Tampa Bay (Florida) is increasing industry leaders’ awareness of the benefits of locating to the area. The Ambassadors Program centers on an individual approach from high level executives and CEOs all the way to college students. These ambassadors are then the faces of the region they’re promoting.

When I received the invite to attend the Leaders Summit of the USGLC (U.S. Global Leadership Coalition) in Washington, D.C. (http://summit.usglc.org/#rsvp) this June, it struck me how pragmatically Tampa Bay officials approach their global mission to increase industry leaders’ awareness of what the region can offer. As major initiators of the USGLC not only do they actively recruit “ambassadors” for their mission, and constantly expand their number (currently at about fifty), but sources tell me that they also understand the already-existing network that the local consuls provide.

In Tampa and all other U.S. communities with a consular presence, consuls are a logical local bridge to all global endeavors. Call it an Ambassadors Program or whatever, fact remains that consuls are natural “ambassadors” for the countries they represent, in an honorary or career position. To benefit from the consular network, communities should make it a priority to understand consular functions.