PROGRESS-ORIENTED EVENT
Several kinds of events celebrate the growth and development of an organization or community.
Ships and boats traditionally are launched by smashing a champagne bottle on the ship’s bow,
or now by the more environmentally friendly pouring of champagne over the bow. Progressoriented
events often are marked by musical entertainment, fireworks and other celebratory
activities.
When a school or religious congregation moves into a new building nearby, the transition
often is marked by a procession from the old building to the new. For example, students might
carry symbols such as textbooks, globes and other artifacts of school life to the new school
site. Similarly, a motorcade might be arranged to inaugurate the opening of a new bridge.
A single project might lend itself to a series of progress-oriented special events. Consider,
for example, the building of a new community center. You might schedule a groundbreaking
ceremony for the turning of the first shovelful of dirt, a cornerstone ceremony when construction
begins, and a dedication ceremony including a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of the
center, and then follow these with tours and grand opening events.