Stephen Noble, Ambassador for the Playground Corvette Club, gives his advice on how to represent the Museum during a car show.
Serving as an Ambassador is more than a title or occasional contact with the Museum. It is a way of Corvette life that carries over to club meetings, rides, and car shows.
Before the Show
Presenting yourself as a Museum Ambassador begins with proper dress. Consider wearing a collared shirt with nice slacks. Affixing a name tag that identifies you as an Ambassador and the wearing of your lanyard that was issued during the Ambassador Academy denotes you as someone special.
Show Time
Arrive early and introduce yourself to the show sponsors and sincerely thank them. Appreciation goes a long way to those who worked so hard planning and implementing the show. Present them with your club’s card so they remember your organization. Let them know that you represent the Museum and although you are with a certain club, you represent all Corvette owners. Ask the sponsors if during the show you can make an announcement to introduce yourself as a Museum Ambassador. While addressing the crowd, mention NCM Insurance for all Corvettes, collectable vehicles, and other vehicles, including motorcycles, and what a savings it can be. Invite the participants to visit your club’s location.
Ask the sponsors if any other events are happening nearby during the show. At one event, I learned that a marathon concluded at the entrance to the show. Hundreds of people meandered past the cars and my location.
Displaying your club’s banner that flew at the Museum the previous year is excellent for drawing attention. Set up a table and have Museum information displayed. The Museum has many brochures that can be handed out. My experience has shown that the NCM Insurance and R8C Museum Delivery draw the most interest. Ask your club members to please donate back issues of America’s Sports Car Magazine for distribution.
Place a photo of your club’s Lifetime Membership crystal trophy on the table as testimony of your club’s dedication to the Museum. Club members who have won a Corvette, taken advantage of the R8C Museum Delivery Program or participated in events at the NCM Motorsports Park should be lassoed and corralled and ready to share their amazing experiences!
Never answer a Museum question unless you are absolutely certain that what you are stating is correct. Don’t be afraid to use your phone to look up the answer. In fact, use this as an opportunity to send the information directly to their phone.
After the Show
Send the sponsors a thank you note and include your card. A handwritten thank you is rare these days and will be remembered.
Car shows are fertile grounds for sharing all that the National Corvette Museum has to offer a and they are a golden opportunity for you to shine as one of their Ambassadors!
