Trendsetters 2020 | Page 32

> Connect Welcome to Valdosta Getting to Know Your Chamber Ambassadors By Amanda M. Usher Ambassadors for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce attend a ribbon cutting for The Pour House. They are seen around town sporting green, the color of prosperity. They’re the welcoming faces for new entrepre- neurs. Any groundbreaking, ribbon cutting or leading business event features the ambassadors of the Valdos- ta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. “Basically, our ambassadors are the cheerleaders for the chamber,” said Lauren Pope, communications and marketing director. A support system for chamber members, about 30 active ambassadors gather around town to help 32 Trendsetters | Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce provide a foundation for business owners. When Elaine Lewis first saw those green blazers while attending a ribbon cutting years ago, she knew she would one day wear one. When she saw the green jackets and how many people attend the events, Lewis said she knew she wanted to become a chamber ambassador. Representing MacLayne Trucking and UNO - United As One, Lewis has been an ambassador since January 2019. She joined around the same time as Brett Smith, a representative of First Commerce Credit Union.