FLORENCE, SC -- More than 550 people gathered at the Florence Civic Center for the annual Spring Outlook Chamber Luncheon Tuesday.

The event is sponsored by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. 

Patrick Manzo, Senior Vice President for Monster Worldwide, served as the keynote speaker. He told the business leaders we're coming out of tough times, but now is the time for us to seek the opportunity to rebuild our economy stronger than it was before the recession.

During the program, the chamber named Warren Snell as its Small Business Person of the Year. Snell is an operating partner for Fatz Cafe' in Florence. Chamber officials say he is dedicated to his business and the community. Snell is a reserve deputy with the Florence County Sheriff's Office.  He started "Calabash and Cops," which raises money for the South Carolina Special Olympics.