at inviting and opening doors with local businesses and government officials.
7. Invite the Media, especially the local Business Journal and business reporter
You should incorporate a media plan into your overall marketing strategy.
8. Consider a media coordinator.
You should have a professional that can handle every sentence and every word of your media presence. If you don’t have the skills in-house, your marketing agency or local Chamber might be able to handle this.
9. Involve a professional event planner
Let event professionals take care of all the details for you so you can concentrate on your guests.
10. During construction, take the opportunity to plan your grand opening ceremony.
11. Keep people involved
You can include regular updates on construction progress and build a sense of excitement. Take this opportunity to capture the progress of the facility by involving all stakeholders.
Tell Us About Your CelebrationWhat Makes a Great Grand Opening or Re-Opening?
1. Check out the list for a great groundbreaking and do those things.
2. An event that highlights your new facility and the services or products of your business
3. A practice run with your employees. Have everyone assigned a task to greet the guests and tell them about your business and the new facility.
4. Creating a time capsule with items that represent your business and the new facility. This will be a great centerpiece for your 5, 10, 20, or 50-year commemorations. Don’t forget to include employees’ predictions about the future.
5. Create a keepsake that is appropriate for your industry. Something that is dated and can be displayed by guests to promote your business.
6. Finally, don’t forget to involve an event planner that can conceptualize and organize these details while you concentrate on your business and getting the new facility up and running.
Contact Us
Get Started Today
Construction is a busy and expensive process but if you take advantage of the opportunity to celebrate your groundbreaking and host a grand opening, you will realize additional benefits for your time and efforts spent on construction. Let us help you create memorable events based on our years of experience.
Reach OutProgram Creation
Maybe its two or three days, or maybe it can be done in an hour. A reception could kick things off, or maybe a general session provides a shared experience to begin. Entertainment, speakers, panelists . . . think through the overall plan before filling in the details. We’ve done it before and know some tricks.
Venue Selection
The right location is the cornerstone for success and we know where to go. Some events belong in a hotel, some belong at your location or somewhere completely unexpected. Whether inside or outside, or several places, make your venue decision with our help.
Site Prep and Management
Once you have your location, what’s next? First, determine the elements, then how they relate to each other. From parking to staging, event flow to staffing, we guide you though all the decisions, even the ones you didn’t know you need to make.
Budget Management
It’s easy to get lost in the details, but plan your work and work your plan. We can help you create a strategy that fits your budget, then monitor expenditures and revenue to keep things on track.
Our Service Areas
Located in Harrisburg, PA, we proudly serve the local community in Central PA and the surrounding areas. Over the years, we’ve built the trust of our community, so you can rest assured your event will go off seamlessly.
- Harrisburg, PA
- Mechanicsburg, PA
- Palmyra, PA
- Lancaster, PA
- State College, PA
- Reading, PA
- Strasburg, PA
- Camp Hill, PA
- York, PA
- Carlisle, PA
- Hanover, PA
- Gettysburg, PA
- Selinsgrove, PA
- Linglestown, PA
- Elizabethtown, PA
- Chambersburg, PA
