Have you seen someone go out of the way to help someone out recently? Maybe you overheard someone in line at the grocery store give someone a tip on what to do in Jasper. Or maybe you’ve seen someone picking up trash left behind on the side of the road.

If so, there is a new program in Jasper that you can be a part of.

The Jasper Chamber of Commerce, with support from the town council, is taking nominations for their new initiative to increase tourism – the Jasper Ambassador program.

Every month, the chamber will go through nominations of residents of Jasper, submitted by the public, who have done a good deed, gone above and beyond their duty, or have represented Jasper in a positive, friendly manner. Monthly winners of the program will receive a dinner for two at one of Jasper’s restaurants, while a grand prize, possibly a train trip to Vancouver, will be announced at the end of the year, according to town councilor Mike Day.

“You know when you get that exceptional service at the gas station because someone helps you out, or someone gives you a map, or just goes above and beyond what their job is, just recognizing that our visitors are important to us” is what Day describes as a reason to nominate someone.

The idea came primarily through the chamber, Day explains, and was simply a way to get a better level of service overall in town. He says it’s not for servers or front desk workers who deal with people all the time, because they are always aware of their work, but more for the person in line at the grocery store that helps you find a gluten-free product that you didn’t know existed.

Danielle Stewart, who is on the board of directors of the chamber and one of the leaders of the program, says with the current economic state, it is a great way to focus on what we have, and do so without spending lots of money.

Usually success breeds success and if people are recognized for doing a good job, they will likely continue to do so, she thinks.

“So this is one of our initiatives in our service committee that we have, trying to increase the economic impact of tourism through our customer service excellence initiative,” Stewart said.

The program is meant to reward people who ‘get caught’ doing good, Stewart explains. If you see someone giving great recommendations about great hikes or a places to eat in town, that person could be nominated.

“What takes you back to the same place every time you go? Usually it’s the customer service, right? And that’s what we’re trying to recognize, people doing a good job, trying to catch people doing stuff good,” she says.

The chamber is currently accepting nominations for the month of April and will announce the winner next month. To nominate a Jasper Ambassador, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to the Town of Jasper’s website at www.jasper-alberta.com and click on Visiting.