When you open a new building, you have a ribbon cutting ceremony.  I could not find much about the origins of this tradition but sources say it has been around for “more than a century.”

When you launch a new ship, you break champagne over the bow apparently an ancient custom that migrated from Europe to the United States.

But the launch of a new website?  A quick Google search revealed that “launch lunches” were popular in the 1990s—I don’t remember getting invited to any!  And they became “lavishly competitive affairs” (I don’t remember any lavish affairs!) with logo strewn giveaways (I don’t have the tee-shirt to prove it so I guess I haven’t “been there” or “done that”).

Well, ours is not a lavish affair though we are very excited about our new website and about sharing it with you all.  Our launch will not feature giveaways, unless you choose to “giveaway” a donation to NHPHA to help cover the costs of the website.  But we will have lots of fun!  

We will launch our new website during our Annual Open House on December 9, 2011 from 5 – 7 PM at our Park Street office (Suite 403B). You will see our new website, and, at the same time, reconnect with colleagues, meet other public health activists, and enjoy yummy appetizers!  You won’t want to miss it!

Jeanie Holt, NHPHA President