New Corporate Ambassador Program for Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce

Leeds, Al– The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce recently launched a new Corporate Ambassador Program.  This program is a partnership between area business professionals and individuals as an extension of the Chamber and is different from the High School Diplomat Program.

Each business that is a Chamber Member is eligible to provide one or more staff members to participate in this new program which provides multiple benefits to participants and their companies which include increased business exposure, ability to build further business relationships and friendships and take a leadership role with the Chamber.

Individual Chamber Members who are not associated with a company are also eligible and encouraged to participate.

There are two levels of Ambassadors called “Active” and “Task”.  Active Ambassadors will attend ribbon cuttings, regular Chamber events and work on different tasks/teams such as Membership, Public Relations including Events/Festivals, Education, Economic Development, etc.  Task Ambassadors may not be able to attend all regular events and ribbon cuttings, but may work on a specific task or team.

The time and task commitment will be different for each Ambassador depending upon their interests, availability and skill set.  Each Ambassador will have the opportunity to choose areas of service and there is something for everyone who chooses to participate.

As a result of the first two meetings, a new Ambassador team was created to work on a downtown revitalization project.  Team members are being recruited and plans are already underway to get started with their ideas.  There is a lot of excitement and synergy among all participants and the “sky is the limit” to what can be accomplished through this new program.

An Ambassador of the Year Award will be awarded at the Annual Meeting to recognize the outstanding performance as an Ambassador and every Ambassador is eligible to be considered for this award.

Dona Bonnett with adr Business & Marketing Strategies has worked with Sandra McGuire, Executive Director of the Chamber, and the Board of Directors over the past couple of months to create this new program and is currently serving at Ambassador Chair.

To become a Corporate Ambassador, an application must be completed and submitted to the Chamber which will be approved by the Board of Directors.  Applications Approved at last Board Meeting are  Tracy Marcus-Bancorp South Leeds, Cindy Keith-Lehigh Cement Company, Penny Parker-Reliance Technologies, Inc., Beth Campbell- L.A. Salon Flowers & Boutique, Amanda Pritchard-St. Clair News-Aegis & Julie Moore-HomeTown Mortgage and Dawn Moore-Land Title Company.  Applications have already been received that will be approved at the next board meeting.

Ambassadors meet monthly on the third Wednesday of each month at 11:30 AM at the Chamber office.  Their next meeting will be September 18, 2013.  Lunch is $10 and an RSVP is required.  In addition to covering Chamber business and assignments at each meeting, business building information is shared and each attendee is given a few moments to share information about themselves and their company.

If you are a local business and would like more business exposure, providing a Corporate Ambassador to represent you and your business at each Chamber event can be a great tool.

For more information about the Corporate Ambassador Program or Chamber Membership, please contact Sandra McGuire at 205-699-5001 or Dona Bonnett at 256.345.3993.

LACC Corporate Ambassadors – Front Left to Right: Beth Campbell-LASalon Flowers & Boutique, Dawn Moore-Land Title Company, Katie Carroll-Alfa Insurance, Julie Moore-HomeTown Mortgage, Penny Parker-Reliance Technologies, Inc., Tracy Marcus-Bancorp South, Dr. Jill Palma-Leeds Family Chiropractic. Back Left to Right: Greg Nelson-Storm Restoration Roofing, Sandra McGuire-Executive Director, Cindy Keith-Lehigh Cement Company, Dona Bonnett-adr Business & Marketing Strategies