The Knoxville Chamber ambassador appreciation luncheon was held in June at the Knoxville Convention Center. Ambassadors selected Jana Davison, Cariten Healthcare Account Executive, as Ambassador of The Year.

“It doesn’t matter how many times I hear it, I appreciate the constant expression of appreciation the Chamber shows to its ambassadors,” said Davison. “It means so much.”

Mark Field, Chamber vice president of Membership, concurred with the selection.

“There are many deserving people but there could only be one winner,” he said. “I think an excellent choice was made this year.”

Field also addressed the tremendous amount of volunteer service provided by Chamber ambassadors.

“It’s an amazing feeling to know a volunteer organization such as this has people willing to give multiple years of service,” Field said. “The Chamber expects a lot, and yet each ambassador keeps giving. And you not only give but you give for multiple years. That’s incredible, we thank you!”

Chamber president and CEO Mike Edwards expressed how important the ambassador program is to the Chamber.

“Every one of you works extremely hard when you’re at Chamber events,” he said. “It makes all the difference when businesspeople in the community see you as they walk through the door. It doesn’t matter if the person walking in the door is part of the Chamber, a member of the host company, or a guest; it has a tremendous impact on that person.”

Davison, honored with a plaque and a Simon Properties’ gift card, says educating a strong existing group of ambassadors will be the program’s focus during the coming year.

“We have a great core group of ambassadors,” said Davison. “Rather than concentrating on adding more ambassadors, we are going to make this core group stronger. I think the Chamber does a great job of helping us become educated about the Chamber and all of the Chamber related efforts, but there is so much to learn. It seems like the more I know and understand about the Chamber, the more effective I can be as a Chamber Ambassador.”

The Knoxville Chamber ambassador program consists of nearly 50 volunteer members of the Knoxville business community. The program’s mission is to ensure member satisfaction and retention. Ambassadors also help at events and act as mentors for new members. For more information about the Chamber’s ambassador program contact Lisa Coulter at (865) 246-2615.