By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Toting abnormally large scissors, dozens of Chamber of Commerce executives will attempt to set a world record this week.

As Salisbury plays host to a Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives conference, attendees will attempt to set a record for most scissors cutting a ribbon at once. The attempt will occur Wednesday at about 5:15 p.m. outside of the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Salisbury.

A total of 140 people are scheduled to attend the conference, said Rowan County Chamber of Commerce President Elaine Spalding. Of those attendees, some are vendors and others are from the same chamber. Spalding estimates there will be several dozen attendees participating in the ribbon-cutting event.

In true Chamber of Commerce fashion, Spalding said attendees have been asked to bring the abnormally large scissors used for ribbon cutting events.

“It’s like Chamber 101 to have the big giant scissors,” she said.

The longest ribbon used in a ribbon-cutting ceremony occurred in 2013, when a 5.51-mile ribbon was used to re-open the Jersey Shore after Hurricane Sandy, according to the Guinness Book of World Records website. The ribbon this week won’t be that long, but Spalding hopes the number of people simultaneously cutting a ribbon will set a record.

The ribbon cutting will precede an open house at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, where conference attendees are staying. After the ribbon cutting, the conference begins with a welcome reception at the Salisbury Depot Event Center.

As part of the conference, attendees will hear from various speakers and participate in workshops. For example, one is called “community branding — how to define your brand.”

The conference is scheduled to wrap up at noon on Friday.

Spalding said she has encouraged attendees to eat and shop local while in Salisbury for the conference.

The Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives is the result of a 1994 merger of the North Carolina and South Carolina associations. It now serves chambers of commerce in both states.

In February, the association announced it had picked Salisbury for its annual management conference.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.