We’re big fans of our city. It’s something we + the folks at Experience Columbia SC have in common. Like us, they want to see Columbia grow + be the best city it can be. They want out-of-towners to know how awesome Cola is and for locals to experience their city to the fullest.

One way they’re accomplishing this is through their new ambassador program.

What is it?

The program aims to expand the reach + impact of Columbia SC’s regional marketing efforts by telling a “new story” about the city through the eyes of its local cheerleaders.

How’d it start?

An ambassador program was on Experience Columbia SC’s wish list for years. In 2017, they reached out to Greg Hilton – cofounder of SOCO + partner at Period Three – who shares a passion for telling Cola’s story. Through a series of workshop-style sessions with ECSC’s executive + marketing teams, they sketched out what the ambassador program could look like, then set to work refining it into something that could evolve + grow over time, just like Columbia. The first set of ambassadors debuted in 2019.

Ambassador Vanessa Driscoll-Brialobreski visiting Curiosity Coffee Bar at Soda City | Photo provided

What are its goals?

Redefine the traditional “Columbia Experience.”
Celebrate local people + their experiences helping to reshape our city’s brand.
Elevate + promote unique, local, authentic experiences, attracting a new generation of visitors to our city.
Build an army of influencers + ambassadors to help spread the message of our city’s rebirth + transformation into “The Real Southern Hot Spot.” 🔥

Who are the ambassadors?

Chosen based on their passion for Columbia + presence in the community, the inaugural group of Experience Columbia SC ambassadors are:

Lynn Luc, @GoCola on Instagram + Community Engagement Manager at SOCO
Shanika Pichey, Blogger + Local Maker
Anthony Goldman, Koala Bottle
Vanessa Driscoll Bialobreski, F2T Productions, Management and Catering

Ambassador Shanika Pichey and her kids at Richland Library | Photo provided

Ambassador Anthony Goldman biking in The Vista | photo provided

Each ambassador gets to showcase their ultimate Columbia SC weekend (complete with photos + video) on Experience Columbia SC’s website to inspire the itineraries of visitors + locals alike. See Lynn’s ultimate weekend here, and look out for more videos soon.

What’s next?

The 2020 ambassadors will be revealed in January. Stay tuned for those new faces on Experience Columbia SC’s Facebook, Instagram + Twitter. Ⓟ

Quiz

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