Here’s the latest news on Chamber happenings, events, training, seminars, advocacy efforts, announcements on new initiatives, information on discount programs, and other opportunities. Sign up here for our e-blast newsletter for helpful insights and tips, and sign up here for our visitor’s newsletter for travel tips, discounts, and coming events.

Rhody Court is “Back in Bloom”

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For Immediate Release from the Rhododendron Court Leadership Team Thursday, December 9th, 2022 Rhody Court is “Back in Bloom” The Rhododendron Court took a year hiatus in 2021 and is coming “Back in Bloom” more boldly than ever.   On Thursday, December 9th both Siuslaw and Mapleton High Schools received information and inspiration about this year’s Court opportunity. Students in their Senior year are encouraged to apply. Applications are now open for the 115th Senior and Junior Rhododendron Court.  Deadline to apply is December 17th.  For the Senior Court applications are available digitally (bit.ly/2022RhodyCourtApplication) or via paper available at the Florence Area Visitors Center and Chamber of Commerce Office (290 Highway 101). Junior Court paper applications are available at Siuslaw and Mapleton Elementary School offices and at the Florence Area Visitors Center and Chamber of Commerce Office. The Court Leadership Team consists of a dynamic group of dedicated community members including; […]

FLORENCE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2021 PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

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The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce has selected the winner of a $250 cash prize in its 2021 photo contest. The contest was conducted from August 15 to October 15. A panel of Chamber members reviewed the entries.   The Chamber was looking for the best photos of the fun, frolic, and distinctive scenery from Oregon’s Coastal Playground—an area up to 25 miles in any direction of Florence. More than 100 photos were entered.   Brittany Buhler of Harrisburg entered the winning photo, taken on Heceta Beach during a girlfriend getaway to celebrate a friend’s upcoming wedding.   “We rented a beach house, went out for chowder, then went to the beach to build sandcastles. It wasn’t a typical bachelorette party, but it was what we wanted to do for our friend,” said Buhler.   Buhler used her iPhone SE set at f\2.2, ISO 25, and 12 mpx with no […]

Chamber Community Survey Here

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Dear community members. As the Chamber continues to be the Catalyst for business, Convener of leaders and influencers and Champion for a thriving community, we want to hear from you. We know that our community is seriously challenged with short staff, workforce housing and childcare. These are all issues that are on our radar and that we’re working with fellow stakeholders to bring what resources and information we can to the Florence Area. This survey’s purpose is to hear directly from all facets of our community so we can best align our efforts to truly pursue a thriving community. Your help is greatly appreciated. Please be honest and constructive in your responses. We will draw four winners from the surveys submitted and they’ll win a $50 Visa gift card. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and time with us. SURVEY HERE

LOCAL ARTIST JO BEAUDREAU EXHIBITS AT CHAMBER’S VISITOR CENTER

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The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center, 290 Highway 101, features an everchanging exhibit of local artists’ work. Their newest display of local artistry features mixed media encaustics by Jo Beaudreau, owner of BeauxArts Fine Art Materials and Gallery in Florence.  Encaustic is an painting technique using pigments mixed with hot wax and resin that has been used for centuries.  “This year’s works featured a challenge since we have been living in challenging times – why not embrace and take it head on?,” asked Beaudreau. Beaudreau chose to set some guidelines for herself which incorporated round shapes in various sizes and neon colors. With these parameters she was able to create unique works of abstract landscapes—colorful and surreal images of forest, lake, beach, sunrise, sunset, and more—while using her popular encaustic techniques. “Neon colors are, appropriate to our times, a challenge—hard to work with—because they are so vibrant. Not many artists use neon colors in […]

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES WINNING DESIGN FOR STREETSCAPE BANNERS

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Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Florence, Central Lincoln PUD, and Three Rivers Casino Resort is preparing to hang festive, colorful banners on power and light poles along the Highway 101 corridor and at the casino. The Chamber announced the effort in mid-May and had a call-to-artists for banner designs open through June 30. Lane County artist Tara Kemp’s designs were selected by the Chamber. Fine-tuning of the designs wrapped up in September. Kemp will receive $1000 for her suite of designs featuring paintings that cover the scope of local food, entertainment, sea life, and the area’s beautiful and diverse landscape. The first set of banners are scheduled to be installed soon. “I love it that the Chamber, the City of Florence, and their partners value creating a positive impression of the area through a visual display. I love it that they value creativity and […]

FLORENCE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2021 PHOTO CONTEST, CASH PRIZE

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The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for the best amateur or professional photos of the fun, frolic, famous attractions, iconic buildings, and beautiful scenery of Oregon’s Coastal Playground. The winner will collect a $250 cash prize and have their submitted photo featured in the Chamber’s resource guide and other printed marketing pieces, on their website, and in social media. A panel of Chamber members will decide the winner. The winner will be announced the week of November 1, 2021. Deadline for entry is October 15, 2021. For more contest information, entry forms, and image release waivers visit FlorenceChamber.com/2021PhotoContest, call 541-997-3128, or e-mail Contest@FlorenceChamber.com. “We call this place Oregon’s Coastal Playground for a reason,” says Bettina Hannigan, the Chamber’s President and CEO, “so we’re looking for outstanding amateur or professional photos that convey our coastal playground theme. So download your best photos from you smartphone or camera and send […]

FLORENCE REGIONAL ARTS ALLIANCE IS AUGUST’S FEATURED EXHIBITOR AT CHAMBER’S VISITOR CENTER

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Artwork from the Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) is featured in the Florence Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center lobby, 290 Highway 101, through the end of September.   “We love the diversity of art provided this month by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance,” says the Chamber’s executive director Bettina Hannigan. “FRAA has become such an essential and dynamic part of the community and their efforts to advance tourism through the promotion of the arts is a tremendous compliment to the Chamber’s work in the region.”   FRAA chose the theme of “Community—Coming Together” for their exhibit, with artwork reflective of Florence’s diverse coastal life. Artists with work on display include, Kristin Anderson, fused glass; Stella Ault, watercolor; Pat Briggs, watercolor; Debi Ford, ceramics; Jack Hibbs, woodworking; Alan B. Huck, painting; Christine Hodges Huck, watercolor; Claudia Ignatieff, oil painting; John Leasure, oil painting; Tom Lederle, ceramics; Carol Lorraine, acrylic painting; Donna […]

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES SIUSLAW AWARD WINNERS

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The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce held its prestigious Siuslaw Awards: Phoenix Rising event Thursday night at Three Rivers Casino Resort and presented awards to nine businesses, two individuals, and an entire industry.   The awards celebrate excellence during 2020 in the local business community.   “This year’s slate was an amazing representation of our community’s best assets, our businesses, and individuals who made a difference,” said Chamber president/CEO Bettina Hannigan. “We recognized and celebrated those who inspired us during the past 18 months.”   “All who attended heard the stories of those businesses, nonprofits, civic groups, and individuals who not only survived but thrived through hard work, creativity, collaboration, and compassion. There were inspiring tales of businesses helping businesses, churches helping churches, and nonprofit organizations working together to see the Florence area through all we faced during the height of the pandemic,” she added.   The event was attended […]

UPDATE: JULY 4 FIREWORKS IN FLORENCE WILL BE A BLAST

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The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Siuslaw and the City of Florence have come together to save Florence’s annual 4th of July fireworks display. The fireworks will be shot over the Siuslaw River from the east end of the Siuslaw Port Campground in Historic Old Town beginning at about 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 4, to provide a multitude of great vantage points for spectators. “Over the past two weeks, we have been holding our collective breaths, biting our nails, and working with key stakeholders—the show’s producer Western Display Fireworks, the Port of Siuslaw, and the City of Florence—for a safe contingency plan in the event that circumstances changed,” said chamber president/CEO Bettina Hannigan. With the governor’s ruling last Friday, the circumstances did change. “The Port, Western Display, and the Chamber, with support from the City, were excited to be able to reverse course on our May […]