It’s an uplifting feeling to love where you live. From the attractions to the restaurants to your favorite little-known gems, home is your special place and that makes you uniquely qualified to be an advocate for the community. Yes, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau is challenging you to do more than just be in your happy place. We want you to help us welcome others, whether they are visitors or residents that have simply lost the beat.

How does one fight the pervasively mundane attitude of the ‘hometown hater’? Through education, of course! What if you could turn tired into inspired by learning about area history, getting the inside scoop on new offerings coming to town and surrounding yourself with positive people looking to make a difference? Giving in to the notion that you may not know your hometown as well as you think you do can open your mind. Sound intriguing?

These are the goals of the Greater Lansing Certified Tourism Ambassador Program; part of an international program consisting of 42 global destinations, but the first in the state of Michigan to offer this one-of-a-kind training and invitation into a community of residents who want to be in-the-know themselves, and informative and helpful to countless others. Launched in 2010, over 1,300 area residents have taken the one-time, four-hour class for the low cost of twenty dollars and have come away with a brand-new perspective, and a well-known professional designation (CTA). During the year, there are numerous CTA functions at area attractions where the education and fun networking opportunities continue.
CTA Mixer
“As a CTA facilitator my favorite thing is watching attitudes change during the class,” said Kristina Kauffman, CTA Coordinator for the GLCVB. “People learn new things, make contacts with other classmates and I see the birth of inspiration for new business ideas, partnerships and a whole new way of looking at Greater Lansing.”

CTA LogoStatistics back up Kauffman’s assessment of the program. While the international renewal rate for CTAs (you take the class just once but renew your designation annually) is a healthy 58%, the Greater Lansing renewal rate is an unprecedented 78%, the number three best renewal rate for the global program.
Tired of the negativity of the hometown hater? Do something about it. Be the change you want to see. Join the ranks of the other 17,000 Certified Tourism Ambassadors across the globe and be a positive force for change. Find the date and location of the next local class at www.lansing.org/cta.

The Greater Lansing CVB is celebrating its new vision statement: To inspire visitors and community partners to love Greater Lansing as much as we do. Love Lansing like a local and be sure to use the hashtag #lovelansing to support the campaign. To learn more or to view the new “Love Lansing Like a Local” TV spot visit lansing.org/things-to-do/lovelansing.