Florence, South Carolina – Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Leadership Florence Class, giving area companies and business professionals a new opportunity to take part in one of the region’s most established leadership development programs.
The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the upcoming class, which will begin with orientation in August and continue through monthly sessions before ending with graduation in May 2027. The program is designed for people who want to better understand the Florence area, strengthen their business relationships and take a more active role in the community around them.
For many participants, Leadership Florence is not just another professional program on the calendar. It is a doorway into how the region works. Through its once-a-month sessions, the class introduces participants to business, civic and government activities while helping them develop the skills and connections needed for future leadership.
The Chamber describes Leadership Florence as the area’s most popular and comprehensive business leadership program in the region. Its purpose is to identify, cultivate and motivate leadership in local businesses while encouraging participants to become more involved in the community. That mix of professional growth and civic awareness has helped the program remain a familiar name in Florence for decades.
The 2026-2027 class will continue a tradition that now carries 36 years of Leadership Florence experience. Over that time, the program has helped connect people from different companies, industries and backgrounds, creating a network of local professionals who are better prepared to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the area.
The structure is simple but meaningful. Participants meet once a month, allowing them to stay connected to their careers while still gaining a broader view of the community. Each session is built around learning, involvement and relationship-building, with the goal of helping future leaders see beyond their own workplace and into the wider Florence region.
Applications are open to area companies and business individuals interested in joining the next class. More details and the application are available through the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Those interested may also call Les Echols at the Chamber offices at (843) 665-0515.
As the next class prepares to begin in August, the Chamber is inviting local professionals to step forward, take part and become part of a program that has spent more than three decades helping shape leadership in Florence.
