I once worked at a New York hotel as a concierge/bellboy/front-desk attendant/go stand out in the rain and whistle for a cab person. My job required me to be flexible and knowledgeable because I was the customer’s go to person when they needed information on everything from Broadway plays to carriage rides through Central Park to where to find a falafel at three in the morning.
Lynn Guillory, Executive Director of The Greater Abbeville-Vermilion Chamber of Commerce must be flexible and knowledgeable about everything offered in Vermilion Parish. Her job is to promote business members of the chamber by producing marketing materials, planning networking events and organizing informational seminars.
“I look at the chamber as if we’re the concierge of the parish,” says Guillory. “We get so many calls from people in other parts of the country asking about our economy and attractions.”
The Greater Abbeville-Vermilion Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to create a positive business and community environment. Their roots date back to the 1920’s, and they currently have 240 members.
“Last year we partnered with the Abbeville Tourism Center and produced our first ever Community Profile,” says Guillory. “It’s a magazine with information about resources, attractions and businesses in Vermilion Parish. It’s not only for local residents, but for tourists and people who are interested in re-locating.”
Guillory has thirty-three years of experience as a business teacher. She taught accounting and computer software courses at Lafayette Technical School and the Gulf Area Campus Technical School.
“The best part of my job is working with the business community and meeting out-of-town visitors,’ says Guillory. “So many guests to our parish comment on our hospitality.”
The Greater Abbeville-Vermilion Chamber of Commerce membership benefits include access to monthly networking meetings, marketing guidance and materials, bulk mailing discounts, and seminars on technology, advertising and basic principals of operating a business. The organization also offers a scholarship to students in Vermilion Parish affiliated with the chamber.
The chamber shares office space with the Abbeville Tourist Center in a long Acadian style house located at 1907 Veterans Memorial Drive. Both places offer a variety of information including evacuation guides, maps of the parish and brochures on local attractions. Other resources for chamber members include a small office with a computer, as well as a conference table for meetings.
During my interview at the office, I was fortunate to meet the chamber president, Ray Dugal. When he introduced himself, I thought he said, ‘Dugas’ and then told him a corny story about another Dugas I knew. He was very polite, and laughed even though my story had no relevance or made any sense.
“I really want to stress that we’re here for our community and the development of the parish,” says Dugal. “We want to help businesses grow.”
I was also fortunate to meet Guillory’s assistant, Shelly Choate. She asked me my mother’s favorite color in order to make a special surprise that would take six months to create. I was a bit hurt at that point because all I’d gotten was a glass of water and a hurricane evacuation guide.
But Choate made it up to me by giving me a Prescription Drug Card, which when used at participating businesses could provide discounts. All parish residents interested in receiving a card should call the chamber to request one.
It’s these types of resources that make the Greater Abbeville-Vermilion Chamber of Commerce beneficial not only to shoppers, but also to local businesses. Guillory’s passion towards promoting our parish and stimulating our economy is obvious not only in her enthusiasm, but by the programs she helps organize. She might not be able to get you front row seats to Mamma Mia, but she can help you advertise your business or guide you to the products and services you seek. Now that’s a concierge worth tipping!
For more information on the services offered by the chamber, call 337-893-2491 or visit www.abbevillechamber.com.
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