DUBUQUE AMBASSADORS

DUBUQUE AMBASSADORS. Nation-wide promotion of Dubuque was the focus of the Dubuque Ambassadors in October, 1963. Robert Dorothy, manager of the DUBUQUE INDUSTRIAL BUREAU suggested that each of the one hundred members make at least one call outside of the city annually. Each Ambassador was asked to write one letter to a person living outside of Dubuque describing the attributes of the city and then to visit one Dubuque plant each year to become familiar with that business.

At the time only three months old, the organization had as its aims making courtesy calls on prospects in area towns, taking part in tours of Dubuque industries, giving tips to local industries on information gained elsewhere, arranging for speakers from Dubuque industries at inter-plant meetings, getting members of industry to speak at local service programs, and planning an annual trip to a large city to speak with various representatives of industry there. (1)

In May 1965, Dubuque Ambassadors had visited Detroit, New York City, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Rochester, and Syracuse. The same month, twenty-six Dubuque businessmen were headed for Chicago. In preparation, sixty-five Chicago industries were visited two or three times by Ambassadors. The list of industries was narrowed down to those which showed an interest in Dubuque and were planning plant expansions in ten years. (2) In 1966 the City of Dubuque reported a scarcity of space for expansion. (3)

In 1974 the organization was revived and expanded a project to welcome new businesses and thank businessmen who improved existing businesses. A goodwill group at the time of about thirty members of the DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and the DUBUQUE INDUSTRIAL BUREAU, the organization planned on calling on forty local businesses deserving recognition. The first six business were to be visited by about twenty-five Ambassadors traveling around the city in a motor home on loan from BIRD CHEVROLET. Managers of each business visited were given a 12-inch walnut key inscribed with the business name.

The Ambassadors planned to visit six businesses each week until they caught up and then would visit when a new business opened. The organization would focus on an area with a 10-mile radius from Dubuque. (4)

In 2022 the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program is a group of over 50 high spirited ambassadors serving as the “welcoming arm” of the Chamber. Additionally, this group of ambassadors help support the Chamber’s mission by growing and maintaining a strong membership base through the support of member recruitment, retention and engagement. (5)

---

Source:

1. "Dubuque Ambassadors Plan More Visits to Tell of City," Telegraph-Herald, October 31, 1963, p. 2

2. "Dubuquers Invade Chicago," Telegraph-Herald, May 2, 1965, p. 30

3. "Dubuque Problem: Scarcity of Space for Industrial Expansion," Telegraph-Herald, December 15, 1966, p. 1

4. "Dubuque Ambassadors Revived," Telegraph-Herald, September 29, 1974, p. 33

5. "Meet Our Ambassadors," Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Online: https://www.dubuquechamber.com/chamber/chamber-ambassadors/meet-our-ambassadors