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.

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 […]

Vaccine Registration is Now Open for Lane County

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From Lane County – Our countywide vaccine registration is now live, https://lanecounty.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3585881&pageId=17261881, with registration available in Spanish as well. For those with limited internet access, you can provide a phone number for follow-up. All individuals interested in being vaccinated should register. Before you preregister, please note: Vaccine availability remains limited even among those that are currently eligible. This is a preregistration form that will help us reach out and schedule you to receive the vaccine when you are eligible and when supply becomes available. Once you have completed the preregistration and received confirmation that it has been received, your job is done and you do not need to call to verify your preregistration.   How will this work?  Fill out the preregistration form to the best of your ability. You will receive a confirmation email verifying that we have received your information. If you receive this confirmation, you do not need […]

FLORENCE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES WINNER OF 2020 PHOTO CONTEST

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The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce has selected the winner of a $250 cash prize in its 2020 photo contest. The contest was conducted from mid-October through the end of November. A panel of Chamber members reviewed the entries during December. The Chamber was looking for the best photos of the fun, frolic, iconic buildings, and distinctive scenery from Oregon’s Coastal Playground—an area up to 20 miles in any direction of Florence. More than 100 photos were entered. Joyce Korbein-Rennie of Florence entered the winning photo, titled “Fun at Sunset,” taken on September 2, 2020, on the beach below Heceta Head Lighthouse. “I was out doing some sunset photography and saw these people at a distance playing, running around the beach and in the waves. It was a beautiful night. The beach at Heceta Head is one of my favorite places to shoot,” she said. Korbein-Rennie used her Canon 80-D […]

OSHA Temporary COVID 19 Rules in Effect Now – Make sure your organization is compliant.

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The recently adopted Oregon OSHA Temporary COVID-19 rule includes a series of deadlines, including three inter-related requirements. Under the rule, employers must complete both the required Risk Assessment and the Infection Control Plan based on that Risk Assessment by December 7, 2020 and must complete the required Infection Control Training (based in part on the Infection Control Plan) by December 21, 2020. A 3-week implementation delay has been granted for certain employers – including restaurants, gyms and other businesses impacted the recent “freeze” and by the newly adopted risk levels. All other employers who have been working to comply but have not yet completed that work are granted a 1-week grace period. You can read more about this in OR-OSHA’s memo. Important timelines to remember: Base Rule: Effective November 16, 2020 Physical Distancing Masks Cleaning & Sanitation Poster posted Building Operator Rules: November 23, 2020 Exposure Risk Assessment: December 7, 2020* Infection Control Plan: December 7, 2020* Employee Training: December 21, 2020 Ventilation Requirements […]

Apex Helicopter Provides $100 Membership Match to First Time Chamber Members!

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Florence Area Chamber of Commerce member Apex Helicopter wants to elevate the Chamber by bringing up to 25 new members onboard. The pilot program is available exclusively for the first 25 new members on a first-come-first-served basis. To leverage this sponsorship, contact Bettina Hannigan at bettina@florencechamber.com. “This very generous contribution lowers the barrier for up to 100 new Business Partner level members to obtain a very valuable membership,” said Chamber president/CEO Bettina Hannigan. “It is a tremendous testimony to the value of membership if one member wants to essentially pay half the membership free for 100 new members so they can join and start benefitting and growing their businesses.” A Business Partner pays $225 per year and receives an estimated $800-plus per year in direct benefits. As membership levels increase, so does the value of the membership up to an estimated $18,000 in benefits. “This is a huge act of […]