Editing Groundbreaking (section)

== Modern approach to groundbreaking ceremonies ==
The reason for holding groundbreaking ceremonies in today's modern world has nothing or little to do with religion. Today, the western world exercises this old-age practice with a different purpose.

Today, the celebratory serves as a business activity for building interest in a new project/building. The ceremony generates positive press and regards those who are significant to the development and its overall scope.

Usually, the project developer organizes groundbreaking ceremonies to attract clients and reflect positive impacts on the community, customers/clients, and employees.

Often such ceremonies also incorporate speeches by people of influence, like the founder of the company, a [[celebrity]], or a known politician/member of the community. The sole purpose of such speeches is to showcase how a company is working, growing, meeting its mission, and/or reflecting on its vision, the company's struggles, and future plans.

To create a lasting impression of the company and the ceremony, some common supplies, including shovels, [[hard hat]]s, etc., are given to participants/attendees.<ref name=":0" />

=== Recent trends ===
Nowadays, real estate companies are trying different approaches to their groundbreaking ceremonies to stand out among their competitors and draw media attention.

[[Lowe Enterprises]], a Los Angeles developer, hosted a "wall raising" in 1997 to draw attention to the start of their building project. Another developer from [[Santa Monica, California|Santa Monica]] hosted a "bottoming out" party to mark the completion of their parking garage's lowest level.

A Hollywood developer, [[The Hahn Company|TrizecHahn]], practiced another unconventional ceremony. The company hosted a costly groundbreaking event for its $350-million Hollywood & Highland entertainment-retail project. The event was served by music producer [[Quincy Jones]] and catered by the famed chef [[Wolfgang Puck]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |date=1999-04-13 |title=Last Rites for the Groundbreaking Tradition? |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-apr-13-fi-26827-story.html |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Los Angeles Times }}</ref>