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 706
April 2012
Get the most out of MBACC membership!
Save money on expenses!
Some of the most valuable benefits of
a chamber membership can be those
that help with day-to-day business
operations. Your Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce partners with
several prominent companies to offer
its members savings on important
services. As a Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber member, you’re eligible for
these programs – all designed to put
dollars to your bottom line or help
you grow your business. If you use
these programs to offset expenses
your membership can pay for itself.
valuable health insurance through
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina,
the chamber has set up member-only
cost-saving opportunities with Office
Depot, Fisher Recycling, Sam’s Club,
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, South
Carolina Chamber of Commerce and
the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality
Partnership. Your chamber also is
happy to announce a new partnership
with the Myrtle Beach Regional
Economic Development Corp. offering
a hugely discounted membership price
(see Page 6).
Who doesn’t want to save money?
Anyone in business knows that an
opportunity to stretch every dollar a
little more helps in the long run. The
chamber recognizes this and we want
to help our members save a little where
ever possible. In addition to offering
MBACC encourages all of our members
to take advantage of these programs
to help save on daily expenses, manage
operations more efficiently and keep
business growing. Take control of your
money today! Turn to Page 13 to learn
more.
Do you want
to be a leader?
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce is now recruiting for the
next Leadership Grand Strand class.
This distinguished program has helped
to connect and engage rising leaders
across the community for 32 years.
What’s Inside?
New Chamber Benefit
•
Myrtle Beach Regional EDC
is seeking members to
promote economic growth.
LGS • 9
Do you want to be a leader? Join
Leadership Grand Strand Class XXXIII.
CVB Insider
Traveler Index provides insight
into economy and travel plans.
Trio .Dinner
Great food, great chefs
for a great cause.
See Page 22
Visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
• Register and mark your calendars
for upcoming events.
Visit ThinkMyrtleBeach.com
• Check out the chamber’s new
relocation/investment site.
Follow MBACC on
Every year, the Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce takes up-andcoming businesspeople and sends
them back to school. The classroom
and the subject is the Grand Strand:
LGS, See Page 9
6
What’s Online?
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
4 1/2 Questions
Cheesesteak U, located at
1867 Hwy. 544, Unit D in Conway
(cheesesteaku.com), celebrates
MBACC membership with a
ribbon-cutting. Stop by and
see what these award-winning
cheesesteaks are all about and why
Cheesesteak U is in a class by itself!
“Why become an ambassador?”
This month we checked in with
Heather Pender, financial advisor
for Merrill Lynch. An ambassador
for three years, Pender says she has
been able to use her connection
with the chamber to increase
business and professional contacts.
Check out the April Grand Strander
Online for her story.
Member of the Month
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 April, 115 members will
be celebrating their chamber
anniversaries. Read the April Grand
Strander Online and raise a glass to
a beverage company that has been
a chamber member for 32 years.
SALT Offering, LLC
(843) 360-0574
saltoffering.com
30-Second Commercial
SALT Offering is a website design and maintenance firm, enhancing our clients’
presence on the Internet. We take the time to determine what you hope to accomplish
with your site and stay in touch with you until you’re satisfied. We keep you current on
technology and the options available to you to make your website work for you. We
stay on top of current trends in website designs and areas that draw people to your site,
like email marketing and social media. We have more than 15 years of experience and a
price that fits your budget. We can make you look good.
#1 Business Goal
SALT Offering works to enhance the presence of small businesses and nonprofits on the
Internet, furthering their goals by increasing their client-base. All of this is done through
personalized service.
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
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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.
April 12, 4:30-7 p.m.
April 26, 5-7 p.m.
Behind the Scenes
Horry County Historical Society
Business Aer Hours
Massage Envy Spa
606 Main St., Conway
980 82nd Pkwy.
Myrtle Beach
Tour the 1912 Rebecca Bryan Historical House, headquarters
of the Horry County Historical Society. The Bryan House
features a large one-story, wrap-around porch and a secondstory sleeping porch. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn
about the history of Horry County!
Are you stressed and need some relaxation? Enjoy a free chair
massage at Massage Envy Spa during this month’s Business
Aer Hours. It’s an evening of relaxation, networking, spirits
and hors d’oeuvres
Free, value-added benefit of chamber membership
Register at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
Registration Deadline: April 10
April 19, 5-7 p.m.
Victory Tavern
May 1, 8:30-10 a.m.
Meet the Candidates Breakfast
Sponsored by North Strand Council
Ocean Creek Resort, 10600 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach
405 8th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach
Network at one of Myrtle Beach’s favorite local hangouts.
Network in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy food and drink.
Win door prizes and discover new business connections.
Meet the candidates running for Horry County State Senate
District 28 and Horry County State House District 104. Each
candidate will deliver a brief keynote address to give you an
idea of who they are and what they are passionate about.
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and question the people
you will be voting for in the upcoming election.
April 24, 3 p.m./May 29, 9 a.m.
May 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Chamber Access – Member Orientation
Your All Access Pass
to the Chamber
Pirate Adventures of
Myrtle Beach
MBACC Boardroom
1200 N. Oak St. Myrtle Beach
4123 Hwy. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet
If you are a new member or a new
employee, sign up for Chamber Access to get the inside scoop
on your chamber benefits. And for members who have not
been active, attending Chamber Access is the perfect way to
get reacquainted and updated on all the new benefits!
Register at ChamberAcademy.com
Pirate Adventures welcomes you aboard their ship the
Sea Gypsy for a short cruise while enjoying pirate Grog and
hors d’oeuvres under their popular tiki bar! Pirate Adventures
is a children’s interactive pirate ship excursion in search of
sunken treasure. This is an adults-only member event.
Registration Deadline: May 1
Chamber Events, See Page 12
Grand Strander
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info available at MBACC
E-Verify is a free and simple to use Web-based system that
electronically verifies the employment eligibility of newly
hired employees.
All employers must:
• Post a notice informing employees of your use
of E-Verify, as well as anti-discrimination posters.
• With the exception of certain federal contractors,
E-Verify must be used for newly hired employees only.
It can’t be used to verify the employment eligibility
of current employees.
• E-Verify must be used for all new employees regardless
of national origin or citizenship status.
• E-Verify must be used only aer hire and aer
completion of Form I-9.
• You may not pre-screen applicants through E-Verify.
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is committed
to educating all its members on how to complete Form
I-9 and enroll in E-Verify. You can pick up instructions and
information at our Oak Street office (1200 N. Oak St.,
Myrtle Beach) anytime during regular business hours.
This packet will explain the steps to take and how to enroll.
There also will be an education session held in May where
representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security will be here to show businesses how to enroll.
You can also visit dhs.gov/E-Verify for more information.
Business networking tips
by Blakely Jenkins, IOM, MBACC membership & community programs manager
It’s a given ... in the business world you are going to have to network. Some people enjoy the process of the meet and
greet, others would rather have a root canal. But the bottom line is by networking you give exposure to yourself and your
business, which in turn can help your
business grow. BusinessNow-How.com
gives 10 tips on how you can make
your networking attempts successful.
To read these tips, go online to
businessknowhow.com/tips/
networking.htm.
Read more Small Business Buzz articles at
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com/member/
small_business_buzz.html.
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Focus on ...
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee oversees the
programs and services designed to serve
the chamber’s members. This committee
seeks to grow the chamber’s membership
by attracting new members and retaining
current members.
“The Membership Committee is vital
to the chamber as it is the voice of
our members,“ noted Membership
Committee Chairwoman Shannon
Detzler with The Jackson Companies.
“We represent our 2,400 members and
make every effort to bring programs
and services designed specifically to
meet their needs. The latest program
to roll out, Think Myrtle Beach, was an
answer to our real estate professionals
suggestions to revamp what we are doing
to market our area to those looking to
relocate along the Grand Strand.
“The Membership Committee listens and
implements action when warranted. We
encourage you to contact us if you have
any suggestions to improve our programs
and services.”
If you would like to learn more about
the Membership Committee, email Diana
Greene, IOM, executive vice president of
membership programs & services, at
[email protected].
Membership Committee
Shannon Detzler... ........................................... Chairwoman, The Jackson Companies
Ebbie Phillips........................................................................ Vice Chair, Tyson Sign Co.
Carole Bowdre ....................................................... Agape Senior of the Grand Strand
Debbie Bramlett ................................................................................ McCleod Health
Scott Brown ............................................................................... Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Mary Lynn Castles ........................................................................ Time Warner Cable
Kimberly Dahlin .............................................................. Leisure Time Unlimited, Inc.
Joel Foster .....................................................................................................BNC Bank
Steven Green ...................................................................................Oasis Trading Post
Matt Klugman ....................................................................VacationMyrtleBeach.com
Suzie McCaskill...................................................................................... Santee Cooper
Jim McCrackin...........................................Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, LLP
Cindy Ott ............................................................ Horry-Georgetown Technical College
John Rhoden, Jr. ...................................................... Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA
Bob Swezey .............................................................................Burroughs & Chapin Co.
Verlon Wulf ..................................................................................... Carolina Cool, Inc.
Ahoy Mates!
The 2012 Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo begins
April 1 and lasts through Oct. 31.
The Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo was created to
highlight saltwater fishing opportunities in the
Myrtle Beach area and provide another dimension
for vacation and recreational planning. For more
information, visit GrandStrandEvents.com.
PUT $100 IN
YOUR POCKET
How would you like to save
$100 or more on your chamber
membership investment?
With renewals just around
the corner, now is the time
to refer a business for
chamber membership and
earn big bucks toward your
2012-2013 chamber investment.
The New Member Referral
Program lets you put money
in your piggy bank for helping
us grow our membership.
A growing membership
strengthens your chamber and
our business community.
Refer a nonmember
business, and when they join,
we’ll take $25 off your renewal
invoice for 2012-2013. You can
refer as many businesses as you
like – refer four businesses and
that’s $100 off your renewal
investment! To learn more
or to submit a referral, go to
and click on the New Member
Referral Program link.
Grand Strander
5
A note to MBACC members
As chairman of the board of directors of the Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce, I would like to be the first
to inform our membership that the board of directors has
made the decision to suspend certain events this year,
including the ICE Awards, Volunteer Celebration, Christmas
Towne and President’s Gala, which are not self-sustaining.
With the interests of the membership in mind and wanting
to ensure that your dues are wisely invested, the board of
directors has decided that general events held in-market in
2012 that are not self-sustained by sponsorships, ticket sales
or event-specific revenue should be suspended.
While the MBACC staff ensured the success of these events
in previous years, and accomplished all previous goals set by
the board of directors, we cannot justify the cost to host or
produce these events without complete self-sustainability.
We are proud of the work that was done by chamber staff
and the effects these events had within the community.
However, in the interest of fiscal responsibility, we have
chosen to not place these events on the 2012 calendar.
Should there be a time in the future when these events
could demonstrate self-sustainability, we would be open
to revisiting our decision. In the meantime, a request for
proposal is being assembled for those interested in the
rights to hosting these events.
As chairman of the board, I thank you – our members –
for your support. All of the great work this organization
does for and within our community would not be possible
without it, and we’re more than happy to answer any
questions you have regarding our decisions for the coming
year.
Sincerely,
Richard G. Singleton
Chairman, MBACC Board of Directors
Announcing new chamber benefit
MBREDC offers members discounted membership
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce members
are now being offered a special membership offer to
get involved with the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic
Development Corp. MBREDC works solely on job creation
and economic diversification. They are currently looking to
expand their member base and get more area businesses
involved with their organization.
Myrtle Beach Regional EDC has partnered with the chamber
to offer you a special membership:
$150 Annual Individual Business Member
Gold Level (Valued at $300)
Includes:
• Member sticker
• Listing on the mbredc.org website with a link to
your website
• Facebook posts
• Invitations to MBREDC’s annual meetings where you
will hear about prospects, vote on board members and
more
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• Listing in the annual report and member guide
• Twice a year networking opportunities
• Member-to-member referrals
How do I sign up?
Contact Candace Howell, MBREDC membership
coordinator, at [email protected] or (843) 655-0842
to become a MBREDC member.
Message to Our Members
No matter how large or small, every business is unique,
with its own strengths, needs and challenges, but they
all have one thing in common – the desire to be known.
One key to success is keeping your business in front
of customers. Think of Myrtle Beach Area Chamber
of Commerce as your business accelerator. We provide
services, connections and those pieces of information you
need to take your business to the next level. We bring
our entire staff to the table to connect you to customers,
solutions and opportunities.
Personalize Your Success Plan
It’s a fact that members who get involved in chamber
programs see the most benefit, both financially and
personally. We encourage you to pick at least one
program/service and commit yourself to participating
in it for at least a year. Do that and you will reap the
rewards of your involvement. Also remember that as
a member, any of your employees may participate in
chamber programs.
Below is a short list of programs that can help you
achieve your goal – personalize your success plan by
visiting MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com for a complete
list of your chamber benefits and services.
Grow Your Network
Work the chamber and it’ll work for you. That’s what
chamber ambassadors say. Some have made vital
connections that have propelled them forward in business
and life. Others have gained valuable new insights into
business processes. Networking works and becoming an
ambassador is one way to do it. Attending Business Aer
Hours, B-to-B Connects, Behind the Scenes and chamber
events, such as the annual meeting, legislative receptions,
and North and South Strand Council functions are other
ways to work the chamber. You will encounter scores of
successful people at these chamber functions. With more
than 125 networking events each year, you are bound to
find several that meet your need to grow your network.
Gain Knowledge
Perhaps the most compelling reason to use chamber
membership for business success is the benefit of tapping
into the knowledge of your fellow members and the
chamber staff. With chamber membership, you gain
greater access to peer businesses, potential partners,
Invest for Success
community leaders and government officials. Need some
timely tips on growing your business? Attend a chamber
sponsored education class, get involved in networking
events, and volunteer to serve on a chamber committee.
Every chamber function is a learning experience.
The chamber also houses more information
now than ever before on the chamber’s website,
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com. Here you’ll discover
the Small Business Resource Center, Going Into Business
Guide, and Research and Statistics. Track demographic
and economic trends or read articles that affect your
company’s growth strategies. Discover the information
you need to grow your company at Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber’s website
“To hell with circumstances;
I create opportunities”
– Bruce Lee
American actor and martial arts expert
Reach Your Audiences
Want to get your company’s name and brand out to
filtered targets? We offer sponsorship and exhibitor
opportunities for programs and events ranging
from educational seminars to prestigious awards
ceremonies to communitywide festivals. Feature your
restaurant on GrandStrandRestaurants.com or your
event on GrandStrandEvents.com for increased clout.
E-postcards, brochure racks, business directory links,
referrals, member-to-member emails and a host of other
advertising options listed on MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
can help you gain visibility and reach your target
audiences in cost-effective ways.
The chamber is about people coming together to
promote, protect and improve business. Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce is your door to opportunities
Are you ready to shape your own destiny and gain
ground on the pinnacle of success? Life’s too short to
stand on the sidelines.
Brad Dean
President & CEO
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Grand Strander
7
More than 30 restaurants will serve up their very best at
f.l.a.v.o.r. – this spring’s free premier culinary tasting event!
Stop by the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on Thursday,
April 5, from 5-8:30 p.m. for the second annual f.l.a.v.o.r.
(Fresh, Local, Appetizing, Valuable, Original, Restaurants).
Tempt your taste buds with seafood, barbecue, burgers,
desserts and more while enjoying beer gardens and wine
tastings. Samples range from $1 to $3.
Jamie and Bobby Deen
All the way from Savannah, Ga., come meet Paula Deen’s
sons, Jamie and Bobby, regulars on the Food Network and
the Cooking Channel, who will be signing autographs and
selling cookbooks. Jamie and Bobby grew up around food.
Their mother launched – with their help – a food and media
empire. The brothers have since forged their own paths
in the food world. They have published cookbooks and
continue to run a successful restaurant, The Lady & Sons.
Today, Bobby’s
show on the
Cooking Channel,
“Not My Mama’s
Meals,” brings
some of his family’s
favorite Southern
recipes to the table.
Jamie recently
shot his first solo
pilot “Home for
Dinner With Jamie
Deen” for the Food
Network.
(Le) Fun-loving brothers Bobby and Jamie
Deen will be autographing books (available
for purchase at f.l.a.v.o.r.) and meeting fans
at this year’s event.
f.l.a.v.o.r. supports local culinary students from
Horry-Georgetown Technical College as they compete
for scholarship money during the event.
For more information, visit GrandStrandRestaurants.com.
Beach Blast! Christian Music Festival
with a lineup of great artists and a day full of festivities.
On Saturday, May 19, TobyMac returns to the Beach Blast!
Christian Music Festival, along with Third Day, RED, Jamie
Grace, Royal Tailor, emcee KJ-52, motivational speaker
Nick Hall, plus a new and exciting feature – Outcast BMX,
a freestyle bicycle stunt team. Join us for a day of music
and fun, including exciting oceanfront activities by Beach
Activities Inc., in downtown Myrtle Beach between 8th and
9th avenues north on Ocean Boulevard. Tickets on sale at
MyrtleBeachMayFest.com.
The MayFest Beach Blast kicked off the summer for more
than 8,500 music fans in downtown Myrtle Beach in 2011.
The Christian Music Festival plans to do it again in 2012
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Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is a proud
sponsor of the Beach Blast! Christian Music Festival.
Do you want to be a leader? Continued From Cover
its economy, history, culture, education and more. Upon
graduation, the program spawns a new batch of leaders:
a diverse group of individuals with a renewed commitment
to their local communities, and the skills, contacts and
information to turn commitment into action.
“Leadership Grand Strand benefits the individuals who
participate, their employers and the community as a
whole,” said Class XXV graduate Diana Greene, IOM,
executive director of Leadership Grand Strand and
MBACC executive vice president of membership programs
& services. “The curriculum provides broad-based
leadership perspectives to familiarize participants with
the area’s challenges, opportunities and resources. It also
includes community projects where participants explore
current needs and issues first-hand.”
Beginning with a mandatory orientation in August, an
overnight retreat in September, and following up with
one full-day (8 hours) session per month from October
to May and 100 hours of community service, the program
features prominent presenters who encourage discussion
and participation. Each session focuses on fundamental
leadership principles while examining community issues
in political, social and economic affairs.
What’s in it for you and your employer?
Upon completion of Leadership Grand Strand, each
participant will have:
• Strengthened leadership abilities.
• Refined skills that can increase organizational
effectiveness and efficiency.
• Access to an informed network of diverse colleagues for
individual, business and community problem-solving.
• Exposure to other community leaders who are
committed to concepts of 21st century leadership.
• An understanding of the realities, opportunities and
challenges of our community, as well as solutions and
alternatives for dealing with them.
• An opportunity to position their business as an
organization that is committed to improving the
community.
• A greater knowledge of the region and its leaders.
• An opportunity to become involved with and bring
about positive change in our community.
What is required?
To participate in Leadership Grand Strand, you will
need to:
• Have demonstrated commitment (or be willing to
commit), through past and present activities, to help
shape the future of our region.
• Be willing to commit the time and energy necessary to
complete the program (one full day per month).
• Have the backing and full support from your company
or organization.
Applications for the 2012-2013 Leadership Grand Strand
program are at LeadershipGrandStrand.com. Scholarship
opportunities are available. For more information, visit
LeadershipGrandStrand.com. Applications for Leadership
Grand Stand Class XXXIII are being accepted through
June 30.
Grand Strander
9
Green day, every day for a
healthier business ...
!
u
o
Y
e
g
n
I Challe
by Kira Roff, owner/president, Fisher Recycling – Grand Strand
There is the saying “Earth Day should be every day” not
just once a year in April, and I could not agree more. This
concept is just like eating healthy and exercising, you cannot
be healthy by just eating healthy and exercising one day
of the year. And, we all know the benefits of exercise and
eating healthy. The facts remain that making small changes
to our day in what we eat and do will reap big benefits over
the year. This exact same concept applies to going green and
recycling.
This year, I challenge Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce members to pick a few “small changes” to make
over the year in your business that reflect green initiatives.
And then, just as you would about your personal weightloss and healthy lifestyle, brag about it! You will be surprised
that your customers, employees, associates and community
will support you and celebrate these changes and successes
with you. These positive changes in you and your business
will become contagious and thus our entire community
benefits in more ways that just one.
Just like our personal health and small daily changes of
eating an apple a day instead of that donut, small changes
of just recycling one plastic container or aluminum can or
glass bottle saves energy by 95 percent. That same energy
can then power a light bulb for up to four hours.
I challenge you in your
business, big or small,
to start a small
recycling program.
I challenge you
to use your own
coffee cup in the
office and on
your daily travels, instead of using a new Styrofoam or
paper cup each time. How about consolidating errands?
Not letting your vehicle idle longer than one minute?
Shutting off lights and computers and unplugging chargers
when not in use? Using a reusable bag when shopping?
Buying local seafood and produce? These are very, very
small but conscious changes that, if each of us made
a commitment to over this next year and beyond, will
reap staggering benefits not only in our personal and
business health and finances, but also in our Grand Strand
community on a whole.
And, we all know that making that first step is oen
the hardest, but well worth the effort in the long run.
I challenge you!
Shop local, shop members
Connect to the collective power of
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce’s membership through the
Member-to-Member Discounts program.
you also can view the discounts on your
mobile device, so before you buy, browse
the Member-to-Member Discounts.
Use it to promote
Use it to save
Check out the Member-to-Member
Discounts at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com,
click on Member Benefits/Save Money. All
employees of member businesses can use
these discounts; support fellow chamber
businesses and save money! Don’t forget
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MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.c
Provide a special discount to gain name
recognition, build your customer base or
introduce a new product or service. There
is no cost to post a discount listing. Go to
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, click on
Member Benefits/Save Money to add a
discount.
MBACC recommends your business
On any given day, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce’s three welcome centers and call center receives
hundreds of phone calls and the lobbies are filled with
walk-in traffic. Whether these people are visitors to our
community or local people, there’s one thing they have in
common: They are looking for firsthand recommendations
on dining, lodging, shopping, recreation, etc. for the
Myrtle Beach area.
through search engines
such as Google or Yahoo.
Did you know that when the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber
of Commerce receives these thousands of product
and service inquiries each year they refer our member
businesses? So how can you make sure that the welcome
centers and call center give a glowing review of your
business? According to Shannon Haswell, membership
programs & services coordinator, members need to add a
thorough and keyword driven description to their chamber
business listing.
“Members can go
out to the business
directory and bring up
their business to see if
a detailed description
is listed under their
business name,” Haswell
continued. “The keyword
search will look for words
in their description.
Members should make
sure they have a detailed
description about their
specific products and
services.”
“During the recent change form mail-out, members were
asked to provide a 50 word or less business description on
the membership form,” Haswell noted. “This description
is added to WebLink which creates the business directory
listing and search.”
If you have not received
a change form in the mail
or you need to add a
description, contact Haswell at (843) 916-7240
or [email protected].
Along with the chamber staff using the description
to refer members, keywords in the description allow
potential consumers to search for products or services
* WebLink International is the leading provider of chamber
soware or membership management soware and website
design for chambers of commerce.
Mary Pizza, information
specialist, answers a visitor’s
call. Last year, MBACC’s
staff received 40,371 phone
calls through our call centers,
greeted 99,779 visitors at
our welcome centers, and
answered 6,429 live chats
and 3,131 emails.
Ch-ch-ch change
It’s that time again to send back your
membership change forms. We are
updating our member information in
order to better serve you. By returning
the change forms, you help ensure we
have the correct information in our
system, on the website, for referrals and
publications. Please take a few minutes
to review your information and describe
your business in 50 words or less for
Web posting, mobile Web app viewing
and referrals through the chambers call
center.
For more information or if you did
not receive your change form, contact
Shannon Haswell, membership
programs & services coordinator,
(843) 916-7240, Shannon.Haswell@
VisitMyrtleBeach.com.
Grand Strander
11
Reach out to customers with a
Member-to-Member Em@il
A Member-to-Member Email offers
an affordable way for members to
advertise their special offers, share
fundraising activities or provide other
information to the MBACC business
community. For $300 your business
can touch more than 2,400 members,
attract new customers, build
relationships with current customers,
and strengthen our local economy.
For more information, contact
Scott Head, advertising sales
manager, at (843) 916-7277 or
[email protected].
Chamber Events
Continued From Page 3
May 8, 4:30-6 p.m.
May 17, 4:30-7 p.m.
Behind the Scenes
Froyoz Frozen Yogurt
WonderWorks
1316 Celebrity Cir., Broadway at
the Beach, Myrtle Beach
1313 Celebrity Cir.
Broadway at the Beach
Myrtle Beach
Come and receive a Behind the Scenes look
at this new self-served yogurt bar in Myrtle
Beach. Create a different delicious frozen
yogurt sundae each time you visit. With
more than 60 flavors (12 each day!) and 80 toppings such as
fresh fruits, candies, nuts, cereals, syrups and sauces to choose
from, the possibilities are endless! They have sugar-free and
lactose-free options, and their entire yogurt is Kosher.
May 16, 8-9:30 a.m.
B-to-B Connects
MBACC Boardroom, 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach
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 members. This event is
limited to a small number of attendees for a more intimate
networking experience. Coffee, donuts and contacts ...
what else could you ask for? Bring lots of business cards and
brochures to promote your product!
12
mber.com
WonderWorks is an “amusement park for the mind,”
combining education and entertainment in more than
100 hands-on exhibits that will spark the imagination and
stimulate the mind. Come and network with chamber
members, sample tasty hors d’oeuvres on the deck and enjoy
refreshing spirits. This is an adult members only event.
Are you ready
to network?
Be Prepared. Savvy networkers always have their
networking tools with them at all times: business
cards, name badge, collateral material (flyers,
brochures, etc.), and your elevator speech. Typically
the first question someone asks you aer finding out
your name is “What do you do?” It’s a pretty basic
question, but sometimes can cause a lot of people to
trip up. Before you enter a networking event, quickly
practice your elevator speech to yourself.
Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
INSIDER
April 2012
Myrtle Beach Traveler Index
C  P
V I
by Wendy Bernstein, IOM, TMP, marketing research manager
Over the past decade, tourism research at the Myrtle
Beach Area Chamber/Convention and Visitors
Bureau has strived to acquire more targeted research
information on the leisure traveler to enhance marketing
efforts. In January 2007, the chamber commissioned
Equation Research to conduct a survey three times a
year with core tracking measures to monitor attitudes
and travel preferences for likely travelers to the Myrtle
Beach area; it is referred to as the Myrtle Beach Traveler
Index. The index has become a vital tool in providing
insight into the effects the downturn in the economy
has had on leisure travelers and the areas in which the
visitors have had to make cuts in their vacation plans.
The Myrtle Beach Traveler Index survey is conducted
online and the respondents are individuals who are part
of the eRewards survey panel. The survey respondents
must be over 18 years old and live in New York, New
Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, West
Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee or Maryland. The results
are not weighted and 400 responses are obtained each
time the survey is conducted. The results are monitored
to receive an equal number of responses by gender and
age group for each state. Basic demographic information
is captured and combinations of aided and unaided
questions are incorporated with a set of core questions
regarding attitudes and travel patterns. The final
qualifying participation criterion is that the respondent
must have taken at least one overnight trip for leisure in
the last 12 months.
The most recent Myrtle Beach Traveler Index survey
was conducted in January 2012. The respondents
were provided a list of answers and asked which of
VisitMyrtleBeach.com
the following factors, if any, have impacted or might
impact their leisure travel plans in the next 12 months.
Of the respondents, 50 percent stated time availability
would impact their travel plans, while 43 percent state a
decrease in disposable income and 40 percent an increase
in fuel prices. The fourth response showed 27 percent
state a concern about the economy.
The respondents were next asked, “What, if any, impact
economic concerns and fuel prices have on their leisure
travel in 2012?” The chart below shows a comparison
of the responses to that question from 2012 and 2011.
The percentages for taking fewer vacations or vacation
closer to home decreased in 2012 compared to 2011.
The percentage increases are showing up in visitors
spending habits.
The index also tracks how familiar the respondents
are with the Myrtle Beach area: 13 percent had visited
within the last two years and were very familiar with
the area, while 34 percent had heard of Myrtle Beach,
but were not familiar with the area. Another 29 percent
had visited more than two years ago and were familiar
with the Myrtle Beach area. These results emphasize the
importance of steady advertising of the Myrtle Beach
Traveler Index, See Insider Back Cover
April 2012
HORRY COUNTY ADMISSIONS TAX
14.5%
$1,700,000
$1,500,000
$750,000
$450,000
Percentages
Shown Are
Percent Change
From Previous
Year
-0.1%
3.1%
14.8%
$1,200,000
7.4%
-6.2%
-24.2%
9.7%
13.1%
1.6%
-0.4%
23.5%
$0
Jan 11
Feb 11
Mar 11
Apr 11
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
$216,238
$303,248
$593,991
$1,020,181
$668,014
$1,206,382
$1,673,151
$1,250,676
$648,313
$649,615
$465,210
$440,412
GEORGETOWN COUNTY ADMISSIONS TAX
$150,000
-2.4%
$120,000
7.8%
-2.8%
-2.7%
$90,000
Convention & Visitors Bureau
$50,000
20.3%
-53.2%
14.9%
3.8%
26.4%
-17.5%
-11.5%
50.2%
$0
Jan 11
Feb 11
Mar 11
Apr 11
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
$31,045
$40,876
$95,139
$138,930
$102,536
$64,305
$55,482
$44,549
$66,075
$94,586
$51,906
$44,083
HORRY COUNTY ACCOMMODATIONS TAX COLLECTION
4.9%
$4,200,000
2.1%
$3,200,000
$2,200,000
29.4%
$1,200,000
$0
-6.5%
16.0%
Percentages
Shown Are
Percent Change
From Previous
Year
1.9%
7.1%
8.9%
5.2%
15.6%
-4.4%
14.2%
Jan 11
Feb 11
Mar 11
Apr 11
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
$233,204
$407,688
$759,711
$1,295,854
$1,303,728
$2,543,607
$3,924,032
$2,468,061
$1,366,211
$739,320
$458,454
$307,676
GEORGETOWN COUNTY ACCOMMODATIONS TAX COLLECTION
1.6%
$420,000
9.3%
$320,000
0.0%
$220,000
$0
0.9%
-6.1%
2.2%
1.2%
44.8%
$120,000
-4.4%
18.4%
15.1%
47.7%
Jan 11
Feb 11
Mar 11
Apr 11
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
$17,404
$20,666
$48,551
$88,749
$100,850
$252,603
$404,842
$253,945
$122,165
$62,300
$38,756
$23,651
HORRY COUNTY GROSS RETAIL SALES
$1,100,000,000
1.6%
$850,000,000
$650,000,000
18.0%
27.5%
16.8%
4.2%
-7.7%
7.8%
-4.6%
0.6%
-31.7%
-8.3%
-16.3%
$450,000,000
$0
Jan 11
Feb 11
Mar 11
Apr 11
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
$535,577,569
$598,822,943
$748,376,097
$459,419,208
$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
Percentages
Shown Are
Percent
Change From
Previous Year
GEORGETOWN COUNTY GROSS RETAIL SALES
$130,000,000
$100,000,000
20.6%
30.2%
-6.1%
1.8%
5.5%
7.3%
-5.2%
4.9%
5.7%
-2.0%
-19.5%
-36.3%
$75,000,000
$35,000,000
$0
Jan 11
Feb 11
Mar 11
Apr 11
May 11
Jun 11
Jul 11
Aug 11
Sep 11
Oct 11
Nov 11
Dec 11
$88,216,070
$89,502,765
$116,056,855
$66,138,052
$103,917,745
$126,681,554
$128,995,594
$113,227,615
$105,045,379
$98,930,809
$89,532,305
$100,504,560
For more information regarding additional research conducted by the chamber, contact Wendy Bernstein at [email protected].
Sources: S.C. Departments of PRT and Revenue
April 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
Jan
Feb
% Change
33.56%
32.19%
2012
641,377
777,006
2011
480,220
Jul
Mar
Apr
587,796
662,043
Aug
Sep
May
Jun
617,618
754,977
1,009,894
Oct
Nov
Dec
% Change
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
% Change
17.20%
25.57%
2012
600,449
708,807
2011
512,349
564,459
782,796
685,224
812,265
1,198,706
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
+18.60%
Amusements
+13.78%
Theaters
+728.00%
Dining
+24.16%
Shopping
+8.89%
Watersports
+28.97%
Weddings
+55.61%
Golf
% Change
-12.98%
Addt’l Services
+240.00%
Fishing
+26.12%
2012
2011
% Change
Lodging
*Jan. 1-Feb. 29, 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*
(Jan. 7, 2012 - Feb. 18, 2012)
(Jan. 7, 2012 - Feb. 18, 2012)
100%
0%
$150
$100
DOLLARS
PERCENT
75%
5%
50%
0%
24.52%
25%
5%
24.19%
$75
$52.66
$52.22
$50
$25
0%
$0
2011
Jan
2012
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
19.30%
32.20%
45.10%
58.10%
50.90%
73.60%
21.40%
29.60%
44.90%
54.20%
47.40%
77.40%
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
2012
21.2%
2011
2010
2011
Jan
Dec
Feb
Mar
Apr
$52.58
$55.64
$68.70
$46.31
$54.26
$69.84
Jul
Aug
Sep
2011
$162.14
$125.97
$86.22
$69.99
$57.82
$53.33
2010
$147.28
$120.79
$85.73
$71.18
$57.68
$53.11
2012
$50.83
2011
2010
2012
2011
88.00%
73.30%
59.20%
45.10%
31.70%
22.80%
2010
91.50%
76.10%
59.80%
43.60%
31.60%
19.70%
JANUARY AIRPORT ARRIVALS**
2012
May
Jun
$86.99
$100.14
$129.45
$85.48
$90.29
$121.07
Oct
Nov
Dec
2012
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
34,003
33,200
-2.4%
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].
April 2012
YEAR OVER YEAR
800,000
Traveler Index
Continued From Insider Cover
area to familiarize potential “new visitors” to the area,
and serve as a reminder to “past and repeat visitors.”
Lastly, the Myrtle Beach Traveler Index survey also asks
the consumer any pressing issue questions pertaining to
the area. For the January index, we asked a few questions
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.
Where in
the world
is the CVB?
April 12, 2012
April 16-19, 2012
April 21-25, 2012
Smart Mart
National
Association
of Sports
Commissions
U.S. Travel
Association’s
International
Pow Wow
Atlanta, GA
Hartford, CT
Los Angeles, CA
regarding the 2012 Republican Presidential Debate. When
asked if they recalled seeing or hearing anything about the
debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., 43 percent stated yes they
did. Another 31 percent stated they watched the debate
on TV.
Carolina Bride
Midland’s Premiere Wedding Resource
An exclusive opportunity to reach the wedding and
honeymoon market from the Midlands of South
Carolina. Carolina Bride is the most comprehensive
source of planning a wedding in or around the
Columbia area. With 20,000 copies delivered annually,
Carolina Bride puts your message in front of brides and
grooms in the Columbia market. From the articles to
the advertisers, every issue provides couples with the
most up-to-date, local information needed to plan the
perfect wedding. The multimedia marketing package
offers maximum reach and exposure to grow your
business year aer year.
Distribution: Carolina Bride magazine is published
twice a year in June and December with an annual
distribution of 20,000.
Complimentary copies can be found throughout the
Midlands:
•In all Carolina Bride magazine advertisers locations.
•Bridal registries throughout Richland, Lexington,
Sumter and Orangeburg counties.
•Belk department stores across the Columbia metro
and surrounding areas.
•Local bridal events including the St. Andrews
Women’s Bridal Show.
•All brides placing their engagement announcement in
The State newspaper receive a free copy.
Specs: 1/4 page – 3.625” x 4.8375”
1/2 page – 7.5” x 4.8375”
Space Deadline: May 11, 2012
Material Deadline: May 18, 2012
Size and Cost: 1/4 page, 4-color – $735
1/2 page, 4-color – $1,250
Disclaimer: In order for this co-op to run, there must be a minimum of
two advertisers.
CVB-Group Sales is busy this month welcoming
seven groups with 2,700 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.
April 2012
Start saving money today!
Exclusive programs for MBACC members
Membership in Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is more valuable than ever before. As a MBACC member, you’re
eligible for the programs listed below – all designed to put dollars to your bottom line or help you grow your business. Use
these programs to offset expenses and your membership can pay for itself. Learn more at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com,
click on Member Benefits/Save Money.
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,
click on Member Benefits/Save Money.
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, Christopher 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
Condo-Hotels Experience Improving RevPAR
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
Hospitality fees for Horry County during the first two
quarters of fiscal year 2012 (July 2011-January 2012)
were up by 4.6 percent compared with the equivalent
period last year. During this time, the Brittain Center’s
combined samples of hotels, condo-hotels, and campsites
(average weekly sample size of 10,337 units) was
up only 2.4 percent. But that number may mask
potentially important differences in the performance
level of hotels versus the condo-hotels. During this
period, the performance of the hotels in this group
(4,165 units in the sample) was down 4.1 percent,
but the performance of the condo-hotels in the
group (5,316 units) was up 10.5 percent! At the
same time, according to Brittain Center researchers’
Internet observations of availability and weekly
rental asking prices for vacation rental properties,
revenue per available unit in that segment may
have also increased by 5.5 percent.
Since fall of 2011, occupancy for the Center’s sample
of condo-hotel units has been improving relative
to the same period of the previous year giving
operators relatively improved pricing power, at
least in comparison to hotels in the area. A similar
difference in the relative change in performance
between these two segments occurred between
spring 2009 and summer of 2010 (see graphs right).
During that period revenue per available room
(RevPAR) in both segments was in decline but
condo-hotels appeared to experience lower rates
of decline than did hotels.
The improving fortune of the condo-hotel segment
is in contrast to the relatively stronger performance
gains that were reflected in the hotel segment
from 2005 to 2008, and for a shorter time during
the period of fall 2010 through summer 2011. For
example, during the first two quarters of FY 2007
(July 2006-January 2007) hotel performance was
up 7.2 percent, while condo-hotel performance
was down 3.8 percent. One reason for the superior
performance of the hotel segment during those
periods could have been the fact that there was
relatively little increase in the supply of hotels at
that time. Most of the substantial increase in local
lodging inventory during that time resulted from
the building of condo-hotels, rather than hotels,
which made it increasingly difficult for condo-hotel
operators to maintain occupancy. That cannot be
14
said today however. How long will condo-hotels continue
to exhibit greater relative increases in occupancy, pricing
power, and RevPAR? Hopefully at least long enough for
their market value to begin to improve.
&
Up Close
l
a
n
o
Pers
by Nora Battle,
media communications
manager
Shannon Detzler
Shannon Detzler with husband, Ben.
systems analyst for The Jackson Companies
and MBACC board member
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Rutherfordton, N.C.
What is your favorite thing about living in the
Myrtle Beach area?
My favorite thing about living in the Myrtle Beach
area is the beach. I love being able to pretend
I’m on vacation every weekend.
Who is your role model and why?
My mother is my role model. She is the most giving
and kind hearted person I know. I aspire to make a
difference in as many lives as she has.
What do you consider your greatest personal
accomplishment?
I am very proud to have just recently celebrated
my 15th anniversary with The Jackson Companies.
Very few people my age in today’s society can boast
of that accomplishment.
If you won the lottery today, what would be your
first purchase?
A new car! I have never had a brand new –
not previously owned – car.
What is one of your greatest weaknesses?
I hate saying no when someone asks me to volunteer or
assist on a project. It can get overwhelming! I’m getting
better at learning so say no when I have too much on my
plate.
What is your favorite quote?
“We make a living by what we get, but we make
a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
What do you consider to be the best part of your job?
Both the sense of family at The Jackson Companies and
freedom to work within the community are definitely
the best parts of my job.
What motivates you to do your best?
Positive change and positive results motivate me to
do my best.
Where is your favorite place to vacation and why?
Myrtle Beach, of course! However, if I had to choose an
alternate vacation, my husband and I just returned from
an amazing cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the
Seas. The ship is an incredible resort within itself but with
stops in St. Thomas and St. Marteen it is sure to delight any
beach lover.
What is something that few people know about you?
I grew up on a large farm in North Carolina and
love to ride horses.
Are you a dog or a cat person?
I’m definitely a dog lover. Both my husband and
I are highly allergic to cats.
If you were ice cream, what flavor would you be?
If I were an ice cream flavor, I would be “Rocky Road.”
What is your all-time favorite movie?
My all-time favorite movie is “Christmas Vacation.”
It’s a holiday ritual in our family.
If a movie were made about your life, who would
you cast to play yourself?
I would cast Charlize Theron.
What qualities do you value most in others?
I value honesty most in others.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I am a morning person.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I will be actively involved in the community and hopefully
raising a wonderful family with my amazing husband.
What were your favorite subjects in school?
My favorite subjects in school were math and recess.
What was the last book that you read?
“House Rules” by Jodi Picoult.
If you weren’t in your current job/career,
what do you imagine yourself doing?
I would either be event planning or decorating.
Grand Strander
15
&
Up Close
l
a
n
o
Pers
by Nora Battle,
media communications
manager
Blakely Jenkins
Membership & Community Programs manager
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Blakely Jenkins with her fiancé, Barry Roof.
Where did you grow up?
What do you consider to be the best part of your job?
I grew up in Knoxville, Tenn. – home of Rocky Top!
The best part of my job is having the ability to be creative
What is your favorite thing about living in the
and always doing something different.
Myrtle Beach area?
What motivates you to do your best?
My favorite thing is the beach, what else would anybody
Knowing others depend on me.
say ... the traffic on 17?
Where is your favorite place to vacation and why?
Describe your perfect weekend.
I like to go to different places every time I vacation, but
My perfect weekend is getting up in the summer and
my favorite place to be in the whole, wide world is on the
packing up the car for a long day at the beach. Then
beach.
finding dozens of sharks teeth on the beach and having
What is something that few people know about you?
all my friends over for a big cookout.
There isn’t much that people don’t know about me. I have
Who is your role model and why?
a love for gnomes, I collect sharks teeth and I used to be
My favorite book is “Gone With the Wind” and while ol’
able to do the entire Rod Steward song “Forever Young”
Scarlett sometimes gets a bad rap ... she will tell it like
in sign language!
it is and gets things done!
Are you a dog or a cat person?
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only
I’m a dog person. When your childhood cat goes to the
have three things with you, what would they be?
bathroom on you in your sleep when she’s mad, you tend
My Kindle (with access to download more books), my
to move toward the canine breed.
dog Charlie, and to make me sound romantic, I’ll throw
If you were ice cream, what flavor would you be?
in my fiancé, Barry, as well.
I don’t visualize myself as a dairy product oen, so let’s just
What do you consider your greatest personal
say my favorite flavor of ice cream is mint chocolate chip.
accomplishment?
What is your all-time favorite movie?
My greatest personal accomplishment is coming to
Both “Silence of the Lambs” and – so I don’t scare people –
Myrtle Beach with no job, friends or any idea what
“Love Actually.”
I was doing, and staying here through ups and downs
If a movie were made about your life, who would
and now having made a life here for myself.
you cast to play yourself?
If you won the lottery today, what would be
I would hope they would let me play myself. This way
your first purchase?
I could jump start my acting career and be on my way
My first purchase would be a house on the beach.
to being a global phenomenon. They could cast Ryan
What is one of your greatest strengths?
Reynolds to play my fiancé, however.
I am outgoing and consider myself to be quite entertaining. What qualities do you value most in others?
What is one of your greatest weaknesses?
I value a sense of humor most in others.
I sometimes overextend myself.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
What is your favorite quote?
I’m a morning person all the way. Everybody makes
“If laughing makes you live longer, then I would
fun of me because I go to bed around 9:30 p.m.
live forever.”
More Up Close & Personal With Blakely Jenkins, See Page 19
16
Economic Indicators
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 D E C E M B E R 2 0 11
LOCATION
Single Family Units
Single Family Units Cost
Multi-Family Bldgs.
Multi-Family Units
Multi-Family Bldgs. Cost
Myrtle Beach
Unincorporated
17
$4,905,769
0
0
$0
75
$10,952,626
0
0
$0
North
Myrtle Beach
13
$3,076,232
0
0
$0
Surfside
Beach
3
$797,800
0
0
$0
Georgetown
County
8
$1,696,903
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 D E C E M B E R 2 0 10
LOCATION
Myrtle Beach
Unincorporated
North
Myrtle Beach
Surfside
Beach
Georgetown
County
Single Family Units
Single Family Units Cost
Multi-Family Bldgs.
Multi-Family Units
Multi-Family Bldgs. Cost
17
$2,412,091
0
0
$0
73
$9,625,660
0
0
$0
14
$4,143,781
1
2
$174,700
0
$0
0
0
$0
8
$1,939,952
0
0
$0
EMPLOYMENT FOR HORRY COUNT Y
Employment Numbers
Not Available at Press Time
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
The list of Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce board
of directors approved members for March was not available
at press time. Please look for the March and April
new members in the May Grand Strander.
6 Reasons, Continued From Page 20
2. Access to professional development sessions and
seminars that are for members only that include
the hit series, Conversations With a CEO.
3. The gsSCENE membership/discount card which
gives gsSCENE members exclusive discounts at
restaurants out at Market Common, services,
such as discounts with Liberty Tax Service and
Dent Mender, plus more coming this summer!
5. gsLEAD for Emerging Leaders – a program just for
gsSCENE members to develop them into community
leaders to sit on nonprofit boards, and helps them find
a nonprofit that best fits where they want to serve.
6. Last but not least, the networking! gsSCENE has monthly
networking socials, and by being a gsSCENE member,
they are open to you for free.
4. gsSCENE members can log in to the members only
section on www.gsSCENE.com and have access to the
membership directory, job postings, bulletin postings
and create your own profile.
Accommodations
Alert Form
During the busy spring and summer seasons
(Easter-Labor Day), your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber
of Commerce routinely receives last minute calls
requesting the names of places to stay. So we may
better assist our visitors and provide referrals for your
business, please keep us updated on your lodging
vacancies. Go to MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com/
member/accommodations_alert.html and submit the
online form.
MBACC weekly
e-newsletter
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber’s Grand Strander Express
e-newsletter is sent out every Sunday and contains
information on upcoming chamber events, ribboncuttings, education classes, cooperative advertising
opportunities, small business development articles,
member discounts and more.
The e-newsletter is filled with a wealth of information
to help you connect with other members and build your
business relationships.
To sign-up for the Grand Strander Express, simply click on
the eNews Sign Up image on the right side of the home
page at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.
18
MyrtleBeachA
Business
Goodwill
greeters
Business Bulletin
Bulletin
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, nurture
and recruit new chamber members, act as goodwill
representatives at various chamber functions, and
aid in the support of members.
If you’re a smiling face that wants to make new friends
and contacts, gain business exposure and share the
benefits and excitement of chamber membership, it’s easy
to become an ambassador. Complete the short application
form at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com/member/
ambassador_program. To learn more about the program,
visit the website or contact Pat Creed, membership
services manager, at (843) 916-7225 or
[email protected].
January Ambassadors of the Month
Bill Trinemeyer with
Plantation Storage at
Carolina Forest earned
Ambassador of the
Month for January.
Trinemeyer is serving
his first year as an
ambassador.
Annette Litteken, Avon
Independent Sales
Representative, earned
the second highest
total points for January.
Litteken is serving
her ninth year as an
ambassador.
Do you tweet?
Join our
Facebook Fan Club
If you’re on Facebook, pop in and visit your
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Become
a ‘’fan’’ and receive updates on chamber networking
events, educational classes, member benefits, area
information and much more. Write on our wall,
share photos and videos, start a discussion, or simply
put in an appearance. See you on Facebook.com/
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.
Follow Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce on
Twitter for live updates
on chamber networking
events, educational classes,
member benefits, area
information and much
more. Tweet us at
Twitter.com/MBAChamber.
More Up Close & Personal With Blakely Jenkins
Continued From Page 16
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I quit planning that far ahead when I realized I was marrying
someone who doesn’t like to plan for dinner at 3 p.m. that
same day.
What were your favorite subjects in school?
My favorite subject was probably history. Every two to three
years growing up I would get obsessed with some historical
time. Ancient Egypt took over my life for about three years,
and I owned everything from a hieroglyphics set to a make
your own mummy kit.
What was the last book that you read?
“The Drop” by Michael Connelly.
If you weren’t in your current job/career, what do you
imagine yourself doing?
I imagine myself just lounging around, being pampered
and fed gourmet food.
Grand Strander
19
6
gsSCENE
www.gsSCENE.com
reasons
gsSCENE members RENEW membership
by Blakely Jenkins, IOM, MBACC membership & community programs manager and gsSCENE liaison
gsSCENE is getting ready to celebrate
four years of serving young professionals around the
Grand Strand. It also marks time for renewals on gsSCENE
membership! If you are a current member you should
receive your renewal invoice in April. For $60 your
membership gets you some awesome perks!
1. A limited Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce membership, which entitles gsSCENE
members to attend all MBACC’s Business
Aer Hours and sign up for any chamber
education sessions at the chamber rate!
6 Reasons, See Page 18
gsSCENE Events Register at www.gsSCENE.com
April 14 • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Kickin’ it for Charity Kickball Tournament
Presented by A&I Fire and Water Restoration
Location: The Ripken Experience
3051 Ripken Way Blvd., Myrtle Beach
Cheer on the teams
as they play in this
one-day tournament
benefitting a great
cause, Substitutes for
Santa. Who’s going to
take the championship
away from last year’s winning team, Kick Buttowski?
May 5 • 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
gsSCENE Volunteering at Grand Strand Miracle League
Location: James C. Benton Miracle League Field in the
Pepper Geddings Recreational Complex at Oak Street and
33rd Avenue North in Myrtle Beach
Come out and support the Grand Strand Miracle League.
Play ball, serve lunch, sell T-shirts and more.
20
May 10 • 5-8 p.m.
gsSCENE Anniversary Party at the Pier
Location: Springmaid Pier & BARnacles Bar & Grille
3200 S. Ocean Blvd. Myrtle Beach
Come celebrate the
fourth anniversary
of gsSCENE with an
evening full of great
food, drinks, live
entertainment by
Sea Breeze and
networking ... all with a view money cannot buy at the
Springmaid Pier! Springmaid Pier boasts the longest pier
over the Atlantic along the Grand Strand.
Members in the News
Business Bulletin
Inside Tracks
Indigo Therapy Specialists LLC has
expanded services for 2012 and
welcomes Occupational Therapist Sonia
Brodeur-Lyons, OTR/L, CHT to its
team!
Keller Williams added several key
people to their growing numbers:
Greg Wheeling has taken over the
Team Leader position at Keller Williams;
Sandy Quast comes to Keller Williams
as Productivity Coach and Trainer; and
Jim Adams and Bill Houser joined Keller
Williams’ New Home Division.
South Atlantic Bank has announced the
appointment of Leah Mazurkiewicz
as a teller at the bank’s main office at
the corner of 29th Avenue North and
Grissom Parkway.
Continuing Education
George Role with Coldwell Banker
Chicora’s Briarcliffe office has been
awarded the Accredited Buyer’s
Representation designation by the Real
Estate Buyer’s Agent Council of the
National Association of Realtors.
bank can receive, and again, South
Atlantic Bank was the only bank in the
Grand Strand market to receive a 5-Star
rating. The bank also earned 5-Star
ratings for its financial performance in
the second and third quarters of 2011.
Watermark Real Estate Group and
South Atlantic Bank were recently
named Blue Ribbon Small Business
Award® winners today by the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce. The Blue
Ribbon Award honors companies that
demonstrate excellent business practices
in several areas, including employee
development, community involvement
and customer service.
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.
Closing the Deal
Representatives from The Brandon
Agency announced that the agency has
been selected as agency of record for
Glory Foods Inc. The Brandon Agency
will develop and execute all marketing
initiatives for Glory Foods in the areas
of strategic marketing and brand
planning, as well as creative, website
development, public relations, social
media and paid media campaigns.
Applause, Applause
The RE/MAX Carolinas Region recently
honored its top-producing agents at
an Awards Gala. Angie Shoemaker of
RE/MAX Beach & Golf received the
Lifetime Achievement Award as well as
the Chairman’s Club Award. Shoemaker
also was the No. 2 Individual Residential
agent in the state of South Carolina.
BauerFinancial Inc., a leading
independent bank rating firm, has
awarded South Atlantic Bank a
5-Star Superior rating for its financial
performance in the fourth quarter 2011.
The 5-Star rating is the highest rating a
Print and Online Publicity Values
February 2012
Print Stories
16
Online Stories
580
Estimated Print Circulation 3,138,289
Online Unique VPM
626,970,078
(Visitors Per Month)
Estimated Publicity Value
$6,556,890
(Total for Print, Online)
Year-to-Date Total Publicity $77,137,338
Value (Includes Presidential
Debate)
Source: CisionPoint Media Monitoring
Grand Strander
21
Hospitality Partnership
MBHospitality.org
HospitalityPartnership.com
Trio Dinner planned for April 16
by Stephen Greene, MBAHA president
The Trio Dinner is the culmination of a culinary arts
mentorship program that pairs a professional chef with
two students, one from the Academy for Technology and
Academics and one from Horry-Georgetown Technical
College. Each trio will showcase its unique cuisine at the Trio
Dinner. Along with excellent fare and beverages, the event
includes entertainment by Coastal Carolina University’s Jazz
Aer Hours and Aer Hours Combo bands and a silent
auction benefiting hospitality educational programming.
The Trio Dinner’s purpose is to support and promote the
hospitality industry’s culinary arts profession and to give
each student real-world experience in creating an original
dish with the guidance of an executive chef.
A portion of the proceeds of the event go to MBAHA
scholarship funds directed at hospitality and culinary
education. More than $18,000 has been contributed to
the MBAHA’s educational endeavors since the program’s
inception.
Tickets are $85 per person; $160 per couple; $600 table
of eight; $750 table of 10 (includes reserved seating and
sponsor recognition on table). For more information, call
(843) 626-9668 or visit TrioDinner.org.
ONE
The Myrtle Beach Area
Hospitality Association
is hosting its annual Trio
Dinner 6:30 p.m. Monday,
April 16, at the Sheraton
Myrtle Beach Convention
Center Hotel.
(Center) Chef Mike Ford with the Sheraton Myrtle Beach
Convention Center Hotel with Horry Georgetown-Technical
College student Jonathon Wright and Academy for
Technology and Academics student Liz Milholland. The
2011 award was presented to Chef Ford for excellence in
culinary leadership as chef chairman and for the creation
of an outstanding coastal culinary experience for chefs and
students benefitting hospitality education.
Hospitality Day at the Statehouse
The South Carolina hospitality industry is holding its
annual Hospitality Day at the Statehouse 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18, in Columbia.
South Carolina’s hospitality industry will hold a legislative
luncheon unlike any other event on the General Assembly’s
social calendar – a “Taste of South Carolina” featuring
restaurants from all across the state serving a taste of their
menu specialties. Myrtle Beach will be well represented by
local restaurant participation during the event. Legislators
are all raves about the quality and selection of foods and the
extremely large and friendly industry turnout. So much so,
this event has become one of the highest rated gatherings
on their extremely large social calendar.
22
The legislative luncheon is designed to be a
networking event and a show of solidarity
by the hospitality industry. Hospitality
Day gives restaurants, hotels and other
hospitality businesses the opportunity
to voice their opinions on laws that may
impact them.
The Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association is organizing
a bus trip to the state capitol. To learn more, visit
MBHospitality.org.
Calendar
Apr-Oct...........................................
Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo
Apr 3 ...............................................
CVB-Group Sales Committee
2:30 p.m.
Apr 4 ...............................................
South Strand Council
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Apr 5 ...............................................
f.l.a.v.o.r. • 5-8:30 p.m.
GrandStrandRestaurants.com
Apr 10 .............................................
Myrtle Beach Ambassadors • 8 a.m.
Apr 11 .............................................
South Strand Ambassadors • 8 a.m.
Apr 12 .............................................
Small Business Council • 9 a.m.
Behind the Scenes
Horry County Historical Society
4:30-7 p.m.
Apr 14 .............................................
gsSCENE Kickin’ it for Charity
Kickball Tournament
10 a.m.-6 p.m. • gsSCENE.com
Apr 16 .............................................
Trio Dinner • 6:30 p.m.
TrioDinner.org
Apr 17 .............................................
Finance Review Committee • 2 p.m.
Board of Directors • 3:30 p.m.
April & May
Apr 18 .............................................
Organizational Leadership
8-11:30 a.m. • ChamberAcademy.com
Hospitality Day at the Statehouse
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. • MBHospitality.org
Apr 19 .............................................
Victory Tavern • 5-7 p.m.
Apr 24 .............................................
Chamber Access • 3 p.m.
ChamberAcademy.com
Apr 25 .............................................
Organizational Leadership
8-11:30 a.m. • ChamberAcademy.com
Apr 26 .............................................
Massage Envy Spa • 5-7 p.m.
Apr 27 .............................................
Legislative Policy Council • 9 a.m.
May 1 ..............................................
Meet the Candidates Breakfast
8:30-10 a.m.
May 3 ..............................................
Pirate Adventures of Myrtle Beach
5:30-7:30 p.m.
May 5 ..............................................
gsSCENE Community Service
Grand Strand Miracle League
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • gsSCENE.com
May 8 ..............................................
Myrtle Beach Ambassadors • 8 a.m.
Behind the Scenes
Froyoz Frozen Yogurt
4:30-6 p.m.
May 9 ..............................................
South Strand Ambassadors • 8 a.m.
Membership Committee • 9 a.m.
May 10 ............................................
gsSCENE Anniversary Party
at the Pier
5-8 p.m. • gsSCENE.com
May 15 ............................................
Ribbon-Cutting
LM&M Stiletto Couture Shoes &
Boutique • 10 a.m.
Finance Review Committee • 2 p.m.
Board of Directors • 3:30 p.m.
May 16 ............................................
B-to-B Connects
8-9:30 a.m.
May 17 ............................................
WonderWorks
4:30-7 p.m.
May 29 ............................................
Chamber Access • 9 a.m.
ChamberAcademy.com
Kitchen Tune-Up
Locally
owned
and
operated
franchise
Remodeling your expectations
We Fix Ugly Kitchens
Specializing in:
• Cabinet Refacing • Our Unique “Tune-Up”
• Cabinet Redooring • New Cabinets
(843) 839-0517
Stop
by our
Design
Center
or
we can
come to
you!
[email protected]
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 April.
32 Years
Green’s Discount Beverages
18 Years
DSL Marketing
31 Years
Mancill, Inc.
17 Years
beachCHURCH - Myrtle Beach
Community Church
Carolina Roadhouse
SPM Resorts
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.
29 Years
Grand Strand Water &
Sewer Authority
28 Years
Beachcomber Vacations
Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday
26 Years
Condo Lux Condominiums
Ocean Forest Plaza & Villas
25 Years
The Cherry Grove Pier
Farm House Restaurant
Kingfisher Inn
24 Years
BB&T - Oak St.
Palmetto Tour & Travel,
A Receptive Operator
Smith Shanafelt , LLC, CPAs
23 Years r
Myrtle Beach Indoor Shooting
Range and Civil War Collection
21 Years
Long Bay Golf Club
Native Sons Screenprinting
& Embroidery
Willbrook Plantation Golf Club
20 Years
Franklin G. Burroughs Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum
Kiddie Park
19 Years
Chesapeake House
Hawaiian Village Miniature Golf
24
16 Years
Gulfstream Cafe
Landry’s Seafood Restaurant
Myrtle Beach Chrysler Jeep
14 Years
Apartment Finder
Tradition Golf Club
13 Years
Carrabba’s Italian Grill - Myrtle Beach
Second Wind Tours, LLC
12 Years
Four Star Plumbing &
Air Conditioning
Georgetown Memorial Hospital
Sleep Inn Conway
Terminix Service
U-Save Car & Truck Rental
11 Years
A Beautiful Wedding
Creek Ratz
Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
10 Years
Comfort Keepers
Nash Oil Co., Inc.
9 Years
BB&T - Murrells Inlet
8 Years
The Earthworks Group, Inc.
Security Vision
Southwind On The Ocean
7 Years
Carolina Construction, Inc.
Qantum of Myrtle Beach, LLC
Rowe Professional Services Company
Señor Frogs
6 Years
Apex Homes, Inc.
Coastal Carolina Destinations
Coastal Carolina Dining
Coastal Carolina Home & Life Style
Minuteman Press
RBC Centura Bank - Pawleys Island
Southern Dunes Golf Management
& Marketing Solution
5 Years
Arthur Rutenberg Homes
La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries
Premier Solutions International
Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort
South Carolina Bank
and Trust, NA - Myrtle Beach
Ziegler Enterprises, dba C-Aire
4 Years
AT&T Advertising
AT&T Mobility
Molly Darcy’s on the Beach
3 Years
Cape Landing Apartments MP Cape Landing I, LLC
Hampton Inn Murrells Inlet
Holiday Inn Club Vacations South Beach Resort
Ocean Front Bar & Grill
Paradise Resort
2 Years
The Awakening Spa
Carolina Quench, LLC
East Coast Concessions
inFORM studio
Jerry Pinkas Real Estate Experts
McLeod Health
2 Years, Continued
Myrtle Beach Bucks
Myrtle Beach Guide
North Strand Beach Services
Palmetto Moon
Ragin Insurance Group
Rejuvenation Day Spa & Salon
Shade & Shutter Expo
Sky Fitness
1 Year
501 Furniture
AccuChex Payroll Services
Adventure Cruises, LLC
Affordable Automobiles Sales, Rentals & Service
Andy OnCall of Myrtle Beach
Boardwalk Coffee House
BOLD by Kattour
Cabana Gauze
Canteen
Carolina Home Exteriors
Destination King
Elko Spas, Billiards & Pools
Ethan Allen Design Center
The Flower Market Nursery & Garden Center
Gause’s Towing & Recovering, Inc.
Grand Strand Magazine
hhgregg
Hometown Hardware
ITT Technical Institute
James Pressure Washing Service
Lil’ Tokyo
Maurices #1821
Myrtle Beach Recycling
Pearle Vision, dba Carolina Eyes, Inc.
Regenerating PBS Wristband - North Myrtle Beach
Seven Seas Seafood Market
Unique Coconut
Voyager Fleet, Inc.
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC - Solomon Shen Financial Advisor
Meet your ambassadors
Healther Pender
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 Heather Pender, an ambassador with the chamber for three years, to find out why
she enjoys being an ambassador.
Q. What prompted you to volunteer as a chamber ambassador? Aer being
involved with several of the chamber events, I wanted a way to become more active with
other members and serve as a “go to” person when it comes to anything chamber!
Q. What do you like most about being a chamber ambassador? I really enjoy
getting to connect with new members of the chamber and getting to work with them
throughout their first year of membership to help them understand all of the great things
the chamber has to offer.
Q. How has the investment of time as a chamber ambassador advanced your
career or business? I have met a lot of wonderful business people in the community
and we are all able to use our connection with the chamber to increase business and
professional contacts.
Q. What is your best advice for making the most of chamber membership?
Don’t just sit back and let all of the networking and educational events pass you by.
There are things going on every week from Ribbon Cuttings to Business Aer Hours to
get out and meet hard working business people like yourself. You get out what you put in.
Q. Give us your 30 second elevator speech about your business. I am a local
financial advisor that provides wealth management and comprehensive financial and
retirement planning. We help you plan for the future and sustain a comfortable lifestyle
once you get there.
Heather Pender
Merrill Lynch
Financial Advisor
How long have you been an
ambassador? 3 years
Grand Strander
25
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies
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].
Cheesesteak U
1867 Hwy. 544, Unit D
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 685-2287
cheesesteaku.com
Coastal Wine Tastings
187 River Reach Dr.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(814) 380-1541
coastalwinetastings.com
26
Carolina Forest Hearing Center, P.C.
3885 Renee Dr., Ste. 102
(843) 903-0635
carolinaforesthearingcenter.com
Waccamaw Mechanical Services, LLC
PO Box 2253
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
(843) 902-1156
wacmech.com
Secure Background Systems
PO Box 1181
Little River, SC 29566
(800) 731-7858
SBSIntegrity.com
Ribbon-Cuttings, See Page 28
Grand Strander 27
Ribbon-Cuttings, Continued From Page 27
Stockton Infrared Thermographic
Services, Inc.
8472 Adams Farm Rd.
Randleman, NC 27317
(336) 689-4354
stocktoninfrared.com
Custom Shirt Zone
6300 Dawn Court
(843) 457-5998
customshirtzone.com
Evergreen Landscaping
741-A Commerce Place
(843) 444-0023
evergreenlandscaping.com
28
The Dugout Baseball and
Soball Center
1121 3rd Ave. S.
(843) 712-2735
thedugoutmb.com
Seaside Furniture Gallery
527 Hwy. 17 N.
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 280-7632
seasidefurnitureonline.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
Conserving energy. Becoming ecofriendly. Recycling waste. Reducing
your carbon footprint. Regardless of
how you describe it, it’s a national
movement that can’t be ignored. And
unlike most trends, our community’s
commitment to living, working and
playing while minimizing our impact
on the environment is here to stay.
Go to MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com/
education/going_green.html and read
about Myrtle Beach Area Chamber
of Commerce members who practice
conservation efforts – maybe you’ll
get a new idea or two. And while you
are there, discover businesses who sell
green products and services. Support
your local chamber members and go
green!
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 706 April 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 2,000 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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