Octoberfest! Ted shares four great Chamber opportunities to enjoy Octoberfest activities on September 19th. | | Community Partner Spotlight | | |
Click on event below to register NOW for our Upcoming Chamber Events.
Don't forget to apply your discount, Click here
(Discount only applies to First Friday Coffee, Nothing But Networking, & Business After Hours)
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Browse the Business Directory and view current News Releases, Job Postings, and Hot Deals from fellow members.
Ready to add your own? The tutorials below walk you through how to post and manage your own content on the Chamber Website.
| | Check out these short tutorial videos that provide a step-by-step guide on how to navigate through the online Member Information Center (MIC). These instructional videos will show you how to update your profile, add keywords, add job postings, register for chamber events/add your benefit discount, add events to chamber community calendar, pay invoices and much more! | | |
DO NOT place any plastic bags, including the "bags for recycling," into your curbside recycling bin. The plastic bag is considered a contaminant, and it and everything in it will be thrown into a landfill. PLEASE place all recyclable items LOOSE into the bin. Recycling 101 with WM >> https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle-right/recycling-101
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Cinco Bayou Boat Ramp and brand new parking is now open. Please be mindful of the signs and trailer traffic pattern. As always, be courteous to other boaters in and around the boat ramp.
***Commercial activity like pontoon rentals is prohibited at all County boat ramps.***
View a list of Okaloosa County-maintained boat ramps and parks at https://myokaloosa.com/fpm/parks/list
Boat Ramp Code Enforcement issues can be addressed by the Coastal Code Enforcement Officer at clmitchell@myokaloosa.com. Learn more about waterway safety and commercial activity at https://myokaloosa.com/waterway-safety.
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Fort Walton Beach Fire Department to host event marking 25th anniversary of 9-11
Fort Walton Beach Firefighters are looking for 343 individuals from the public willing to ring the fire bell and sign a guest book in honor of all the New York City Firefighters who perished during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The event will be held at Fire Station 6 on Hollywood Boulevard and begin at 7:46 a.m., which is the exact moment (in central time) the first aircraft hit the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Stop by anytime in the morning or afternoon to be a part of this unique remembrance.
There will be a large American flag hanging from the ladder truck in front of the fire station, and the department’s vintage 1946 Chevrolet fire truck will be on display.
“On the 25th anniversary of 9-11, we honor our fellow firefighters, who responded to this terrible tragedy in spite of the dangers they faced and sacrificed their lives for the safety of others,” said Fort Walton Beach Fire Department Battalion Chief Matthew Baxley.
DETAILS:
- Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, beginning at 7:46 a.m.
- Fort Walton Beach Fire Department
- 5 Hollywood Boulevard NE
- Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
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Liza Jackson Park set to close Monday, Sept. 14 for renovations
Liza Jackson Park is expected to close beginning Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, for a large-scale renovation project.
The west side of Liza Jackson Park and the park’s west entrance will be closed entirely to allow a city contractor to stage equipment, deliver materials, and load construction debris for removal. The park's east side, including the dog parks, will remain open during the renovation.
The project will include a new 832-square-foot restroom building, new parking for vehicles and boat trailers, a redesigned boat launch traffic area, new sidewalks, and stormwater improvements.
The bid was awarded to H&T Contractors LLC of Freeport, and work is expected to take approximately six months to complete.
Funding for the $3.1 million project will come from the Fort Walton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the Infrastructure Surtax fund, and a $1 million contribution from Okaloosa County through its Tourist Development Tax fund.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to improve this popular park.
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Pickleball and Tennis Tournament coming to FWB Tennis Center Sept. 25-26
USTA Florida, in partnership with the City of Fort Walton Beach, will be hosting a “Rally on the Court” pickleball and tennis tournament event at the Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center on Sept. 25-26, 2026.
The event will benefit the nonprofit Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. All skill levels are welcome. Entry fee is $47 per player in honor of the 47 kids diagnosed with cancer every day in the United States.
Here is the schedule:
· Pickleball Tournament: Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at 5 p.m.
· Tennis Tournament: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, time TBD
The Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center is located at 45 W Audrey Drive NW, Fort Walton Beach, and is operated by USTA Florida.
Come check out the newly renovated tennis center, put your racquet skills to the test, and help support childhood cancer research.
Register here:
https://fundraise.rallyfoundation.org/event/rally-on-the-court-2026/e819899
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Crestview High School Band Named 2026 Phi Beta Mu Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction
The Crestview High School Band has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2026 Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction Award, presented by Phi Beta Mu International in recognition of outstanding achievement in band education and performance. Crestview is one of only two band programs in the nation selected for the 2026 honor and the first band from Florida to receive the Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction Award. The award recognizes band programs that exemplify the ideals established by Phi Beta Mu founder Earl D. Irons, including superior achievement, moral uprightness, and the advancement and development of bands internationally. The selection committee praised the Crestview Band program for its excellence and commitment to students. Read more...
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Leadership Experience Initiative Expands Leadership Opportunities for Okaloosa County Educators and Students
A local initiative is creating additional opportunities for Okaloosa County educators and students to grow as leaders through immersive, hands-on experiences. The Leadership Experience Initiative (LEI), founded in 2024 with a mission of “Nurturing Leadership Through Experiences,” complements the leadership development already taking place in our schools by providing participants with unique experiences designed to challenge perspectives, build confidence and inspire personal growth. Since its founding, LEI has invested in eight local school leaders, providing them with immersive leadership experiences through the Gardner Carney Leadership Institute (gcLi) over the past two summers. The initiative expanded its reach in 2026 to include students, extending its commitment to developing leadership at both the educator and student levels. Read more...
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Florida SBDC at UWF Named Florida SBDC Region of the Year
Florida SBDC at UWF (Pensacola, FL) – The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida (FSBDC at UWF) earned top honors, being named the Florida SBDC Network's 2026 Region of the Year.
The Florida SBDC Network, the state's principal provider of small business assistance, recently honored outstanding staff, partners, and volunteers at its Annual Performance Excellence Awards Celebration. Presented August 19th, the awards are the networks highest honor, recognizing staff and partners for making a lasting impact on Florida's small business community. Full Press Release
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Got a business idea but not sure where to start? Stop overthinking and start building!
Join us at the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 for our Starting a Business workshop. In just 3 hours, we will help cut through the confusion and cover the essentials needed to launch your vision into a successful reality.
What we'll cover:
✅ Legalities, licensing, & local regulations
✅ Essential business planning & startup steps
✅ Connecting with professional business guidance and resources
📅 When: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM CT
📍 Where: Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, 34 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
🎟️ Register now: tinyurl.com/fwb-sbdc
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