Posted on

Behind the Scenes of Chamber Chatter Podcast

Written by Meg Angier, Membership and Community Partnerships Manager

When I first started at the Tillamook Chamber, one of my goals was to collaborate with Renee on a podcast that would give business owners the opportunity to connect with listeners and share how their businesses began, along with the goals and plans they are working toward for the future. My previous role in marketing helped me understand just how important it is for businesses to share the story behind their “why,” and these interviews do exactly that.

One of my favorite parts of interviewing local businesses is that no matter how much I think I know about them, I always end up learning something new. I love hearing each business’s origin story, whether they grew up in Tillamook County or were inspired by the beauty of the Oregon Coast to begin a new chapter here. I also love being able to then share those stories with visitors or locals who call or walk into the Tillamook Chamber office. Renee shares a similar perspective: “Connecting with and hearing the stories of our local entrepreneurs gives us the human side. We see the logo, see the Facebook ads, but to hear the story and passion behind why they started their business gives it so much more depth, inspiring me and hopefully others to think of them when in need of their service or product. That is one of the many reasons I’ve enjoyed being a part of the Chamber Chatter Podcast.”

Over the last several months of interviews, I’ve been reminded just how unique our county truly is. We have businesses that have been part of this community for more than 50 years, sharing stories about how Tillamook has changed over time and offering advice to new business owners just getting started. On the flip side, we have brand new businesses just starting out! No matter the episode, the entrepreneurial spirit in Tillamook County runs deep, and I hope hearing the stories behind these businesses helps connect you with our county in a new way. 

Whether you’re tuning in on your way to work, listening while doing the dishes, or clicking on an episode featuring one of your favorite local businesses, we are so grateful you chose to join us.

Catch the Chamber Chatter Podcast on your favorite streaming platform, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. You can also stay up to date by watching our latest episodes in our weekly newsletter.





Posted on

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.