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Why We Love Tillamook

Green pastures, tractor, log truck, restaurant, cows in Tillamook County Oregon

At the recent Tillamook Chamber Banquet, guest speaker Kaylan Sisco shared a story that many of us can relate to. He spoke about the early days of his career, attending banquets and fundraisers, feeling the passion in the room, but not always having the extra funds to participate in the “Raise Your Card” portion of the evening.

During his time on stage, Kaylan asked the audience for a different kind of contribution. He invited everyone to write down what they loved about Tillamook County on the back of their cards, even if they couldn’t donate. He wanted us to give something that made a lasting impact: our gratitude.

Reading through those cards was heartwarming. It served as a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do. We wanted to share some of the highlights with you because, honestly, we couldn’t agree more.

The recurring theme throughout almost every card was the people. There is a unique resilience here; no matter your background or your views, when times get hard, this community pulls together to help each other out.

“I love that Tillamook works hard to support its youth and empower them to succeed.”

Many of you also pointed to the intersection of our heritage and our daily lives, the way our industries shape our identity and our families.

“Tillamook is a great place to raise a family. Hunting, fishing, and the agriculture industry is amazing. The small-town feel and the love between neighbors is remarkable.”

“The people that make up the community and their backgrounds and diverse skills. Logging, farming, coastal living, and tourism. Tillamook is our Heaven on Earth.”

There’s a specific kind of magic in a place where a trip to the grocery store doubles as a social hour.

“I love Tillamook because you can’t go to the store without seeing/visiting with a friend. I love Tillamook because of its small-town devotion to community service; prime example: The entire community supports the Charity Drive.”

“Beautiful green pastures and wildlife.”

At the Tillamook Chamber, our mission is to see this community thrive, not just economically, but socially and culturally. Seeing the outpouring of love on the back of those cards reinforces why we are so proud to serve this area.

Tillamook isn’t just a collection of businesses or a scenic stop on Highway 101; it is a living, breathing ecosystem of support, tradition, and neighborly love. Whether you’ve lived here for generations or you’ve just moved here, you are part of what makes this community so special.

We are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by people who care so deeply. Thank you for sharing your heart with us and for making Tillamook a place we are all proud to call home.



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Sneak Peek: Helping Visitors Find Their Way

By Justin Aufdermauer, Executive Director, Tillamook Chamber of Commerce

At the Tillamook Chamber, one of our key strategic priorities is Business Growth. That goal is broad and often looks different depending on the project or season. Sometimes it means ongoing programs that support local businesses, and other times it’s unique initiatives that bring long-term value to our community. Earlier this spring, we launched one of those special projects in partnership with the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association: installing pedestrian wayfinding signs in downtown Tillamook.

The Chamber was actually the first to partner with TCVA and Partners in Design back in 2017. Their vision was to create a coordinated signage system that welcomes and guides visitors throughout the county. We developed a multi-phase plan – with the first phase focused on gateway or “Welcome” signs—those attractive markers placed at community entrances. Here in Tillamook, those gateway signs were completed in 2019 and have since been installed in other parts of the county as well.

Now we’re moving into phase two: pedestrian wayfinding. This system of signs and maps is designed to help people confidently navigate a city on foot. As residents, we often take our landmarks for granted. We drive past the kayak launch, the veterans memorial, or even another brewery without giving them a second thought. But for a visitor, discovering these places often requires a simple sign pointing the way. For example, if someone is enjoying an afternoon at Pelican Brewery & Taproom, wouldn’t it be helpful to direct them just a block away to another brewery, or to show them that a paddle on the river is just steps away?

Every time I encounter wayfinding signs in other cities, I feel instantly welcome. Their presence says: we care that you’re here, and we want you to explore what makes this place special. That feeling matters. Visitors who feel oriented and encouraged to explore are more likely to stay longer, shop, dine, and return. And the reality is, many of our local businesses rely on that support.

While these signs are designed with visitors in mind, I am also proud of what they represent for us as residents. They are a visible investment of lodging tax dollars, supporting not only tourism but also building community pride. They remind us that Tillamook is worth showing off.

This fall, keep an eye out for a dozen new high-quality wayfinding signs in downtown. They will serve our visitors, support our businesses, and remind us all that Tillamook is a community worth exploring.

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The Value of Mornings on Main

From updates to community connections, Mornings on Main is your monthly snapshot of what’s happening in Tillamook County.

Do you ever see our monthly reminder for Mornings on Main and wonder what it’s all about? While the promise of fresh, hot coffee is a great reason to join us here at the Chamber HQ’s on the third Tuesday of each month, this gathering is so much more than a morning snack. It’s a chance to get a real-time, in-the-moment scoop on what’s happening in and around our county.

Mornings on Main is a very engaging way to connect and learn directly from fellow business owners, non-profits, and community leaders. We kick off at 8:00 a.m. and go around the room, giving each person one to two minutes to share any upcoming events, sales, or information. There are no formal speakers; the spotlight is on you! We usually try to wrap it up at 9:00 a.m. so you can buzz out of here to carry on with your day, or stay and network.

You’ll be amazed by the variety of information shared. One month, a local realtor might provide a quick update on the housing market, followed by what’s playing next at the Tillamook Coliseum and details about an upcoming fundraiser. The next month, you could hear about upcoming emergency preparedness drills, new classes at a local dance studio for all ages, or an inspiring story from a non-profit about their work with veterans. The topics are always different and reflect a true cross-section of Tillamook life, making every gathering unique.

The best part is watching new connections form. Someone might share a need for volunteers, and you’ll see another person’s face light up with a solution. The conversations over coffee after the round robin style often lead to new partnerships, friendships, and great collaborations. There’s something special about being face-to-face with others who share the same common goal- a thriving community. If you’re curious to see it for yourself, join us on the next third Tuesday. It’s an easy, low-pressure way to get connected and see what makes our community so special.

We are incredibly grateful for our lead sponsor, Matt Cole from DirectLine-IT. His ongoing support is what makes this event possible, and we truly appreciate his generosity.

And for all that delicious, hot coffee you enjoy each week, we have the team at Starbucks of Tillamook to thank! They generously keep us all caffeinated.

If you have any questions about Mornings on Main feel free to reach out to Meg at meg@tillamookchamber.org for more details.

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The Chamber Meeting Room: Your Go-To Resource for Business Gatherings

Here at the Chamber, we’re dedicated to assisting the growth of local businesses and fostering a vibrant local economy. We understand that not every business has a dedicated space for meetings, training, or presentations, which is why we offer our Meeting Room as a free resource to support your business needs.

We believe this space is perfect for deep-dive strategic planning sessions, productive team training, or a professional and functional place to meet a client. It’s an ideal solution for any business or organization needing a clean, functional location to conduct business.

The Meeting Room thoughtfully blends modern style with essential technology. Many of the aesthetic touches were the vision of our Executive Director, Justin Aufdermauer, who crafted a welcoming yet professional atmosphere. For the tech install and upgrades, including the ability to have virtual conference calls and streaming capabilities, we have Matt Cole from DirectLine IT to thank for ensuring you can connect with ease.

We’ve already hosted a wide range of events, from engaging staff parties that boost team morale to critical strategic planning workshops that have shaped local businesses and organizations. Imagine conducting your next brainstorm session or hosting a focused workshop right here in a space designed for productivity.

Our hope is that you will feel this is a welcoming space to conduct business, and that our Chamber community feels supported. It can alleviate the stress of not always having a place to meet clients or having a big enough area for staff training. We encourage you to come check it out and see how it might be beneficial for your business or group.

The Chamber Meeting Room is available for use Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Chamber office hours).

Ready to schedule your next meeting? Booking our Chamber HQ Meeting Room is easy!

  • Core Members and Community members can reserve up to 30 days in advance.
  • Access and Vision Members enjoy extended flexibility, with the ability to secure dates beyond the 30-day window, offering you greater scheduling control.

To reserve your date, contact our office at 503-842-7525.