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Chamber Hosts Ambassador Conference

Lebanon Chamber Director Rebecca Grizzle visits with Gem Ambassadors during an excursion on the Santiam Train. Photos by Chelly Bouferrache

The Lebanon Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2024 Gem Ambassadors Conference last month, bringing together chamber ambassadors from across Oregon for two days of networking, professional development and community exploration.

Held in Lebanon, the event provided attendees with new strategies for promoting their towns while showcasing Lebanon’s own attractions.

The conference opened on Sept. 5 with an informal meet-and-greet at the newly rebuilt Lebanon Chamber office followed by check-in at Best Western Premier Hotel.

On Sept. 6, activities moved to the Western University medical college where the day began with a facility tour for those who pre-registered, giving attendees a closer look at one of Lebanon’s key institutions.

Gem Ambassadors raise their drinks in salute to the American flag during their Santiam Train excursion.

The conference kicked off with a keynote by Nancy Pance titled “The Power of Positivity.” Her talk focused on how maintaining a positive mindset can enhance both personal and professional success. Pance’s speech energized attendees for the day, encouraging them to bring a forward-thinking, optimistic approach to their work. Several of the attendees cited her talk as one of their favorite moments.

The event also offered opportunities for relaxation between sessions, including brief yoga breaks, snacks and a five-minute massage.

Attendees next participated in two rounds of breakout sessions. In the first round, options included “Event Challenges & Solutions,” led by Jill Ingalls, which addressed common issues in local event planning, and “Relationship Marketing,” taught by local real estate broker Laura Gillott, which focused on building strong, long-lasting business relationships.

After these sessions, attendees moved on to the second round, where they had the option of listening to Susan Coleman’s talk on community collaboration, “We’re Better Together,” or hearing Betty Schmidt’s presentation, “History: Ambassadors Overcoming Obstacles,” which highlighted the difficulties that previous ambassadors had overcome while promoting their towns.

Lunch was catered by Hangry Solution and served up at Western University where the majority of the conference took place. The chamber used every opportunity to highlight city businesses.

Grants Pass Gem Ambassadors pose for a photo in front of Western University of Health Sciences on the final day of the conference.

Participants took part in a number of excursions during the afternoon that highlighted Lebanon’s charms. Participants selected from three options: an historic downtown tour, a walking tour of Cheadle Lake and the Old Mill Trail with Build Lebanon Trails, or a visit to Oregon’s Indoor Shooting Range. Each excursion offered a unique glimpse into different attractions in Lebanon, from its scenic natural areas to its historical and recreational opportunities.

The day ended with a train excursion ran and sponsored by Santiam Excursion Trains. Gem ambassadors headed to the Santiam Travel Station for a two-hour evening train ride through Lebanon, where a catered dinner was served onboard.
In an unexpected treat, participants were able to witness a lightning storm during the journey, adding an element of excitement to the evening. In addition to its educational programs, the Gem Ambassadors Conference gave Lebanon a chance to promote its tourism and its people.

Overall, the event highlighted what makes Lebanon different as a model for business development.