COMMITTEES

Florence has become a prime tourist destination with a great business environment, thanks in part, to the terrific volunteers who enjoy being involved and making such a difference in the community. We appreciate member volunteers who are anxious to use their skills in areas that appeal to them, giving them the opportunity to meet fun, like-minded people who celebrate success.

Take a look at the list below, find the area that interests you, then call 541-997-3128 to attend a committee meeting of people who make a difference in the great city of Florence.

Ambassador Committee

Purpose: Serve as the public relations arm of the Chamber. Coordinate ribbon cuttings, business after hours, and membership recruitment and retention. Ambassadors serve as public relations support for the Chamber of Commerce. They assist the Chamber’s efforts to maintain and retain members through personal interaction and involvement. To act as the welcoming arm of the Chamber. Ambassadors attend ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, welcome new Chamber members. Invitation only.

Mike Bones, Chair – Siuslaw Chapter of American Rhododendron Society
Shauna Beckendorf (Board Member) – Song Real Estate
Betty Blake
Kathy Bones – Siuslaw Chapter of American Rhododendron Society
Loretta Botta
Lisa Del Fava
Scott Del Fava – Scott Del Fava, Realtor
Maria Eaton
Cherie Edwards
Nancy Hale
Bettina Hannigan – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Jan Jagoe – The River Gallery
Lee Klein
Audrey Lerman
Dan Norton
Pattie Panther
Penny Ringenberg
Gayle Sisson
Leslie Smith
Annette Wilson
Sandy Woodward
Terry Woodward

Meets the 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 pm at the Bones’ residence

Downtown Revitalization Team

Purpose: The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce seeks, in collaboration with the City and other stakeholders, to develop and implement components of the “Florence Downtown Implementation Plan” adopted by the City Council in 1999. The goal is to continue the effort to unify and revitalize the downtown area as the primary cultural, tourist, commercial and community core to serve all of Florence’s citizens and visitors around a main-street theme.

Ellen Huntingdon, Chair – Oregon Pacific Bank
Jenna Bartlett (Board Member) – The Siuslaw News
Tom Bassett (Board Member) – Florence Antiques
Bettina Hannigan – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Susy Lacer – Susan Lacer Consulting Services
Dan Lofy – Lofy Construction and Design
Dina McClure – Port of Siuslaw
Craig Sanders – Hoagland Properties
Harlan Springer – Florence Regional Arts Alliance
Kelli Weese – City of Florence

Meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 8:00 – 9:15 am

Fourth of July Committee

Purpose: Plans the Chamber’s annual Fourth of July event.

Jenna Bartlett (Board Member) – The Siuslaw News
Shauna Beckendorf (Board Member) – Song Real Estate
Marianne Brisbane – Le Bouchon ProvisionsWaterfront Depot
Rod Engelman – Lakeshore Myrtlewood
Bettina Hannigan – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Kelly Stewart – Port of Siuslaw
Rosa Solano – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Kelli Weese – City of Florence

Meets as needed January – June

Holiday Festival

Purpose: The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce coordinates the Holiday Festival on the Saturday after Thanksgiving as the start of the Holiday Season.

Ross Kroenert
Rosa Solano – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce

Marketing Team

Purpose: Focused on attracting and serving visitors; from advertising and promotion to event production to visitor center operations. The Chamber is committed to the health of Florence area businesses; and tourism is one of our largest private industry sectors.

Rich Colton, Chair – Three Rivers Casino
Jenna Bartlett (Board Member) – The Siuslaw News
Lon Beale – Sand Master Park
Tami Clark – Driftwood Shores Resort & Convention Center
Jennifer Connor (Board Member) – Florence Events CenterLast Resort Players
Bettina Hannigan – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Craig Sander – Hoagland Properties
Natalie Inouye – Eugene Cascades and Coast
Scott Steward – Creative Wave Marketing Solutions
Jon Thompson – Coast Radio – KCST & KCFM
Kelli Weese – City of Florence
Cindy Wobbe – Cindy Wobbe Estate Sales

Membership Committee

Purpose: The membership committee is the volunteer extension of the Chamber, assisting in targeting of new members and retention of existing members; focused on helping members identify the best methods for them to utilize their Chamber membership.

Tom Bassett, Chair (Board Member) – Florence Antiques
Betty Blake – Ambassador
Lisa Del Fava – Ambassador
Annette Foglio – Gary Foglio Trucking
Chantelle Meyers – The Siuslaw News
Lori Olson – Darlings Marina & RV Resort
Pattie Panther – Ambassador
Linda Stent – Pacific Pines RV Park
Scott Steward – Creative Wave Marketing Solutions

Rhododendron Festival

The Rhododendron Festival Chair oversees all the events that are sanctioned by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce and keeps productive lines of communication open with all non-sanctioned events that take place Rhody weekend. The Rhody Chair works with the Chamber’s Executive Director on event decisions and formulating a budget for the festival. He/she also continually checks in with the committee chairs and subcommittees for updates and to be sure that all budgets are being met. The Festival Chair duties also encompass ordering festival apparel and buttons, along with making monthly festival reports to the Chamber Board of Directors.

Rhododendron Festival Subcommittees

  • Vendor Fair Committee – The Vendor Chair works with the Festival Chair to plan the event. The Vendor Chair processes all applications received by the Chamber office and should be worked once a week from January to event. All payments made for vendor space will be taken care of by the Executive Director of the Chamber. It is the responsibility of the Committee Chair to plot the vendors on the site maps and be available to oversee the vendors during setup and take down of the event.
  • Grand Floral Parade Committee – The committee for the parade is responsible for putting the parade on. This person gets the proper permits to close the roads and have the appropriate safety personnel for the event. Works with the Festival Chair to get Corporate Underwriters and Distinguish Sponsors banners; along with Banner Carriers. In addition, this person reviews parade applications and criteria, chooses parade judges and works with KCST Coast Radio for the Parade coverage. The Parade Chair also is responsible for plotting the parade and the staging of the parade.

Chair (TBD)
Jenna Bartlett (Board Member) – The Siuslaw News
Shauna Beckendorf (Board Member) – Song Real Estate
Gary Cargill (Board Member) – Florence in Bloom
Jesse Dolin – City of Florence
Bettina Hannigan – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Ross Kroenert, Vendor Fair Chair
Jim Martin
Nancy Pearson
Katie Prosser
Rosa Solano – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce

  • Rhododendron Court and Showcase – Purpose: To provide scholarships for higher education, to promote community outreach and volunteerism, to offer networking and mentoring opportunities to outstanding young women and men in a program that perpetuates an appreciation for Rhododendron Festival history and tradition.

Nancy Bosket, Chair (Board Member) – Oregon Pacific Bank
Jenna Bartlett (Board Member) – The Siuslaw News
Wendi Krause – TR Hunter Real Estate
Dee Osborn (Board Member) – Banner Bank
Patt Sapp – Vintage Blue Warehouse

Rods N Rhodies

Purpose: Plans the annual Rods N Rhodies event, obtains sponsorships, prizes and recruits participants.

Gary Cargill, Chair (Board Member) – Florence In Bloom
Jenna Bartlett (Board Member) – The Siuslaw News
Shauna Beckendorf (Board Member) – Song Real Estate
Jeffrey Beveridge
Mike Groshong – Florence Siuslaw Lions ClubWings and Wheels
Bettina Hannigan – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Ross Kroenert, Vendor Fair Chair
Luke Lyda – Les Schwab Tire Center
Jim Martin
Gary McDaniel – Oregon Coast Hot Rods
Nancy Pearson
Robin Pyle
Rosa Solano – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Dave Weaver – NAPA – Davisons Auto Parts

City Wide Garage Sale Committee

Purpose: Plans the annual City Wide Garage Sale event, obtains sponsorships, prizes and recruits participants.

Jenna Bartlett, Co-Chair (Board Member) – The Siuslaw News
Bettina Hannigan – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Rosa Solano – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce

Wine & Chowder Trail Committee

Purpose: Plans and executes the Wine & Chowder Trail and great glass floats give-away three day event.

Siuslaw Awards Committee

Purpose: Plans and executes the nomination and selection process for the recipients of the awards for the program.

Jenna Bartlett, Co-Chair (Board Member) – The Siuslaw News
Lisa Walter Sedlacek, Co-Chair – Laurel Bay Gardens
Bettina Hannigan – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Rosa Solano – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce

Tech Committee

Purpose: Reviews and recommends the use of both the Internet and computer technology in efficient, current and cost-effective ways in order to support both the needs to members and visitors, as well as those of internal Chamber operations. Assists in the development and implementation of additional functionality for both visitors and members on the Chamber’s website.

Robbie Wright, Chair (Board Member) – Siuslaw Broadband
Neil Ecker – Full Spectrum Computers
Bettina Hannigan – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Bobby Jensen (Board Member) – Breen Marine

Our Community Champions

Florence Area Chamber Thanks

Our Community Leaders