Get Your Tickets Now for the 2016 Regional Education Summit

Get your tickets now for the Chamber’s Regional Education Summit on September 14th! The Summit will take place from 7:30- 9 am at the Florence Civic Center and will feature FMU President, Dr. Fred Carter, FDTC President, Dr. Ben Dillard and Hood Temple, 7th District Commissioner on Higher Education.

Get the latest details on what’s happening in the education community, what’s on the horizon for the Pee Dee and what it will mean to you, your business and the local work force.

Click on the link below to purchase tickets at flochamber.com.

Register for the Regional Education Summit

Morning News Coverage: Lunch & Learn Labor Law Upcoming Forum

From the Morning News:

“FLORENCE, S.C. – A Lunch and Learn presentation in late July about new federal labor law changes was so popular, another forum one will be held Wednesday.

“The last one was so full, there wasn’t enough space, so we had to carry over and schedule another one,” said Les Echols, director of community and minority enterprise for the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. “There was a waiting list.”

The event is scheduled for noon to 1:30 p.m. at the chamber, on the corner of West Evans and South Dargan streets in downtown Florence. It will feature attorneys from Willcox, Buyck and Williams P.A. explaining new facets of the Fair Labor Standards Act that will take effect Dec. 1.

Sponsored by Young Professionals of Florence and the chamber, the forum will be a rehash of the one a month ago at the library. In that event, attorneys Reynolds Williams and Mark W. Buyck III broke down what the changes mean for employers and how employees need to have a firm understanding as well. A question-and-answer session followed Williams and Buyck’s presentations.

“It’s important particularly for small businesses and nonprofits wanting to know where they stand on labor laws,” Echols said.

Registration is $15 for Young Professionals and chamber members and $20 for nonmembers. Nonprofits can register participants for $15.

For more information, call the chamber at 843-665-0515 or visit the chamber’s website and register at flochamber.com.”

See the article on SCnow.com by clicking on the link below:

SCnow.com web article- Lunch & Learn 

Register Now for Fair Labor Standards Act Lunch & Learn Seminar

Spots are filling up fast for the upcoming Lunch & Learn on the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Don’t miss your chance to take part! Our first session was so packed that we had to schedule another session to give everyone a chance to learn about the upcoming Overtime Rule and what it means for your and your business.

The Lunch & Learn will take place on Wednesday, August 24th from 12-1:30 pm in the community room of the Florence Chamber at 100 W. Evans St.
 
The event is being presented by Young Professionals of Florence, the Florence Chamber and Willcox, Buyck and Williams, P.A.
 
Registration for Young Professionals Members/Chamber members is $15 and $20 for non-members. Non-profit organizations may register participants for $15.
 
For more information, click on the link below to register online or call the Florence Chamber at (843) 665-0515.

Florence Downtown Weekly Newsletter

For a look at everything from events at the Florence Little Theatre, to art workshops to music and fun downtown, take a look at what’s going on this week in Florence!

The folks over at Florence Downtown Development Corporation have compiled the following list of things taking place in our area:

Florence Downtown Newsletter

7 Strategies to Make Your Small Business Website Stand Out

Many of you small business owners and entrepreneurs likely have to create or update your own websites.

The job of a small business owner is never done, right?

Well, check out these great tips on how to make your website work for you…even if you don’t have a background in coding or marketing.

Read the entire article on Forbes.com by clicking on the link below:

Forbes.com web article: 7 Strategies Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know to Make Their Website Stand Out

Duke Energy Open House Scheduled for Tonight

Don’t forget about this great open house opportunity THIS evening in Florence:

Duke Energy Progress is hosting open house events for their customers.

This will be an opportunity for customers to talk with different subject matter experts from Duke Energy in such areas as customer service, vegetation management, energy efficiency, power delivery, lighting, and the Robinson Nuclear Plant.

Today’s event will take place from 4-7 pm at Carver Elementary School, 515 N. Cashua Drive in Florence.

The event is open to the public.

Dolce Vita Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Chamber and many of its ambassadors were happy to help officially welcome Dolce Vita into the Chamber family today, with a ribbon cutting ceremony!
 
The business opened its doors as a chocolate and wine tasting room on S. Dargan Street and today, ushered in a new era with the addition of breakfast items to its menu.
 
Special thanks to the Morning News and Joe Perry for coverage of today’s event. To find out more about Dolce Vita, visit their Facebook page at:
 
You can see this gallery online at SCnow.com as well by clicking below:

Chamber Holds Graduation for Emerging Leaders Summer Institute

On Thursday, August 11th, The Florence Chamber held a graduation ceremony for our Emerging Leaders Summer Business Institute program.

The graduation provided an opportunity to speak with and recognize participants in the program who have gotten a behind-the-scenes look at the Pee Dee business community over the course of five sessions this summer.

The Emerging Leaders Summer Institute is a program designed to generate professional training and development, mentorship, community engagement and recruitment opportunities. The purpose is to identify, develop and empower “Emerging Leaders”, specifically minorities, small business owners and innovative professionals poised to move into the next level of community and business leadership.

Congratulations to these leaders all they have and will accomplish in our community.

View the entire graduation gallery on Facebook:

Emerging Leaders Graduation