KHC Grand Opening Guide to Success

Groundbreaking / Grand Opening Guide to Success

Your Guide to Grand Opening / Groundbreaking

Planning events can be stressful but here is your Guide to Success!

Prior to our first Grand Opening planning call, do a little brainstorming and bring this to our first call to discuss. Remember – this is your event! The KHC Creative Marketing & Sales Team are here to make your event a success! We have done TONS of events so we have a bunch of ideas and best practices but want to help you make this event something you are proud of and excited to host.

In this document, you’ll get brainstorming ideas and checklists that will take you through:

- What type of event would you like to host? Do you have a theme?

- What food/beverages would you like to offer?

- What kind of ZAZZ do you want to add to the event?

- Additional checklists to make your event a success!

Ready? Let’s go!

Brainstorming

1. What type of event would like to host?

• Possibly based on the time of year / season themed?

» Spring: Blooms and Beer

» Summer: Cookout and Chill

» Fall: Cider and Tailgating

» Winter: Holidays and Cheer

• Local vendors you work with

» Beer tasting

» Wine tasting

» Food tasting

• Is there something you have seen that you have never seen in your market?

• Would you like something casual?

• Would you like something formal? Passed hors d’oeuvres with Champagne

2. What food/drink would you like to offer?

• Hors d’oeuvres

• Desserts only

• Cookout (based on theme)

• Action stations (if full service or available with caterer)

3. What kind of ZAZZ do you want to add to the event?

• Martini / Ice Luge

• Champagne Fountain

• Balloon Installation

• Photo Booth

• Local mascots (semi pro or college) that could make a guest appearance?

• Local talent for entertainment would you like to consider? Small jazz group, piano player, etc.

Event Planning Timeline

Typically our Grand Opening events are 6-8 weeks after opening and we LOVE to partner with the Chamber to do our Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening event at the same time.

1. Date and Time of Event

• Be sure to double check with KHC, investors, City Events to ensure there are no conflicts before we secure our date

• Check with our Chamber to see what times are popular in your market. Often they are 4-6PM or 5-7PM with the Ribbon Cutting about 15 minutes after the event starts to accommodate for event speakers

2. Promotional Items

• Order early! At least 4 weeks out

• Check out www.starpromo.net for ideas

» Send those ideas to Sarah Olberding so she can get the best pricing possible

» Include budget and quantity

• You can check out your brand marketing pages too, but we find that Star Promotions gets us great pricing in the best timeline

• Review your promo items with your DO to ensure you are in line with your budget

• Ideas are endless! Koozies, reusable shopping bags, cooler / coffee cups, reusable straws, frisbees, hand sanitizer, coasters, water bottles, chalkboard magnets, refrigerator calendar magnets, etc

» It is great to have a range of price items, some cheaper items (magnets, coaster) to have of the registration table and higher end items for clients, gift baskets, etc.

» Want to try and pick items that people use at their desk/multi-use for best exposure. Try to avoid items that have a one-time use.