Archive for month: August, 2026

Duane Parrish, Director for the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT), will be the guest speaker at the Greater Florence Chamber’s Annual Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, September 23 at the Florence Center.

Parrish has dedicated more than 35 years of his professional career to the hospitality industry. He will be speaking to us about the critical role tourism plays in our great state of South Carolina and how the Pee Dee factors into the state tourism picture.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina in Business Administration, Parrish has served as an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston and Trident Technical College teaching hotel management and hospitality courses. He has also been an active member of the South Carolina Hospitality Association and once served as Chairman. Parrish has also served on several other boards for the Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, various hotel associations, and two college advisory boards.

At the luncheon event the Chamber will also announce the Chamber’s Business Person of the Year recipient, presented by First Citizens Bank.

The Membership Luncheon doors will open at 11:30 for conversation and networking. The program will begin at 12 noon. Individual registration is $45 for members and $55 for non-members. Special reserved tables of 8 are available for $475. Seating will be limited so register early.