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.

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 […]

Let’s talk about the Hwy Banner Program with KXCR!

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The Chamber is launching a Banner program for Hwy 101 from the bridge to Fred Meyers, up Hwy 126, into Old Town and the Casino. Listen and find out more about this exciting opportunity to share our love of Florence with 4 million cars that drive through a year!   https://florencechamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/KXCR-Banner-CofC-BettinaHannigan-1.mp3

Nominations Open for Phoenix Rising – 2021 Siuslaw Awards July 22, 2021

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Together our business community has risen from the ashes, while we keep moving upward. The Chamber community is looking towards brighter days ahead, while we prepare to recognize those who inspired us during the past 14 months. Not only do we wish to hear your nominations, but the stories behind them. Share with us who you feel not only survived, but thrived. Was there a business who made the best out of a difficult situation, who’s innovation lead to inspiring others to do the same? Do you know of a caring individual, organization or group of people that put the needs of the community above their own? We want to hear how they touched the lives of others. How about those brave souls who were determined enough to start a business during a pandemic? Give them a nod. We cannot forget the business owners and employees who worked on the front lines providing […]

2021 RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL “SUSPENDED”

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The board of directors of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce has changed course on its plans for the 114th Rhododendron Festival and has suspended the event for the second year in a row. The event was scheduled for its traditional date, the third weekend of May, May 12 to 16, 2021. “People missed the point that we were moving forward with cautious optimism when we announced that our first step was the cancelation of Rhody Court since that’s the earliest aspect of the festival and demanded an early decision,” said Chamber president/CEO Bettina Hannigan. “As quickly and unpredictively as the State issues its edicts for where and what is safe for people to do, and then just as quickly rescinds them, it leaves us trying to hit a moving target while making plans for a huge event in as little time as possible.” “Vaccines, we’re now told, will roll […]