DAVENPORT, IOWA (May 21, 2021) — A pair of energetic, friendly Quad Citizens now are roving the streets of downtown Davenport to help inform, connect, and problem-solve for those who live, work, and play here. Meet Emily Dibley and Omar Gutierrez: The first Hospitality Ambassadors hired by the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP), a division of the Quad Cities Chamber.
“We’re the eyes and ears of downtown and the face of the Downtown Davenport Partnership,” said Dibley.
On the job nearly a month, the Ambassadors have been busy making their rounds throughout the business district to meet and greet downtown business owners, workers, residents, and visitors alike.
Gutierrez describes their job as “a walking resource.” He said the work requires a lot of personal interactions, communicating, and keeping a keen eye on their surroundings. “We’ll notice if something is out of the ordinary.”
Along their daily walks, they have recommended places to eat to visitors, given directions to shops and other locales, as well as assisted shop owners with various issues and provided outreach for the homeless.
The pair work 30-hour shifts each week and have a coverage area that spans from the new R Richard Bittner YMCA on downtown’s east end, west to Brown Street, and between the Mississippi River and 5th Street.
The program is funded by grants from the Riverboat Development Authority and the Bechtel Trust.
Early in their travels, the pair spotted an elderly woman trying to find a parking spot for her downtown appointment. After directing her where to park, they escorted the woman and her walker directly to the door of her attorney’s office. Dibley recalled how a man who witnessed their act of kindness tried to give them $20 as a reward. “We said ‘Oh no, this is our job,’” Dibley said.
While they try to focus attention on visitors, too, Gutierrez said they also have to respond to some of the problems in downtown. They have helped de-escalate a fight, alerted police to criminal activity and regularly attempt to connect the disadvantaged and homeless populations with community resources. They work in coordination with several community partners including the Davenport Police Department, Visit Quad Cities and Humility Homes and Services.
“When an issue arises, we’re able to get it reported faster,” said Tony Behncke, DDP’s Director of Operations. “By physically stopping into our downtown businesses, it gives them an opportunity to share questions or concerns about what’s going on.”
As they monitor downtown activity — including the parking ramps, they also stop to pick up litter and record other maintenance issues. They are in constant contact with their fellow DDP Operations Ambassadors, alerting them to issues that need to be solved. Likewise, they provide DDP staff with updated contacts at area businesses, new hours and other downtown updates.
“The coolest thing is they are the first point of contact to the community to us,” said Kyle Carter, the DDP’s Executive Director. “This idea has been thought of for a dozen years. It’s been a dream of DDP to have people out on the street to interact with business owners, visitors, residents and others.”
Carter's long-term vision is to expand the Ambassadors to other downtowns across the Quad Cities. “We need to prove the model works first in downtown Davenport,” he said. “But there is such a broad need for better communications and the creation of a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for visitors.”
