October 2008 - Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

Celebrating 70 Years!
MYRTLE BEACH AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CE
L E B R AT I N G
YEARS
WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU?
Learn what chamber members
are up to this month.
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MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
Special
Events
2
Education
Programs
Be a Star
This month’s spotlight is on
Hard Rock Cafe and Bridget BainGrasse, sales & marketing manager.
Find out what’s rockin’ at the
Hard Rock Cafe.
member anniversaries
What’s the secret to long-term success
in the Myrtle Beach area business
community? Establishing lasting and
personal relationships with other
professionals. What’s the most
effective way to do that? Membership
in the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber
of Commerce. During October,
109 members will be celebrating their
chamber anniversaries. Discover which
business has been a chamber member
for 29 years.
Benefit of the MOnth
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce’s Business Before, During,
After Hours is taking applications for
host locations for 2009. This is an
excellent opportunity to showcase
your business and bring in new
customers. To host this event before,
during or after hours, check out the
October Grand Strander Online.
Business
Connections
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Marketing
Strategies
Ribbon cuttings
Celestial Spa on Cloud 9, along
with seven other members, recently
celebrated ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
Check out all the photos in the
Grand Strander Online.
Vote for Business
The U.S. Chamber’s 2008 Election
Center allows you to sign up for
customized in-depth candidate
profiles, detailed race reports, current
polling information, ballot measure
updates, and political multimediadelivered directly to you via e-mail.
To access this information, visit Myrtle
Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s
Government Relations page at
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, click
on the Government Relations icon and
Vote For Business.
Search
Member
Resources
Government
Relations
news that affects
your business
Your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce makes it easy for you to
stay-on-top of all the latest chamber
news. Everything is just a click away.
Go to MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
and click on Sign up for eNews.
Grand Strander Express: The
at-a-glance recap of chamber news and
events for the current and upcoming
weeks. This e-newsletter gives you a
chance to register early for events and
plan your monthly schedule.
Education Updates: Increase your
knowledge. Sharpen your skills. Build
positive relationships and network
with other business people. Chart the
best path to success through the
Chamber Academy.
Small Business News: Programs
and services that help small businesses
grow and succeed.
Cooperative Advertising: Save
money through group advertising.
Grand
add a Web Sticker to your “virtual”
storefront.
Check out the Members Only
section by going online at
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.
DHEC Responds to
Environmental Concerns
In response to questions and criticisms
by local residents about the AVX Corp.
site and permits requested by AVX, the
South Carolina Department of Health
and Environmental Control (DHEC) has
established a Web page, scdhec.gov/avx,
which will be updated with relevant
information as it becomes available.
Residents can visit the Web site and sign
up for a monthly e-mail update. The
September 2008 update, which is posted
online, includes information related to:
• AVX Air Construction Permit
• AVX Air Operating Permit
• Bureau of Land and Waste
Management sessions
• Bureau of Water and
related permitting request
If you have questions, contact Larry
Ragsdale or Matt Maxwell in the local
DHEC office at (843) 238-4378 or visit
scdhec.gov/avx.
m e mbe r Benefit
members only area
The Members Only page on the
chamber’s Web site makes it easy for
you to:
•Register for Chamber Events –
Quickly register for chamber events
and educational classes in the Members
Only section. Your contact information
is automatically inserted into the
registration form so you don’t have
to re-enter your business name and
address each time. Click on the
calendar located on the Members
Only page to sign up for events.
• Update Company Profile –
Instantly update your company’s
contact information and business
directory listings in our database.
You can even update your lodging
and restaurant accommodations.
This will ensure that the chamber
has the most current data on your
company.
• Download Chamber Member
Web Stickers – The chamber has
always provided stickers and plaques
for members to place on their
storefronts, and now it’s easy to
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Quick calendar
See Page 23 for a complete listing of our events and meetings.
Tuesday, Oct. 14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Chamber Academy: Leading Teams
Through Change: “Remember the Titans”
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Boardroom
1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach
Wednesday, Oct. 29
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Annual Membership Meeting
Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel, 2101 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach
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c hambe r Academy
Sponsored by
10.8
Register for classes at ChamberAcademy.com
The Chamber Academy is sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Herald. Classes are held in the boardroom
(unless otherwise noted) at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach.
Register for classes at ChamberAcademy.com. Payment is due at time of registration. No refunds or
rescheduling. To learn more, contact Blakely Jenkins, education and small business programs manager,
[email protected] or (843) 916-7232.
Series
Topic
Presented by
Business Series
Dealing With Difficult Employees
Eileen Soisson
The Meeting Institute
Date/time
Oct. 8 • 9-11 a.m.
Cost
Sign up by
$10 members
$40 nonmembers
10/07
Description: Are there any difficult employees within your workplace? Difficult employees increase our stress levels, lower morale, foster negativity and can
be destructive to our workplace or departmental productivity. This session will identify the aggressors, victims and rescuers, and more importantly, commit to the
appropriate behavioral responses to limit the effects of these difficult people.
11.20
Series
Topic
Business Series
From Lacking to Lucrative: Tips and Mona McGraw
Features of Thriving Web Sites
NuRelm Inc.
Presented by
Date/time
Nov. 20 • 9-11 a.m.
Cost
Sign up by
$10 members
$40 nonmembers
11/19
Description: Do you know what it takes to make a good Web site great? Discover the secrets of how cutting-edge business professionals maintain successful
Web sites. Experts will reveal tips that can maximize Web site design, content and search engine optimization.
LGS alumni leadership education series
‘Remember the Titans’
Through the movie and true story
“Remember the Titans,” presenter
Bill Parker demonstrates how
to lead teams through change
successfully. This true and inspiring
story enables participants to see
how vitally important it is to meet
the interpersonal needs (inclusion/
control/caring) of team members in
times of radical change. Participants
are challenged to assess the change
initiatives facing both Coach Boone and
Coach Yoast, using a two-page changeplanning template. An observation
4
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LGS Alumni Leadership Education Series sponsored by
form is provided that permits
participants to witness and discuss the
impact and significance of interpersonal
needs being met as teams develop
through the development stages that
lead to high performance. Finally,
participants will take an interpersonalneeds assessment to discover what new
behaviors would render them more
effective. There are many lessons in
the movie that have implications for
diversity, brotherhood and civility.
This is one class you won’t want to miss.
Date/Time
Oct. 14 • 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Series
LGS Alumni Education Series
Topic
Leading Teams Through Change: “Remember the Titans”
Presented by
Bill Parker Associates
Location
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Boardroom,
Cost
$40 LGS Alumni; $50 chamber members;
$75 nonmembers (includes lunch)
Sign up by
10/13
Grand
strander
Three minutes of your time =
a year’s worth of advocacy
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Legislative Policy Council works hard on behalf
of the membership to monitor and address
local, state and federal issues that impact your
business. To be effective, the council believes it
is important to build a comprehensive legislative
agenda that identifies those issues that are most
important to you and your business. This agenda –
a working plan of advocacy in action – guides the
chamber’s lobbying efforts for the coming year.
“An important political year lies ahead with
changing government leaders and administrations,”
noted Franklin Daniels of Nexsen Pruet, LLC
and MBACC Legislative Policy Council chairman.
“This is a timely opportunity for the Grand Strand
business community’s voice to be heard. We’re
asking members to help us determine the key
priorities we should address with elected officials
locally, in Columbia and in Washington D.C.”
What’s in store for 2009?
Your chamber’s 2009 legislative agenda will be
formed by the LPC using feedback from member
surveys and the South Carolina Chamber of
Commerce Grassroots Forum that was held late
August. These efforts will not only help us build
our 2009 legislative agenda but also will support the
chamber in creating effective partnerships with other
local, state and national organizations seeking the
same goals. Once approved, this legislative agenda
will guide our lobbying efforts during the coming year.
Your input is vital as we build an agenda that
represents the needs of the entire business
community. In less than five minutes, you can weigh
in on issues that are important to the Grand Strand
business community. Sign up for the chamber’s
GovNET legislative e-newsletter to receive a direct
link to the legislative survey that will be posted
on the chamber’s Web site around mid-October.
Go to MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and click on
Sign Up for eNews. Once the legislative survey
is online, the chamber will e-mail a GovNET
e-newsletter announcing the survey and deadline.
Top Five Relocation States
1. New York
2. Pennsylvania
3. North Carolina
4. Maryland
5. New Jersey
Your chamber has embarked on a new fiscal year
and is gearing up to develop a legislative agenda that
represents the voices of all our member organizations.
August 2008
We value your opinions – please take this
opportunity to tell us what you think.
55
Grand
Energy
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Al te r n a ti ve
FREE
ENERGY FORUM
&
o th e
O p e n t li c
Pu b
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 ~ 9 a.m. • Myrtle Beach Convention Center
Exhibit space in Hall of Fame/Lobby open before and after forum
OPe ning
Santee Coop
er Executive
Management
John Clark, D
Rennie M. “R
Senior Vice
Bio
ir. SC Energy
.M.” Singletar
President of
y
Corporate Ser
vices
R.M. Singleta
ry is senior vice
services for
president
Santee Coo
per, South Car of corporate
owned elec
tric utility. In
olina’s state
Santee Coo
this capacit
per’s efforts
y,
in Environmen he leads
Construction
tal Services,
and Transpo
relicensing,
Corporate Plan rtation Services, FERC
ning and Bulk
Power.
Singletary has
been employe
for 27 yea
d by Santee
rs, having
Cooper
served in
capacities,
a variety
inclu
of
and as vice ding manager of Jeff
erie
s Station
president of
Generation.
Fossil and
Hydro
Rennie M . “R
The region’s
.M .” Singleta
power needs,
O ffice – Real
ities of Altern
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ry, Senior VP
of
now and into
Corporate Se
rvices Santee
Cooper –
the future Pa n e l e n
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Nuclear – St
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ephen By
Singletary is
a double grad
degree in
uate of Clem
1975 and
a master of son University with a bac
engineering
helor of scie
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. He also earn
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7 in mechan
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Bioenerg y
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W RA P UP –
Odell, South
SC 29461 Ɣ
843-761-4133
– Dr. Terry H.
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Otis Rawl, SC
Register on
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Carolina Busin
Walker, Prof
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John Felmy, Ch
Chamber & Br
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ad Dean, MBA
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line at Myr
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For more in
om click on
formation
Energy Foru
please call
m.
(843) 626-74
44.
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will be
hosting an Alternative Energy Forum 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Oct. 8 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center (Ballrooms
B and C). The event is free, and the public is encouraged
to attend to learn more about this timely issue.
“Alternative energy in general and offshore drilling in
particular are key issues on our legislative agenda,” said
Franklin Daniels of Nexsen Pruet, LLC and MBACC
Legislative Policy Council chairman. “The Legislative
Policy Council actively supports the General Assembly’s
creation of a task force to study the possibility
of offshore drilling and believes the state should
examine likely benefits and all possible costs, including
the impact on South Carolina coastal tourism.”
Congressman
Gresham Barr
et t – Energy
Polic y – Iden
opportunities
tifing the man
& challenges
y in this area
Based on gene
ration, Sant
state, municipal ee Cooper is the natio
n’s second-la
and district syste
rgest publicly
ms, and the
owned
third largest
Santee Coop
based on mega electric utility among the
er serves 143,0
the source of
watt-hour sales
power for the 00 retail customers in Berke
.
state’s 20 elect
Santee Coop
ley, Georgetow
er also serve
n and Horry
s 31 large indusric cooperatives, serving
counties. The
million of the
650,000 custo
trial customers
state’s 4.1 millio
utility is
mers
in 11 South
n people recei
Carolina coun throughout the state.
ve their powe
ties.
r directly or
indirectly from Approximately 1.8
Santee Coop
er.
6
Speake r s
leaders to present
Alternative Energy
stitute
The forum will address the pros and cons of various
forms of power generation as the Myrtle Beach area —
and our nation — seeks viable, long-term solutions to
rising gasoline prices and growing energy needs. Energy
leaders will present topics ranging from federal energy
policy to regional power needs to alternative energies.
“We believe the nation desperately needs, and currently
lacks, a comprehensive energy policy that will ensure
affordable energy prices for individuals and businesses,
while reducing the country’s overdependence on
foreign oil,” said Brad Dean, president and CEO,
MBACC. “The Alternative Energy Forum will further
discussion at the federal, state and local levels and
offer the public the opportunity to become further
engaged in an issue that impacts each of us every day.”
For more information and to register, visit the chamber’s
site at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com. The registration
deadline is Oct. 6.
Grand
Seventy years strong
In many ways, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s 70 years of service
mirrors the ups and downs of the Grand Strand’s own economic transformation since
1938 – from the early years of basic infrastructure development through the Hurricane
Hazel destruction in 1954 and the rebuilding phase in the 1960s. During the 1970s, new
construction in the area topped $75 million and the permanent population tripled. The
steady building of attractions, homes, retail shops and other amenities continued into
the 1980s and 1990s, shaping Myrtle Beach into the year-round mecca for shoppers,
vacationers and golfers that it is today.
While the current economic climate has created new challenges for area businesses
and tourism growth, it also has opened new doors. A “new” Myrtle Beach is rising
with additional airline service, the opening of new attractions and amusements,
luxury oceanfront resorts and an amazing number of festivals and special events.
Through each of these transformations over the past 70 years, the Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce has repositioned and redefined itself as well.
While the purpose of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce – to promote,
protect and improve business throughout the Grand Strand – remains the same, the
methods to achieve this purpose have shifted during our seven decades. One example
of change can be seen in the production of the Sun Fun Festival. The festival, which first
started in 1951, has evolved from human checkerboard games to car giveaways and the
world’s tallest sandcastle. The annual kickoff to the summer season, which had been held
for more than 50 years downtown by the beach, moved to the former Myrtle Beach Air
Force Base. And the one-weekend festival has turned into a summerlong event with free
concerts.
And while the Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo just enjoyed its 55th year of promoting
saltwater fishing opportunities in the area, and the Canadian-American Festival looks
F rom My Desk
“You only stand on the mountain top for a moment.
It’s the journey that provides all the best memories.”
Jim Bouchard
Author of “Dynamic Components of Personal Power. Success the Black Belt Way”
forward to its 48th year of welcoming Canadian and American visitors, the Grand Strand
also has witnessed other impressive events that draw in visitors. The two presidential
primary debates were undoubtedly the premier events of the decade with unprecedented
publicity value.
Not only has the marketing of the Myrtle Beach area seen progress over the years, the
benefits that the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber offers our members have evolved since
1938. While early chamber history is sketchy, the mid-1980s benefits included a central
mailing service of member brochures, Business After Hours, advertising in chamber
publications, various festivals, plus a few other benefits. Today’s chamber benefits
range from educational classes through the Chamber Academy, Web links, e-postcards,
Connections Marketplace, motorcoach leads, Member-to-Member Discounts, plus lots
more.
Although the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has had a very short history, it is
still a history worth celebrating. On Oct. 30, please join your chamber’s board of directors
and entire staff as we celebrate seven decades of service to the Myrtle Beach area and
toast our members’ continued success for the next 70 years. The birthday party will be
held at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes – turn to Page 8 for all the
details.
Imagine the Myrtle Beach area in 1938 … the Intracoastal Waterway had opened two
years earlier bringing in pleasure boats and commercial shipping, tourists were flocking
to the glitzy Ocean Forest Hotel, and the U.S. Census tallied Horry County’s population
at 39,376 (1930). It was a time of development and expansion and the inception of the
Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce.*
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We thank the business community for your support over the last 70 years. And we ask
you to stay the course with your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce for another
70 years.
Brad Dean
President & CEO
*1957 – Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce changed name to Greater Myrtle Beach Chamber
of Commerce, serving South Carolina’s Grand Strand from North Myrtle Beach to historic
Georgetown. 1979 – Greater Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce changed name to Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce. Opened Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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Grand
S pe cial e ve nt s Update
For more information on any of these events, go to
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and click on the Special Events icon.
Mark your calendar
10.29.08
strander
Annual meeting
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sheraton Myrtle Beach
Convention Center Hotel
Description: The annual membership meeting brings together the leadership and membership of the Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and launch new chamber initiatives. Keynote speaker at
this year’s event is political consultant and author Frank Luntz. At the awards luncheon, we will be saluting 11 outstanding businesses
and individuals for their exceptional services to our community. Check out this year’s finalists on Page 13. The cost to attend the
annual meeting, which includes a first-rate networking session with a continental breakfast, general session with Luntz, morning and
afternoon educational classes and the highly anticipated awards ceremony and luncheon, is $45 per member ($55 nonmember) or
$450 for a reserved table for 10 members (includes a table tent with company name). Registration deadline is Oct. 24. Register online
at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, click on Special Events.
10.30.08
Chamber 70th Birthday Celebration 5:30-9 p.m.
Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort
at Grande Dunes
8400 Costa Verde Dr.
Myrtle Beach
Description: Join us in the celebration of the 70th birthday of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. We’ll be toasting
our rich history and thanking our 2,400 members for their valuable contributions and steady allegiance. Drop by and enjoy great
food, live entertainment and giveaways. This birthday party is free, however, to make sure we have enough cake for everyone, please
register at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, click on Special Events.
President’s
11.20.08
President’s Gala
7-10 p.m.
Dunes Golf & Beach Club
9000 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach
Description: Two remarkable community leaders will be honored at the 2008 President’s Gala. This premier black-tie optional
event celebrates the Citizen of the Year and Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year. Visit the chamber’s Web site to register.
12.10.08
Legislative Luncheon
11:45 a.m. - 2 p.m.
TBA
Description: Come out and meet local and state representatives and learn where your elected officials stand on business issues
important to the Grand Strand. This event was still in the planning stages as the Grand Strander went to press, so please log onto
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and click on Special Events for location, cost and registration.
2.4.09
8
Grand Strand Legislative Reception
5-9 p.m.
Clarion Town House
1615 Gervais St., Columbia
Description: Every year, we travel to Columbia to meet with members of the S.C. General Assembly. Mark you calendar for the
2009 reception. Look for details in upcoming issues of the Grand Strander.
Grand
strander
Taki n g Care of Business
Programs and services to help small businesses grow and succeed. Page Compliments of DSL Marketing.
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thousands of willing and able companies to choose from. This is great because
competition creates competitive pricing, but there is a big difference between
a great price and too good to be true. The companies that offer especially low
prices typically are promising you nothing more than the barest of essentials.
The design may look appealing – but the Web site as a whole has very little
substance and what you paid for is only what you see on the surface. Their goal
is to produce as many small Web sites as they possibly can at one time. What
that means for you is they care more about quantity than quality. And then
there are those companies that lure in unknowing businesses with a very low
price, only to tack on fees for “extras” – which are often those very elements
that your Web site needs to have a successful online presence – like testing and
warranty periods (to be discussed in Part III).
This is why you should go with a qualified and proven interactive marketing
company, where your Web site will be the focus, and the work and research
will be done specifically for your business and your market needs. In addition
to getting a fully functional Web site, you will also have a product that will
not have to be redone in six months. A qualified marketing company will take
the time to plan out your Web site, not only for what you want now, but what
you’ll need after you go live. They’ll create a fully marketable product that
looks good and functions properly, which is attractive to users as well as search
engines, and that can be easily expanded upon without committing to a total
redesign.
If you need a Web site built or redesigned, or you’re looking to increase
awareness or drive more traffic to your business’s Web site, chances are you
may need the help of a professional interactive marketing company. Because
of the popular use of the Internet in today’s market, small businesses now have
access to thousands of different interactive marketing companies from around
the world – which is a good thing. But just because a marketing company says
they can build a Web site, doesn’t mean they are qualified to do so. In this three
part series, I will be pointing out a few things you should know before you
choose just anyone to design and build your Web site.
Why you should choose a professional
interactive company PART I
Bottom line is, when you receive an estimate for your Web site, make sure you
know exactly what you’re getting creatively and technically. While the price
might seem right at the time, it could end up costing you more in the long
run.
In the second part of this series, I will be discussing what you should expect
from your designers and developers after your Web site goes live.
Editor’s Note: Article courtesy of DSL Marketing. If you have questions
regarding development of your Web site, or marketing in general, visit
DSLMarketing.com.
99
Grand
Eco n om i c Update
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grand Strand’s fall economic outlook
10
Every quarter, I prepare and present a short-term would represent a decline of about 9.5 percent
the early part of the summer, and are expected
economic forecast for our area to the Grand
compared to last year, and is consistent with the
to be up about 2.0 percent during the fall quarter
Strand Economic Outlook board in conjunction
overall shaky economic climate.
compared to last fall. Specifically, admissions
with the Waccamaw Regional Council of
tax revenues are projected to come in at
Governments. This gives me a chance to hear
Lodging occupancy rates are expected to
$2.3 million during the current fall quarter.
from local individuals on their views of the local
average roughly 47.3 percent during the fall
However, if the early summer strength
economy, and provides great insight to me as
quarter, down about 0.5 percentage points
continues, then this could be a conservative
I continue to analyze trends affecting our area.
from the same period last year. The average
forecast for tax revenues. Meanwhile, total
As we are currently in the middle of the fall
daily room rate is projected to be down about
accommodations tax revenues are currently
business season (September through November), 1.2 percent from last fall. Overall, occupancy has projected to be off by less than 1 percentage
for this month’s column I’d like to provide an
been down across the Grand Strand this year.
point compared to the fall of 2007.
overview of this most
Horry County Indicators, Forecasts for Fall 2008
recent forecast specifically
Residential and
Value
% Change From Fall 2007
covering the current fall
commercial construction
quarter.
projects are both expected
Airport Deplanements
190 thousand
-9.5%
to be down between
Lodging Occupancy Rate
47.3%
-0.5%
The quarterly forecast
5 percent and 10 percent
Admissions Tax Revenue
$2.3 million
2.0%
prepared for the Economic
compared with last fall.
Single Family Building Permits*
732
-7.8%
Outlook board covers
On the residential side,
a variety of indicators
single family construction
Retail Sales
$2.1 billion
1.0%
for the Grand Strand,
will remain weak until
Employment
126.6 thousand
2.0%
including indicators related
home sales pick up.
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
0.4%
to tourism, construction,
Because we have seen
*Permits include Horry and Georgetown Counties
consumer spending,
price declines and some
and employment and
drawdown of the existing
unemployment conditions.
inventory, I currently
The tourism indicators in the report include
However, it is important to remember that with
expect sales activity to stabilize late this year and
airport deplanements, lodging occupancy
an ever-changing supply of units in our area, we
into the first months of 2009. On the commercial
and average daily rates, and accommodations
cannot draw a direct link between occupancy
side, we need to see economic improvement
and admissions tax revenue. The number of
and the number of visitors to the area. For
resulting in lower vacancy rates among retail
airport deplanements is expected to be roughly
example, while occupancy rates have been down, and office space before we see a turnaround in
190 thousand during the fall quarter. This
admissions tax revenues have been strong during business investment.
Don Schunk is a research economist with the BB&T Center for Economic and Community
Development at Coastal Carolina University. He develops and maintains a database of regional
economic indicators and publishes economic forecasts; serves as a liaison with the area business
community and state and local governments; and writes a monthly column for the Grand Strander.
strander
Accommodations tax collections
Turning to the area’s labor markets, we
currently are seeing increases in both
employment and unemployment. How
does this happen? The continued rapid
population growth into our area is
boosting the size of labor force faster
than those new entrants into our labor
markets can find work, thereby boosting
the unemployment rate. This situation
is expected to continue throughout the
fall quarter, as the Myrtle Beach area is
expected to continue to post relatively
strong job growth, while at the same time
also posting higher jobless rates.
Overall, the broader national economy
remains mired in uncertainty largely due
to the ongoing troubles in the financial
sector. Once the credit and housing
markets see some clear signs of stability,
the overall economy should be in position
to post stronger growth.
Jun +1.2%
jUl -1.3%
may -18.1%
$324,617
$257,285
$107,792
$280,489
Georgetown County
$131,545
$3,344,604
$3,390,289
$2,592,125
$2,560,161
$1,437,468
May +1.6%
jun -8.3%
jUl -8.0%
R esidential construction permits J une 0 8
Location
Myrtle Beach Unincorporated
Single Family Units
Single Family Units Cost
Multi-Family Bldgs.
Multi-Family Units
Multi-Family Bldgs. Cost
8
$1,119,000
4
24
$2,712,224
181
$26,462,315
3
50
$3,409,286
North
Myrtle Beach
13
$3,393,285
1
30
$6,686,320
Surfside
Beach
5
$1,162,880
0
0
0
R esidential construction permits J une 07
Location
Myrtle Beach Unincorporated
Single Family Units
Single Family Units Cost
Multi-Family Bldgs.
Multi-Family Units
Multi-Family Bldgs. Cost
4
$2,059,627
2
10
$1,176,547
262
$38,754,527
6
76
$7,893,968
J une unemployment
County
Horry
Georgetown
2007
136,323
30,323
Rate
County
4.4% 139,718
5.6%
Horry
6.0%
6.9%
Georgetown
30,272
Horry
2007
2008
$905,773,539 $937,117,351
Surfside
Beach
2
$321,398
0
0
0
Georgetown
County
16
$4,804,620
0
0
0
Georgetown
County
42
$9,287,659
1
6
$364,800
J une admissions tax
June gross retail sales
County
North
Myrtle Beach
24
$5,673,441
2
73
$16,270,046
Rate
Number of persons in labor force, rate
2008
Key
Retail sales across Horry and Georgetown
counties were down sharply during the
spring 2008. The earliest indications of the
summer suggest that retail sales picked up
across the region, at least in part due to
the spending of tax rebate checks. As the
effects of the stimulus checks fade, retail
sales during the fall are expected to be
generally flat when compared to last year.
$1,461,127
Horry County
2008
2007
$352,762
Grand
Eco n om i c Indicators
%Change
+3.5%
Georgetown $126,963,667 $158,176,300 +24.6%
2007
2008
% Change
$1,102,165
$1,247,879
+13.2%
$76,340
$63,804
-16.4%
J une airport activity
2007
2008
% Change
Arrivals
84,050
80,013
-4.80%
Departures
81,235
77,457
-4.65%
Sources: S.C. Departments of PRT and Revenue, Bureau of Census, S.C. Employment Commission, Horry County Department of Airports
1111
Grand
strander
Annual Meeting, Continued From Cover Page
Celebrating
MYRTLE BE
CHAMBER OF
12
Grand
EACH AREA
F COMMERCE
i -73/74 Update
major
milestone for I-73
in South Carolina
by Melanie Dorman, I-73 project coordinator,
National Interstate 73/74 Corridor Association
On Aug. 6, state and federal transportation officials
signed the Final Environmental Impact Statement
for the northern route of I-73 in South Carolina. The
northern route is approximately 36 miles long and will
run from I-95 in South Carolina, through Marlboro
and Dillon counties to the North Carolina border
near Rockingham. The Final Environmental Impact
Statement for the southern route of I-73 in South
Carolina was signed last year and will run through
Marion and Horry counties. The next step for I-73 in
South Carolina will be the signing of the Record of
Decision which is expected to take place in October.
g 70 Years!
strander
”We’ve reached a significant milestone in the progress
of I-73 with the approval of the Final Environmental
Impact Statement for the Northern Corridor in South
Carolina,“ said Rep. Alan Clemmons, chairman of the
National I-73/74 Corridor Association. “Secretary
Limehouse and staff should be congratulated for
the long hours and hard work that led to this
accomplishment. In addition, this would not have
been possible without the support of the friends of
I-73 throughout South Carolina and the entire corridor.
Now, let’s lay some asphalt.”
To learn more about the National Interstate 73/74
Corridor Association, contact Melanie Dorman at
(866) 924-7374 or [email protected] or visit the Web
at I73.com.
1313
Grand
strander
EXHIBITOR
Christmas Towne, Horry County’s premier free
community holiday festival, will take place Dec. 4
from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach Convention
Center outdoor events plaza. Recently named a
Top 20 event in the Southeast by the Southeast
Tourism Society, Christmas Towne continues to
grow year after year and the festivals division is
looking to make it even bigger and better in 2008.
The festival will carry on the tradition of providing
a wide variety of free activities and entertainment
for families and children during the holiday season.
There will be free pony and train rides, free snacks,
free photos with Santa and free entertainment
from musical groups such as Festive Brass. New for
this year will be the lighting of a 45-foot Christmas
tree to get everyone in the holiday spirit!
MBACC members have an opportunity to purchase
a 10-by-10 promotional space at Christmas Towne
for only $35. All members need to do is agree to
provide a meaningful activity for children in their
display area. Members are allowed to display signage
or promotional material in their space, but are not
allowed to sell goods due to the free community
nature of the festival. This benefit is limited to select
members that are approved for participation by an
event committee. To participate, fill out the display
space application and return by Friday, Oct. 24.
This is a great opportunity for our members to
be associated with such a positive festival, touch
thousands of people (estimated attendance for
the 2007 festival was 8,000 people) and show
community support during the holiday season.
14
space application form
Contact
NAme:
Business
name:
MAiling
adDress:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP:
wORK
pHONE:
mOBILE
pHONE:
E-mAIL:
I am a current member of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
Yes, I am interested in reserving a space: ____
YES
NO
Yes, I am interested in receiving sponsorship information:____
Description of activity or giveaway I will provide for children. (Use separate sheet if necessary.)
Electrical hookups needed?
YES
NO
If yes, please indicate the amount of power:
A signed application constitutes a contract to follow all rules and regulations and is a commitment to participate
personally of accepted. Violation of the rules and regulations prior to, during or at the end of the festival will result
in loss of display space without refund, and the exhibitor may be excluded from future festivals. Applications will
not be considered if they are incomplete, unsigned or received after the deadline.
Signature:
Date:
Please complete and return this application along with a $35 check made payable to
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce no later than Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, by 5 p.m.
Attn: Julie Sluss, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Grand
Reach
C hambe r Happenings
Discover more networking events at
Oct. 16
7:30-9:15 a.m.
Connections
Marketplace
Springmaid Beach Conference Center, 3200 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle
Beach. Adjacent to the Springmaid Beach Resort Hotel with free
parking.
$15 per person (includes breakfast). Pre-registration required.
Sorry, no refunds or rescheduling.
Register at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, click on
Business Connections.
Questions?
Call (843) 916-7225
Oct. 28
3 p.m
Registration Deadline:
Oct. 15
CHamber Access
MBACC Boardroom, 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach
Are you a new member of the chamber? Are you new at your
company? Or perhaps you are a long-standing member that needs
an update on all your benefits. Then make plans to attend the next
Chamber Access at your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
Here’s your chance to meet chamber staff, introduce your business/
organization, and familiarize yourself with the many benefits
your chamber has to offer. Learn how to take advantage of your
membership through Chamber Access – your entry pass to member
benefits.
Free, value-added benefit of chamber membership. Register at
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, click on Business Connections.
Questions?
Call (843) 916-7225
Registration Deadline:
Oct. 27
newcomers
from across the nation –
before and after they arrive
Reserve your space in Grand Strand Living
Published both in print and online at GrandStrandLiving.com, this community magazine
reaches a targeted audience of prospective new residents and businesses at the right time
– as they are making important decisions regarding products and services. Grand Strand
Living® contains information on real estate, business, health care, arts and culture, local
government, education and more. Not only is it an indispensable resource for anyone
planning to relocate, but the guide is often requested by local residents who are looking
for a trusted chamber member for products and services.
Why advertise in Grand Strand Living?
Grand Strand Living is published annually as a guide for those who are planning
to relocate or have recently moved to the Grand Strand. This publication provides
opportunities for advertisers to reach new residents needing to re-establish buying
relationships.
• Grand Strand Living makes it quick and easy to find products and services with two
membership listings in the guide. Both alphabetical and categorical listings are included
with two-color ads in the categorical section in addition to four-color ads in the book.
• Even businesses with small advertising budgets (four-color ads start at $1,147)
can make an impact and reach thousands of potential customers by advertising in
Grand Strand Living.
• A total of 35,000 will be printed, plus an electronic version of the guide will be online
at GrandStrandLiving.com.
Connections Marketplace is the chamber’s popular speed networking
program for busy professionals. At Connections Marketplace, you’ll
be seated at tables of eight. Each participant will have one minute
to talk about her/his products and services. After everyone has had
a turn, participants have two minutes for networking. At the end of
a 10-minute round, everyone will rotate to a new table to talk with
a new group of people. Bring a minimum of 75 business cards to
exchange and display on the share table (a table for your business
cards, brochures, product samples, etc.)
strander
Important Dates
(New memberships must be in by Jan. 15, 2009, in order to be listed in the
2009 Grand Strand Living.)
Ad sales close: Dec. 15, 2008
Payment due: Dec. 17, 2008, or ad space will be cancelled
Ad materials due: Jan. 15, 2009, by 2 p.m.
Learn More: Scott Head, advertising sales manager, [email protected]
or (843) 916-7277 or MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.
Grand Strand Living is published by your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
1515
Grand
WIKI, LinkendIn
and Widget, Oh No!
by Blakely Jenkins, MBACC education and
small business programs manager
Wiki, LinkendIn and Widget, no these
aren’t the gsSCENE mascot’s name, these
are the just part of the huge craze of
social media. I bet you didn’t know that
Facebook is adding about 350,000 new
users every single day.* Or according to
Wikipedia.org, Wikipedia has grown
rapidly into one of the largest reference
Web sites, attracting at least 684 million
visitors yearly by 2008. There are more
than 75,000 active contributors working
on more than 10,000,000 articles in more
than 250 languages.
Because of the growth of these programs,
gsSCENE is offering an Educational
Breakfast: “Social Media Seminar” on
Nov. 18, 8:30-10 a.m. at the Community
Room in Fire Station #6 located on 38th
Avenue North in Myrtle Beach. Find out
the answers to Web 2.0, Wiki, LinkendIn
and more, and how businesses are using
these tools as well as others to market
their business and how you can use
them to build your professional network.
Tabitha Bale from Brandon Advertising
and Public Relations and Brian Carter from
Fuel Interactive will be there to cover an
overview of different types and examples
of Wiki, Widget and Social Networking.
They will give examples of ways businesses
can use these tools to market products/
services and promote themselves.
*Canadian Marketing Association Digital
Marketing Conference, October 2007
Upcoming gsSCENE Events
(Register at gsSCENE.com)
Oct. 16
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Fall Social at Island Vista
Sponsored by Island Vista and Winestyles
NOV. 15
Community Service Projects
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Community Kitchen of Myrtle Beach
NOV. 18
8:30-10:30 a.m.
Educational Breakfast: Social Media
Fire Station #6, Community Room
Sponsored by The Bagel Factory
DEC. 11
16
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Christmas Celebration at Hard Rock Cafe
Sponsored by Hard Rock Cafe
strander
Do you have
what it takes to be a
chamber ambassador?
Chamber ambassadors are outgoing, enthusiastic and
dependable individuals who believe in and support the
efforts of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
Ambassadors are volunteers who enjoy meeting new people
and spending time with other professionals. Ambassadors act
as the official goodwill greeters between the chamber and
our current and prospective members. Their responsibilities
include one-on-one visitations with chamber businesses, event
networking and support of various chamber projects.
Why become a chamber Ambassador?
As an ambassador, you will gain business exposure by being the
first to meet chamber members and put your company’s name in
the forefront. By volunteering at chamber events and attending
the monthly ambassador meetings, your business is kept current
on what is going on within the chamber and community.
As an added bonus, you and your company are eligible for
monthly and yearly award recognition.
Do you have what it takes?
If you meet the criteria mentioned above and are interested
in becoming a chamber ambassador, contact Pat Creed,
membership programs manager, at (843) 916-7225
or [email protected].
Grand
strander
Spot light
Ambassador
of the Month
A Once-in-a-Lifetime
OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER
the Exact Words and Phrases to Help You Succeed!
Congratulations to Jenafor Braley
with Warranties for Less, who
earned Ambassador of the Month
for August. Braley is serving her
third year as an ambassador.
FRANK LUNTZ WILL:
• Offer a behind-the-scenes look at how the tactical use of words
and phrases affects what we buy, who we vote for, and even what
we believe in.
• Share how he has shaped policy and messaging for clients as
diverse as the White House and Congress to Fortune 500 business
leaders and nonprofit advocacy groups. Frank Luntz transformed
the “estate tax” into the “the death tax,” moved the public debate
from “school vouchers” to “opportunity scholarships,” and re-cast
“drilling for oil” as “exploring for energy.”
• Illustrate how to communicate in a way that will keep your
employees on your side and your customers happy.
DR. FRANK LUNTZ
Political pollster and premier
communications expert
welcomes political consultant and famed author
Frank Luntz, featured keynote speaker, to its
October annual membership meeting.
OCT. 29 • 8 A.M.-2 P.M.
Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel
Applause to Fidencia Pla with
Keller Williams Realty, who
earned the second highest total
points for August. Pla is serving
her second year as an ambassador.
$45 for chamber members, $55 for nonmembers
$450 for a reserved table for 10 members
(includes a table tent with company name)
Ticket price includes a first-rate networking session with a continental
breakfast, general session with Frank Luntz, all morning and afternoon
educational seminars, and the highly anticipated awards ceremony and luncheon.
Register online at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
1717
Grand
Co-op
Corner
is proud to offer its members a diverse mix of
cooperative advertising options through spring
2009.
The 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, e-mail blasts, magazine and
newspaper insert choices. Also, the chamber
will provide online creative support if needed
by participants.
To learn more about these exciting
opportunities and to find the right fit for your
marketing program, contact Lynne Boykin,
Brandon Advertising and Public Relations,
at (843) 916-2000 or e-mail at lboykin@
brandonadvertising.com. For a complete list of
co-ops, go to MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
and click on Marketing Strategies.
Space is limited for each opportunity 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.
Stay tuned for more information on the
chamber’s advertising opportunities at the
upcoming Marketing Update meeting to be
held in November. Look for details in next
month’s Grand Strander and in the weekly
Grand Strander Express.
18
Note: In order to participate, members must
contribute $1 per rented room night for
lodging members or a 1 percent “marketing
fee” or a nonparticipating advertising cost for
non-lodging members.
strander
Magazine Advertising Co - op
AAA Traveler–January/February 2009
AAA Traveler provides travel, automotive, insurance, legislative, safety and financial services information.
Geographic Target: Northern New Jersey, 225,000
Ad Size: 1/8 page,2.125x2.437
Material Deadline: 10/10/08
Ad Cost: $1,300, eight spots available
AAA Home & Away, AAA Journeys–January/February 2009
Home & Away is the official member publication for nine AAA clubs sent to more than
1.3 million households (3 million readers) every other month. Regular features include travel hints,
little-known vacation gems and weekend getaways. AAA Journeys features articles on regional
and world travel, area history, auto safety and transportation. Geographic Target: Columbus and Cincinnati, OH and Lexington, KY
Availability to send brochures to 200+ AAA travel agencies throughout Midwest, receive
leads directly via e-mail on a weekly basis, enhanced editorial at homeandawaymagazine.com for
six months and a bottom banner for one month.
Ad Size: 1/8 page, 3.187x4.187
Ad Cost: $4,390, eight spots available
Newspaper Advertising Co-op
Canadian FSI Newspaper Insert–January 2009
This four-color, multi-page, free-standing newspaper insert is distributed to 2.6 million
newspapers in strategic Canadian markets.
Geographic Target: Ontario: 45 newspapers; Toronto: 20 newspapers;
Quebec English: one newspaper
Ad Size: 2x2
Space Deadline: 10/27/08
Ad Cost: $2,270, six spots available
Spring FSI Newspaper Insert–January–March 2009
This four-color, multi-page, free-standing newspaper insert is distributed in 30 million
newspapers in key strategic markets.
Geographic Target: NY, NJ, PA, OH, MI, IN, IL, VA, WV
Ad Size: 1/6 page, 2.25x2
Space Deadline: 10/27/08
Ad Cost: $6,500, six spots available
Interactive Advertising Co - op
Winston-Salem Journal Custom E-Mail Blast
Customized e-mail blast highlighting three destinations in the Myrtle Beach area.
Geographic Target: 50,000 to 60,000 opt-in subscribers
Ad Size: 1/3 block
Ad Cost: $970, three spots available
Grand
BU S INE S S Bulletin
On the Web
AvidCast Inc. announced the
launch of a Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber member Web
site. A&D Tile and Grout
Restoration’s Web site can
be viewed by visiting
tileandgroutspecialists.com.
Inside Tracks
BB&T has promoted Denise
Brown to vice president.
Carolyn Kendall has
joined the Litchfield Beach
office of Coldwell Banker
Chicora Real Estate.
In the news
Best Golf Cars was featured
on “Inside Edition” as part
of a segment on golf cartfriendly communities.
Golf tour operator, Golf
Packages of the Carolinas,
announced that it has been
named to Inc. 5,000, an
Pawleys Plantation’s Jack
Nicklaus-designed course
has been named one of
the best courses in South
Carolina according to Golf
Magazine’s “first-ever”
ranking of the best courses
in each state. The rankings
were determined by Golf
Magazine’s course-ranking
panel, editorial staff and
“well traveled spies.” The
list appears in the September
issue of Golf Magazine.
Pawleys Plantation was
named “one of the most
underrated golf resorts”
in the Southeastern United
States by readers of Travel
+ Leisure Golf magazine.
Results of the annual reader
survey on the “World’s Best
Golf Resorts” were reported
in the 2008 September/
October issue of the
magazine and at tlgolf.com.
Expansions
JS Elite Flooring Company
has opened a new gallery
showroom boasting an
art gallery of Sicis Italian
mosaic tile, elaborate
bath samples, granite
countertops, tile, carpet and
wood flooring products.
Board
Appointments
Coldwell Banker Chicora
Real Estate announced
that Rod Smith, director
of general brokerage, has
been selected by the Real
Estate Commission and
Appraisers Board in Columbia
to serve on the Distance
Education Task Force.
The Grand Strand Hospitality
Sales Association recently
announced its 20082009 officers: President
– Wimberly Hubert,
Alabama Theatre; Vice
President – Debi Shofner,
Ripley’s Aquarium; Secretary
– Chris Butler, Dolly
Parton’s Dixie Stampede
Dinner & Show; and
Treasurer – Kathy
Herbaugh, Landmark
Resort. Learn More:
Wimberly Hubert,
(843) 602-5406 or
[email protected].
The Myrtle Beach Chapter
of NAWIC (National
Association of Women
In Construction) recently
installed new officers for the
coming year: President –
Sue Cline, retired; Vice
President – Jan Kroner,
North Strand Mechanical;
Treasurer – Joanne
Contento, A&I Fire
and Water Restoration;
Secretary – Kimberly
Richardson, Horry County
Construction Maintenance;
Board of Directors –
Sherry Lesley, DocuSystems;
Amy Grainger, Able Body
Labor; Molly Tanner,
Sunbelt Homes of Myrtle
Beach; and Laurie Suprano,
Habitat for Humanity of
Horry County.
wheeling & dealing
Collins + Company
Advertising/Design has
been selected to handle all
advertising and marketing
for The Penthouse at Saint
Clement. The project includes
creative branding and
marketing for interactive,
print and collateral media.
Continuing
education
Natalie Papandrea, with
Coldwell Banker Chicora
Real Estate’s Surfside
Beach office, has been
awarded the Accredited
Buyer Representation
(ABR®) designation by the
Real Estate Buyer’s Agent
Council Inc. of the National
Association of Realtors®.
cheers
The South Carolina House
of Representatives honored
Mylle Swatko of Coldwell
Banker Chicora Real Estate
as an outstanding
citizen of Horry County
for her hard work and
dedication, and for being
awarded an honorary
lifetime membership to the
board of directors of the
Coastal Carolina Chapter of
the American Red Cross.
A long-time member of the
local chapter, Swatko served
nine years on the board
of directors and helped to
educate the public about
the works of the Red Cross.
share your news
Please send Business Bulletin
updates (under 100 words)
by the 5th of each month for
the upcoming issue: e-mail –
Kori.Hippe@
VisitMyrtleBeach.com,
fax – (843) 626-0009, or
mail – Myrtle Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce,
Grand Strander,
P.O. Box 2115,
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578-2115
DSL Marketing has designed
a new Web site for a chamber
member – the Long Bay
Symphony. The Web site,
longbaysymphony.com,
features a list of upcoming
concerts, information
on youth programs and
symphony support, as well
as capabilities to listen to
music. In the future, concert
tickets also will be available
to purchase on the site.
annual list compiled by
Inc. MagazineTM of the
5,000 fastest-growing
private companies in the
United States. Inc. Magazine
ranked Golf Packages of the
Carolinas, LLC, No. 3,874,
as company revenues have
grown by 77.8 percent in the
past three years. To qualify,
companies must have had at
least $200,000 in revenue in
2004, and $2 million in 2007.
strander
1919
Grand
strander
PR Hotspot
PR hot tip:
Creating an online newsroom
by Kimberly Miles, public relations manager
When a journalist is looking for information
about your business, they are often times on
deadline or in a hurry. Immediate access to
media contacts and information is essential to
making sure your business is included in a story.
The easier you make it for media, the easier
it will be to garner free publicity. In a survey
conducted by journalists who participated in a
2008 Online Newsroom Survey by TEKgroup
International Inc., more than 400 journalists
indicated they frequently use online newsrooms
and are increasingly interested in specific
content. Here are some of the top assets a
journalist wants in an online newsroom:
1. Direct link from home page. When
media visit your Web site, a “media” or
“newsroom” link should be clear from your
home page.
2. PR contacts. Having contact information
for a PR representative is essential to be
accessible to journalists. Also, it is important
to leave a cell phone number or a 24-hour
number in case there are late-breaking items
or questions that need to be answered
outside of normal operating hours. Make
sure your contacts are updated at all times.
20
3. News releases. News releases, a core
component of an online newsroom should
be organized by both release date (newest
to oldest) and by topical information. Most
important when posting news releases is to
provide them in text format so information
can be copied easily.
4. Background Information. Journalists
often want a quick place where they can
access a company’s background information
and profile in one link. A company history or
timeline is most helpful.
5. P
hotographs. Journalists increasingly
rely on visual images to tell their story, so
a great online newsroom will have a place
where media can download images online.
It is usually a good sign of editorial coverage
to come when media download your highresolution photography. Company logos
should also be available within the image
gallery in a vector and nonvector format.
6. P
roduct information/press kits.
Depending on your business type, you will
want to include an electronic version of your
press kit online. Press kits usually contain
comprehensive information, including major
news releases, fast facts, product diagrams,
instructions manuals, spokespeople bios and
user testimonials. You also may want to
include audio and video such as corporate
commercials and product demonstrations in
B-roll quality.
7. Executive biographies. In addition to
a print biography of the business owner
or key management, you can also use audio
and video content to deliver messages to
the media.
8. Events. News releases, photos and
video recordings of corporate events allow
journalists to cover events they can’t attend.
9. Searchable archives. If your business
generates a lot of news and information,
it is vital to create a searchable archive where
media can type in a keyword and easily find
content on your Web site.
Portions of this article were obtained from the
story “This year’s must haves: Top 10 assets
a journalist wants in an online newsroom” in
the PRSA Public Relations Tactics July 2008
newsletter.
What would you like to learn or see in a future
PR Hot Spot? Want to be involved in this areas
PR efforts? Have a PR related question? You can
reach Kimberly Miles at (843) 916-7218 or
[email protected].
Grand
WELCOM E New Members
Alabama Theatre
Christmas Show
Theatres-Live
Eadee Woodcock
4750 Hwy. 17 S.
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 272-5758
(800) 782-2252
alabama-theatre.com
BAR-BE, Inc.
Liquor Stores
Betsy Farnsley
8724 Hwy. 707
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(937) 236-2520
China Dragon
Restaurant-Chinese
Rachel Ou
7701 N. Kings Hwy.
(843) 692-2333
chinadragon-myrtlebeach.com
Coastal Bio Diesel
Group, Inc.
Services
Tasha Biering
P.O. Box 71179
(843) 796-0506
(877) 224-9283
coastalbiodiesel.com
College Chore Pros, LLC
Home Services
William McElyea
10838 Kings Rd.
(843) 742-4777
collegechorepros.com
Creekside Cab
Taxicabs
David Fisher
5152 S. Hwy. 17 Business
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 357-8444
CreeksideCab.com
Driftwoods Seafood
& Steak, LLC
Restaurant-Family
Charles Beaver Jr.
10799 Unit 14 & 15
(843) 650-3278
Edward Jones
Investment-Security
Susie Johnson
4764 Hwy. 17 S. Bypass
(843) 651-9473
Elena’s Boutique &
Consignment
Consignment Shops
Raissa Krelidze
10764 - 11 Hwy. 707
(843) 650-3269
Exit Grand Strand
Real EstateJohn Wood-Realtor
Real Estate-Sales
John Wood
124 Henry Middleton Blvd.
(843) 655-3941
myrtlebeachproperties4you.com
La Pizza
Restaurant-Pizza
Edward Ricciardi
1780 Pine Island Rd.
(843) 712-2686
Lowcountry OystersThe Beaver Bar
Restaurant-Bar/Pub
Harbor Homes Houseboats Leslye Beaver
Boat-Dealers
3381 Hwy. 17 Business S.
Charlie Higgins
849 Marina Way
(843) 357-6969
Prosperity, SC 29127
BeaverBar.net
(803) 364-9353
M.B. Kahn Construction
Idearc Media
Company, Inc.
Ads-Directories/
Contractors-General
Magazines/Periodicals
Brandon Sessions
Larry Fineberg
736 Hwy. 501 E.
1004 29th Ave.
Conway, SC 29528
(843) 234-6490
(843) 424-2532
hmbkahn.com
idearc.com
New Harvest Church
Island Inspired Surf Shop
Churches
Surfing
Todd Hensley
Cate Sutz
9526 Hwy. 707
8500 Hwy. 544
(843) 215-3101
(843) 236-2841
NewHarvestChurch.org
islandinspired.com
Orvis
Kaminsky’s N.Y. Deli
Clothing-Men/Women
Restaurant-Delicatessen
Larry Tyler
Michael Kaminsky
1150 Farrow Pkwy.
7223 N. Kings Hwy.
(843) 839-6900
(843) 213-1261
orvis.com
KidsZone@SportsZone
Organizations/Clubs
Rick Van Blarcum
304 E. Hwy. 90, Unit A
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 249-4386
sportszonefun.com
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
Restaurant-Chinese
Sam King
1190 Farrow Pkwy.
(843) 839-9470
PFChangs.com
Palmetto
Exterminators, Inc.
Pest Control-Pest ControlPest Management
Mike Stover
9781 Conifer Ln.
(843) 215-2721
(800) 585-8019
palmettoexterminators.net
PDQ Billing Services
Business-Support Services
John Stezko
3876 Renee Dr.
(843) 742-5408
Pur Creation
Interior-Decorators/Designers
Cherie Mercer
1406 Ashton Glenn Dr.
Surfside Beach, SC 29575
(843) 424-0679
purcreation.com
Quebecor World, Inc.
Printers
Steve Enterline
612 St. Jacques St.
Montreal, QC H3C 4M8
(703) 476-2148
quebecorworld.com
Specialty Tile
Products, Inc.
Tile/Marble
Hank Lux
4716 Hwy. 17 Bypass S.
(843) 294-4200
specialtytile.com
The Islander Inn, Inc.
Hotel-Motel
Nancy McKain
57 W. First St.
Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
(910) 575-7000
(888) 325-4753
IslanderInn.com
Ttimesonly.com
Golf-Packaging
Brian Hanselman
261 77th Ave. N.
(877) 238-1975
(877) 238-1975
Ttimesonly.com
TJ’s Pizzaria
Restaurant-Pizza
Dilshod Nasrullayev
1207 3rd Ave. S., #D
(843) 448-7300
Vista Bank
Banks
Randy Carmon
1106 3rd Ave.
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 488-2800
VistaBankOnline.com
Tommy Bahama’s
Tropical Cafe & Emporium
Restaurant-Specialty
Andy Donato
3044 Howard Ave.
(843) 839-1868
Treasure Cove
Clothing-Children/Infants
Diann R Haney
720 C Hwy. 17 N.
(843) 492-0309
(877) 435-3324
TreasureCoveSC.com
Winyah Community
Hospice
Hospice Care
Shane Player
5182 Horry Dr., Unit A
(843) 652-0093
winyahhospicecare.com
Angler Villas
Vacation Rentals &
Beach Homes
Linda Starks
12 S. Ocean Blvd.
(843) 839-0099
(866) 252-9930
SeasideRentalsOnline.com/
AnglerVillas.htm
Coastal Carolina
National Bank
Banks
Joel Foster
2305 Oak St.
(843) 839-1950
strander
Treasure Cove
Clothing-Children/Infants
Diann Haney
1040 Hwy. 17 S.
(843) 650-8829
(877) 435-3324
TreasureCoveSC.com
2121
Grand
Hospitality Partnership
Hospitalit y
r t n e r s h i p
pa
strander
Preparing for career
success in hospitality and tourism
While hospitality – the essential ingredient
needed for taking care of tourists and other
visitors to our area – might be an intangible
quality, there is plenty of preparation and
training involved to help ensure career success.
One way students at Coastal Carolina University
are honing their hospitality skills is through the
Hospitality Adventure Student Organization
(HASO). The HASO brings business students
together to explore careers in hospitality or
tourism-service organizations. To prepare for
future careers and learn about the hospitality
and tourism industry, the group visits various
hospitality industry businesses for behind-thescenes look at day-to-day operations.
“These site visits allow the HASO’s members to
learn every aspect of the hospitality or service
industry,” explained Lindsay Fertig, president
of the HASO and a CCU senior majoring in
accounting and resort tourism management.
“These tours have helped us improve on such
skills as networking with upper management,
selling techniques, decision making, teamwork,
leadership qualities and project planning.”
According to Dr. Taylor Damonte, associate
professor and director of the resort tourism
management major in the E. Craig Wall Sr.
College of business administration at Coastal
Carolina University, the Hospitality Adventure
Student Organization’s familiarization tours
introduce students to the scope and depth of
the hospitality industry.
22
“The site visits introduce students to the whole
spectrum of the hospitality industry,” Damonte
noted. “The group has visited entertainment
venues, hotels, restaurants, commercial supply
businesses, campgrounds and even golf courses.
It allows them to see the various segments
of the hospitality and tourism industry and
the operations and marketing of these service
organizations.”
HASO also has a chapter at Horry-Georgetown
Technical College where Professor Jay Rowe
serves as their advisor. These students participate
in the site visits as well.
Both CCU and HGTC HASO groups attend the
Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association’s
membership meetings and functions. And many
students volunteer in the MBAHA office and on
committees.
The MBAHA encourages area businesses to
invite the student organization for a site visit.
Businesses can help prepare these students for
careers in lodging, food and beverage, tourist
attractions, recreation, hospitality and tourism
marketing, and transportation among other
hospitality and tourism services.
For more info about the Hospitality Adventure
Student Organization and to set up a site visit,
contact Fertig at [email protected].
Chamber Access
Chamber Access gains you entry to all your member
benefits – it’s the total access pass. This informative
orientation program is for new chamber members,
new employees at chamber-member businesses, and
long-standing members that need an update on all
their benefits. Here’s your chance to meet chamber
staff, introduce your business/organization, and
familiarize yourself with the many benefits your
chamber has to offer. Discover the key to getting
the most out of chamber membership by attending
our exciting Oct. 28 Chamber Access (see Page 15).
The following members attended the August member
orientation session:
Front Row (L to R): Ron Hess, Bi-Lo, LLC;
Angel Jackson, Bi-Lo, LLC; Angie Eggleston,
Wayne’s View Photography; Heather Gale, Easy 105.9;
April Gibson, Chase
Second Row (L to R): Wayne Eggleston, Wayne’s
View Photography; Nelson Huggins, Rooter Man;
Jay Guy, The Guy Company; Jason Hardee, J.W. Hardee
Construction, Inc.; Jackie Davis, Brooks Brothers-Tanger
North; Jamey Sellars, Brooks Brothers-Tanger 501
Back Row (L to R): Cliff Akerlund, The Mad Signtist;
Bryan Davenport, Chase; Regan Lambert, Movie Clips;
Al Naish, Nilson Van & Storage Co.; Rick Lahey,
Bi-Lo, LLC; Alex Naish, Nilson Van & Storage Co.
Thanks to BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
for providing refreshments for the reception.
Grand
strander
strander
o c to be r- n ove mbe r Calendar
Time
Event
Contact
Apr 1-Oct 31
Oct 1
Oct 6
Oct 7
Oct 7
Oct 8
Oct 8
Oct 9
Oct 14
NA
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
10 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
2:30 p.m.
8 a.m.
9-11 a.m.
8 a.m.
8 a.m.
Info Line: 626-7444
Blakely Jenkins, 916-7232*
Shirley Pearson, 916-7297
Shannon Haswell, 916-7240
Michelle Schollmeyer, 916-7267
Pat Creed, 916-7225
Faye Creel, 916-7286
Pat Creed, 916-7225
Oct 14
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Oct 14
Oct 15
Oct 16
Oct 16
Oct 17
Oct 21
Oct 25
Oct 28
Oct 29
Oct 30
Nov 5
Nov 11
Nov 11
Nov 12
Nov 12
Nov 13
3:30 p.m.
9 a.m.
7:30-9:15 a.m.
5:30-7:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
2:30 p.m.
8 a.m.
3 p.m.
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
5:30-9 p.m.
9 a.m.
8 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
8 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
8 a.m.
Nov 15
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Nov 18
Nov 18
Nov 18
8:30-10:30 a.m.
2:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Nov 20
9-11 a.m.
Nov 20
Nov 25
7-10 p.m.
8:30 a.m.
Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo
Chamber Academy: Maximizing Your Sales Results
Ethics Review Committee
North Strand Council
Convention Bureau Committee
South Strand Ambassadors
Chamber Academy: Dealing With Difficult Employees
South Strand Council
Myrtle Beach Ambassadors
Chamber Academy: Leading Teams Through Change:
“Remember the Titans”
Executive Committee
Small Business Council
Connections Marketplace
gsSCENE Fall Social: Island Vista
Take a Kid Fishing Committee
Finance Review Committee
Take a Kid Fishing Tournament
Chamber Access
Annual Meeting
MBACC 70th Birthday Celebration
Legislative Policy Council
Myrtle Beach Ambassadors
Executive Committee
South Strand Ambassadors
Membership Committee
South Strand Council
gsSCENE Community Service Projects: Habitat for
Humanity and Community Kitchen of Myrtle Beach
gsSCENE Educational Breakfast: Social Media
Finance Review Committee
Board of Directors
Chamber Academy: From Lacking to Lucrative: Tips and
Features of Thriving Web Sites
President’s Gala
Chamber Access
Kate Miles, 916-7234
Pat Creed, 916-7225*
Julie Sluss, 916-7221
Shirley Landry, 916-7203
Julie Sluss, 916-7221
Amie Lee, 916-7238*
Amie Lee, 916-7238*
Pat Creed, 916-7225
Pat Creed, 916-7225
Faye Creel, 916-7286
Shirley Landry, 916-7203
Amie Lee, 916-7238*
* Register online at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.
For the most current meeting/event dates and times, go to MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.
grand strander
Kori Hippe Member Communications Manager
Colleen Balzotti Graphic Design Manager
Diana Greene Executive Vice President
Membership Programs & Services
The Grand Strander, official newsletter
of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce, is published 12 times
a year.
Check us out on the Web
For more information about member
benefits, upcoming events and
business updates, visit us online at
Advertising Inquiries?
Reach more than 2,500 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: 916-7219 or 7220
Advertising Sales: 916-7277
Public Relations: 916-7218
Marketing: 916-7276
Research: 916-7217
Executive: 916-7296
Convention & Visitors Bureau:
916-7260
gsSCENE: 916-7232
Leadership Grand Strand: 916-7222
Hospitality Partnership: 916-7219
Date
The Grand Strander is
printed by Inlet Printing Co.
2323
anniversaries
Grand
strander
What’s the secret to long-term success in the Myrtle Beach area business community? Establishing lasting and
personal relationships with other professionals. What’s the most effective way to do that? Membership in the
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to the following companies celebrating membership
anniversaries in October 2008.
29 Years
Myrtle Beach Resort Vacations, LLC
17 Years
Myrtle Beach Communications Inc.
28 Years
A&I Fire and Water Restoration
Elliott Beach Vacation Rentals & Golf Packages
15 Years
Arrowhead Country Club
Baiden & Associates Inc.
Big D’s of Waccamaw Inc.
Coldwell Banker Chicora Real Estate-Litchfield
Office Depot #243-Myrtle Beach
OSIA Lodge 2662
Specialty Eye Care of the Carolinas, PC
25 Years
Waccamaw Bowling Center
24 Years
Beach Cove Resort
Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS
Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, LLP
Waste Industries, Inc.
Water’s Edge Resort, Inc.
23 Years
Kingston Plantation/Embassy Suites Hotel
Uncle Bobs Self Storage #237
Waccamaw Land & Timber Co. Inc.
22 Years
RealtyWorks Inc.
21 Years
B B & T-Inlet Square
20 Years
Carolina Dunes Association
The Christmas Mouse - NMB
Great American Riverboat Co.
Holiday Sands South
Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort
St. Clements Homeowners Association
19 Years
Keep America Beautiful
24
18 Years
State Farm Insurance-Bobby Kelly
State Farm Insurance-Charlie Stuart
Wicker Imports
14 Years
Medieval Times
Outback Steakhouse-Murrells Inlet
13 Years
Coastal Scuba
Conway National Bank-21st Ave. N.
Greater Mullins Chamber of Commerce
Intellistrand
The Original Benjamins
Witness Wear
12 Years
Apache Pier
11 Years As A Member
The Lakes At Litchfield
Pee Dee Office Solutions Inc.
10 Years
Gul-R-Boy Guide Service-Inshore Fishing
Nick’s Cigar World
Outback Steakhouse-NMB
RMSource Inc.
The USI Group
9 Years
Broadway Sports Entertainment Inc.,
dba Broadway Louie’s
Myrtle Beach Water Sports-Socastee
8 Years
Affordable Suites of America
Bay Watch Resort
7 Years
Acosta Mechanical
Client First Inc.
Country Inn & Suites
Goldmine
Goldmine II
6 Years
Golden Corral #854
5 Years
American Dream Homes
Chernoff Newman
EmbroidMe
Stanley Law Firm, LLC
4 Years
Armstrong Accounting, CPA, P A
Buchanan Construction Inc.
DenMark Homes SC Inc.
Ocean Breeze Awnings & More
Shade & Shutter Expo
3 Years
The Booth Company
Creative Memories Consultant,
Debbie Sadar Inc.
Fisher & Phillips, LLP
Myrtle Beach Area Business Journal
Myrtle Beach Lighting
SC Farm Bureau Insurance Companies
Sea Blue Tapas Restaurant & Bar
Servicemaster Disaster Restoration Solutions
Yachtsman Resort
2 Years
A & D Tile & Grout Restoration
Ace Hardware
All Star Talent
Ben Arnold Beverage Co.
C & S Quality Home Services
Cooper House Special Event Center
Creative Investing-Real Estate
Grubb & Ellis/Wilson Kibler
Island Excursions
Jayroe Appraisal
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Ladies Choice Fitness Center
McCaffery Interests Inc.
Sinclair & Associates
Vacationers Dream Nannies/Sitters
Weekly Surge
1 Year
Alldia Corporation Inc.
Benefit Administrators Inc.
Creative Solutions Consulting, LLC
Crescent Design & Development, LLC
Elliott Davis, LLC
Grand Strand Pest Management Assoc. Inc.
Pavilion Nostalgia Park
Power Gleaner
Pure Compounding
Seabrook Plantation
South Coast Networks, LLC
Southern Portraits & Accents
(Studio & Fine Art Gallery)
Stout Computer Consulting Company
Ultimate Graphics
UniqueNet, LLC
Vision Care P.A.
W R Starkey Mortgage
Grand
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
strander
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.
Your event can be as simple, informal, extravagant or
ceremonious as you want it to be. It’s your event and
should reflect your company’s values and personality.
Ribbon-cutting announcements are included in the
Grand Strander, which is mailed to our 2,400 plus
Ribbon-cutting Ceremonies
members, and photos appear in the online edition of
the popular newsletter. The chamber’s Ambassadors
attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies on behalf of the
members. Having Ambassadors at the ceremony
provides an excellent networking and publicity
opportunity.
Kick off a grand opening of your business by contacting
Pat Creed, membership programs manager, at Pat.
[email protected] or (843) 916-7225.
The Arc of Coastal Carolina
820 Surfside Dr.
(843) 238-3040
Celestial Spa on Cloud 9
1551 21st Ave. N., Ste. 13
(843) 997-7440
celestialmassageoncloud9.com
Doncaster
6613 A Hwy. 17 N.
(843) 449-2790
Hodge Podge Studio
981-F Hackler St.
(843) 839-0813
AT&T Advertising
2310 Hwy. 9 East, Ste. 100
Longs, SC 29568
(843) 390-0998
College Chore Pros, LLC
10838 Kings Rd.
(843) 742-4777
collegechorepros.com
Elana’s Boutique &
Consignment
10764 - 11 Hwy. 707
(843) 650-3269
Sperry Van Ness/Tradd
Commercial
1039 44th Ave. N., Ste. 203
(843) 839-9777
svntradd.com
Photos on Pages 26-28
Benefit of the Month
The Chamber Recently Held Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies For The Following Members:
showcase your business
Host a Business Before, During or After Hours
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Before, During or After Hours
is taking applications for host locations for 2009. This is an excellent opportunity to
showcase your business. The event sponsor is featured on the chamber’s Web site,
in the Grand Strander and on promotional materials sent to chamber members.
Nine Business Before, During or After Hours events are held each year at various
member business locations. Business Before or During Hours are held occasionally
throughout the year. Business After Hours are usually held the last Thursday of
the month from 4:15 to 7 p.m. Food and beverages are provided by the sponsor
business along with door prizes.
If you’re interested in hosting as many as 400 potential customers at your location
for one fun-filled evening (or morning or day), give us a call at (843) 916-7225 or
visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and click on Marketing Strategies.
2525
Grand
strander
The chamber recently held ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the following members:
The Arc of Coastal Carolina
820 Surfside Dr.
(843) 238-3040
26
AT&T Advertising
2310 Hwy. 9 East, Ste. 100
Longs, SC 29568
(843) 390-0998
Celestial Spa on Cloud 9
1551 21st Ave. N., Ste. 13
(843) 997-7440
celestialmassageoncloud9.com
Grand
strander
Doncaster
6613 A Hwy. 17 N.
(843) 449-2790
Hodge Podge Studio
981-F Hackler St.
(843) 839-0813
Elana’s Boutique &
Consignment
10764 - 11 Hwy. 707
(843) 650-3269
2727
Grand
strander
28
Sperry Van Ness/
Tradd Commercial
1039 44th Ave. N., Ste. 203
(843) 839-9777
svntradd.com
Grand
Be A Star
Hard Rock Cafe
Bridget Bain-Grasse
Sales & Marketing Manager
1322 Celebrity Circle
Broadway at the Beach
(843) 946-0007
Chamber Member Since: August 1995
and it was run by a couple of young Americans who liked to
keep it loose. Founded by Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton,
two enterprising and music-loving Americans,
Hard Rock Cafe was an instant classic.
Clapton got to be friends with the proprietors
and asked them to save him a regular table,
put up a brass plaque or something. And the
young proprietors said, “Why don’t we put
up your guitar?” They all had a chuckle, and
he handed over a guitar (Fender Lead II),
and they slapped it on the wall.
No one thought much more about it.
Until a week later, when another guitar
arrived (Gibson Les Paul). With it was
a note from Pete Townshend of The
Who which read: “Mine’s as good as his.
Love, Pete.”
The young proprietors put it on the wall. After that, the
guitars never stopped coming. Today there are more than
70,000 guitars, drums, pianos, harmonicas, microphones,
shirts, pants, scarves, shoes, handwritten lyrics, cars, bikes,
a bus and assorted rock memorabilia – by far, the largest,
most valuable such collection in the world – on the walls
of over 138 Hard Rock Cafes, Hotels and Casinos in 42
countries around the world.
As the chamber’s latest “Be a Star” winner,
Bridget Bain-Grasse, sales and marketing manager
with Hard Rock Cafe, sent in the following update on
Hard Rock Cafe.
History of Hard Rock Cafe
Back in the seventies, Eric Clapton – the original guitar god,
founder of Cream and Derek & the Dominoes, creator of
the immortal “Layla” – liked to eat at this quirky American
diner in London called the Hard Rock Cafe. The place was
this old building that used to be a Rolls Royce dealership,
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, by way of Long Island,
N.Y. I relocated to Myrtle Beach to take a job with the Hard
Rock Cafe in February of 2007. I was joined by my husband,
Odin Grasse, of three years along with two children who
were born here in Myrtle Beach. Before Hard Rock,
I worked for an entertainment restaurant called Dave &
Buster’s for eight years. I was the sales manager for several
locations in New York, Cincinnati and
Cleveland. This is where I truly fell
in love with the business. At Dave
& Buster’s, I was responsible for the
attracting, planning and executing
great events – more than 2 million in
event sales a year. When I left Dave &
Buster’s in 2006, I really wanted to get
home to Cincinnati so I took a job with
an outdoor event advertising company.
It was a great job but, I missed the
hustle and bustle of the restaurant
business. An old friend called me and
told me about the opportunity with Hard
Rock Cafe in Myrtle Beach. I knew it was
an opportunity that I could not pass up!
Tell us about Hard Rock Cafe and your role with
the cafe.
I have worked for Hard Rock Cafe for almost two years.
The sales & marketing position is responsible for the
implementation of strategic marketing and sales initiatives
by driving consumer direct and B2B sales that complement
Hard Rock International goals. The sales & marketing
manager acts as the key regional liaison for Hard Rock
Cafe toward vendors, tour and travel operators, corporate,
media and association industry partners. I also work closely
with the Support Center marketing and sales teams in
understanding overall company strategic plan while being
involved in the development of local business plans and
relationships. The cafe has a core staff of about
70 people but during the tourist season, we have
about 300 employees.
Many people don’t realize it but Myrtle Beach is home to
a pyramid – the Hard Rock Cafe Myrtle Beach pyramid,
that is. Established July 10, 1995, the Hard Rock Cafe in
Myrtle Beach pyramid is the only Hard Rock Cafe in the
world built in this shape. The spectacular lighted fountain
out front is one-of-a-kind too. Enter their portal for bracing
drinks, kickin’ food and a party atmosphere that won’t
quit. Feel the healing power of the pyramid as it relieves
your sunburn and improves your back swing. (Well, maybe
not, but it can’t hurt, right?) Hard Rock Cafe promises you
won’t feel like a mummy, but you might “Walk Like an
Egyptian.”
strander
Be A Star, See Page 30
2929
Grand
Be A Star, Continued From Page 29
How do you attract, train and keep your skilled
work force?
A lot of our core staff has been with Hard Rock for many
years. I think that the biggest attraction is that we allow
our employees to be themselves. We admire diversity.
Hard Rock has one of the more difficult training programs
for their staff. We take the cream of the crop as far as
employees. Although the cafe is very seasonal for many of
our employees, many do come back to work summer after
summer!
What special niche has your business carved out
that makes you different from your competitors?
Well, all the music memorabilia of course! What some
people may not know is that Hard Rock Cafe’s menu is
made entirely from scratch. Guests are pleasantly surprised
by the quality and attention to detail when it comes to
our menu. The Hard Rock rolls out new menu items in the
spring and fall every year.
What is your best unconventional marketing tip?
Make sure that you meet with your clients and vendors
face to face. Relationships build sales … not Blackberries!
I cannot believe that is unconventional!
Talk briefly about a business goal for 2009.
Our goal is to attract the local crowd into the cafe. We
are not just for tourists! Hard Rock Cafe Myrtle Beach just
launched a new live music program and we recently built an
outdoor bar and patio that seats over 100 guests.
30
What personal leadership strategy do you employ
that has helped your company grow in today’s
competitive business environment?
Take the time to listen to your clients and guests to find out
their needs and expectations. They need to feel respected
and valued.
What’s a typical day like?
Are you kidding, every day is different. There is no typical
day in my position. They almost always consist of sales
calls, client meetings, conference calls, networking events,
philanthropy, event planning, menu arrangements, media
buys, market strategizing and whatever else needs to be
done to make Hard Rock a success!
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I would have to say that I work with the best people in the
industry. They are always supportive, helpful and they truly
care about our company and staff. I am also a huge music
fan. I cannot sing or play an instrument but working for
Hard Rock Cafe is the next best thing!
How do you measure success?
I measure success by the look on guests’ faces
when they leave Hard Rock Cafe Myrtle Beach
knowing they had a rockin’ experience.
Since we drew your card from those
who attended chamber events, you
must have attended at least one
chamber activity. What benefits/
services have you taken advantage of?
The networking events have been a great
resource for me. I have gotten a chance to meet many
people in the community and that has helped in spreading
strander
Be A Star
the word of Hard Rock. We have also benefited from
the lead service as well. This has been a great resource to
attract new business.
Hard Rock Cafe has been a member for more than
13 years. Has your membership been worthwhile?
What has the chamber done for you?
I have been involved in many chambers in the United
States and I can say without a doubt that Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce is one of the best. They are
very organized, and they are truly a great resource for
area businesses. The chamber recently helped to get the
presidential debates to Myrtle Beach in January of 2008,
which was great for everyone in the area on many levels!
Please complete this statement …
Why I joined the chamber …
The chamber is a business resource powerhouse! It is a must
for every business including Hard Rock Cafe Myrtle Beach!
Grand
Where
strander
in the world is the CVB?
Travel Itinerary for Trade Shows
Oct. 19-22
Oct. 21-25
Oct. 27-31
Ontario Motorcoach Association
Travel, Events & Management in Sports
Amateur Athletic Union
Toronto, Canada
Pittsburgh, PA
Cancun, Mexico
Nineteen groups representing 3,610 attendees are scheduled for service in October.
Oct. 29
State College Spikes Baseball Game
(Sponsorship Promotion Night)
State College, PA
BlueCross
offers new value plans
BlueCross® BlueShield® of South Carolina and Myrtle Beach Area Chamber
of Commerce are pleased to announce True Blue® Partnership is now
Business True BlueSM . All group health plans formerly available under
True Blue Partnership are still available under Business True Blue and to
further meet the needs of all chamber members, Business True Blue will
offer four new value plans beginning in October 2008. Be on the lookout
for Personal True Blue, our new individual plans for chamber members
rolling out in 2009. An official announcement from BlueCross will be
issued soon.
 Administration
 General Manager
 Human Resources
 Marketing
 President
 Sales
Share GS with …
________________________
________________________
________________________
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
Travel Itinerary for Consumer Shows
Pass GS along!
® Registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
SM
Service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
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31
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3131
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October 2008 - Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

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