Chamber ambassadors coming back to Massena
Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce ambassadors once donned red coats and were present to welcome businesses or dignitaries to the community, and take part in grand openings, open houses and groundbreaking ceremonies.
Now, the group is being resurrected. Massena Town Supervisor Susan J. Bellor told town board members that a meeting for those interested in becoming chamber ambassadors had been held on May 14 to discuss "community engagement, advertising, and celebrations locally."
St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Benjamin R. Dixon said the group was starting to form.
"Sue did mention that we are now having monthly meetings of the Massena ambassadors, which is kind of our boots on the ground volunteers and interested parties," he said. "I feel like we're getting a lot of traction there with them, and that I think is a big turning point for us in Massena, to have that group of engaged citizens working with us. It's a great group of people."
Dixon also highlighted some of the chamber's upcoming activities for the town board.
They include the annual tourism dinner Wednesday at the Freighthouse Restaurant in Ogdensburg, He said the Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock will receive the Tourism Destination Marketing Award.
"They've been a great partner this year, and they brought in 37,000 visitors since they started from all 50 state and more than 30 countries. So, it's really been quite the asset for Massena and the county, and we're excited to recognize them," he said. "We'll also be giving our Best to the Guest Award to the Best Western University Inn."
Other upcoming events include the Dairy Festival June 6 and 7 in downtown Canton, Car-B-Que June 21 at Fort La Presentation in Ogdensburg, Business After Hours networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. June 24 at JJ's on the River in Ogdensburg, Massena Community-Wide Garage Sales on June 28 and 29, Canton Community-Wide Garage Sales on Aug. 2 and 3, and Craft, Food and Wine Open Air Market Sept. 20 at the St. Lawrence Power and Equipment in Madrid.
He said the garage sales will include an online map on the chamber's event page to indicate where the sales are being held.
Also on the schedule are a nonprofit conference Sept. 17 at the Best Western University Inn in Canton, annual dinner Oct. 22 at the GranView in Ogdensburg, and Craft, Food and Wine Holiday Market at a date and location to be announced.
The 2026 calendar includes Canton Winterfest, the North Country Kids Expo, the annual membership breakfast meeting, and Massena Spring Fever Festival. Dixon said the ambassadors have been discussing ideas for the Spring Fever Festival.
"Chamber events, while just one element of our extensive programming, provide multiple benefits to our members, businesses, non-profit, service organizations, and communities of St. Lawrence County," he said. "Through them, we provide networking, exposure, education, commerce, tourism attraction, and quality of life opportunities."
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