Charity-Intertwined

• Teaming up with a nonprofit organization or charity is a great grand opening party idea. Not only will you be helping to bring much-needed attention to a great cause, you may also enjoy extra media coverage as well. You might be given discounts or even freebies from vendors such as caterers, party supply stores and entertainers. This is also an excellent way to get people to come to your party if you are opening a business out of town and don't know many people in the area. Choose a charity or nonprofit organization that is close to your heart or that is immediately in need of an economic or organizational boost. You want the party to be a hit, but you also want everyone, including the media, to see that your party brought together a win-win situation for both your business and the charity or nonprofit organization.
  
  

Think Outside the Box

• Thinking outside the box can be your greatest ally when planning your grand opening party. If you are in the restaurant business, a good idea for your grand opening party would be an eating contest that revolves around your specialty. These contests are often remembered by the local area for quite some time and could have people talking about, and going to, your restaurant for years and years to come. If you are opening a store, consider giving something away to your first 30, 50 or even 100 customers. Sure, this approach does sound a lit exorbitant, but the media coverage and migratory flock to your store on opening day could certainly far outweigh your merchandise losses.
  
  

Something for the Children

• Before you begin to plan your grand opening party, you need to sit down and think of a way to ensure that every member of a family can enjoy the party without feeling left out. For instance, many couples may not be able to get a babysitter to attend your grand opening, so you need to provide children's entertainment. Clowns, spacewalks, face painting, soft ice cream machines and petting zoos on wheels are just a few ideas to entertain the young ones at your party.