Do you love your city and love sharing your love for your city? If so, we have an idea for you.
City Editor Stephanie here. I recently became a CTA, or Certified Tourism Ambassador, for Greenville thanks to VisitGreenville SC. You can do it, too.
What is a CTA?
A Certified Tourism Ambassador knows the area well + can answer almost any questions someone visiting Greenville might have. We were asked in our class (we’ll get to that in a second), “What was Greenville originally going to be called?” and “What’s the oldest mill in Greenville?”
How do you become a CTA?
Class is in session. First, you enroll in a $25 CTA class. Once you’re enrolled, you’ll be emailed some pre-class reading material. I’m not going to lie; it’s a hefty packet, but it’s filled with cool facts about Greenville.
What’s the class like?
Here’s the best part. The class is filled with other people who love Greenville and want to learn more about it.. To pass the class, you take an open-book exam.
My class planned an itinerary for someone coming to town with a limited budget, identified landmarks + routes to different parts of the city, and answered questions the instructor asked.
If you have test anxiety, do not panic. In addition to being open-book, the instructors help you with any questions. Around 400 people have taken it, and no one has failed.
What happens after the class?
Once you pass your test, you’re invited to events that are only open to CTA’s. I’m going to a luncheon with Mayor Knox White later this month. To keep your accreditation, you renew annually. You can add “CTA” to the end of your email signature, or on Linkedin, and get a cool lapel pin.
