- November 27, 2024
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The Hammock Dunes Club was crawling with women in pastel suits, pill box hats, mink stoles and little black dresses Friday, Jan. 27. The men donned fedoras and slim ties. The dress was inspired by the 1960s, in honor of the decade in which that Flagler County Chamber of Commerce was born.
Throughout its 50 years, the chamber has had several homes, the first of which was a building rented for $25 a month across from the Bunnell Restaurant, which is now the State Street Diner. In 1979, the chamber moved its headquarters to the Wickline Center, in Flagler Beach; in 1984, a building fund was established to construct a new office, and the chamber moved there in 1987.
In 2001, the chamber purchased land at 20 Airport Road and moved into its current location in 2006.
Over the years, the chamber has implemented several programs, including Shop Flagler County, in 1979; Business After Hours, in 1985; began publishing the “Fantastic Flagler Visitors Guide,” in 1997; established the Run for your Life 5K, in 2008; and launched www.flaglerknows.com, in 2010.
Throughout the past 50 years, the chamber has begun a consulting relationship with the Tourist Development Council and announced affiliations with the Bunnell, Palm Coast and Flagler Beach chambers and the Young Professionals Group.
In addition to celebrating milestones at the dinner, local businesses were recognized for leading the way.
The Flagler County Chamber gave three awards. New Member of the Year was awarded to Rose Chumaceiro, of Avon. Small Business of the Year was awarded to Atec Air and Heating Inc., and Business of the Year to Florida Hospital Flagler.
Each affiliate also awarded a Business Person of the Year. Bunnell recognized Chris Zwirn, of Wendy’s; Flagler Beach recognized Kim Carney, of Eagles Nest Storage; Palm Coast recognized Sam Cline, of Cline Construction; and the Young Professionals recognized Jason Johnson, of Marlin Consulting Solutions.