GRAND - Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

M y r t l e B e a c h A re a C h a m b e r o f Co m m e rce
GRAND
STRANDER
Issue 710
August 2012
S  T?
The fastest way to Myrtle Beach is not U.S. 501
Time to lay the pavement for
by Brad Dean, president & CEO, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commercee
We talk, write and meet oen about
Interstate 73. In fact, some of our
members might wonder if it’s ever
going to be a reality. I believe so largely
because there is tremendous support
for I-73 in our region. Ninety-two
percent of our chamber members
Stuck in traffic, See Page 6
Renew it … don’t lose it!
Membership renewals due by Aug. 31
You know that the Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce exists to
support you and your business as you
strive for success. Information and
knowledge, opportunities for
networking and personal enrichment
... they’re all here for you. Benefits
that improve your bottom line and
intangible awards of involvement
will be yours when you renew your
membership with the chamber. If
you have misplaced your renewal
notice, contact Pat Creed, membership
services manager, at (843) 916-7225 or
[email protected].
Membership benefits will end if
payment is not received by Aug. 31.
Renew during the month of August
and you’ll be entered into a drawing
for a 1/4 page ad in the Grand
Strander and a membership list
on disk (package valued at $325).
Nothing says
summer like BBQ!
Get ready for the seventh annual Beach, Boogie
& BBQ Festival on Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at Grand Park,
The Market Common.
Beach, Boogie & BBQ, See Page 9
What’s Inside?
Safety in the Home
and Workplace • 4
Learn some common-sense
crime prevention skills.
Social Media
•
5
Have you mastered your
social media strategy?
CVB Insider
CVB marketing program gives you
more bang for your advertising dollars.
Reduce Your Trash
If you’re serious about running
your business more efficiently
by generating and disposing
of less trash then you truly
are a smart business.
See Page 11
Visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
• Sign up for chamber e-news
Visit ArtsAtTheBeach.com
• Explore the arts community
Follow MBACC on
What’s Online?
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
4 1/2 Questions
“Why become an ambassador?”
This month we checked in with
Rhett Fowler, property manager
with Canterbury Apartment
Homes, Ginkgo Residential LLC.
An ambassador for only five
months, Fowler says that having
direct contact with local businesses
each month is priceless. Check out
the August Grand Strander Online
for his story.
Member Anniversaries
What’s the secret to long-term
success in the business community?
Establishing lasting and personal
relationships with other professionals
through membership in the Myrtle
Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
During August, 162 members
will be celebrating their chamber
anniversaries. Read the August
Grand Strander Online and discover
which two business have been
members for 33 years. Hint: Each
has been servicing the needs of
businesses in the Myrtle Beach
area for more than 100 years.
Ribbon-Cutting
Barking Fish Yogurt LLC, 2876-D
Howard Ave., The Market Common,
Myrtle Beach, (843) 839-1665,
BarkingFishYogurt.com. Visit Barking
Fish Yogurt Co. for natural, flavorful
and healthy yogurt. See more
ribbon-cutting photos in the
August Grand Strander Online.
Member of the Month
Coastal Custom Closets
259 Koolabrew Dr., Calabash, NC 28467
(832) 446-9194 • coastalcustomclosets.com
30-Second Commercial
Our staff, selection, work and prices have earned Coastal Custom
Closets a reputation for convenience, quality and value. Coastal
Custom Closets provides the knowledge and experience to help
you select the best custom closets and cabinets for your storefront,
home, office, pantry, garage, laundry room and kid spaces. We offer
a lot more then just closets. We have installed Murphy Beds and remodeled hotel kitchens
and a vets office, just to name a few. We offer free estimates, super fast turnaround time,
and our work is guaranteed for life. We are the only local custom shop with everything
made and built right in our Calabash shop. If you have any questions feel free to call.
#1 Business Goal
Provide every customer with a great experience. We can customize any project to meet
your needs. We work hard to get the job done right the first time and won’t stop until
you’re completely satisfied. We strive to be the best custom shop on the coast.
2011-2012 Board of Directors
Chairman of the Board
Richard Singleton
Coldwell Banker Chicora Real Estate
Immediate Past Chairman
Franklin Daniels
Nexsen Pruet, LLC
Jim Apple
Burroughs & Chapin Co.
Tommy Bouchette
BNC Bank
Shannon Detzler
The Jackson Companies
Ted Fortenberry
WMBF News
Mike Hagg
HTC Communications
2
Terrance Herriott
Conway National Bank
Greg McCollum
M. Gregory McCollum, PA
Mil Servant
Surfside Realty Co. Inc
Suzanne Hinde
Sheraton Myrtle Beach
Convention Center Hotel
Bill McGonigal
Best Western Ocean Sands Resort
Chris Shroff
Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts
Ken McKelvey
Defender Resorts Inc.
John Springs
Caledonia & True Blue Golf Courses
George Mims
Grubbs & Ellis I Wilson Kibler
Jordan Watkins
Gilmore Entertainment
Billy Huggins
WPDE NewsChannel 15
Bob Jewell
Brookgreen Gardens
Eileen Kim
Edward Jones
Mike LaPier
Myrtle Beach International Airport
Mark Lazarus
Wild Water & Wheels
Jay Patrick
Boardwalk Beach Resort
Pete Pearce
Myrtle Beach National
Ebbie Phillips
Tyson Sign Co.
Chamber Events
Discover more networking events at
All employees of a Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce member business
are invited and encouraged to participate in all chamber events.
Aug. 7, 5-7 p.m.
Aug. 21, 1:30-3 p.m.
Behind the Scenes
Distinctive Eyewear Vision Center
Grand Strand Grassroots Meeting
1206 Moser Dr.
The Market Common, Myrtle Beach
Tour Distinctive Eyewear Vision Center and
their advanced equipment that provides
comprehensive eye exams and vast contact
lens selections. Learn about the various
types of materials and styles of glasses.
Free vision screenings will be offered.
Free, value-added benefit of chamber membership
Register at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
Registration Deadline: Aug. 6
MBACC Boardroom, 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach
The business community is already preparing for a successful
2013 legislative session to continue the mission to improve
South Carolina’s business climate. This important policychanging work begins at home, at the grassroots level. The
Grassroots Meeting will be an open-forum session and is one
of the first steps in creating the S.C. Chamber of Commerce
Competitiveness Agenda, the business community’s annual
list of legislative priorities. It will begin with a legislative
review from the S.C. Chamber’s Public Policy staff before
moving into an open discussion of legislative issues that you
believe must be addressed.
Register at http://data.scchamber.net/events
Aug. 15, 9-10:30 a.m.
North Strand Council Meeting & Member Update
Aug. 22, 8-9:30 a.m.
Prince Resort at the Cherry Grove Pier
3500 N. Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach
B-to-B Connects
MBACC Boardroom, 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach
Join the North Strand Council for an informative update
on Know Your Zone. Randall Webster, Horry County
Emergency Management director, will discuss the new
hurricane evacuation zones and their vulnerability to
storm surge.
B-to-B Connects is a networking event designed to gain
you referrals that mean business. Participants will have
2 to 3 minutes to present their business to the member
audience. This event is limited to a small number of attendees
for a more intimate networking experience. Bring lots of
business cards and brochures to promote your product!
Aug. 16, 6-8 p.m.
Business Aer Hours
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Aug. 28, 3 p.m./Sept. 25, 9 a.m.
1251 21st Ave. N., Myrtle Beach
Chamber Access – Member Orientation
Your All Access Pass to the Chamber
Grab your mitt and head to TicketReturn.com Field at
Pelicans Ballpark for an evening of baseball, beverages, game
food, and of course, plenty of networking. Members will
receive a ticket to the game when checking in at the chamber
table out front of the main gate. The Budweiser Thirst Inning
Deck will be reserved for members to network. Door prizes
will be announced over the PA system during the game. This
is an adult members only event.
MBACC Boardroom
1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach
Something is always happening at
the chamber. Find out more at Chamber Access – Member
Orientation. Designed for new members as well as anyone
interested in a refresher, the session includes a brief
presentation from membership staff, a tour of the MBACC
building and networking with fellow members.
Register at ChamberAcademy.com
Chamber events, See Page 19
Grand Strander
3
Chamber Academy
Safety in the Home and Workplace
In these times of economic distress, many people are
concerned about the threat of rising crime in their
communities. Fortunately, there are ways to help protect
your home and your neighborhood from crime. From
simple steps like keeping your doors locked to starting a
Neighborhood Watch program, there are plenty of things
you can do to prevent crime.
Many people spend a good portion of their time at
work. This means it’s just as important to use crime
prevention skills in the workplace as it is at home and
in the neighborhood. Whether the place of business is
corporate headquarters, a restaurant, a store, an auto
repair shop, or a person’s home, common-sense prevention
skills can make the workday safer for everyone.
Sept. 19 • 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Boardroom, 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach
Details: Free class. Register at ChamberAcademy.com
9:30-10:30 a.m. – Home Safety presented by
Crime Prevention Officer Pete Woods of the City of
Myrtle Beach Police
10:30-11:30 a.m. – Workplace Safety presentated by
Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS®
Delivering the message to consumers
According to Mark Schmulen, Constant Contact’s general manager of social media, “Small businesses clearly have the
edge over larger organizations. By comparison, small business owners excel at customer experience and building lasting
relationships. That personal touch translates exceptionally well through engagement marketing practices, including both
email and social media.”
So how do you as a small business take advantage of this edge without pushing your consumers away in the meantime?
Read “Connect With Your Customers: Tips On Delivering What They Want and Avoiding What Turns Them Away” at
smallbiztechnology.com/archive/2012/04/
page/2.
Want more ideas on how to grow your
business? Check out the Small Business Buzz
library at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com,
click on the Small Business Resource Center.
4
Have you mastered your
social media strategy?
Are you on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Foursquare, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube,
Instagram? What is your Klout score? Do you blog?
The question is no longer
should we be doing social
media, it’s are we doing it right?
To organize what you can do
with social media professionally,
a strategy is helpful. Because
the online word is so fast, it is
tempting to quickly create a
Facebook page, Twitter account
or Pinterest board without
thinking about it in advance. A
strategy will give you direction
and ensure an consistent image.
You’ll have to ask yourself many questions. Find the answers, and you’ll have made a
good start.
• What are your primary objectives? Are you trying to build awareness of your
brand? Boost sales? Educate prospects? Enhance your expert credentials?
• How does your social media strategy fit in with your overall business strategy?
Social media sites provide engagement, sales and marketing, educational, public
relations and customer support tools. Your social media strategy should be a subset of
a larger department(s).
• Who is your target audience, and where do they live online? What groups are
you trying to reach, and where do they tend to congregate?
• Which employee(s) will own your social media activities? Who will be responsible
for implementation?
• Who are your competitors and how can you set yourself apart from them? Who
else is out there, and what are they doing?
• What will your primary messages be? Optimize your content with your targeted
keywords.
• When – and how – will you evaluate your social media strategy? Social media
interaction can translate into sales or other results such as reduced complaints, helpful
suggestions, etc.
STAY
CONNECTED
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber
of Commerce’s free mobile
app gives you access to the
same outstanding content
from the chamber’s website
to users on the go. Check
out the latest events and
news, and find exclusive
Member-to-Member
Discounts. It also includes
a membership directory
and full search capabilities
in an easy-to-use
mobile application.
Download the app at
http://web.myrtlebeacharea
chamber.com/mobile.
Grand Strander
5
Stuck in traffic?
Continued From Cover
support completion of I-73, and a recent public opinion
poll throughout the entire “new” 7th Congressional District
reveals that 70 percent of registered voters support I-73.
There are a variety of reasons to support I-73, including:
• Creation of an estimated 7,000+ full-time jobs each year
for five years during construction;
• Creation of an estimated 22,000+ permanent full-time
jobs once construction is complete;
• Increased tourism by 1,000,000+ additional visitors;
• New industry and higher-paying wages throughout
the region, particularly in rural Horry County and the
Pee Dee counties, as well;
• Reduced congestion in existing roadways, such as
U.S. 501; and
• Quicker,
cker, safer
saf
a er hurricane eevacuation.
vacuation.
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It’s amazing
thatt with
i – some might
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d – th
ith so many clear
benefits, we’re still looking for the funds to complete this
project that was conceived in 1982 and began in 1998.
Yet that’s the case. Federal funds reserved for I-73 sit
‘in escrow’ in Columbia, awaiting the SCDOT Commission
to release those funds to begin construction. We trust
the commission will follow the will of Congress and local
residents once the final permits are received, which could
happen in 2012.
Unfortunately, a small group of opponents remain opposed
to the progress that I-73 will bring. Some support the
notion of simply widening U.S. 501, and they suggest this
is a better alternative. We’re thrilled that these opponents,
including environmental activists, acknowledge that
additional infrastructure is needed. While they may not
support our views, it’s encouraging to know that
even the staunchest opponents admit we need to invest
in infrastructure. Perhaps comments from objective,
unbiased visitors, like the letter we received from D.W. from
Greensboro, N.C., will help push the construction for I-73.
6
D.W. recently traveled to our area, saw a pro-I-73 billboard
and responded with this opinion:
“Interstate 73 is a must have. It can help out with
hurricane evaluations. Look at Myrtle Beach’s U.S. 501.
Traffic there is very horrible. I drove on that road a few
times and I wondered why Myrtle Beach does NOT have
an interstate connection to start with? Who builds an
expressway with at-grade intersections on the way to the
major beach tourism? I don’t care if people complain about
I-73 destroying wetlands; it is bound to happen with ALL
road constructions, not just I-73. Our Congress approved
I-73 (and I-74 extension for a myriad of reasons). I, for
one, support I-73 because of economic reasons, as well as
Myrtle Beach NEEDS an interstate connection (that means
NO traffic lights along the way) to save time. Whether I-73
gets extended north to Ohio is irrelevant. What needs to
be done is to build I-73
from Myrtle Beach to
I-95. So, build I-73 and
be DONE with it. No
need to waste time or
money. Build it as a toll
road or something like
that, just get it done
already.”
– D.W., Greensboro, N.C.
Thanks for your opinion.
Enough said.
Message to Our Members
Earned media is really just a fancy term for unpaid
media coverage, however it is also one of the most
powerful tools of any marketing campaign. Unlike paid
advertising, earned media coverage oen carries more
weight and credibility in the minds of consumers because
the information is delivered and received through the
recognized filter of a credible third-party organization
such as newspaper, TV, radio and Internet.
Significant effort and follow-up are required to
successfully generate and sustain earned media coverage.
Instead of paying directly for an ad placement we’re
paying for the time and resources of people who will
investigate what’s being said about the Grand Strand
and engage on our behalf. That’s where Fahlgren Mortine
and your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s/
CVB public relations staff come into play. By creating
newsworthy stories or events and pitching the stories to
news outlets out of market, we have generated effective
media coverage that targets specific audiences with our
specific messages.
Good media contacts and relationships are oen the
key to good media coverage. Your Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce’s/CVB multicity media tours and
local media hosting make the Myrtle Beach area top-ofmind with travel journalists leading up to the spring/
summer months and beyond. Visits conducted in New
York City, Washington, D.C., Dallas, Toronto and other
cities, along with local media hosting have resulted in
coverage in The Saratagoin, WUSA 9 Washington, D.C.,
Smart Meetings magazine and more.
Debate Media Impact 2012
Earned media
4,000 plus stories – broadcast, print and online (see chart
on le) and more than 17 million impressions were
generated from social media channels (see chart below).
You’ll notice that Twitter outpaced all other social media
channels. This is primary because Twitter is used heavily
by political journalists and there were thousands of tweets
about the Myrtle Beach debate. MSNBC, The Wall Street
Journal, CNN, USA Today and many more national media
outlets covered the debate and the Myrtle Beach area.
MBACC is anxiously looking forward to the September
Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.,
(Myrtle Beach area’s largest drive market), which will
undoubtedly provide invaluable publicity and individual
consumer exposure for the area. MBACC will be on-hand
to court the media and the thousands of spectators
expected to be in downtown Charlotte.
Chamber member partner packaging also plays a role in
earned media. Leveraging ongoing chamber members’
offers, such as accommodations and attraction packages,
have generated publicity for Myrtle Beach in Frommer’s
BudgetTravel and New York Post, to name a few.
And we haven’t even touched on the free publicity the
Grand Strand receives from Twitter, Facebook, YouTube
and other social media sites.
Later this month, Neil Mortine, president of Fahlgren
Mortine, will be sharing with MBACC committee
members and local elected officials what the agency
has been doing and what is being planned to secure
more earned media coverage in the upcoming months.
To read about more earned media coverage,
visit MyrtleBeachAreaMarketing.com.
The Republican Party presidential debate in January
is a perfect example of earned media. Reporters from
21 states and nine countries were on-hand producing
Brad Dean
President & CEO, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Grand Strander
7
To Members of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:
A recent article in The Sun News titled “Myrtle Beach
chamber-linked groups flexing political muscle”
(June 30, 2012) examined the affiliation between your
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and several
pro-business organizations. As chairman of the Grand
Strand Business Alliance, I would like to take this
opportunity to address several factual errors and
misleading information in that article.
• Recurring funding for the destination-specific
matching grant program.
• Implementation of requirements allowing continued
use of pool enclosures.
• Regulatory relief for businesses impacted by recent
ADA pronouncement on pool lis.
• Passage of legislation to reduce employment of
illegal aliens via E-Verify.
The Grand Strand Business Alliance (GSBA) is a pro-active
collaboration of chamber members who voluntarily invest
in advocacy of pro-business and pro-Grand Strand issues
that oen align with the chamber’s stated legislative goals.
These lobbyists work throughout the year on issues that
affect the chamber and members of the chamber.
Our ability to make our points heard on a state and federal
level increases with each year. While reporting on these
associations and their roles is a legitimate topic, The Sun
News paints these associations as entities controlled or run
by your chamber of commerce. This is simply not accurate.
Many local businesses also support one of four statewide
political action committees (PAC), all of which are legal
entities. These PACs were formed to represent the interests
of the golf, restaurant and hotel industries and the overall
business community and are funded through donations
from local businesses. Each of these PACs is governed by a
separate group of individuals who have varying interests.
From time to time, the four groups may not agree on
which statewide campaigns to support, but we are united
in our pro-active support for the Grand Strand and none
deviate from the rules and regulations that govern what
we do.
As chair of the GSBA, I believe that contributions from our
PACs did make a difference in the primary election, and
we hope to be able to make a difference in the upcoming
November elections as well. The Sun News article focused
on two local elections but ignored the GSBA’s involvement
in more than 50 June races. Beyond our involvement
in recent statewide elections, consider these recent
accomplishments:
The GSBA and its related associations and PACs are not
managed or operated by your chamber of commerce. As
chair of GSBA, I am well aware of the investment of time
and resources made by area business owners. Records are
not kept at the chamber and the funds come directly from
private businesses.
Looking back at how far we have come as a community,
we should all be very proud. Yet we recognize that our
community can still go farther, and we intend to help lead
that effort. We will not step back from the challenges that
lie before us, but rather, we will continue to operate within
the scope of the law and with an appropriate degree of
transparency. I regret that I must use this space and your
valuable time to correct misleading information published
by one local media outlet. On behalf of the GSBA,
I thank those businesses who have invested their funds
in this important effort, and I welcome your comments,
suggestions and questions, [email protected].
Thank you,
Mike Wooten
Chairman of Grand Strand Business Alliance
• Successful protection of reasonable mid-August
school start dates.
Email us, we’ll email you
Want another way to receive up-to-date
information from Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce? Join our e-newsletter
lists.
MBACC’s e-newsletter updates provide a
quick way to communicate with members.
8
Simply go to MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
and click on the eNews Sign Up icon. Before
you know it, you will be in the know on
the latest events, promotional information,
sponsorship opportunities, education classes
and more.
Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival
Continued From Cover
This family friendly festival, organized by the OMAR
Shriners and Palmetto Event Productions Inc., will feature
free live entertainment, wakeboard demonstrations, free
boat rides, art and cra vendors, beer gardens, fireworks
and, of course, the main attraction is the finger-lickin’,
lip-smackin’ good food (available for purchase) from food
vendors and competitors.
The Fantastic Shakers will be performing Saturday evening,
Sept. 1, at the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival.
Last year’s Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival had spectators on
their feet dancing to local beach music.
Several cooking events promise to attract the nation’s
finest competitors: Anything Goes contest and tasting
on Friday, the Official S.C. Barbeque Championship and
Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-Off on Saturday, and
the Sunday Wing-Off competition. Each cooking event
will award prize money.
Attendees can sample delicious barbecue from all
competing barbecue teams on Saturday beginning
at 12 p.m. by purchasing a $10 wristband. Kids
10 and under can sample for free. Live entertainment
kicks off on the main
stage Friday at 6 p.m.
and The Fantastic
Shakers, known as the
South’s Finest Show
Band, will be Saturday
night’s headliner
taking the stage at
8 p.m., followed by a
Barbecue is the main attraction at
fireworks extravaganza. the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival.
Several cooking events promise to
The Shakers have
attract the nation’s finest competitors
performed more than
during the Labor Day weekend event.
6,000 engagements
from New York to Florida and all throughout the
Southeast. South Carolina’s Grand Strand has become the
band’s summer home and their hit single “Myrtle Beach
Days” catapulted The Shakers to the top of the Carolina’s
musical groups. On Sunday attendees can enjoy a wide
variety of wings as the main stage continues with live
music.
For a complete schedule of the festival’s events, visit
GrandStrandEvents.com.
Shriners to host free
screening clinic during
festival
Shriners Hospital will have a free screening clinic at
the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival, Aug. 31-Sept. 2,
to help identify children who would qualify for free
treatment at a Shiners Hospital.
Experts from the Shriners Hospitals for Children® in
Greeneville, S.C., will check out newborns through
18 year olds for a variety of orthopedic, spinal,
neurological or developmental conditions.
This screening will be held Saturday, Sept. 1, from
11 a.m.-3 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
Grand
G
d Strander
S
d
9
Status update on Ethics Review Committee
Over the last 10 years, the Ethics Review Committee has
seen a continuous decrease in complaints and an increase
in compliance and response to negative comments received
by Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Myrtle
Beach Area Hospitality Association. With this running
success of the committee’s mission in mind, Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors has
changed the status and function of the Ethics Review
Committee to an advisory function only to meet on an
as-needed basis.
The Ethics Review Committee is a joint committee of the
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Myrtle
Beach Area Hospitality Association, working cooperatively
to maintain ethical business standards in the Grand Strand
community.
While MBACC and MBAHA are still assisting visitors with
hospitality concerns, the process has changed. Consumers
are now asked to direct concerns to the Better Business
Bureau of Coastal Carolina. If additional follow up is
needed, the Ethics Review Committee will convene.
South Carolina Capital Market Study
The Faber Entrepreneurship Center at the University
of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business
New Carolina, in partnership with the South Carolina
Department of Commerce and New Carolina, is surveying
companies for a Capital Market Study. The feedback
received from survey respondents will be used to develop
solutions that help start-up firms and fast growing
companies access to financial capital. Companies that
participate will receive a free copy of a report that
examines South Carolina’s current capital markets
and approaches for strengthening those markets.
Report Content
1. Learn how companies are finding the
capital they need to grow.
2. Get a rundown on a list of existing sources
of capital and the state’s biggest capital gaps.
The survey targets privately held companies that are
headquartered in South Carolina. Other characteristics
include:
• Businesses that currently – or plan to – sell products
or services outside of South Carolina.
• Businesses interested in growing their businesses.
• Sales should be less than $100 million.
• Businesses can be start-ups, emerging growth
companies, or more established growth companies.
Complete the survey at capmarketsurvey.org.
Direct questions to Dr. Dirk Brown, director of Faber
Entrepreneurship Center, at [email protected]
or call (803) 777-1717.
Clarification continues for pool li requirements
Business owners lobbying key to DOJ revisions
On May 24, 2012, the Department of Justice released the
American Disability Act revised requirements for pool and
spa accessibility in the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design
(ada.gov/pools_2010.htm). These documents follow the
May 17 announcement by DOJ extending the compliance
deadline for pool and spa entry to Jan. 31, 2013.
• DOJ, as a matter of prosecutorial discretion, will not
enforce the fixed elements of the 2010 standards
against those owners or operators of existing pools who
purchases compliant portable lis prior to March 15, 2012,
and who keep the portable lis in position for use at the
pool and operational during all times.
• Title III of the ADA requires that places of public
accommodation remove physical barriers in existing
pools to the extent that it is readily achievable to do so
(i.e., easily accomplishable and able to be carried out
without much difficulty or expense). Determining what
is readily achievable will vary from business to business
and sometimes from one year to the next. Changing
economic conditions can be taken into consideration in
determining what is readily achievable.
“The continuing pressure our lodging members of the
Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association and Myrtle
Beach Area Chamber, along with the American Hotel
& Lodging Association and other lobbying groups, are
bringing to bear on the ADA pool li issue has succeeded
in prompting the Justice Department to postpone the
implementation timeline of new regulations and enact
other changes to pool li requirements,” said Stephen
Greene, president of MBAHA. “This is a clear example of
members getting involved and creating positive change.”
10
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.c
Go green with Fisher Recycling
Fisher Recycling – Grand Strand offers Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce and Myrtle Beach Area
Hospitality Association members the opportunity to
reduce their trash through an on-site recycling program.
Take advantage of
complimentary waste
audits and recommendations
to create a customized
recycling program for
your business, as well as
personalized training and
education for your staff.
With a 1-year Recycling
Service Contract, Fisher
Recycling – Grand Strand
offers exclusively to MBACC
and MBAHA members one
free pick up and one month
of free recycling containers/
bins.
In business, recycling is not only environmentally
responsible, it’s fiscally practical. Recycling reduces the
frequency of your dumpster pulls and can potentially
reduce the size of your dumpster. Fisher Recycling offers
commingled collection of all recyclable materials, which
means that all glass, plastic, aluminum, and tin from your
business can be placed in the same bin. Commingling of
recyclable materials saves time and organizational space,
as materials don’t require individual sorting or collection.
In addition, restaurants can join Fisher’s Oyster Shell
Recycling Program and make a positive impact on South
Carolina’s marine habitat.
Many commercial
business clients of Fisher
Recycling opt for sixday-a-week service,
taking full advantage of
the cost-saving perks of
recycling versus frequent
and expensive dumpster
pulls. Fisher Recycling
offers introductory and
on-going educational
workshops for all clients
and their employees.
MBACC & MBAHA
businesses interested in
learning about recycling services should contact Kira Roff,
president/ecopreneur, at [email protected] or
(843) 543-9811, or visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com,
click on Member Benefits/Save Money.
MBACC names Vanessa Nelson
as new sales manager
Vanessa Nelson has joined Myrtle
Beach Area Chamber of Commerce as
the new South Strand sales manager.
Nelson brings with her more than
15 years of sales and development
experience in nonprofit and private
sectors. Nelson previously worked as
director of development at the Ronald
McDonald House in Durham, N.C.,
and director of corporate relations at
the American Heart Association in
Morrisville, N.C.
As South Strand sales manager, Nelson
is responsible for the recruitment of
new business members from U.S. 501
south to Georgetown and west to
Conway.
A graduate of Duke University in
Durham, Nelson received a bachelor’s
degree in psychology. Nelson resides in
Little River with her husband of three
years, Jerome, and two dogs, Sophie
and Shadow.
Grand Strander
11
PR Hotspot
by Kailyn Longoria, account director, Fahlgren Mortine
Public relations and marketing pros in the travel and
tourism industry, along with journalists, bloggers, travel
industry executives and more, met to discuss the latest in
the industry on June 6-8 in Columbus, Ohio. Attending as a
representative of the Myrtle Beach area, Fahlgren Mortine
gained some valuable insight and tips from this conference,
by way of speakers, panels, group discussions and even
networking events. Some of the highlights included:
Controlling a crisis that’s not your crisis. When dozens
of wild and exotic animals were let loose in Zanesville,
Ohio, in October 2011, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
and its Director Emeritus Jack Hanna were thrown into the
midst of the media frenzy. Though it wasn’t their crisis, in
the sense that the animals were in no way linked to the
zoo or Hanna, they were seen as an authority and expert
in the field, especially given the proximity. The zoo’s vice
president of community relations and Hanna’s “Into the
Wild” producer shared some key takeaways from these
manic days:
• Social media was used to monitor public sentiment in
real time, which was then used as appropriate to
adjust messaging during interviews or to address
common concerns and questions.
• The team worked with third parties to get information
quickly and didn’t attempt to take on any questions it
wasn’t qualified to handle, such as addressing
legislation-related questions.
• The zoo hired a photographer and videographer to
chronicle the events and help control public distribution.
• They learned that you have to be prepared to be mobile,
including having multiple crisis plans (in electronic and
hardcopy forms) where you can easily access them, like
in your car, at home, at the office, etc.
Making social media work. If you’re using social media,
you likely know how important photos are to engagement.
While it can be difficult to capture great shots constantly,
Lessons from the PRSA
Conference on Travel & Tourism
enlisting your staff can help ease the burden. Encourage
them to snap photos on their mobile device and text or
email them to whoever operates your social channels. These
images will not only have the candid spirit of social media,
they will likely reflect all your attraction or accommodation
has to offer.
Pitching the story. We heard from major travel reporters
at the Associated Press and USA Today that, when pitching
a great story, to think about what would resonate with an
audience who may or may not visit. For national media,
your story needs to be compelling enough that it can
generate interest without necessarily intention.
The Social Media Diet. A brilliant source in the social
media landscape, Sree Sreenivasan – a technology expert,
blogger for CNET News, and professor and dean of
Student Affairs at Columbia University’s Graduate School of
Journalism – closed the conference by delivering practical
tips to make posting, measuring and reporting on social
media more manageable. A sampling of his advice, as well
as some useful, free tools to make your life easier, included:
• Every tweet is an opportunity to use a link, hashtag and
handle – try to incorporate all three as oen as possible
to boost engagement.
• Hashtracker.com is a new tool that easily pulls a Twitter
hashtag’s impressions, users and more over time.
• Storify builds a story throughout the course of a social
conversation, pulling from YouTube, websites and blogs,
Twitter, Facebook and more.
• SeeSaw (sees.aw) builds a Pinterest-like board of Twitter
conversations.
That’s just a taste from the PRSA Conference on Travel
& Tourism. To get even more on our recent conference
travels, visit blog.fahlgrenmortine.com and search for the
Tbex Conference, a major travel blogger conference held in
Keystone, Colo., in June.
Media Analysis Report – June 2012
12
reaChamber.com
Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
INSIDER
August 2012
CVBCloseAd
Sales
August 17
by Johanna Hodge, IOM, marketing production manager, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB
The 2013 Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors
Bureau marketing program has package levels that
allow you to get more bang for your advertising dollars.
Non-Lodging Advertisers
The MBACVB packages include the mobile coupons,
which were rolled out in 2012. We also are installing
Myrtle Beach TV in dozens of area hotels, providing a
unique advertising opportunity for our members. And
we still offer six levels of participation – with a price to
fit every budget. Additional promotional opportunities
exist for golf, dining, entertainment and activities/
services members to place your name in front of the
millions of potential vacationers who use our Visitors
Guide and website.
Lodging Advertisers
Members wanting to customize a package to meet
their individual targeted levels will find this simple to
VisitMyrtleBeach.com
do, as there are affordable buy-up rates offered at each
level. And every CVB member purchasing a package
will be included in a lodging grid in select copies of
The Official Myrtle Beach Area Visitors Guide (digest
version). Additional promotional opportunities will be
available for lodging members to place your name in
front of the millions of potential vacationers who use
our website.
Website
Our current advertising campaign is broadly structured
to reach key markets of opportunities and focused
on driving incremental visitors to member websites.
Television advertisements promoting the destination
are running throughout the year and our publicity
efforts are attracting much favorable attention to our
community. Our website traffic has grown 64 percent
CVB Ad Sales, See Insider Back Cover
August 2012
HORRY COUNTY ADMISSIONS TAX
14.5%
$1,700,000
$1,500,000
-0.1%
3.1%
$750,000
Percentages
Shown Are
Percent Change
From Previous
Year
12.1%
$1,200,000
7.4%
13.1%
9.7%
1.6%
$450,000
7.6%
23.5%
33.0%
2.3%
$0
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
Jan 12
Feb 12
Mar 12
Apr 12
$668,014
$1,206,382
$1,673,151
$1,250,676
$648,313
$649,615
$465,210
$440,412
$221,208
$403,337
$639,319
$1,143,618
GEORGETOWN COUNTY ADMISSIONS TAX
$150,000
$120,000
7.8%
$90,000
20.3%
Convention & Visitors Bureau
$50,000
26.4%
14.9%
-12.7%
6.1%
-2.7%
-11.5%
-17.5%
50.2%
-19.0%
-11.0%
$0
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
Jan 12
Feb 12
Mar 12
Apr 12
$102,536
$64,305
$55,482
$44,549
$66,075
$94,586
$51,906
$44,083
$25,144
$36,393
$100,959
$121,316
HORRY COUNTY ACCOMMODATIONS TAX COLLECTION
4.9%
$4,200,000
2.1%
$3,200,000
$2,200,000
1.9%
Percentages
Shown Are
Percent Change
From Previous
Year
242.4%*
7.1%
8.9%
14.0%
$1,200,000
5.2%
-4.4%
14.2%
$0
57.4%
14.9%
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
Jan 12
Feb 12
Mar 12
Apr 12
$1,303,728
$2,543,607
$3,924,032
$2,468,061
$1,366,211
$739,320
$458,454
$307,676
$267,848
$641,812
$2,601,523
$1,476,690
*March
occupancy shows
such a large
increase due to
the compliance
of Online Travel
companies.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY ACCOMMODATIONS TAX COLLECTION
1.6%
$420,000
$320,000
0.0%
9.3%
$220,000
$120,000
2.2%
1.2%
-4.4%
15.1%
$0
47.7%
4.7%
-1.2%
32.4%
14.2%
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
Jan 12
Feb 12
Mar 12
Apr 12
$100,850
$252,603
$404,842
$253,945
$122,165
$62,300
$38,756
$23,651
$18,229
$23,591
$64,273
$87,657
HORRY COUNTY GROSS RETAIL SALES
$1,100,000,000
$850,000,000
1.6%
4.2%
-7.7%
-4.6%
-5.0%
7.8%
-8.3%
-16.3%
0.6%
$650,000,000
58.8%
-6.9%
-9.4%
$450,000,000
$0
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
Jan 12
Feb 12
Mar 12
Apr 12
$688,160,544
$872,199,417
$1,014,810,293
$851,606,942
$801,891,704
$617,471,174
$554,726,964
$622,177,947
$485,036,510
$557,380,926
$710,663,343
$729,635,650
1.8%
5.5%
Percentages
Shown Are
Percent
Change From
Previous Year
GEORGETOWN COUNTY GROSS RETAIL SALES
$130,000,000
-6.1%
7.3%
-5.2%
$100,000,000
0.1%
5.7%
-2.0%
-19.5%
-10.2%
74.0%
-2.1%
$75,000,000
$35,000,000
$0
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
Jan 12
Feb 12
Mar 12
Apr 12
$103,917,745
$126,681,554
$128,995,594
$113,227,615
$105,045,379
$98,930,809
$89,532,305
$100,504,560
$79,245,544
$87,611,215
$116,176,915
$115,093,864
For more information regarding additional research conducted by the chamber, contact Wendy Bernstein at [email protected].
Sources: S.C. Departments of PRT and Revenue
August 2012
UNIQUE User Sessions
ADVERTISER Referrals
1,000,000
2011
1,200,000
2011
800,000
2012
1,000,000
2012
600,000
YTD Referral
Click % Change*
600,000
Category
400,000
400,000
200,000
0
200,000
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
0
Jan
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
% Change
33.56%
Jan
32.19%
45.59%
37.06%
16.47%
4.68%
2012
641,377
777,006
963,847
846,503
879,343
1,057,193
2011
480,220
Jul
587,796
662,043
Aug
Sep
617,618
754,977
1,009,894
Oct
Nov
Dec
% Change
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
% Change
17.20%
25.57%
20.03%
17.38%
16.74%
0.65%
2012
600,449
708,807
939,597
804,326
948,277
1,206,447
2011
512,349
564,459
782,796
685,224
812,265
1,198,706
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
+11.07%
Amusements
+19.88%
Theaters
+18.02%
Dining
+25.77%
Shopping
+18.02%
Watersports
+26.84%
Weddings
+35.11%
Golf
% Change
2012
2011
% Change
Lodging
-7.02%
Addt’l Services
+26.12%
Fishing
+29.14%
*Jan. 1-June 30, 2012
1,146,291 627,023
337,084
219,592
169,846 199,230
2012
2011
1,003,473
697,852
439,696
369,014
290,808
336,994
For more information, contact: [email protected]
OCCUPANCY PERCENT PER ROOM WEEK*
AVERAGE DAILY RATE PER ROOM WEEK*
(May 19, 2012 - June 30, 2012)
(May 19, 2012 - June 30, 2012)
100%
0%
$150
$131.08
$119.75
67.39%
DOLLARS
PERCENT
$100
73.32%
75%
5%
50%
0%
25%
5%
$75
$50
$25
0%
$0
2011
2012
2011
2012
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
2012
20.2%
33.4%
51.1%
59.3%
51.5%
78.7%
2012
$48.52
$54.80
$73.80
$94.95
$105.69
$138.43
2011
20.1%
33.6%
46.2%
59.6%
52.0%
74.6%
2011
$50.90
$54.65
$68.29
$87.64
$100.62
$131.33
2010
21.4%
29.6%
44.9%
54.2%
47.4%
77.4%
2010
$46.31
$54.26
$69.84
$85.48
$90.29
$121.07
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Nov
Jun
Dec
Dec
2012
2012
2011
88.0%
73.3%
59.2%
45.1%
31.7%
22.8%
2011
$162.14
$125.97
$86.22
$69.99
$57.82
$53.17
2010
91.5%
76.1%
59.8%
43.6%
31.6%
19.7%
2010
$147.28
$120.79
$85.73
$71.18
$57.68
$53.11
MAY AIRPORT ARRIVALS**
120,000
0
*Dr. Taylor Damonte, Director • Clay Brittain, Jr. Center for Resort Tourism
Coastal Carolina University • [email protected]
0
100,000
A R R I VA L S
0
80,000
**Source: Horry County Department of Airports
0
60,000
0
40,000
HELP US HELP YOU
0
20,000
Provide data to CCU
0
2011
Arrivals
2012
2011
2012
Change
95,916
73,138
-23.7%
By sending in your weekly numbers, you will be providing valuable data that
helps us to keep updated information. For more information, please contact
Dr. Taylor Damonte, director of Clay Brittain, Jr. Center for Resort Tourism at
Coastal Carolina University, [email protected].
August 2012
YEAR OVER YEAR
800,000
CVB Ad Sales
Continued From Insider Cover
(2012 vs. 2011). Likewise, referrals to advertiser websites
have increased significantly. The mobile site launched in
2011 is generating increased traffic, also. Comparatively,
we continue to exceed the marketing performance of
our competition in online market share.
By the Numbers
• Visitors Guide – Hard Cover – 2 Per Unit Per
Property – In-room guide displayed in hotel and
vacation rental properties for additional exposure.
• Visitors Guide – Digest – 1,225,000 copies
Distributed in hotel and vacation rental properties,
provided to guests at check-in, fulfillment for
inquiries and convention bags, and used for
some visitor inquiries.
• Map and Coupon Booklet – 1,475,000 copies
Inserted in Visitor Guide Digest and provided
to lodging properties as an overrun, used in
chamber offices.
• Meeting & Group Planner Guide – 3,250 copies
Fulfillment guide for group travel planners.
Specific membership packages have been developed for
lodging members, dining members, golf members, and
activities and services members. Members can view these
packages at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.
Important Dates
Sales Close: Aug. 17, 2012
Payment Due: Aug. 22, 2012
Coupon Due: Aug. 31, 2012
Ad Materials Due: Sept. 26, 2012, by 2 p.m.
Contacts
New Ad Sales
Scott Head, advertising sales manager
(843) 916-7277
[email protected]
Renewals
Johanna Hodge, marketing production manager
(843) 916-7236
[email protected]
Learn More: MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
Co-op Corner
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce advertising
co-ops provide an opportunity to take advantage of
negotiated discounted rates in order to stretch ad budgets.
The range of co-ops available include a variety of online
promotions, email blasts, magazines and newspaper
inserts. Also, the chamber will provide online creative
support if needed by participants.
To learn more about these opportunities, contact Lynne
Boykin, The Brandon Agency, at (843) 916-2000 or
[email protected]. For a complete list of
co-ops, go to MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and click on
Marketing Strategies. Space is limited for each co-op and
will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure
the discounted rates, each co-op must sell out in order for
it to run. Note: In order to participate, chamber members
must also be CVB members or advertisers.
Small Market Meetings
October 2012 – Meetings at the Beach
Small Market Meetings cover smaller destinations and
facilities that serve the meetings and conferences market.
Meetings of 500 or fewer delegates qualify for coverage.
The newspaper carries news, features on meeting
planners, regional coverage of destinations, profile on
specific meeting facilities and coverage of industry
events.
Deadlines: Space – Aug. 15, 2012
Material – Aug. 22, 2012
Geotargets and Circulation: 11,000
Member Cost: 1/4 Page – $825
Ad Specs: 4.75 inches wide x 5.25 inches high
Disclaimer: In order for this co-op to run, we must have a minimum of
four advertisers.
Where in the
world is the CVB?
Aug. 8, 2012
Aug. 19-21, 2012
Smart Mart
Washington, D.C.
Successful
Meetings/
Southeast
Marketplace
Aug. 24-27, 2012
Student Youth
Travel Association
Raleigh, NC
Nashville, TN
CVB-Group Sales is busy this month welcoming
11 groups with 1,360 attendees.
Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Insider is published monthly by the
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.
If you have story ideas or questions, contact Jason McCoy, CVB customer service manager, at [email protected].
Printed by Inlet Printing Co.
August 2012
$pecial $ervices
and discounts that
save time and money
As a MBACC member, you’re eligible for the programs listed below – all designed to put dollars back into your bottom line.
Use these programs to offset expenses and your membership can pay for itself. Learn more at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com,
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Sam’s Club
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Business True Blue SM offers MBACC
members flexible options to build a
health care plan that works for you.
Both individual and group health
insurance plans are available. For
details about True Blue, contact your
local BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
office at (843) 444-9068.
MBACC members receive a
$25 or $10 gi card when you
sign up for a new Sam’s Club
membership or renew an existing
membership. Learn more at
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com,
South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
Office Depot
Receive unbeatable
discounts on your
office supplies, office furniture, technology, copy/print,
and much more at Office Depot. To enroll, contact your
local Office Depot representative, Chris Trimby, at
(704) 969-4752, ext. 5027.
Fisher Recycling – Grand Strand
Fisher Recycling – Grand Strand
offers MBACC and
MBAHA/Hospitality
Partnership members
complimentary on-site waste
audits to create a customized recycling program for your
business. With a one-year Recycling Service Contract,
Fisher Recycling – Grand Strand offers members one free
pick up and one month of free recycling containers/bins.
To learn about recycling services, contact Kira Roff, owner/
president, at (843) 543-9811.
Member-to-Member Discounts
Designed to enhance your membership value, the
Member-to-Member Discounts program encourages
members to buy from other members to save money,
increase visibility and promote new business for their
companies. Learn more at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.
As a member of the Myrtle
Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce you can enjoy
free electronic access to the South Carolina Chamber of
Commerce statewide grassroots lobbying and information
networks. To learn more about the program, call the
S.C. Chamber of Commerce at (803) 799-4601.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
As a small business member
of the Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce, you
receive complimentary membership
in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The
U.S. Chamber serves as another voice
for your business. Learn more at
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, click on
Member Benefits/U.S. Chamber.
Hospitality Partnership Services
Need training resources?
Interested in “Green Clean
Safe” certification? Have a
question about identity the?
Visit HospitalityPartnership.com
for more information.
Grand Strander
13
Halime for the Grand Strand’s
summer of 2012
by Dr. Taylor Damonte, director, Clay Brittain Jr. Center for Resort Tourism , and Gary Lous, director, BB&T Center for
Economic and Community Development, E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, Coastal Carolina University
Every summer tourist season is unique. During this one
July 4th, which is the most important holiday of the season,
fell on a Wednesday. This led to higher occupancy during
the midweek days and no loss in weekend occupancy,
resulting in revenue gains during the overall seven-day
July 4th period (see the CCU Lodging Update for
July 12, 2012, coastal.edu/business/resort).
Consequently, revenue per available room (RevPAR)
for the Brittain Center’s sample of HC-HCs is was up by
4.8 percent, while revenue per available bedroom (RevPAB)
for the VRPs based on advertised prices was up by
5.7 percent, compared to the equivalent period of 2011.
RevPAR for HC-HCs and RevPAB for VRPs were up by
15 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively, compared to 2010.
Where does that leave us aer the first half of summer,
2012? The table below shows a 3.3 percent increase in
average daily rate (ADR) per unit occupied for the Brittain
Center’s sample of hotel, condo-hotel, and campsites
(HC-HCs) compared with the equivalent period of 2011,
and a 12 percent increase since 2010. During the same
period, the Center’s sample of vacation rental properties
(VRPs) experienced a 5.9 percent increase in average
advertised price per bedroom compared to 2011 and
10.2 percent increase since 2010. Average occupancy
for the HC-HC sample was up by 1.6 occupancy points
compared with the equivalent period of 2011 but still
2.4 occupancy points below the equivalent period of 2010.
In the vacation rental segment the average percent booked
or blocked from reservation during the first half of summer
2012 was nearly equivalent to that of the same period of
2011, but still off by 1 occupancy point compared to 2010.
Readers should note that the authors are introducing two
new metrics in this report, average daily rate per ‘bedroom,’
and revenue per available bedroom (RevPAB). The reason
for this change is that during the most recent year the
Brittain Center’s inventory of vacation rental properties
that are advertised on the Internet for weekly rental has
increased (see table below). Condominium listings account
for most of that increase. Consequently, a larger percentage
of the properties that researchers observe on the Internet
are condominiums than was previously the case. This is
why the average number of bedrooms per unit in the VRP
sample has declined from 4.7 in 2011 to 3.9 in 2012. Since
the average size of the rental units in the sample has varied
so greatly, in order to use a more stable estimate of year-toyear price changes in the VRP segment, researchers are now
comparing price per ‘bedroom’ rather than price per ‘rental
unit.’ Since the average number of bedrooms in the
HC-HC segment changes
little from year to year,
researchers are still
reporting ADR for
HC-HCs on a ‘per
unit’ rather than a
‘per bedroom’ basis.
Interestingly, from the
data in the table (le)
it is now obvious that
if one calculated price
per bedroom in the
HC-HC segment, the
results would reveal that
average prices for the
HC-HC sample are now
very close to average
advertised price of VRPs
on a per bedroom basis.
14
&
Up Close
l
a
n
o
Pers
by Nora Battle,
media communications
manager
Mike Hagg
Mike Hagg with his family, (le)
Emma, Theresa and Alex and
dog, Bogey.
CEO of HTC (Horry Telephone Cooperative) and
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Board Member
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on a farm in central Pennsylvania. Aer
graduating from Penn State in 1984, I had a job
opportunity in Myrtle Beach. I packed everything that I
owned into my car (no air conditioning, black vinyl seats)
and headed south. I got a map along the way to see if
Myrtle Beach was in North Carolina or South Carolina.
What is your favorite thing about living in the
Myrtle Beach area?
My favorite thing about the Myrtle Beach area is the
diversity among the communities. We have the amenities
and activities of a much larger metropolitan area, while
only miles away we have farms in a rural setting.
Describe your perfect weekend.
My perfect weekend would involve golf in the morning,
the beach in the aernoon, a relaxing dinner, and then
repeat the process.
Who is your role model and why?
My parents are my role models. Growing up, they didn’t
just tell me, they taught me work ethic, morals, values,
humility, and the importance of family and community.
There’s a saying that sums it up well, “The older I get,
the wiser my parents become.”
What do you consider your greatest personal
accomplishment?
My greatest personal accomplishment was convincing
a beautiful, caring woman to marry me 24 years ago.
Thanks, Theresa.
What is one of your greatest strengths?
My greatest strength is also my greatest weakness.
I believe that anything is possible. This belief drives
me to make positive things happen when others accept
the status quo. It becomes a detriment when I refuse to
accept that something can’t be done, yet let it continue
to consume time and resources.
What is your favorite quote?
“The finest steel goes through the hottest fire.”
What do you consider to be the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is having the opportunity to use
HTC as a resource to improve our community, the lives of
our customers and our employees.
What motivates you to do your best?
Never being satisfied with second place motivates me to
do my best. I grew up with a very competitive family and
competitive friends that would turn the simplest things
into a competition. It was always about who could build
it bigger, make it faster or score more points.
Are you a dog or a cat person?
I’ll leave that one to my friend David Bennett to answer.
What qualities do you value most in others?
I value honesty, hard work and cooperation most in others.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I’m like a car rolling down the hill. I’m slow getting started,
continue to pick up speed and hopefully find the brakes to
slow down before I crash into the wall at the end of
the day.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself right here, doing what I’m doing. I had a
friend give me good advice when he told me that I needed
to decide what was really important to me in life. If I am
personally and professionally happy then maybe I should
spend more time enjoying the dream that I’m living
instead of chasing it.
Grand Strander
15
&
Up Close
l
a
n
o
Pers
by Nora Battle,
media communications
manager
Elaine Michaud
(Le) Elaine Michaud
with her children, Melissa,
Melanie and Collin.
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Convention Services, International Sales Manager
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Bristol, England. I moved to the United States
when I was 19 years old.
What is your favorite thing about living in the
Myrtle Beach area?
What I love most about living in the Myrtle Beach
are the sunrises and sunsets.
Describe your perfect weekend.
My perfect weekend would be cleaning the garage.
Who is your role model and why?
My role model is my dad. He’s in his late 80s and still
lives life with the same “full of life and fun” attitude I’ve
witnessed all my life. When he laughs, which is all the
time, he has the entire room laughing.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only
have three things with you, what would they be?
I would have tea bags and two pairs of glasses
(I’m always losing them).
What do you consider your greatest personal
accomplishment?
I have three children that are the greatest.
If you won the lottery today, what would be your
first purchase?
I would purchase a new house for each of my children
and brothers.
What is one of your greatest strengths?
One of my greatest strengths is generosity.
What is one of your greatest weaknesses?
One of my greatest weaknesses is not being able to
say “no” to others.
What is your favorite quote?
Faye Taylor of Taylor Distributors, a beautiful person I
worked with when I first came to the chamber, always
used to say, “Your procrastination has not become my
priority.” It stuck with me.
What do you consider to be the best part of your job?
My workmates, who are like family (I spend more time
with them than my family), and traveling.
What motivates you to do your best?
The work ethics I learned from my parents and
grandparents growing up and really just life in general
motivates me to do my best.
Where is your favorite place to vacation and why?
My favorite place to vacation is anywhere I haven’t been
before. We live in a beautiful country with so much to see.
I also enjoy going back to Europe because of the history,
I had only been on one student exchange program to
Germany before I moved to the United States, and I’m
not sure even then how much I appreciated Europe.
What is something that few people know about you?
I came to the United States as a nanny. In the mid-1960s it
was the “in thing” to have a British nanny. The Beatles and
I arrived in the United States for the first time a week
apart from one another.
Are you a dog or a cat person? I’m a dog person.
If you were ice cream, what flavor would you be?
If I were an ice cream, I’d be Cherry Amaretto.
What is your all-time favorite movie?
I have two all-time favorite movies: “An Officer and a
Gentleman” and “Miracle on 34nd Street.”
If a movie were made about your life, who would
you cast to play yourself?
I would cast Meryl Streep.
What qualities do you value most in others?
Integrity and honesty.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I’m a morning person.
What cartoon character best describes you? Why?
The Road Runner best describes me. Sometimes that’s
how I feel my life goes.
More Up Close & Personal With Elaine Michaud, See Page 20
16
Economic Indicators
R E S I D E N T I A L CO N S T RU C T I O N PE R M I T S A PR I L 2012
LOCATION
Single Family Units
Single Family Units Cost
Multi-Family Bldgs.
Multi-Family Units
Multi-Family Bldgs. Cost
Myrtle Beach
23
$6,154,857
1
6
$427,071
Horry County
Unincorporated
125
$17,205,126
0
0
$0
North
Myrtle Beach
21
$4,742,015
0
0
$0
Surfside
Beach
1
$228,480
0
0
$0
Georgetown
County
13
$3,095,946
0
0
$0
R E S I D E N T I A L C O N S T R U C T I O N P E R M I T S A P R I L 2 0 11
LOCATION
Myrtle Beach
Single Family Units
Single Family Units Cost
Multi-Family Bldgs.
Multi-Family Units
Multi-Family Bldgs. Cost
10
$1,696,004
0
0
$0
Horry County
Unincorporated
73
$10,678,037
0
0
$0
North
Myrtle Beach
Surfside
Beach
Georgetown
County
18
$4,105,859
1
15
$1,743,860
5
$965,720
0
0
$0
11
$2,333,241
0
0
$0
ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC INDIC ATOR S
Monthly statistics for the following economic indicators can be found in the CVB Insider special section of the Grand Strander:
Accommodations Tax Collections • Admissions Tax • Airport Activity • Gross Retail Sales
Sources: Bureau of the Census, S.C. Employment Commission
Grand Strander
17
New members
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce encourages members to do business with other chamber members.
Please consider these new members the next time you have a need for products/services. New Member Referral?
Contact Pam Wright, North Strand sales manager, (843) 916-7220, [email protected], or
Vanessa Nelson, South Strand sales manager, (843) 916-7234, [email protected].
Backstage Mirror Maze
Amusements & Attractions
Nicole Pacurar
1314 Celebrity Cir.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 712-1794
backstagemirrormaze.com
Carroll Financial
Financial-Planning
John Hall
4201 Congress St., Ste. 210
Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 553-8006
carrollfinancial.com
Coastal Custom Closets
Builders
Heather Bell
259 Koolabrew Dr.
Calabash, NC 28467
(843) 446-9194
coastalcustomclosets.com
Digital Resources, Inc.
Business Services
Timothy Horn
4817 Hwy. 17 S. Bypass
(843) 916-1880
digital-resources.net
DMS Advisors, LLC
Consultants
David Schaufele
693 Oxbow Dr.
(864) 300-8257
Ducatis Pizzeria & Trattoria
Restaurant-Pizza
Anastasio Georgakopoulos
960 Cipriana Dr., Ste. B-4
4
(843) 839-5373
Eagle Crest
Senior Living Services
T. Dean Smith
3736 Robert M Grissom Pkwy., Unit 107
(843) 448-9300
eagle-crest.net
Events at North Beach
Restaurant-Caterers
Maryann Tutunjian
719 N. Beach Blvd., Ste. 7
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 282-7100
eventsatnorthbeach.com
18
FirstLight Home Care
of the Grand Strand
Health-Home Care/Staff/Service
Julia Ferrell
1951 Glenns Bay Rd., Ste. 104
Surfside Beach, SC 29575
(843) 215-2273
firstlighthomecare.com
O’Reilly Auto Parts
Auto-Parts/Supplies
Jeff McCraw
1800 Hwy. 501
(843) 626-0111
oreillyauto.com
Grand Designs
Interior-Designers
Anitta Martin
9650-B N. Kings Hwy.
(843) 497-5670
granddesignsmb.com
Patriots Point Naval &
Maritime Museum
Museums
Andy Lengsas
40 Patriots Point Rd.
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
4 4
(843) 884-2727
patriotspoint.org
Helicopter Adventures
Tours
Freddie Rick
1860 21st Ave. N.
(800) 359-4386
helicopteradventures.com
Premier Laundry and Linen Supply
Linen Supply Service
Jorge Medina
607 Seaboard St.
(843) 315-0092
premiermb.org
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries
Restaurant-Family
Lee Webb
4826 Factory Stores Blvd., Ste. B-210
(843) 236-0085
hwy55burgers.com
Rosa Linda’s Cafe - Dining Group, Inc.
Restaurant-Southwestern
Michael Daugherty
3415 Hwy. 17 Business
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 299-0800
rosalindascafe.com
Ink Wave Tattoos
Piercing & Tattoos
Stanley Perry
704-D Seaboard St.
(843) 448-0711
inkwavetattoos.com
SGA Architecture, LLC
Architects
Mary Anna Phillips
1350 Farrow Pkwy., Ste. 101
(843) 979-5246
sgaarchitecture.com
Moped Rentals of Myrtle Beach
Motorcycles/Scooters-Sales & Rentals
Ben Robinson
106 N. Kings Hwy.
(843) 626-6900
SGA Architecture, LLC
Architects
Mary Anna Phillips
245 Business Center Ln., Ste. 4-B
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
(843) 979-5246
sgaarchitecture.com
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
Ice Cream-Frozen Food Products/Treats
Sam Anderson
3020 Nevers St.
(843) 839-4605
orangeleafyogurt.com
MyrtleBeachA
Uncle John’s Family Restaurant
Restaurant-American
Diane Loscalzo
402 24th Ave. N.
77
(843) 626-2016
Expand your network
Business
Bulletin
Become a chamber ambassador
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors are
a group of dedicated volunteers from various businesses
throughout the Myrtle Beach community. Ambassadors
serve as a liaison between MBACC and our members. Their
mission is to welcome and recruit new chamber members,
act as goodwill representatives at various chamber
functions, and aid in the support of members.
If you want to make new contacts, gain business exposure
and share the benefits of chamber membership, it’s easy to
become an ambassador. Visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.
com, click on Member Benefits/Ambassador Program
and complete the short application. To learn more about
the program, visit the website or contact Pat Creed,
membership services manager, at (843) 916-7225 or
[email protected].
JUNE
Ambassadors of the Month
Rhett Fowler with
Canterbury Apartment
Homes earned
Ambassador of the
Month for June. Fowler
is serving his first year
as an ambassador.
Chamber Events
Continued From Page 3
Cheryl Bell with First
Choice Business BrokersGrand Strand earned
the second highest total
points for June. Bell is
serving her first year as
an ambassador.
N e t wo r k i n g T i p o f t h e M o n t h
Try to provide as much value as you possibly can. The more value you
create, the more it will come back to you many times over. Focus all of
your networking efforts on helping the people you contact.
Aug. 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11, 5-7 p.m.
Alta Surf Apartments
Springmaid Beach Resort
Behind the Scenes
k9Cabana Dog Resort & Spa
101 Breakers Dr., Myrtle Beach
3200 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach
3949 Dick Pond Rd., Myrtle Beach
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, refreshing spirits
and plenty of networking in the newly
remodeled Robert Reid Conference
Center ... it’s the best view of the ocean
in Myrtle Beach.
K9Cabana Dog Resort & Spa offers
a beach vacation for
your four-footed
family members.
Explore the K9Cabana
daycare and overnight
accommodations along with their spa,
grooming, training services and pet taxi
transportation.
Alta Surf Apartments is located in the
heart of Myrtle Beach within minutes
of fantastic shopping, amazing dining
and spectacular attractions. Sample
tasty hors d’oeuvres, enjoy cool spirits
and meet new chamber members.
Free, value-added benefit of
chamber membership
Register at
chamber membership
Register at
Registration Deadline: Sept. 5
chamber membership
Register at
Registration Deadline: Sept. 10
Grand Strander
19
gsSCENE
www.gsSCENE.com
Keep money in your pocket with
gsSCENE membership card
by Shannon Furtick, MBACC membership programs & services coordinator and gsSCENE interim liaison
Is your business a part of the gsSCENE Membership Card
program? The gsSCENE Membership Card was designed
to give gsSCENE members additional benefits for their
membership. The card is used to encourage gsSCENE
members to shop, dine and use the services of your local
business. Benefits of participating include: recognition on
www.gsSCENE.com, listing in new member packets and
the opportunity to reach 300 plus young professionals
along the Grand Strand. Interested in participating?
Contact Shannon Furtick, MBACC membership programs
& services coordinator, at (843) 916-7240 or
[email protected].
More Up Close & Personal With Elaine Michaud
What were your favorite subjects in school?
My favorite subjects were geography and history.
I wasn’t Mr. Jones’ favorite pupil; he was always rapping
my knuckles with a ruler for talking or he was throwing
chalk at me.
20
What was the last book that you read?
I always have two or three books going at a time.
I am just finishing the last three: “A Pearl in a Storm”
by Toni McClure, “You Can Create an Exceptional Life”
by Louise Hay, and I have 10 pages le in “The Wisdom
of Wallace D. Wattles.”
Members in the News
Business Bulletin
Angie Shoemaker with RE/MAX
Beach and Golf has received an award
certificate from RE/MAX Carolinas
for being the No. 1 top producing
individual residential agent in South
Carolina year-to-date aer the first five
months of 2012. She also has qualified
for the Platinum Club annual award.
Inside Tracks
Kayla Goodwin and Jen Learned
joined Carolina Trust Federal Credit
Union as tellers at the 21st Avenue
North branch in Myrtle Beach.
Century 21 Boling & Associates
welcomed Jon Konkel to their team
of full-time agents.
Diana Barth, real estate agent with
RE/MAX Ocean Forest, has received
the coveted “Hall of Fame” award for
her volume production since becoming
a RE/MAX agent.
Coldwell Banker Chicora Real Estate
announced that Brian Geesaman has
joined the sales team in the Carolina
Forest office.
Continuing Education
Applause, Applause
Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union
received BauerFinancial’s superior
5-Star rating. BauerFinancial is an
independent research firm that updates
the star-ratings of banks and credit
unions quarterly. The latest ratings are
based on March 31, 2012, financial
data. Under BauerFinancial’s rating
system, five stars indicate the highest
level of banking performance for
strength and stability.
To find out more about the
highlighted businesses, click
on the Business Search link at
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.
Share Your News
Business Bulletin recognizes new
employees, staff promotions,
relocations and expansions, awards,
class and convention attendance,
new websites, and year-end
accomplishments for top real
estate producers/sales. Send
updates (under 75 words) by
the 5th of each month to
[email protected]
fax – (843) 626-0009.
Coldwell Banker Chicora’s Carolina
Forest office announced that Roger
Fouch has earned the Short Sale and
Foreclosure Resource certification from
the National Association of Realtors
and was awarded the Accredited
Buyer’s Representative designation by
the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council
of the National Association of Realtors.
scores
recorD VISITS
June saw record growth to
VisitMyrtleBeach.com with 1,057,193
unique visits for the month. The alltime daily record for unique visits was
set on June 24 with 79,204 unique
visits. During the busiest hour on the
24th, the site had 6,108 unique visits
which translates into 102 visits per
minute or 1.70 visits per second!
Record traffic in June also led to record
referral numbers or clicks to advertisers
listed on VisitMyrtleBeach.com.
Visitors to the site clicked off
VisitMyrtleBeach.com to area
businesses 1,206,447 times in search
of accommodations, attractions,
restaurants, services and more!
Grand Strander
21
MBHospitality.org
HospitalityPartnership.com
Hospitality Partnership
Action needed
Hotel per diem rates could drop!
by Stephen Greene, MBAHA president & CEO
Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association is urging all
South Carolina hoteliers to call and email the U.S. General
Services Administration regional administrator in your
area immediately and express your concerns about a plan
that will significantly reduce per diem rates nationwide. In
addition, every state hotel association needs to call their
members of Congress and express those concerns as well.
GSA establishes federal per diem rates by using market
data provided by Smith Travel Research in order to establish
rates that reflect the market where those rates apply. GSA
collects average daily rates from the “mid-price range”
which are rates from independent, midscale, upscale, upper
upscale properties. GSA omits rates from economy and
luxury hotels from the data as it considers them outside
the mid-price range (too low and too high, respectively).
However, GSA is giving serious consideration to changing
its methodology in calculating per diem rates by removing
upper upscale hotel rates from the data. If this is done,
it will create a significant reduction in per diem rates.
Although they haven’t made a decision yet, they are
planning on releasing next fiscal year’s rates on time
which means that a decision must be made soon.
Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association is continuing
their discussion with GSA headquarters and expressing our
concerns about this proposal. GSA is divided into regions
that are led by politically-appointed regional administrators
and are very strong voices within the agency. The regional
administrators are from the areas the regions cover and are
extremely sensitive to issues impacting those within their
regions. When the regional administrators are contacted
about certain issues, they communicate those concerns
internally. GSA headquarters needs to start hearing that
there is strong opposition to this proposed change in per
diem methodology. Voice your concern to South Carolina
Regional Administrator Shyam Reddy at (404) 331-3200
or [email protected].
Urge your senators to
co-sponsor the JOLT Act
by Stephen Greene, MBAHA president & CEO
With Congress working through
the summer to finish up a number
of items before the election
season, the hospitality industry
has an enormous opportunity
to pass critical legislation that
will greatly increase the number
of international visitors to our
communities in South Carolina.
Introduced by a bipartisan coalition
of senators, the “Jobs Originated
Through Launching Travel (JOLT)
Act” (S.3199) would reform the
Visa Waiver Program to allow more
countries to qualify, develop a pilot
program for premium processing
of visas in exchange for a higher
fee and increase accountability
by setting specific goals for Visa
processing.
Sens. Lindsey Graham and
Jim DeMint have not yet signed
on as co-sponsors and supporters
of this legislation, and we need
your help to get them on board.
Join the U.S. Travel Association’s
Power of Travel Coalition grassroots
campaign to help industry partners
in Washington, D.C. recruit these
key senators as supporters.
Help pass the JOLT Act in the
Senate by encouraging your
senators to co-sponsor this bill.
JOLT Act, See Page 23
22
What: Time Warner Cable Business Class
Hospitality Classic Golf Tournament Presented
by HBO (Tournament sold out.)
When: Aug. 17
Where: Myrtle Beach National West Course
Sponsorships Still Available: This event is the
perfect opportunity to showcase your business
and demonstrate your support for the industry
and its educational endeavors. The Hospitality
Classic attracts golfers from various Grand
Strand hospitality related businesses. There are
several sponsorship packages available with
prices ranging from $250 to $1,500. In addition,
MBAHA is looking for items for the silent
auction and gi drawings.
The golf tournament is presented through the
support of Time Warner Cable Business Class,
HBO, SCE&G, Genco Inc., Outback Steakhouse,
Miller Direct Media, Myrtle Beach National and
other fine businesses.
For sponsorship opportunities, call MBAHA at
(843) 626-9668 or visit MBHospitality.org.
Calendar
Thru Oct .........................................
Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo
Aug 7...............................................
CVB-Group Sales Committee
2:30 p.m.
Behind the Scenes
5-7 p.m.
Aug 8...............................................
South Strand Ambassadors • 8 a.m.
Membership Committee • 9 a.m.
Aug 11.............................................
gsSCENE Community Service
Lakewood Elementary School
8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. • gsSCENE.com
Aug 14.............................................
Myrtle Beach Ambassadors • 8 a.m.
Aug 15.............................................
Small Business Council • 9 a.m.
North Strand Council Meeting &
Member Update • 9-10:30 a.m.
Aug 16.............................................
Myrtle Beach Pelicans • 6-8 p.m.
Aug 17.............................................
MBAHA – Time Warner Cable
Business Class Hospitality Classic
Golf Tournament Presented by HBO
1:30-6:30 p.m. • MBHospitality.org
Aug 21.............................................
Finance Review Committee • 2 p.m.
Grand Strand Grassroots Meeting
1:30-3 p.m.
http://data.scchamber.net/events
Board of Directors • 3:30 p.m.
Aug 22.............................................
B-to-B Connects • 8-9:30 a.m.
Aug 28.............................................
Chamber Access –
Member Orientation • 3 p.m.
ChamberAcademy.com
August & September
Aug 30.............................................
Alta Surf Apartments
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Aug 31-Sep 2 ..................................
Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival
GrandStrandEvents.com
Sep 6................................................
4:30-7:30 p.m.
Sep 11..............................................
Behind the Scenes
K9Cabana Dog Resort & Spa
5-7 p.m.
Myrtle Beach Ambassadors • 8 a.m.
Sep 12..............................................
gsSCENE Morning Rush
Networking Breakfast
7:45-9 a.m. • gsSCENE.com
South Strand Ambassadors • 8 a.m.
Sep 18..............................................
Finance Review Committee • 2 p.m.
Board of Directors • 3:30 p.m.
Sep 19..............................................
Chamber Academy
9:30-11:30 a.m. • ChamberAcademy.com
Sep 25..............................................
Chamber Access –
Member Orientation • 9 a.m.
ChamberAcademy.com
JOLT Act
There are several key ways you can
help:
• Use the Power of Travel Coalition’s
template (travelcoalition.org/keyissues/visa#pendinglegislation) to write
a letter to your senators, telling them
to co-sponsor the JOLT Act. Email the
Power of Travel Coalition’s a signed
copy on your organization’s letterhead
to [email protected]. They
will hand deliver it to the Senate offices.
• Call the offices of your senators
and tell them to co-sponsor S.3199,
the JOLT Act. Dial (877) 201-9067 to
be patched directly through to your
senators, and use the Power of Travel
Coalition’s talking points to help with
your call.
• Go to the Power of Travel Coalition’s
action center website (travelcoalition.
org/key-issues/visa#pendinglegislation)
for additional ways to become involved.
The Senate is running out of time to
get this legislation done, and the travel
industry cannot afford to wait on the
sidelines while international visitors
choose other destinations.
For the most current meeting/event dates and times, go to MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and check out Events & Registration on the home page.
Follow MBACC on
Grand Strander
23
Member Anniversaries
Congratulations to the following Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce members celebrating membership
anniversaries in August
33 Years
Graham E-Z-GO
Herald Office Supply of Myrtle Beach
31 Years
Myrtle Beach Area
Hospitality Association
28 Years
Sands Beach Club Resort
27 Years
Beach Colony Resort
Kelaher, Connell & Connor, PC
March of Dimes
Myrtle Beach Mall
24 Years
The Printing Port - MB
23 Years
Aberdeen Country Club
Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union Myrtle Beach
E. F. Hucks & Associates, Inc.
Forms & Supply, Inc. (FSIoffice)
Systems Technology, Inc.
The Witch of Myrtle Beach
22 Years
Blackmoor Golf Club
Thomas & Brittain, PA
Waste Management, Inc.
21 Years
Beachwood at the Heritage
Bryan & Haar, Attorneys at Law
Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Pirates Watch Adventure Golf
Waccamaw Arts & Cras Guild
20 Years
AFLAC Insurance Co.
Grand Strand Resorts, Inc.
Speedy-Pak, Inc.
18 Years
Jurassic Golf
17 Years
Ambassador Golf & Beach
Celebrations Night Club/ Beach House
Entertainment, Inc.
Hard Rock Cafe - Myrtle Beach
16 Years
Fairfield Inn by Marriott at
Broadway at the Beach
Hampton Inn - Broadway at the Beach
La Quinta Inn & Suites-Myrtle Beach
Wal-Mart Supercenter 10820 N. Kings Hwy.
15 Years
Joe Carr Photography, Inc.
Osprey Marina, LLC
Sea Watch Resort, LLC
True Blue Golf Course
14 Years
Huggins Allstate Insurance Agency, Inc.
Pike McFarland Hall Assoc., Inc.
SCORE/Free Business Counseling
13 Years
Barefoot Resort & Golf
Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort
Holiday Inn Express Broadway at the Beach
Sandhills Bank
Sheriar Press
Strand Storage Center - Surfside Beach
Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation
11 Years
Giant Crab
Home Instead Senior Care
Hopsewee Plantation
Hyatt Pontiac Buick GMC
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. 10835 Kings Rd
19 Years
Coastal Outdoor Advertising
24
10 Years
Avis Rent A Car
Avon Independent Sales Rep Annette Litteken
Coastal Cancer Center
Firehouse Subs - Myrtle Beach
Grand Strand Internal Medicine
Myrtle Beach International Airport
Marriott's OceanWatch Villas @
Grande Dunes
9 Years
Angie Shoemaker - RE/MAX Beach
and Golf
Caring In Our Lifetime
Carolina Health Specialists
Coastal Grand Mall
Edward Jones - Eileen Kim
First Palmetto Bank - 1204 48th Ave. N.
KELPRO Fire & Water Restoration
Shredright Corporation, dba Shred Alert
8 Years
A Father's Place
Firehouse Subs - Surfside Beach
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
Magnolia's @ 26th
T2H Advertising
7 Years
Global Connections
Keller-Williams Realty - Myrtle Beach
Marina Inn at Grande Dunes
The Ripken Experience
Seaside Grove At Carolina Forest
6 Years
Mirage Hair Studio
Myrtle Beach Wedding Chapel,
The - Ordained Minister
Red Roof Inn & Suites
Visit Media
5 Years
Barefoot Vacations, Inc.
Condo Care Home Services
Elliott Grande Villas
First Federal - 1012 38th Ave. N.
Oceans One Resort
4 Years
Arbor One Farm Credit
Atlantic Breeze Ocean Resort
BI-LO, LLC # 104
BI-LO, LLC # 105
BI-LO, LLC # 107
BI-LO, LLC # 116
BI-LO, LLC # 269
BI-LO, LLC # 461
BI-LO, LLC # 702
Brunson Photo Design
Coastal Ice Co.
Collectible Gi Store Nostalgia City & Museum #2
CondoLux of Myrtle Beach
Lowcountry Plantation Tours
Mama Mia Pizzeria
Nilson Van & Storage Co.
North Beach Realty, LLC
Rice, MacDonald & Hicks, PA
Rotary Club of Murrells Inlet
Tidelands Bank - Murrells Inlet
Towers at North Myrtle Beach
Waccamaw Insurance Services Murrells Inlet
3 Years
A Plus Pest Control
Aspen Grille
Bar Harbor Motor Inn
Bike Doctor / Sandal Land
Bob Evans Restaurant 175 Brookton Cir.
Bob Evans Restaurant 3384 Waccamaw Blvd.
Cabana Shores Hotel
Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre
The Meeting Institute
MyrtleBeachDeals.com
NAVIS
Sticky Fingers Smokehouse Myrtle Beach
Wheels of Yesteryear
Giff's Liquor - 1350 3rd Ave. N.
Giff's Liquor - 1490 S. Kings Hwy.
Grand Strand ChapterLow Country Barbershop Chorus
Grand Strand Vacations and Rentals
Ho Wah
Modern Cleansing
Myrtle Beach South Beach Group
Seacoast Vineyard Church
Stormfront Productions Co., Inc.
1 Year
Action Watersportz, LLC
All Star Talent, Inc.
Anthony's Pizza & Pan Pasta
BB&J Restoration
City Pizza
Desserts Etc!
Edward Jones Investments Florence Shelley
Evita Swimwear, Inc.
GQ Cleaning & Moore
Grand Strand Harmony Chorus
Grapefull Sisters Vineyard at
CarrollWoods RV Park
Low Country Market Interiors
Ocean Drive Beach Rentals
Phoenix Renaissance, Inc.
Pizza Romana
Seaside Furniture Gallery
Sencia
Sons of Confederate Veterans
SOS Health Care, Inc.
Surfside Beach Pizza and
Italian Restaurant
Teeoff Beach, Inc.
Thompson Farm and Nursery, LLC
2 Years
The Car Wash
Custom Multi-Media Solutions
Dagwood's Deli & Bumsteads Pub
Dagwood's Deli & Sports Bar
First Choice Business BrokersGrand Strand
Fisher of Men Charters
Flowers on Broadway
Grand Strander
25
Meet your ambassadors
Rhett Fowler
Ambassadors welcome current members and recruit new chamber members. Ambassadors serve as goodwill
representatives at various chamber functions and aid in the support of members. This month, the Grand Strander
took a moment to check in with Rhett Fowler, an ambassador with the chamber for five months, to find out why he
enjoys being an ambassador.
Q. What prompted you to volunteer as a chamber ambassador?
I was looking for a way to network without feeling like a pushy salesperson.
Q. What do you like most about being a chamber ambassador?
The entire group of ambassadors is extremely welcoming and being able to
have direct contact with local businesses each month is priceless.
Q. How has the investment of time as a chamber ambassador
advanced your career or business?
The time it takes to set an in person visit without it ever being a cold call is
mere seconds. When we do start building that relationship we are both sharing
our companies concerns and blessings. I have felt more like part of a greater
community as my outreach has grown.
Q. What is your best advice for making the most of chamber
membership?
Get involved. It seems simple and even though you have heard it before-you
really do get out what you put in. Many of the monthly events are free and
besides the network opportunities for your business you will be networking
for your personal self. Having someone you actually know to do business with
makes a big difference.
Q. Give us your 30 second elevator speech about your business.
I am the property manager for Ginkgo Residential at Canterbury Apartments in
Carolina Forest. I am part of the best team in town. The ladies and gentleman
I work with are committed to making this an amazing place to call home.
We offer one and two bedroom apartments with you and your budget in mind
without having to give up your favorite amenities. I am also proud to be part
of the Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre. We put on two full length professional
performances each year and offer ballet theatre at a level not seen previously
in this area.
26
Rhett Fowler
Property Manager
Canterbury Apartment Homes
Ginkgo Residential LLC
How long have you been an
ambassador? Five months
Ribbon-Cuttings
Your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce conducts ribbon-cutting ceremonies as a value added benefit
included in your membership investment. We bring the camera, oversized scissors and, of course, the ribbon. A grand
opening, an expansion, an anniversary or a move to a new facility is made more special with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Plus, it’s a great way to introduce your business to the community and fellow chamber members. If you’re a home-based
business, give us a call and we’ll hold a special ceremony here at the chamber just for you.
Kickoff a grand opening of your business by contacting Pat Creed, membership services manager, at (843) 916-7225
or by email at [email protected].
Barking Fish Yogurt, LLC
2876-D Howard Ave.
The Market Common
(843) 839-1665
BarkingFishYogurt.com
Children's Museum of South Carolina
2501 N. Kings Hwy.
(843) 946-9469
cmsckids.org
Grand Strander
27
1206 Moser Dr., The Market
Common
(843) 213-1201
distinctiveeyewearmb.com
North Beach Dental, LLC
9654 N. Kings Hwy., Ste. N
(843) 213-0101
northbeachsmiles.com
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
3020 Nevers St.
(843) 839-4605
orangeleafyogurt.com
28
The Spoiled Pet
3820 S. Kings Hwy.
(843) 450-6990
thespoiledpet.com
Planet Fitness
1145 Seaboard St.
(843) 444-4335
planetfitness.com
O'Reilly Auto Parts
4856 Dick Pond Rd.
(843) 293-0777
oreillyauto.com
Grand Strander
29
PERIODICALS
U.S. Postage
PAID
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
Membership Division
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce,
P.O. Box 2115, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578-2115
USPS 124-490
Looking for a health plan
that’s a true value?
If you have between two-99
employees, look no further
than Business True BlueSM
health insurance from BlueCross
BlueShield of South Carolina. Also
available, Personal True BlueSM
for those members who do not
qualify for a group health plan,
such as sole proprietors, students,
part-timers and dependents
to name a few. You must be a
member of the Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce to take
advantage of this health insurance.
To learn more about True Blue,
contact BlueCross BlueShield
Myrtle Beach regional marketing
office, at (843) 444-9068 or visit
and click on Member Benefits/
Save Money.
Remember to pass along the Grand Strander
to your colleagues and friends!
Grand Strander Credits
Kori Hippe
Member Communications Manager
[email protected]
Diana Greene, IOM
Executive Vice President
Membership Programs & Services
Grand Strander Issue 710 August 2012 (ISSN 124-490) is published
12 times a year by Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, 1200 N. Oak St.,
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Periodical postage paid at Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Membership Division, Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 2115, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578-2115
Business Bulletin
Send updates by the 5th of each month for Business Bulletin to
[email protected], fax – (843) 626-0009.
Check us out on the Web
For more information about member benefits, upcoming events and
business updates, visit us at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.
Advertising Inquiries
Reach more than 2,400 business leaders
by advertising in the Grand Strander.
Scott Head, advertising sales manager
(843) 916-7277 or [email protected]
Member Services
Area Code: (843)
General Information: 626-7444
Membership Sales: 916-7220 or 7234
Advertising Sales: 916-7277
Public Relations: 916-7218
Marketing: 916-7262
Research: 916-7217
Festivals & Events: 916-7276
Executive: 916-7296
CVB-Group Sales: 916-7260
gsSCENE: 916-7232
Leadership Grand Strand: 916-7222
Hospitality Partnership: 626-9668
Grand Strander is printed by Inlet Printing Co.

GRAND - Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

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