SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015
9 A
Florence Area Business Beat
A service of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Membership Update:
Please join me in welcoming the following new
members who joined the Florence Area Chamber
of Commerce in December:
Beach Bum Doggie Resort – located at 1911
22nd Street, Florence – home style dog boarding
and day care!
C2 Financial Corporation – PO Box 1195,
Florence – mortgage origination with multiple
lenders off ering conventional, FHA, VA USDA
and construction, refi nance or purchase.
Welcome to the Florence Area
Chamber of Commerce!
Member wins Prestigious
Award
www.florencechamber.com
541-997-3128
Chamber President
optimistic for 2015
by: Brian Castleman
Congratulations
to all business
owners
in
Florence! Overall
2014
was
a
pretty good year.
As always the
success of our
local economy is
dependent upon
good
weather
and the greater
overall economy
at the state and
national levels. Some of our merchants in
Old Town have stated that the 2014 summer
season was the best they have seen in six
years. It was obvious to anyone driving
around Florence during the tourist season
that the Highway 101 traffi c count was up
and there were fewer empty parking spaces
available in Old Town, and reservation
waiting times at local restaurants were a little
longer. Although these might be considered
inconveniences to those of us living here
they are good indicators of an improving
economy and we should be thankful. We
were also fortunate to have a fantastic fi shing
season which brought many visitors to enjoy
the natural wonders of our Florence area.
As we begin the 2015 New Year there is a sense
of cautious optimism in the air. We have seen
more new cars with temporary plates. In
recent months we have seen some business
owners take leaps of faith by either expanding
their business, relocating to another part
of town, or opening up a new business. We
have also seen a few more new homes being
built than in recent years. At the same time
our Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center
handed out more relocation packets than in
previous years. Th ese are promising signs
for the Florence economy. Although no one
can guarantee that the New Year will match
or improve over the economic outcome of
2014, the currently low fuel prices certainly
represent a good indicator as lower fuel prices
oft en result in more visitors to our local area.
So perhaps now is a good time for me to buy
that new car I have been thinking about!
Underwriters
2014-2015
Three Rivers Casino & Hotel
Distinguished Sponsors
2014-2015
101 Things to Do
Bi-Mart
Burns’s Riverside Chapel
Driftwood Shores Resort
Firenze Wine & Chocolate
Florence Heating & Sheet Metal
Fred Meyer Stores
KCST/Coast Radio
Oregon Pacific Bank
PeaceHealth Peace Harbor
Medical Center
Sea Lion Caves
Shippin’ Shack/Siuslaw Signs &
Graphics
Siuslaw Bank
Spruce Point Assisted Living
TR Hunter Real Estate
The Siuslaw News
Be sure to thank these
members for their
investment in our
community!
Local based business and Florence Area
Chamber of Commerce member Trade Winds
Technical and Grant Writing Services Co-owner
and grant writer Robert Bare received a 2014
Oregon Opportunity Networks “Star Player”
Award at a recent ceremony at the Portland
Convention Center at the Rose Center in Portland
Oregon. Th e award was for recognition for
writing ten successful grants that were funded for
one non-profi t organization based in Newport in
that year.
Trade Winds is locally owned by Robert and
Lynda Bare and based in Florence but provides
services for clients in the Northwest ranging from
Alaska to California, as well as Canada.
Congratulations Robert!
Siuslaw
Awards Approaches
For the past eight years, the Siuslaw Business Awards has recognized
leaders within the Florence business community, with nominations
submitted from the community. Th ese awards are truly a prestigious
marker of achievement, and this year’s event which recognizes those
recipients for 2014, takes place at the Florence Events Center on Wednesday January 21.
Th e fi ve categories for recognizing excellence include:
Community Caring Award, which goes to a business that supports non-profi ts and projects
that enhance the community.
Non-Profi t Achievement Award, which goes to a non-profi t organization that demonstrates
good stewardship of donor dollars and sound business practices while meeting commitment to
its organization’s mission.
Excellence in Customer Service goes to a business that is dedicated to outstanding customer
service and satisfaction in all aspects of sales and services.
Curb Appeal Award goes to a business that strives to maintain a physically attractive business.
Th e prestigious Stu Johnston Business of the Year Award goes to a business that has
demonstrated long-term or signifi cant business success and has shown strong and active
community involvement.
In order to be eligible for receiving the awards, businesses are required to be a member of the
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. Participating nominees and winners will be recognized
at the awards dinner held on the 21 at the Florence Events Center where the doors open at 6:00
p.m. and the ceremony including dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30.00 each and can be
purchased at the Chamber’s Visitors Center on Hwy 101 in Florence.
Rhody Logo Winner
Announced
Photos of recent
events:
Chamber Board Vice President and Rhododendron
Festival Committee member Jenna Bartlett
recently announced that the 2015 Rhododendron
Festival Logo has been selected by the Chamber’s
Board of Directors at the December board
meeting. “Once again Susan Johnson of Florence
captured the essence of the festival logo in her
submission, incorporating elements that represent
the Florence area as well as this year’s theme ‘Rock
n’ Rhody’” she stated. Johnson, who has submitted
prior winning logo designs, will receive a $250
prize for her submission.
Ron Green & OPB Employees with
testimonials about longevity at the bank
The Chamber Benefi ts That
Will Blow Your Mind
Th e January Noon Forum will feature a
presentation by Bobby Jensen on ‘What’s the Value
of a Chamber Membership?’ His presentation will
include information on networking, member-to-
member opportunities, business referrals and
promotions, and leadership opportunities within
your Chamber.
Jensen is the owner of Shoreline Apparel here
in Florence, and sits on the Board of Directors
for the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce,
chairing the Membership Committee. You can
catch Bobby’s dynamic presentation Th ursday,
January 15 at noon, at the Th ree Rivers Casino’s
World Buff et. At the monthly Noon Forum
members also make self-introductions which
provides an opportunity to give quick updates
or announcements about their business or
community eff ort.
PeaceHealth Peace
Harbor Medical Center
Th e name may be new, but this member of the
PeaceHealth family is certainly not new to us here
in Florence or at the Chamber. Th e name change
which took eff ect in 2013, for the entire group of
facilities, to refl ect the breadth of services and
common mission represented by the PeaceHealth
name, and its associated promise to provide the
spirit of healing to every person.
“PeaceHealth”—the name that links their four
Lane County hospitals, clinics, medical groups
and laboratories—is moving to the forefront. It’s
becoming the umbrella under which their patients
will experience their commitment to quality care,
whether in a Cottage Grove clinic, a Florence
labor and delivery suite, a Springfi eld Intensive
Care Unit or a Eugene emergency room.
In addition, PeaceHealth Peace Harbor
Medical Center has been named a Top Performer
on Key Quality Measures® by Th e Joint
Commission, the leading accreditor of health
care organizations in America. Peace Harbor
was one of 1,099 hospitals in the U.S. earning the
distinction for attaining and sustaining excellence
in accountability measure performance out of
4,072 accredited hospitals in the country.
A part of our community since 1979, we
are a vital community partner, being not just
one of our Distinguished Sponsors but active
in the community through other eff orts such
as promoting personal and community health,
and volunteerism. We are honored to have
PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center as one
of the chamber’s Distinguished Sponsors!
In September of 2014 PeaceHealth Peace
Harbor celebrated their 25th anniversary and it
was a great success. “Th ank you for coming to help
us celebrate. As your local healthcare partners we
are truly thankful to everyone who volunteered
their time. It is apparent that this community is
committed to helping keep this medical center
going strong, and it’s really inspiring to see.”
commented Kat Rannow.
Th ank you for your support!
January Business
After Hours hosted by
Shoreline Apparel
Join us on Th ursday January 22nd from 5:30
to 7:00 p.m. at Shoreline Apparel’s (formerly
Shoreline Embroidery) new location 1745 15th
Street (Hwy 101 & 15th) and learn how to print
your own shirt! New owner Bobby Jensen will
teach you the tricks of the trade and you’ll get to
print your own!
What You Want to Say vs.
What They Need to Hear
by: Scott Steward
Look at your advertising and other marketing
materials and try to be objective. Are they
focused on what you want to say rather than what
the audience wants or needs to hear? Th ere is a
big diff erence: and it will aff ect your success. Most
narcissistic egomaniacs don’t know that they are.
If you are one, these tips will be lost on you.
1. Do not insist on making ads that fi t your
personal likes and tastes. It’s not about you, even
if it is a refl ection of you. Instead, make your
ads and other marketing materials about your
customer’s preferences, meeting their needs, and
fulfi lling their desires. Th ere may be a place to
inject some of your personality in your materials
if you are selling your expertise, but rarely do
customers buy “you.” Th ey buy what you can do
for them.
2. As you review your marketing pieces,
look for the words “I”, “Our”, and “We”, especially
in headlines. Also look for the words “You” and
“Your”. If it’s more about you than your customer,
change it.
3. Ask for feedback about your ads,
brochures, signage, packaging, your online
presence, etc.
Ask your customers, staff ,
neighboring businesses, your colleagues in the
Chamber, a marketing professional, even your
competitors. Accept their input with an open
mind. You never know where the next million
dollar idea will come from.
Scott Steward is the owner of Creative Wave
Marketing Solutions, a Florence based marketing
consulting business, and member of the Florence
Area Chamber of Commerce.
To provide a business tip, please email cal@
fl orencechamber.com.
Dr. A.J. Brauer comments in celebration
of his retirement from the Board
Testimonial:
Moving to Florence exactly one year ago
has been a big change for our family but an
awesome experience. One of the First things
professionally I did was get in contact with the
Chamber of Commerce. Th ey “Plugged Me In”
to the community one might say.
Recently
We
purchased
Shoreline
Embroidery and Screen Printing and the
Chamber immediately updated our information
on their website which is where a lot of people are
fi nding us because it pops right up when someone
searches embroidery or Screen printing and are
located close to Florence when they perform the
search. We have received many referrals from
other Chamber members as well.
All in all, Being a member of the Chamber of
Commerce is going to be a great business move
for you & your organization!
Bobby Jensen
Shoreline Customized Apparel
Coming Events
JANUARY 21, 2015 - Siuslaw Awards
FEBRUARY 12, 2015 - Building Bridges to
Business Expo at Florence Events Center
MAY 15-17, 2015 - 108th Rhododendron
Festival
JULY 4TH, 2015 - Independence Day
JULY 4TH, 2015- Wings & Wheels Fly In/
Car Show at Florence Airport
SEPTEMBER 11-13, 2015 - Rods n’ Rhodies
Invitational Car show
SEPTEMBER 12-13, 2015 - Community
Wide Garage Sale
OCTOBER 3, 2015 - Oktoberfest
OCTOBER 11, 2015 - Columbus Day
Festival in Historic Old town
NOVEMBER 11, 2015 - Veterans Day
Parade
DECEMBER, 2015 - Florence Holiday
Festival
Join the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce! • www.florencechamber.com • 541-997-3128
Mission Statement: The Mission of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is to champion the future of the greater
Florence community as an innovative leader in economic vitality and active lifestyle.