FMU Performing Arts Center Announce 2025-2026 Spotlight Series

The FMU Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce its 2025-2026 Spotlight Series! Tickets, as well as the popular Buy 4 PAC, go on sale at noon Monday. Details for each show are below.

  • Don Felder – Sunday, September 7, 2025
  • The Righteous Brothers – Friday, October 10, 2025
  • Floyd Nation – Thursday, October 23, 2025
  • Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives – Thursday, November 13, 2025
  • Direct from Sweden The Music of ABBA – Friday, January 23, 2026
  • Alfreda Sings “The Divas of Soul” – Friday, February 6, 2026
  • Gary Lewis and the Playboys – Saturday, March 14, 2026
  • Women of Americana – Thursday, April 16, 2026

For more information, click here.

State Champion Jayden Press To Represent South Carolina At Junior Olympics

Jayden Press (Hilton Head Island), a rising senior at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM), soared to new heights at the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) 1A State Championship meet, capturing the state title in pole vault with a winning mark of 4.14 meters (13 feet, 7 inches). He will next compete on the national stage this July at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Junior Olympics in Savannah, Georgia. This will be his second appearance at the event.

Held on May 15 at Richland Northeast High School, the meet marked a significant milestone in Press’s rapid athletic progression. In less than two years of competing in the event, he has grown into one of the top high school vaulters in the state.

To read the full press release, click here.

2025 – 2026 Leadership Florence Applications Now Open

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting applications from area companies and business individuals for the 2025-2026 Leadership Florence Class.

Leadership Florence is the area’s most popular and comprehensive business leadership program in the region. The once-a-month sessions are designed to identify, cultivate and motivate leadership in our businesses and to familiarize participants about our community and enhance their involvement in business, civic and government activities while developing future leadership skills and business relationships.

The program begins with orientation in August and ends with graduation in May 2026. Come and be a part of the 35 years of Leadership Florence experience.

Click here for more details and the application or call Les Echols at the Chamber offices (843) 665-0515.

Survey Responses Needed To Better Understand Childcare In S.C.

We are excited to share the following surveys, created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, to better understand childcare and how it impacts the workplace in our communities and across the state of South Carolina.

Please provide feedback on this important issue facing the business community by completing the survey that is most applicable to you. 

This survey is for employers and aims to gauge changes and advancements in business practices related to childcare: ECBAC Employer Survey (2025)

This survey is for childcare providers and aims to understand your perception of the business community and its role in childcare access: ECBAC Childcare Provider Survey (2025)

The links to the surveys will remain open through August.

Save the Date: Party With A P(o)urpose

Join the CARE House on Thursday, October 16th at the Florence Country Club. The Private VIP Tasting begins at 5:00 PM, Main Tasting starts at 6:30 PM with the Program and Live Auction kicking off at 7:30 PM.

Raise Your Glass & Auction Paddle to Support Child Victims of Abuse! Every Bid & Sip Ensures that local Children have a Safe Place to Heal from the Trauma of Abuse & Neglect.

For more information, click here.

Pee Dee Outdoor Classic Set For July 25-27

The Pee Dee Outdoor Classic, the Carolina’s premier Outdoor Expo, is coming to the Florence Center from July 25-27, 2025. This is not just another fishing and hunting show (though there’ll be plenty of that). It’s a celebration of everything outdoors—an event packed with products, services, entertainment, and expert advice for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds!

Whether you live for the thrill of the hunt, love pitching a tent under the stars, or enjoy paddling on calm waters, the Pee Dee Outdoor Classic has something for every passion, hobby, or lifestyle. Don’t miss the chance to discover the latest innovations, learn from industry experts, and connect with a vibrant outdoor community—all under one roof!

Bring your family, your friends, and your adventurous spirit—because the Pee Dee Outdoor Classic is where the great outdoors come to life!

To see the full flyer, click here.

McLeod For Health Florence Open Returns In July

The McLeod for Health Florence Open will return this July at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center. Florence’s only professional tennis tournament, made possible by the partnership between McLeod Health and the City of Florence, helps raise awareness of breast cancer and physical activity through the tournament, which benefits women in the region with mammogram scholarships.

Not only does the professional tennis tournament raise funds for local benefit, it draws nearly 60 of the world’s best women players to town. The USTA Pro Circuit features competitive matches between tennis’s rising athletes.

“Florence residents have a great opportunity to come out and see several of the sport’s future stars. This tournament has a great history of containing future Grand Slam Champions such as Bianca Andreescu, Sofia Kenin and Naomi Osaka,” said Jonathan Barth, Tournament Director.

To read the full press release, click here.

Bee City Takeover Happening Saturday

Something sweet is coming to the market!

Join the hive – meet local beekeepers, shop for local honey and plants, enjoy kid-friendly crafts and activities, and learn more how to bee a friend to our pollinators.

Let’s stick together to support our pollinators while exploring farm-fresh goodies, handmade crafts, tasty local eats, and more.

Buzz on over to the City Center Farmers Market on June 14th from 8:00 AM to 1:00 pm at 200 Sanborn Street for a bee-lightful celebration to kick off National Pollinators Week.

Truist To Offer Business Finance Basics Workshop

Join Truist for an exciting two part Business finance basics, part of the Bank on your success program at 11:00 AM on June 12th and July 23rd. This free interactive session will show you how to build, manage, and protect your business for years to come.

In this course, you’ll learn key elements of business finance basics to manage your cash flow, explore ways to expand your business, hire employees, and understand insurance for your business. They’ll also provide valuable take-away resources to help you and your business.

For more information, click here.

MUSC Health Florence Medical Center Featured On ChamberLink Radio

Dr. Allan “Tripp” Nanney, neurosurgeon at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center, was the Florence Chamber’s guest this past weekend talking about using minimally invasive surgery to treat brain, nervous system and spinal nerve disorders.

We encourage you to tune-in every Sunday from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

This program is brought to you by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Looking for past ChamberLink Radio Show interviews? Click here:

https://www.flochamber.com/events-programs/podcasts/