January 2007 - Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors2OfficersChairman of the BoardDavid BrittainSea Captain’s HouseImmediate Past ChairmanW. Wayne GraySpring House Restaurant Group Inc.Finance Committee Chair/TreasurerJim Creel Jr.The Creel Corp.Legislative Policy Council ChairFrans MustertPatricia Grand Resort HotelMarketing & Advertising Committee ChairSteve ChapmanSea Island An Inn on the BeachMembership Committee ChairLeigh Ammons MeeseSea Mist ResortGrowth and Development Committee ChairBrant BranhamEF Hucks and AssociatesTechnology-Based Marketing Committee ChairRoddy SwaimDunes Beach and Golf VacationsDirectorsMembership Committee Vice ChairElaine CarterWendy’s/Palmetto Restaurant GroupGrowth and Development Vice ChairTony CoxBurroughs and Chapin Co. Inc.Publications Vice Chair/Marketing CommitteeDavid DuRantPrestwick Country ClubNorth Strand Council ChairRick ElliottElliott RealtyBusiness Ethics and Standards CommitteeDavid GoodenA-1 WirelessSouth Strand Council ChairCindy GordonAtlanta Bread Co.Publications Chair/Marketing CommitteeBrent GroomeHTC CommunicationsSmall Business Council ChairSteve KahnFull Steam Ahead Inc.Legislative Policy Council Vice ChairAdam ParnessShredRight Corp.Convention Bureau Committee Chair/Marketing CommitteeJoe PerlColonial Mall–Myrtle BeachFinance Committee Vice ChairScott PlylerCarolina FirstBusiness Ethics and StandardsMyers RollinsWaccamaw Regional Transportation AuthorityTechnology-Based Marketing Committee Vice ChairChris ShroffShroff PropertiesLegislative Policy Council Vice ChairBrent SchulzDDC Engineers Inc.Growth and Development Vice ChairRichard SingletonColdwell Banker Chicora Commercial Real EstatebSmall Business Council Vice ChairBerkley WhiteClassic Homesspot lightAmbassadors are a group of dedicatedvolunteers from various businesses throughoutthe Grand Strand community. These membersserve as liaisons between the chamber andbusinesses. Their mission is to welcome andnurture current members and recruit newchamber members. Ambassadors serve asgoodwill representatives at various chamberfunctions and aid in the support of members.Ambassadors earn points by calling and visitingother chamber members, attending monthlymeetings, recruiting other Ambassadors,having a suggested business become a chambermember, and participating in chamberprojects. At the end of each month, thesepoints are tallied and an Ambassador of theMonth is named.Why become a chamber Ambassador?Ambassadors gain business exposure bybeing the first to meet chamber membersand put their company’s name in theforefront. By volunteering at chamberevents and attending the monthlyAmbassador meetings, your business isalways involved and kept current on what isgoing on within the chamber and community.Congratulations to KateJensen with Cruise Onewho earned Ambassadorof the Month forNovember. Jensen isserving her first year asan Ambassador.Applause to Tom Gardinerwith Coastal Federal Bankwho earned the second highestAmbassador points total forNovember. Gardiner isserving his first year asan Ambassador.member services guidemember services guideCongratulationsApplauseMember Resources Business Connections Marketing Strategies Education Programs Government RelationsBenefit of the Month• NetworkingThe chamber boasts of some of the finestcasual networking events in the Myrtle Beacharea. Relationship marketing is one of the keyways to generate and sustain business. Oursocial events encourage members to meet,build relationships, learn from each other anddo business.held the last Tuesday of the month in thechamber boardroom on Oak Street.Enjoy an exciting night of networking andmake valuable business contacts at thechamber’s monthly Business After Hoursevent held the last Thursday of the month.Connections Marketplace is the place youwant to be to connect with 30 to 65 memberseach month, exchange business cards andliterature. Grow your business, enjoy a greatbreakfast buffet and make more personalcontacts in an hour than you can make inExpand your opportunities to meet potentialcustomers and promote your business at thenew member’s Warm Welcome Receptiona week.MISSION To promote, protect and improve businesses throughout the Grand Strand.Tabletop Business Expos are held at each ofthe area malls throughout the year and at theMyrtle Beach Convention Center in March.The expos are an incredible way to promoteyour business to several hundred potentialclients in a very short period of time. Whetheryou have an exhibit or just wander from tableto table, networking doesn’t get much betterthan this!To learn more and register for theseand other chamber events, go toMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.

Celebration Expo set for March 15We’re throwing a party. A huge daylong party! Comejoin in the fun during the Celebration Expo featuringthe Can-Am Welcome Reception and 14th AnnualBusiness & Restaurant Expo. It’s two events combinedinto one Celebration Expo–that’s six hours formembers to promote their businesses to thousandsof visitors and locals in one day.During March, thousands of Canadians will descendupon the Grand Strand for Canadian-American Days,March 10-18. To kickoff this weeklong celebration, thechamber sponsors a welcome reception. Last year, morethan 3,000 people visited the 60 plus exhibitors andenjoyed door prizes, music and lots of entertainment.Also during March, your chamber holds its annualBusiness & Restaurant Expo. Last year more than1,400 people (open to the public) stopped by to notonly check out the 125 exhibitors but to enjoy theultimate food fest. Local restaurants participating inthe expo served up mouth-watering samples of theirfamous dishes.The Celebration Expo will feature the Can-AmWelcome Reception and Business & Restaurant Expo.That means twice the exposure for your business,twice the leads and twice the contacts!Mark your calendars for theCelebration Expo featuringthe Can-Am WelcomeReception and 14th AnnualBusiness & Restaurant Expoon March 15 from10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.,Myrtle Beach ConventionCenter, Exhibition HallsB & C. During the eveningwhen the restaurants dish uptheir smorgasbord of goodies,EventMBACC members will be able to enjoy the food freeof charge as part of Business After Hours. The publicwill purchase tickets for the food sampling.As a chamber member, you have the chance to promoteyour business to more than 4,500 people expected toattend the Celebration Expo. For $150, you’ll receive a10-by-10 space along with an 8-foot table that you candecorate in this year’s beach theme. There are no heightrestrictions for tabletop exhibits this year, so you canpull out your larger than life exhibit and really show offyour business.Celebration Expo featuring theCan-Am Welcome Reception and14th Annual Business & Restaurant ExpoDate/Time March 15 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.LocationRegisterMyrtle Beach Convention CenterExhibition Halls B & CMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comDeadline: Feb. 1Questions? Call (843) 916-7225 or (843) 916-7221Register TodayGo to MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com to registerfor the Celebration Expo. For more info, contactPat Creed, membership programs manager, at(843) 916-7225, creedp@mbchamber.org orKimberly Miles, festivals and special events manager,at (843) 916-7221, kemiles@mbchamber.org.Sponsored by Sam’s Club, Miller Lite and Bank ofAmerica.Legislative Update: Tourism news from SCPRTTourism Action PlanThe tourism action plan just released by New Carolina, the SouthCarolina Council on Competitiveness, concludes that additional dollarsspent on tourism marketing would result in significant additional dollarsfor South Carolina’s economy and thousands of new jobs.Using funds provided by tourism industry partners, the Tourism ClusterCommittee hired Tourism Development International of Ireland toproduce a statewide tourism action plan. Key recommendations ofthe plan call for private sector tourism leaders to form an umbrellaorganization to advocate for issues of industry-wide concern, fortourism leaders at the regional and local level to develop a model forjoint marketing with South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation& Tourism, for the development and execution of a statewide tourismproduct development plan, and for steps to improve air and highwayaccess to the state’s major tourism areas.MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comc

January Convention BureauTravel Itinerary for Trade ShowsJan. 21-23 Meeting Professional International New Orleans, LaJan. 28-Feb. 1 American Bus Association Grapevine, TexasJan. 30-Feb. 2 Religious Conference Management Louisville, KyGroups Scheduled for ServiceFive groups representing 1,395 attendeesTravel Itinerary for Consumer ShowsJan. 4-7 2007 San Antonio Camping Show San Antonio,TexasJan. 10-14 Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show Cincinnati, OhioJan. 16-17 Snowbird Extravaganza Lakeland, Fla.Jan. 18-21 Toronto RV Show & Extravaganza Toronto, CanadaJan. 24-25 Senior Fun Fest Tampa, Fla.Jan. 27-28 Adventures in Travel Expo Chicago, Ill.Meet & Minglewith your statesenators and representativesOn Jan. 24, 6 to 9 p.m., join your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce inthanking the state senators and representatives for the work they do and the endlesstime they will spend January through May working on the many issues impactingGrand Strand businesses. The reception is an ideal opportunity to emphasize keyaspects of the chamber’s legislative agenda from your business perspective.The event is hosted by the chamber and sponsored by Coastal Carolina University,Horry-Georgetown Technical College and Horry County Schools.EventGrand Strand Legislative ReceptionDate/Time Jan. 24 from 6-9 p.m.LocationClarion Town House Hotel1615 Gervais St., ColumbiaRegister Amie Lee, executive project coordinator, at (843) 916-7238or e-mail leea@mbchamber.orgU.S. 501 Welcome Center closes for winter seasonThe Ashby Ward Official Myrtle Beach/Grand Strand Welcome Center, located on U.S. 501, will be closed during January and February and will reopen Thursday,March 1. During this off-peak season time, in lieu of dropping off brochures or business cards at the U.S. 501 welcome center, please feel free to drop off literatureat the Myrtle Beach Welcome Center located in the chamber’s 1200 N. Oak St. office.Ashby Ward Official Myrtle Beach/Grand Strand Welcome Center1800 U.S. 501 W.(west of S.C. 22 intersection)Aynor, SC 29544Phone: (843) 626-7444, (800) 356-3016Hours:Closed January and FebruaryMarch and April8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday & SundayMay through Labor Day8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. DailyPost Labor Day through December8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday & SundayMyrtle Beach Office1200 N. Oak St.Myrtle Beach, SC 29577Phone: (843) 626-7444, (800) 356-3016Hours:Post Labor Day through March8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday10 a.m.-2 p.m. SaturdayClosed SundayApril through Labor Day8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday10 a.m.-2 p.m. SundaySouth Strand Office3401 U.S. 17 Business S.Murrells Inlet, SC 29576Phone: (843) 651-1010, (800) 356-3016Hours:Post Labor Day through March8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday10 a.m.-1 p.m. SaturdayClosed SundayApril through Labor Day8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday12-5 p.m. SundayMyrtle Beach Area Chamber ofCommerce Airport Welcome CenterMyrtle Beach International Airport1100 Jetport RoadMyrtle Beach, SC 29577Phone: (843) 626-7444, (800) 356-3016Hours:8 a.m.-8 p.m. Dailyd

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’smission is simple–promote, protect and improvethe Grand Strand and its business community.To truly serve our members, we must find out if weare doing what we say and exceeding your businessexpectations.You can help us do that by taking a few minutesto fill out a membership survey located onPage 10. If you prefer, you can complete the surveyonline at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, click onMembership Survey.The membership survey will help us determinehow we are performing on issues of importance toour members, and what areas of focus the chambershould spend our time and resources.Is this survey worth your time? Do we reallyfollow-up on your feedback and ideas for newservices? The answer is unequivocally yes. …In past surveys you told us that you wished thechamber provided more affordable trainingopportunities. You wanted classes that spanned avariety of business topics and reached all levels ofemployment. We now offer more than 20 uniquetraining opportunities each year ranging fromtechnology classes to leadership workshops tosmall business forums.You said we needed to grow the tourism base tofill our many new rooms and to promote the areamore aggressively. A new ad campaign was tested,a new Web site is on its way, and we have investedheavily in advanced market research to determinewhy those visitors who choose to go elsewhere donot visit us. And, in 2007, you will see an aggressiveadvertising campaign with a record level oftelevision and Internet promotion, as well as a newpublic relations campaign led by a national leader indestination public relations, M Booth & Associates.We heard you ask for more networking andpromotional opportunities. The chamber nowoffers South Strand, North Strand and MyrtleBeach expos. And our usual member-to-memberexpo was expanded last year as we invited the publicto drop by for a free look at our area businessesand enjoy local dishes from various Grand Strandrestaurants. The annual Business & RestaurantExpo is taking on a whole new life in 2007 as wecombine this expo with the Can-Am WelcomeReception and create the Celebration Expo(see Page 3 for details).Forming community and organizationalpartnership to better meet the interests of thebusiness community was on a lot of your mindsin previous surveys. Back in November 2005, agroundbreaking partnership among the MyrtleBeach Area Chamber of Commerce, MyrtleBeach Area Hospitality Association, HospitalityAssociation of South Carolina, National RestaurantAssociation and American Hotel & LodgingAssociation was formed. And after just one year,their list of accomplishments keeps multiplying–a new Myrtle Beach Marketing Cooperative,including a Web site, VisitMyrtleBeach.com; a newhealth care benefit, FlexMED; a stronger focus onhospitality issues that have yielded more lobbyingpower and allowed the chamber to place addedemphasis on general business issues that impactbusinesses outside of the hospitality industry; anew Web site, HospitalityPartnership.com; andseveral new promotional opportunities, includingrestaurant and dinner theater member listings onGrandStrandRestaurants.com in both the diningsearch and dining grid areas.Small businesses said to add new services andbenefits aimed at their business needs. Along withcreating additional educational classes for workforce development, a Small Business Council wasformed that will focus on initiatives specifically forthis group.Many of you noted that the Grand Strand neededto move customer service up notch. You askedthe chamber to not only continue offering regularservice training programs but to help promotethe importance of good customer service. OnJan. 18, the I.C.E. Awards (Impeccable CustomerExperience) will recognize 20 local heroes ofcustomer service. These are the businesses andindividuals who excel in providing outstandingcustomer service (see Page 14 for all the details).These are just a few of the suggestions received frommembership surveys that we have implementedover the years.We want our member businesses and organizationsto succeed and grow. And to accomplish this goal,we need to work together. Please take a few minutesand complete the membership survey on Page 10or online at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com. Thissurvey will help us develop benefits, services andprograms that you would like for us to concentrateon. Thank you in advance.Brad DeanPresident & CEOMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.come

f• Technology Workshop“Excel-Basic Training”presented by Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeJan. 99 a.m.-12 p.m.Learn to set up a basic spreadsheet and basic formulas.This is not only a good review for the advanced user butwill help the beginner get started.Location: Horry-Georgetown Technical College’sConference Center on the former Air Force BaseCost: $15 members; $40 future membersDeadline: Jan. 8• Restaurant & Lodging Series“Immigration Reform Changes Your World”presented by Jonathan Pearson withFisher & Phillips, LLPJan. 25 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.Immigration reform remains a subject of concern anddebate for employers. Nearly all of the “reform” legislationpending in Congress will increase the burden on employersto verify their workers’ status. Learn what is really goingon “inside” the immigration debate and find out what youcan do to stay ahead of the curve with respect toany legislation passed by Congress.Cost: $10 members; $40 future membersDeadline: Jan. 24• LGS Alumni Leadership Education Series“Business Ethics”presented by Claudia McCullough withCoastal Carolina University’s Department ofPhilosophy and ReligionJan. 30Chamber AcademyHospitality seminars are co-sponsored by MBACC, Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association and Hospitality Association of South Carolina. All classes are held in theboardroom (unless otherwise noted) at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach. To register, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, clickon Education/Chamber Academy. Payment due at time of registration. No refunds or rescheduling. Questions? Contact Michele Winstead, education and training manager,winsteadm@mbchmber.org or (843) 916-7232.•9 a.m.-12 p.m.This workshop will include a lecture on ethical theory,coupled with group activities and discussions. Case studieswill allow participants to take part in the application ofethical theory as it relates to actual situations.Cost: $10 LGS Alumni Association members;$15 chamber members; $25 future membersDeadline: Jan 29• World Class Series“Customer Service Boot Camp”presented by Selena Dunham with Classique, LLCFeb. 68:30 a.m.-4 p.m.With a backdrop reflecting a traditional Army Boot Campand the excitement of launching a special reconnaissancemission, Operation Tourism is about to take the MyrtleBeach area by storm. The Customer Service Boot Campis an intense learning experience focusing on customerservice and hospitality excellence.Cost: $39 members; $79 future membersDeadline: Feb. 5• Technology Workshop“Excel Intermediate Training”presented by Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeFeb. 13 9 a.m.-12 p.m.This class will teach you advanced setup options,charts, graphs and much more.Location: Horry-Georgetown Technical College’sConference Center on the former Air Force BaseCost: $15 members; $40 future membersDeadline: Feb. 12• Leadership Series“Business Survival Workshop”presented by John Trudeau with Survival ConsultingFeb. 14 9 a.m.-12 p.m.Learn how to deal with matters ranging from a computervirus to a category 4 hurricane. Consider this workshop“disaster planning and business continuity 101 for smallbusinesses.”Cost: $10 members; $40 future membersDeadline: Feb. 13• Small Business Forum“Sales Training” presented by Meribeth Achterbergwith Verity Management SolutionsFeb. 27 9-11:30 a.m.Today’s sales professionals, as well as today’s buyers, arebetter educated, more informed and have more optionsthan ever before. Whether you’re selling a product, serviceor an experience, join us for this sales training that willhelp you maintain a competitive advantage.Cost: $10 members; $40 future membersDeadline: Feb. 26SponsorsSmall Business ForumsSponsored by ...Technology WorkshopsSponsored by ...Women’s Business ForumsSponsored by ...Restaurant & Lodging SeriesSponsored by ...LGS Alumni Leadership EducationSeries Sponsored by ...

Spreadt h e w o r dShare this newsletter with your employees–pointthem to MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and clickon Publications.thanksfor your generosityWinter is a perfect timeto try out new restaurantsor visit old favorites. Check outGrandStrandRestaurants.comto tempt your taste buds.The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the followingbusinesses for providing gift certificates for the Myrtle Beach Middle School AlphaBeta Awards Ceremony: McDonald’s of the Grand Strand, Palmetto RestaurantGroup (Wendy’s), Spring House Family Restaurant, Texas Roadhouse Grill andQdoba Mexican Grill.Sun Fun FestivalEvents ProgramThe 56th Annual Sun Fun Festival ® presented by Hawaiian Tropic is scheduled forMay 31–June 4, 2007. We are currently accepting requests for events to be includedin the official Sun Fun Festival Events Program. If you would like to submitan event, please fill out the request form located under Event Registration atSunFunFestival.com. Information must be completed and returned nolater than Jan. 15, 2007. Please fax to Kimberly Miles, festivals manager, at(843) 448-3010 or e-mail kemiles@mbchamber.org.www.VisitMyBeach.comWinter visitors useVisitMyBeach.com toplan vacationAround the WebThe beginning of the New Year is the time our cold weary visitors beginthinking of those warm Myrtle Beach vacations! The chamber’s Web site,VisitMyBeach.com, has approximately 3 million visitors annually. In 2006,advertisers on the chamber’s Web site saw over 1.7 million referrals. Linksare available for lodging, things to do, golf and several other categories. Withmore and more visitors going to VisitMyBeach.com to plan their trip, itonly makes sense to put your business in the forefront on this Web page.For advertising information on VisitMyBeach.com, contact Angela Caison,Internet marketing manager, at caisona@mbchamber.org or (843) 916-7227.MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comg

Hospitality PartnershipHospitality Association of South Carolina seeks auction itemsT.H.E. Foundation, an educational segment of theHospitality Association of South Carolina, is gearing upfor its 2nd annual hospitality education silent auctionat the Hotel, Motel, Restaurant and Supply Show of theSoutheast in Myrtle Beach on Jan. 30-Feb. 1.Why donate? 1. Donation is tax deductible. 2. Onlineportion of auction will be viewed by many potentialcustomers. 3. Live portion of auction will give yourbusiness exposure to more than 22,000 attendees.To learn more about the auction and make a donation,visit TheHospitalityAuction.com.The Hospitality Association of South Carolina is thestate’s trade association for the lodging and foodserviceindustry. The association represents over 2,300 memberrestaurant and lodging companies and industry-relatedservices providers. T.H.E. Foundation, South Carolina’sTourism & Educational Foundation, was createdwith the single mission to educate and promote thehospitality and tourism industry as a viable career.The 31st Annual Hotel, Motel and Restaurant SupplyShow of the Southeast is produced and managed byLeisure Time Unlimited Inc. The show’s exhibits offera full range of products and services for all areas of thefood service and lodging industry. Offerings range fromfood and beverage, tabletop supplies, furnishings andaccessories, advertising, maintenance equipment andsupplies, bedding and linens, technology, electronics,fitness, chemicals, consultants and guest services.To learn more, visit hmrsss.com.Any current Hospitality Partnership member whovisits the Hospitality Partnership booth at the Hotel,Motel and Restaurant Supply Show on Jan. 30-Feb.1 will receive a gift. In addition, members who refera business that joins the Myrtle Beach Area Chamberof Commerce (Hospitality Partnership) during theshow will receive free gifts plus a $100 gift certificate toGenco Inc., a supplier of cleaning and janitorial productsto commercial customers. Also, the new member joiningwill receive gifts and a $100 gift certificate. Offer validonly during the show dates. For more information,call Ann Scott, MBACC hospitality sales manager,at (843) 916-7219.Homeless countOn Jan. 23, 2007, Horry County is counting thehomeless. The homeless count helps the communityunderstand the extent of homelessness in the region,the characteristics of the homeless population and mostimportantly, helps measure the impact of efforts to endhomelessness. This information will be provided to thestate Office of Research and Statistics who will createreports for the U.S. Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment (HUD), the federal agency that providesfunding for homeless projects. This data will be used toplan and implement effective services that will assist theefforts to end homelessness.Why is the count in late January?To reduce the risk of counting people more than once,HUD is asking all jurisdictions to conduct their countsin late January. In most regions of the country, lateJanuary is the time of the year when shelter use peaks.Counting and interviewing people sleeping in publicplaces during the winter months may lead to a morerealistic picture of chronically unsheltered homelesspeople. In addition, winter is the season when people aremost concerned about the ability of homeless people tosurvive. A count on one of the coldest nights of the yearcan be very effective in raising public awareness of thechallenges faced by homeless people without shelter.Homeless surveysA count of homeless on the street (those without shelter)will be taken by volunteers. While a count of those intransitional housing (shelters/motels/hotels) will beconducted by facility personnel.Do you provide homeless people housing during thecold weather by letting them stay in your hotel, motel orother shelter? If so, please help the homeless by collectingdata on Jan. 23. A homeless count form can be found attchc-web.org/homeless/motel. To have a form faxed toyou, call the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Associationat (843) 626-9668.h

Just in time for the holiday seasonChamber member wins $100 gift certificateDuring the summer of 2006, the Myrtle Beach AreaChamber of Commerce started a survey programlooking at seasonalanalysis of visitor trends.The goal of the projectwas to obtain a visitorprofile for each of theseasons so chambermembers and thechamber could moreeffectively target theirmarketing.Survey cards weredelivered to hotels,motels, campgrounds Lisa Palmer with Compass Cove won a $100and vacation rental American Express gift card for handing out thecompanies. Members winning visitor trends survey.were asked to pass outthe survey cards to their guests. Visitors who went tothe chamber’s Web site to complete the online surveywere entered into a seasonal drawing to win a $100American Express gift card and a year-end drawing fora three day/two night vacation in the Myrtle Beacharea. The chamber member whoseemployee distributed the winningsurvey also received a $100American Express gift card.The surveys were divided intofive seasons–winter (January-February), spring (March-May),summer (June-August), fall(September-October) and holiday(November-December). Thequestions ranged from reasons forvisiting the area to dining habits.The completed surveys will allowthe chamber to develop a visitorprofile for each of the seasons.In addition, each property will receive a profile of theirproperty from the visitors who stayed/visited theirproperty and completed the survey. If your businesswould like to participate in this survey program(there is no cost for participation), contactWendy Bernstein, marketing research manager, atbernsteinw@mbchamber.org or call (843) 916-7217.Chamber memberscelebrate anniversariesDuring January, 81 members will be celebrating theirchamber anniversaries. Discover which business hasbeen a chamber member for 38 years. Check out theGrand Strander online at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comand click on Publications.Warm WelcomeWarm Welcome gives you the inside scoopon all your benefits, including the services forHospitality Partnership members that are availablethrough MBACC, Myrtle Beach Area HospitalityEventDate/TimeLocationWarm WelcomeJan. 30 at 3 p.m.MBACC Boardroom1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle BeachAssociation and Hospitality Association of SouthCarolina. It’s a warm welcome for new membersand a great refresher course for longtime members.Plus, it’s a great a chance to network with fellowmembers.CostRegisterFree, value-added benefit ofmembershipMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com(click on Members Only)Questions? Call (843) 916-7225novemberRelocationInquiriesTop 5 States1. New York2. North Carolina3. Florida4. Virginia5. New JerseyMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comi

Are we doing what we say?The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber ofCommerce’s mission is simple–promote,protect and improve the Grand Strand and itsbusiness community. We do this by striving tokeep our members informed, connected andprosperous.Every year, your chamber sends out a surveyto members asking how we are doing. Arewe meeting your business needs? Are weexceeding your expectations? Do we offerthe programs and services that benefit yourbusiness? What’s important to you?2007 Membership SurveyDear Chamber Member:Our vision is to be a world-class organizationthat thrives on continuous improvement. Toaccomplish this, we need your help. We needto find out what we are doing right and whatwe can improve. What new services can weprovide that will help your company be moresuccessful?We are listening … it’s your turn to speak.Below is a survey that will only take you a fewminutes to complete, however, your feedbackon our performance and your ideasfor future services will have far reachingeffects. You also can take the survey onlineat MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, just clickon Membership Survey. Please submit yoursurvey by Feb. 9.To thank you for sharing your opinions, wewill enter your business into a drawing for afree 2007-2008 Myrtle Beach Area Chamberof Commerce membership renewal.Fax us. Visit the Web. Just let us know what’simportant to you. Because the Myrtle BeachArea Chamber of Commerce is your chamber.Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey. Your input will allow the chamber to better serve your business needsin 2007.As a thank you for your time, please enter your company name and phone number at the end of the survey to be enteredinto a drawing for a free 2007-2008 Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce membership renewal.Please fax completed survey to (843) 626-0009 or complete online at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and click on Membership Survey.To be entered into the membership renewal drawing, please submit the survey by Feb. 9.1) Business Category___ Lodging ___Dining/Nightlife ___Retail ___Bank ___Amusement/Attraction/Entertainment___Real Estate ___Professional ___Services____Other (Please Specify) _____________________________________________________________2) Number of Employees? __ Less than 5 ___6-10 ___11-25 ___26-99 ___100+3) Please rate the following functions of the chamber in importance to your business:Very Important Important Of Little Importance Not Important No OpinionTourism Advertising & Promotion q q q q qWelcoming/Assisting Visitors q q q q qRelocation Assistance and Fulfillment q q q q qFestivals & Events q q q q qEducational Opportunities q q q q qOpportunities to Market/Promote Your Business q q q q qNetworking Opportunities q q q q qMember Services/Programs q q q q qConvention/Group Sales and Marketing q q q q qInfluencing Government Policy q q q q qBusiness Referrals q q q q qj

4) Please rate the chamber’s effectiveness in each of the following categories:ExtremelyEffectiveVery EffectiveModeratelyEffectiveSlightlyEffectiveNot at allEffectiveNo OpinionTourism Advertising & Promotion q q q q q qWelcoming/Assisting Visitors q q q q q qRelocation Assistance and Fulfillment q q q q q qFestivals & Events q q q q q qEducational Opportunities q q q q q qOpportunities to Market/Promote Your Business q q q q q qNetworking Opportunities q q q q q qMember Services/Programs q q q q q qConvention/Group Sales and Marketing q q q q q qInfluencing Government Policy q q q q q qBusiness Referrals q q q q q q5) Please rate the following aspects of the chamber:Excellent Above Average Average Below Average Very PoorOverall benefit/return on your membership q q q q qOverall communication of the chamber with members q q q q qOpportunity to be involved with the chamber q q q q qOverall customer service of chamber staff q q q q qThe chamber’s added value to the community q q q q qCredibility of the chamber in the community q q q q qOverall performance of the chamber q q q q q6) How likely are you to renew your chamber membership?___Very Likely ___Not Likely ___Undecided7) What programs or services would you like to see offered to better serve your business or industry?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________8) To be included in the drawing to win a free 2007-2008 Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce membership renewal, please enteryour company name and phone number below.Company Name ___________________________________________________________________Phone Number ____________________________________________________________________Thank you in advance for your time and cooperation.MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comk

Centex Homes Myrtle Beach division has namedKellie Honeycutt controller. Her duties will includepreparation of land acquisition packages, financialanalysis, and quarterly neighborhood projections.Richard Preedom has joined Centex Homes MyrtleBeach division as director of marketing. As director ofmarketing, he oversees the marketing and advertisingcampaigns of all of the company’s Horry, Georgetownand Brunswick counties communities.Coastal Federal Bank is pleased to announce two newemployees. Thomas Gardiner has joined the bank as abusiness banking officer. Christopher Carbone has takenon the roll of vice president and senior business bankingofficer.Coldwell Banker Chicora Real Estate has increased its salesforce with the addition of the following REALTORS ® :Lynn Clodfelter has joined the Dunes office, Jane Evanshas joined the Briarcliffe sales team, and Ginger Stenborgis employed at the Surfside Beach office.The Horry County Department of Airports unveiled anew Web site for the Myrtle Beach International Airport,FlyMyrtleBeach.com. The site features real time flightstatus, which will allow customers from anywhere tocheck exactly where their flight is at any time.LHWH Advertising & Public Relations recently receivedtwo honors from the Carolinas Healthcare and PublicRelations Marketing Society (CHPRMS). A “GoldenWallie” Award, CHPRMS’s highest honor, was awarded toLHWH for their work with Johnston Memorial Hospitalin Smithfield, N.C., and a “Silver Wallie” Award waspresented to them for their work with McLeod Healthin Florence, S.C.13lBusinessBulletinMyrtle Beach Commercial Real Estate Inc. is proud toannounce that Tatyana Bogdanova-Sallee has beenchosen to receive one of the scholarships sponsored bythe South Carolina Certified Commercial InvestmentMember (CCIM) Chapter for 2007. Once completed,a CCIM is a recognized expert in the disciplines ofcommercial and investment real estate.The Myrtle Beach Chapter of the National Association ofWomen in Construction recently announced Members ofthe Year. Nancy Godfrey and Shirley Horne, were votedas Members of the Year from their fellow members. Thepurpose of NAWIC is to advance the success of womenin the construction industry.Billy Kerr, an aluminum craftsman at Ocean BreezeAwnings & More, has been certified as a Master ShingleApplicator Wizard by CertainTeed Building Products.David Powers, general contractor and resident disasterexpert at Ocean Breeze Awnings Inc., has been named asa premiere speaker for the National Crisis ManagementCenter. As a premier speaker Powers is recognized andgiven opportunities to speak locally and internationallyon issues related to trauma and crisis management.Sea Trail Realty in Sunset Beach, N.C., is proud toannounce that Karen Hutchinson and Maria Alvarezhave earned the Seller Representative Specialist®professional real estate designation from the SRSCouncil®. The SRS designation course is a two-daycourse focusing on the special skills listing agents need torepresent their seller clients and work with cooperatingagents, specifically buyer agents.For the RecordPrograms and services to helpsmall businesses grow and succeedIRS: Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop ResourceThe official start of tax season begins onJan. 2, 2007. The start of tax season means thattaxpayers who have already received their W-2forms from their employers can begin to prepareand file their tax returns. Electronic filing beginson Jan. 12, 2007.Feb. 2, 2007, is the deadline for employers to mailW-2 forms to their employees. This also is theofficial deadline for 1099 forms to be sent. The1099 forms are used to report additional incomenot obtained from a traditional job.Traditionally April 15 is the deadline for filingyour tax return. However, in 2007, April 15 fallson a Sunday so the official tax filing deadline for2007 is April 16. April 16 is not only the deadlinefor filing your tax return; it is also the deadline forpaying your taxes regardless of whether you file anextension or not.With tax filing right around the corner, the IRSWeb site, irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html, is agreat resource for all your tax questions.If you’re a small business, self-employed or haveentities such as sole proprietor, partnership,limited liability company/partnership (LLC/LLP),corporation, subchapter s corporation, you’ll wantto visit the site for a list of frequently asked taxquestions. Here you’ll find answers to:For IRS purposes, how do I classify a limitedliability company? Is it a sole proprietorship,partnership or a corporation? How do youdetermine if a person is an employee or anindependent contractor? As an employer, do I haveany liability if my employees receive tips but don’treport them to me?Learn More: IRS, irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html

North StrandTabletop Business ExpoEventNorth Strand Tabletop Business ExpoWelcomeNewMembersCaine’s Landing Investments, LLCReal Estate-CompanyPatrick Moore4736 B Hwy. 17 Byp.Myrtle Beach, SC 29588(843) 293-7050Pace CommunicationsPublishersSteve Mitchem1301 Carolina St.Greensboro, NC 27401(336) 378-6065pacecommunications.comWHCI Warren HarmonCommercial InteriorsInterior-Decorators/DesignersLindaWarren4420 Oleander Dr., Ste. 101Myrtle Beach, SC 29577(843) 839-1170Date/Time Jan. 23 from 4-7 p.m.Location Colonial MallCost $50 (payment deadline: Jan. 12)Only North Strand businesses that are members of one of the three sponsoring organizations may exhibit(Myrtle Beach Area, North Myrtle Beach, Little River chambers). Of course, there’s no charge to walkaround the mall and check out the exhibitors.Register Reserve a table by contacting Vicki Keibler with the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce–(843) 281-2662 or vicki@northmyrtlebeachchamber.com. For more info, contact Pat Creed, MBACCmembership programs manager, (843) 916-7225 or creedp@mbchamber.org.Don’t miss this terrific opportunity topromote your products and servicesat this year’s North Strand TabletopBusiness Expo. The expo is sponsoredby your Myrtle Beach Area Chamberof Commerce, North Myrtle BeachChamber of Commerce, Little RiverChamber of Commerce and ColonialMall-Myrtle Beach.Only North Strand businesses thatare members of one of the threesponsoring organizations mayexhibit. This exciting event will beheld Jan. 23 from 4-7 p.m. atColonial Mall.Why exhibit?• Increase name recognition• Gain exposure for yourproducts and services• Generate business leadsFeeAt only $50 per exhibitor, it’s acost-effective way to promote yourproducts and services to the entireGrand Strand community.Payment deadline: Jan. 12Why attend?Bring your family and friends anddon’t miss this chance to discovernew businesses located in the NorthStrand.• 100+ North Strand businesses willshowcase their products and services• Exciting free giveaways• Enter drawings for fantastic doorprizes–bring lots of business cardsMatthew J. Perry, Peter Horry bound for S.C. Hall of FameCivil rights activist and famed attorney Judge Matthew J. Perryand Revolutionary War hero Peter Horry, best recognized asthe namesake of Horry County, were recently inducted intothe South Carolina Hall of Fame.A formal induction ceremony took place Jan. 8 at the MyrtleBeach Convention Center, where the S.C. Hall of Fame islocated. Portraits of both inductees were unveiled and addedto the gallery in the convention center lobby.The S.C. Hall of Fame is sponsored by the city of MyrtleBeach and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.For more information about the S.C. Hall of Fame, visitMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and click on S.C. Hall of Fame.Learn more about Judge Perry and Horry by checking out theGrand Strander online at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com andclick on Publications.MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comm

The event of the year–I.C.E. AwardsJoin the Grand Strand community as your Myrtle BeachArea Chamber of Commerce celebrates exceptionalcustomer service. Mark your calendars for Jan. 18, 2007,and the event of the year–The I.C.E. Awards (ImpeccableCustomer Experience). This black tie-optional celebrationwill spotlight 10 businesses and 10 individuals whoprovide outstanding customer service.Outstanding customer service is what makes businessesand the Grand Strand successful. The I.C.E. Awardsapplauds the best of the best for their courtesy, service,attention and detail to the Impeccable CustomerExperience.Sponsored by Understanding Corporation, HospitalityPartnership, HTC Communications, Time Warner Cable,WBTW News 13, WRNN 99.5, Southern Wine & Spiritsand The Jackson Companies.At a GlanceEvent I.C.E. AwardsDate/Time Jan. 18 from 6-10 p.m.Doors open at 6 p.m., program starts at 7:30 p.m.Location House of Blues4640 Hwy. 17 S., North Myrtle BeachTickets $75 per person(includes hors d’oeuvres, open bar)Register MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comDeadline: Jan. 8Questions? Call (843) 916-7318The judges have selected the finalists for the I.C.E. Awards. Who will walk away as the 2007winners? Make your reservations today!IndividualsService: Kelli Philo, Mirage Hair Studio;Tannis Steele, Luna Day Spa; Verlon Wulf,Carolina Cooling & Plumbing Inc.Lodging: Joey Garrett, Country Inn & Suitesat Waccamaw; Lisa Revis, Long Bay Resort;Annette Willett, Lazy G MotelRetail: Sherry Evans, Coastal Engravers Inc.-Myrtle Beach; Heather Hensley, Inlet Square;Johnny Marshal Sparks, Johnny Guitar ShopRestaurant/Pub: Peter Dombroski, GregNorman’s Australian Grille; David McMillan,Drunken Jack’s; Jennifer Pendleton, Arby’sProfessional: Dr. Wayne Bauerle, StrandOrthopaedic Consultants; Juliet Casper,Newby, Sartip, Masel & Casper, LLC;Bill Gasque, New York LifeNonprofit: Adrian Weatherwax, HelpingHand of Myrtle Beach Inc.; Cindy Ott,Horry County Humane Society; Todd Wood,Intracoastal OutreachReal Estate: Terri Chatfield-Doneff,Keller Williams Realty; Kimberly Dahlin,CENTURY 21 Broadhurst & Associates Inc.;Angie Shoemaker, RE/MAX by the SeaAmusement/Entertainment: Ben Dewitt,Arcadian Shores at Kingston Plantation;Theresa Krieg, The Carolina Opry; Paco Perez,Medieval Times Dinner & TournamentCommunications: Barbara Holland, A-1Wireless; Gael Sansbury, Score Magazine;Gregg Smith, Sprint NextelFinancial: Letty Moore Hall, Coastal FederalBank; Thomas E. Martin, Martin Consulting;James McIlrath, Duncan, Farmer, Munden,McIlrath & Cobb, P.A.BusinessesService: Four Star Plumbing Service Inc.;Mirage Hair Studio; Resorts TransportationLodging: The Beach Club at MontegoResorts; Country Inn & Suites at Waccamaw;Lazy G MotelRetail: Artful Legacy Rubber Stamping;Costco Wholesale-Photo Center; Hope Taylor& CompanyRestaurant/Pub: Carrabba’s Italian Grill-Myrtle Beach; Fazoli’s-North Myrtle Beach;McAllister’s Deli-Pine Island RoadProfessional: Discover Chiropractic;Dr. Loring L. Ross Orthodontics, DDS, MS;Palmetto PediatricsNonprofit: American Cancer Society;First United Methodist Church-Myrtle Beach;Habitat for Humanity of Horry CountyReal Estate: RE/MAX by the Sea; RE/MAXOcean Forest; Prudential Burroughs & ChapinRealty Inc.Amusement/Entertainment: Fun Plaza;Ripley’s Aquarium; Dolly Parton’s DixieStampede Dinner & ShowCommunications: A-1 Wireless; Myrtle BeachHerald; Stages Video Productions Inc.Financial: Martin Consulting; Carolina TrustFederal Credit Union; Wachovia Bankn

10 year old reelsin $2,000 rodeo prizeA 10-year-old Camden resident is $2,000richer after winning the grand prize at the52nd Annual Grand Strand Fishing Rodeoawards banquet. Charlie Nash III caught a22 lb. 7 oz. king mackerel back in September,which made him eligible for the grand prize.The fishing rodeo began April 1, 2006, andended Oct. 31, 2006. A total of 1,440 anglersfrom 16 states and Canada participated, withages ranging from 3 to 81.Over 75 people attended the banquet,including award recipients, sponsors andGrand Strand Fishing Rodeo committeemembers. Lyn Smith of Capt. Dick’s Marina,chairwoman of this year’s tournament,announced the winners. Trophies wereawarded for “Outstanding Catches” in severalcategories and divisions, and plaques wereawarded for the largest of species.As always, the $2,000 prize winner wasselected in a drawing. All award winnerspresent were eligible to win, along with 10“Shoulder Patch” winners chosen at random(“Shoulder Patches” were awarded eachmonth throughout the tournament).Nash was a“Shoulder Patch” winner.For a complete list of winners along withhometowns, species of fish, weights and weighstations, visit GrandStrandFishingRodeo.com.t Charlie Nash III receives an early holiday present–a $2,000 fishing rodeo prize.Group Planner Guide goes on saleThe 2007-2008 “Group Planner Guide” to the MyrtleBeach area will go on sale in January. Five thousandguides are printed every two years and are used asfulfillment for tour operators, group leaders, familyand military reunions. Sales begin on Jan. 8. Ads arepurchased on a first come, first served basis. You mustpurchase a grid in order to purchase an ad.New this year is the opportunity to purchase a Website link which links your Web site to the Myrtle BeachArea Convention & Visitors Bureau group site. If youpurchase the Web link when purchasing a grid in theguide the price is $250 which saves $50 if purchasedby itself.Rates for the guide are:GridsNonaccommodation grids–$400Accommodation grids including a4-color photo of the hotel exterior–$500Web site link when purchasing a grid–$2504-Color AdsInside back cover–$2,800Outside back cover and inside front coverwill not be sold this time.Full page divider tab–$1,7001/2 page divider tab–$1,000Watch your e-mail and fax on Jan. 8. You will be giveninstructions for online purchase of ads and grids. Ifyou aren’t familiar with this publication and wouldlike to know more, please call Fred Hunter, group salesmanager with Myrtle Beach Area Convention andVisitors Bureau, at (843) 916-7248.MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.como

ECONOMIC INDICATORSSept. UnemploymentCounty 2005 Rate 2006 RateHorry 121,610 5.2 125,190 4.5Georgetown 30,330 7.5 30,850 6.3Sept. Gross Retail SalesCounty 2005 2006 % ChangeHorry $672,143,295 $769,898,592 +14.5%Georgetown $99,255,964 $110,415,966 +11.2%Sept. Admissions TaxCounty 2005 2006 % ChangeHorry $566,383 $647,926 +14.4%Georgetown $63,848 $62,578 -2.0%Sept. Airport Activity2005 2006 % ChangeArrivals 59,120 61,830 +4.58%Departures 60,842 64,299 +5.68%HORRY CountyResidential Construction Permits September - ‘06Location Myrtle Beach Unincorporated NorthMyrtle BeachSurfsideBeachGeorgetownCountySingle Family Units 30 346 27 0 37Single FamilyUnits Cost$7561,508 $49,945,746 $5,425,458 0 $9,373,192Multi-Family Bldgs 0 16 4 0 1Multi-Family Units 0 242 89 0 8Multi-FamilyBldgs Cost0 $24,896,675 $11,681,645 0 $460,000Residential Construction Permits September - ‘05Location Myrtle Beach Unincorporated NorthMyrtle BeachSurfsideBeachGeorgetownCountySingle Family Units 20 463 40 0 50Single FamilyUnits Cost$5,124,075 $63,390,132 $5,326,332 0 $10,250,458Multi-Family Bldgs 2 12 5 0 2Multi-Family Units 28 135 100 0 13Multi-FamilyBldgs Cost$2,096,532$2,175,937$1,003,256$1,103,557$669,349$714,078Aug.+3.8%Sept.+10.0%Oct.+6.7%Georgetown County$234,536$235,759$108,891$113,876$55,834$55,091$6,000,000 $11,934,059 $8,377,961 0 $883,681Warm WelcomeAug.+0.5%Sept.+4.6%Oct.-1.3%AccommodationsTax CollectionsKEY20052006Front Row (L to R): Chuck Stone, All Ways Graphics; Laura Whitten, Carolina Tint; Carolyn Bourne, Advantage Hospice and Home Care;Jill Smith, Advantage Hospice and Home Care; Christine McElhinny, First Federal; Franchesca Brown, M.D., Ocean Sands Pediatrics, LLC;Connie Collins, Creative Investing-Real Estate; Melissa Smith, Myrtle Beach Real Estate; Kelly Blevins, Valentine Sagefield Vineyards & Winery;John Royer, Capital Business Brokers; Roger Monsour, POD Digital Promotions; Margaret Curry, Smoothies Are Us, LLC DBA Maui WowiHawaiian and Songs About Me Inc.Second Row (L to R): Jim Jayroe, Jayroe Appraisal Company; Joe Clarke, ACE Hardware; Amy Bogan, Myrtle Beach Housing Authority; SharonForrest, Myrtle Beach Housing Authority; Thomas Collins, Creative Investing-Real Estate; Don Raven, Grand Strand Service Finder; Julie Melfi,Distinctive Home Solutions; Sharon Sauer, Realty Masters Co.; Bonnie Rogers, Pinkerton South Inc.; Fred Glover, McCaffey Interests Inc.Back Row (L to R): Nancy Moore, Coastal Traders Inc.; Nick Rasnick III, Coastal Traders Inc.; William Clarke, ACE Hardware; MichaelEisenrauch, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, LLP; Craig Newchurch, Myrtle Beach Real Estate; Anna Rushton, Myrtle Beach Real Estate;Jason Grenier, Your Cup Runneth Over; Kevin Melfi, Distinctive Home Solutions; David Benardo, Pinkerton South Inc.Thanks to BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina for providing refreshments for the reception.p

We’re cleaning houseActually, we’re cleaning up our member mailing addresses. Are youreceiving the monthly Grand Strander? Did you receive a nominationform for the I.C.E. Awards? If you answered “no” to these questions,maybe we don’t have your current mailing address. Besides mailingthe member newsletter, your chamber occasionally mails invitationsto upcoming events, advertising updates and changes in membershippolicies. Don’t be left in the dark, make sure we have your correctmailing address.A mailing address is where you want to receive your actual mail, suchas the Grand Strander, advertising opportunity announcements, newbenefit notices, general correspondence, etc. A mailing address caneither be your street address, a post office box or rural route address.The PitchPRRolloutby Megan Winnett, MBACC associate public relations managerA billing address is where you want to receive your statements, suchas your annual membership renewal bill, Stay & Play® advertisementbill, etc. A billing address can either be your street address, a postoffice box or rural route address.A physical address is the street address where your business is located.If you use one address for everything, you do not need to contactus, we already have your address on file. However, if your generalcorrespondence and/or bills go to a different address (or addresses)then your company’s physical location, make sure it is updated bycontacting Andrea Bonewicz, membership services coordinator, atbonewicza@mbchamber.org. Or better yet, go to the Members Onlypage (see below) at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com to update yourbusiness information.Members Only Web pageHas your business moved? Do you have a new employee who wantsto receive chamber notices? It’s easy to update your contact info byvisiting MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and clicking on the MembersOnly link. Here you can change your telephone number or add yourcompany’s Web link.The Members Only section also is where you’ll want to register forchamber events. Your contact info is automatically inserted so youdon’t have to re-enter your business name and address each time. Foryour user name and password, e-mail bonewicza@mbchamber.org.The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerceheld its PR Rollout on Dec. 6 at the SheratonMyrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel.The meeting began with an overview of the lackof awareness the Myrtle Beach area has in ourtop 10 target states. Peter Yesawich’s marketingresearch on the area’s awareness with consumerswas summarized along with the chamber’s ongoingmarket research. Marshall Murdaugh,one of America’s best recognized tourismconsultants, followed the research summary andpresented information on the function of publicrelations and how PR will help the Myrtle Beachdestination. He also reviewed tips on how towork well with travel media.The most exciting news at the rollout was thechamber’s announcement that M Booth &Associates, a New York-based public relationsfirm, has been hired to direct an integratedcommunications campaign for the MyrtleBeach area. M Booth’s target market is outsidethe 300-mile radius of Myrtle Beach, while thechamber itself will work with media within the300-mile radius. M Booth’s objectives includeincreasing awareness of the Grand Strand andincreasing media relations on a national level,with reinforced support regionally.M Booth presented their 2007 PR initiatives forthe Myrtle Beach area, which included securingpositive national media coverage, increasing topof-mindconsumer awareness and interest, andultimately, increasing the number of new visitorsto the destination.The M Booth team believes that the mosteffective way to kick-off our PR initiatives is totake Myrtle Beach to the media by planning aspecial New York City press launch–“The GrandStrand Meets The Big Apple”–in early 2007.To truly promote the Myrtle Beach destinationin the most successful way, we need involvementfrom you, our chamber members. If youwould like more details on the chamber’s 2007PR initiatives, the presentations from thePR Rollout and how you can become moreinvolved, please contact Megan Winnett,MBACC associate public relations manager, atwinnettm@mbchamber.org or (843) 916-7218or visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.Looking into the PR future …We’re working diligently to make PR a priorityfor the Grand Strand. Here are a few things weare currently working on at the chamber:• PR section for members on the chamberWeb site to keep you updated on the lateststory trends and story angles being pitchedto media• New York City press launch• PR workshops for chamber membersMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comq

Chamber welcomes new employeesKimberly Miles and Megan Winnett are the newest employees to join Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.Kimberly Miles joins the chamber as the new festivals and special events manager. Her job duties includecoordinating, scheduling and chaperoning year-round activities for the reigning Miss Sun Fun USA, Miss Sun FunTeen USA and Miss Bikini Wahine. She also secures sponsorships for festivals and assists with the production ofchamber sponsored festivals and events. A graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.,Miles has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and media, arts and design. Miles has lived in Myrtle Beachfor two years and previously lived and worked in London, England.As the chamber’s new associate public relations manager, Megan Winnett works with the travel media andmanages the chamber’s new public relations firm, M Booth & Associates. She previously interned withBurroughs & Chapin Co. Winnett has lived in Myrtle Beach for two summers and recently moved herefull time. Before moving to Myrtle Beach, she made her home in Amity, which is south of Pittsburgh, Pa.Winnett has a bachelor’s degree in communications with a track in public relations from Bethany Collegein Bethany, W.V.Kimberly MilesMegan WinnettBe arBusinessAfterHoursPizza, pasta and plenty of fun. Kick-off the New Year witha pizza party and an exciting networking event at East ofChicago during the Jan. 25 Business After Hours. Wina free membership disk by networking with at least 10members and collecting their business cards. Bring thesecards up to the registration desk and enter the drawing.EventDate/TimeLocationCostRegisterDeadline Jan. 22Business After HoursJan. 25 from 4:15-7 p.m.East of Chicago3901 N. Kings Hwy.Myrtle BeachFree, value-added benefit ofmembershipMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com(click on Members Only)Questions? Call (843) 916-7225Networking Tip: The name tag is worn on the rightside. This provides an easy sight-line to your name whenshaking hands.Each month your Myrtle Beach AreaChamber of Commerce selects amember from the business cardscollected at chamber events to spotlighton MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.The more events you attend, thegreater your chance of being a star.Congratulations to our November“Be a Star” winner–Mitch Snider,president and owner of TheMobility Center. Read aboutSnider and The Mobility Center atMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com(click on Publications/Grand Strander).

Stay & PlayNew size, updated copy, new lookThe 2007 edition of Stay &Play ® , the Myrtle Beach area’smost comprehensive vacationguide, is now available, alongwith its sisterpublication,the Stay &Play Pocketguide.Stay & Playis a glossy,full-color guideto lodging,attractions,dining, shopping,golf, theaters andevents along SouthCarolina’s 60-mileGrand Strand. The256-page guide ispacked with valuablevisitor information,colorful photos and a handy,detachable map. New this yearis a size change (saves on paperand postage costs) for bothguides, 6” x 10 7/8”, also a tabinsert has been added to dividethe Play and Stay sections(no longer Spiegel format).Readers also will notice thatthe golf section has beenchanged to a grid format likethe dining section, and newdestination editorialand additional pictureshave been added tobetter represent theexcitement of theGrand Strand. Thefirst few pagesof the guide nolonger promoteindividualadvertisers butthe overalldestination.The quantityof the Stay& Playguide hasincreased to475,000, a 27 percentincrease over 2006. In addition,125,000 overruns of the Playsection of the guide wereprinted.The new 72-page Stay & PlayPocket guide also featuresdestination information, photos,a detachable map and a tabinsert and is the same size as theStay & Play. The guide will beavailable at the chamber’s fourwelcome centers and also willbe distributed at trade showsthroughout the United Statesand Canada.The Stay & Play guide willbe mailed directly from theprinter without additionalpieces, allowing the book tobe used as a vacation planningtool. Brochures from membersparticipating in the ChamberMail Program will be sent fourdays after Stay & Play guides aremailed.Advertisers were recentlymailed copies of thesepublications. Other chambermembers may obtain acopy by going online toMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comand click on Member Requestfor Stay & Play or call(843) 626-7444 and press 1.The new Grand Strand Living ®relocation guide will beavailable in mid-February.Wake upwith the chamberJoin members of your Myrtle Beach Area Chamberof Commerce for an exciting morning of networking.You’ll make new contacts and expand your businessopportunities in a relaxed and fun environment.Connections MarketplaceDate/Time Jan. 11 from 7:30-9:15 a.m.LocationCostRegisterDeadline Jan. 10Springmaid Beach Conference Center3200 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach(Adjacent to the Springmaid BeachResort Hotel with lots of free parking)$10 per person (includes breakfast)Sorry, no refunds or reschedulingMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com(click on Members Only)Questions? Call (843) 916-7225Connections Marketplace is speed networking at its best–leave with a pocketful of business cards! You will be seatedat tables of eight. Participants are each given one minuteto introduce themselves and their company to othermembers at the table. After everyone has had a turn, youhave two minutes for networking. You then move to thenext table and begin again.Bring a minimum of 50 business cards to exchange anddisplay on the share table (a table for your business cards,brochures, product samples, etc.)MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.coms

Chamber Anniversaries for December 200638 YearsCherry Tree Inn32 YearsComfort Inn & SuitesHoliday Inn OceanfrontFranklin Smith O.D.US Food Service28 YearsBermuda SandsCoastal Federal Bank 75th NCoastal Federal Bank Oak St.23 YearsEdward Jones Investments21 YearsCondominium Rental Services Inc.Condo-World of the Grand Strand20 YearsOceanfront Vacation Rentals Inc.19 YearsWaccamaw Factory Shoppes16 YearsCarolina First-Murrells InletThe Leukemia & Lymphoma Society15 YearsNHC Health Care/Garden City, LLCTown Planner14 YearsCarter Architecture Inc.The Hammock Shops13 YearsHoliday Inn ExpressLowcountry Companion12 YearsChristian Mission Inc.Elite Lighting CompanyThomas W. JonesMarlin Quay Fishing & Watersports11 YearsEnterprise Rent-A-Car-501Enterprise Rent-A-Car-NMBLa Plage Swimwear Inc.10 YearsWendy’s-NMBWendy’s-10th Ave. N.Wendy’s-3201 N. Kings Hwy.Wendy’s-2401 S. Kings Hwy.Wendy’s-Murrells Inlet9 YearsOlsten Staffing Services8 YearsFat Tuesday7 YearsEtcetera Inc.Grand Strand New Home Guide6 YearsBlanchard Rental ServicesC&C Moving ServiceDerrick AssociatesWells Fargo Financial-ConwayWells Fargo Financial-Myrtle Beach5 YearsFinancialNsights, Inc.The Pearl Golf LinksPhantom Fireworks4 YearsHorry Electric Cooperative Inc.Inlet Point PlantationJ.E. Lillquist Inc.Myrtle Beach ShowcaseThe Pest Force3 YearsBlack Swan InteriorsCommunity Assistance CenterOliver & Associates Inc.2 YearsAnnas Development & Building Inc.Club KryptoniteCoach’s CornerColdwell Banker Chicora-Bonnie CoastExtra Room Self-Storage, LLCInlet Crab HouseMoonStone Beads & Crafts, Inc.Northstar Financial AdvisorsShipwreck Island Adventure GolfTidelands Bank1 YearCampbell Landscaping Design GroupCanterbury Apartment HomesColumbia SportswearCondustrial Inc.Connolly Coastal Capital, LLCEast Coast HospitalityEdible ArrangementsGeoffrey L. Deans-REALTOR-Weichhert Realtors,Southern-CoastGMAC MortgageHeartland Payment SystemsKa-Nol Marketing Inc.Key ArchitectureMedia ServicesReal Estate Television Network, LLCSeaside Wedding ChapelSperry Van Ness/Tradd CommercialUrban CentralWallace Success InternationalMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comt

TheMobilityCenterThe Mobility Center offers a completeline of medical equipment for homeuse including: manual and electricwheelchairs, lift chairs, bathroomaccessories, home oxygen therapy, walkers,scooters, vacation rental equipment,ramps, rehabilitation mobility products,plus other medical equipment and services.The Mobility Center’s goal is to providepatient-focused, provider-friendly,educational accreditation programs to helptheir company stay focused on best clinicalpractices, improve business operations,increase professional self-respect, andgain community credibility for having adedication to quality patient services.The Mobility Center’s primary clienteleis the pediatric, elderly and the physicallychallenged population. They currentlyserve approximately 1,500 clients/ patientseach year, both residents and visitors.With 10 full-time employees, TheMobility Center’s professionallycredentialed staff includes an emergencymedical technician (EMT), a specialistin respiratory education and sleepmedicine, and three manufacturer certifiedspecialists in the proper evaluation, set-up,placement and education of home medicalequipment, and seating and positioning ofrehabilitation equipment.Locally owned, The Mobility Center’semployees have firsthand knowledge ofthe Grand Strand area and are availablefor sales, services, rentals, repairs anddeliveries. A majority of their products areMedicare/Medicaid reimbursable, meaningthat qualifying persons pay little or noout-of-pocket expenses. They also fileinsurance claims, relieving clients of thecumbersome burden.Mitch Snider, president of The MobilityCenter, has first-hand knowledge of thebusy medical equipment industry. Asthe November winner of “Be A Star,” arandom drawing from the business cardscollected during chamber events, theGrandStrander got the inside scoop onSnider and The Mobility Center.Tell us a little bit about yourself– workhistory, how long you have lived in thearea, how long have you worked for TheMobility Center?I started my business career fromscratch. I received a BSBA in health caremanagement from Appalachian StateMitch Snider • President • The Mobility CenterNorthwood Plaza • 7831 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC 29572• (843) 692-8001mobility-center.com • Member Since 1996University in 1991. When I graduatedfrom college the job market was verysoft. Our country was in a recessionand involved in the Desert Storm War. Imoved to Myrtle Beach in 1992. Again,due to the recession, work was hard tocome by, so I worked a couple of jobsin the hospitality industry. I then wentinto sales of security alarm systems, gotmarried, and finally went into sales ofhome health care equipment where I havebeen ever since. This was always whereI wanted to make my career, as I knew Iwanted to be in business for myself andalso that in healthcare, which is recessionproof, the business opportunities would betremendous.u Continued on page 22MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comba

u Continued from page 21How long has The Mobility Center beenin business?Since June 1996.How many people work at The MobilityCenter?Ten full-time employees.What’s a typical day like?A typical day at The Mobility Centerbegins with several customer phone callscoming in with questions regarding howinsurances work to help the customersobtain the products and/or services thathave been ordered by their physician andwith our employees coming in to gatherup files and equipment for that day’sdeliveries. We get a good bit of walk-incustomer traffic with the same questionsand concerns or for an appointment to testout equipment first hand and make finaldecisions on what product they would liketo receive.What do you enjoy most aboutyour job?The satisfaction of helping those withsome type of physical, musculoskeletal,neurological, vascular, cardiovascular, orpulmonary abnormality, disease state, orcondition to be achieve a better quality oflife through the quality products and/orservices which we provide.What makes it challenging?The challenging part of our jobs is the factthat when we are faced with providingour customers with our products and/orservices, they are sometimes in a depressedstate of mind, have feelings of hopelessnessand have finally come to face fact thatthey may have to actually need equipmentto aid them with theircondition. The familymembers who are involvedare also sometimes in astate of grief as some of ourcustomers are in the endstages of diseases and it is areal tough thing to convincethem that our products andservices will actually helpthem to a better qualityof life. Reimbursementfrom Medicare is also a realchallenge to keep up withand survive by. In the everchanging reimbursementarena, we find ourselvesspending the most of ourtime trying to figure outhow to offer the highestlevel of quality serviceamongst seemingly endlesscuts in pay for them.How’s the medicalequipment business doingin the Grand Strand?The Grand Strand is awonderful place to be in the medicalequipment business as far as I amconcerned. There are droves of peoplemoving here from all over the nationto have a better lifestyle, and it is still agood deal here compared to a lot of otherparts of the nation. The Grand Strand iscentrally located between the Northernand Southern Coast states, and hasmoderate weather with all four seasons ofthe year to enjoy. Given all that the GrandStrand has to offer, it really seems to attractthe 50 plus aged population and ourbiggest customer base is in that age group.Any new products or services?We offer a wide realm of products andservices, and are always on top of and tryto offer the latest in technological advancesin any of them.The Mobility Center has been a memberfor 10 years. What has the chamberdone for you? What benefits/serviceshave you used?The chamber has been a wonderfulorganization to be a part of. There are somany ways to benefit from the chamber’sofferings and advantages of membership.There are educational seminars to learnnew things at, networking opportunities tointeract and share businessexperiences with other businesspeoplein the community and has always beena good source of referrals to us forthose visiting or relocating to theGrand Strand.MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.combb

Matthew J. Perry,Peter Horrybound for S.C.Hall of FameCivil rights activist and famed attorney Judge MatthewJ. Perry and Revolutionary War hero Peter Horry, bestrecognized as the namesake of Horry County, wererecently inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame.A formal induction ceremony took place Jan. 8 at theMyrtle Beach Convention Center, where the S.C. Hall ofFame is located. Portraits of both inductees were unveiledand added to the gallery in the convention center lobby.Matthew J. PerryMatthew J. Perry was born in Columbia in 1921. Aftergraduating from Booker T. Washington High School,Perry served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1946 and thenreceived his bachelor and law degrees from S.C. StateCollege (now S.C. State University). Perry opened alaw practice in Spartanburg and while handling routinecases, he began to devote time to civil rights work. Thiswork soon consumed his professional time and led to hishistoric appointment by the S.C. NAACP as its chiefcounsel in 1957. Perry strategically selected cases to attackthe state’s scheme of racial segregation. In Cummingsvs. City of Charleston, Perry successfully challengedCharleston’s public golf course segregation. Perry alsoprevailed in cases involving segregation of state parks,hospital waiting rooms, state colleges and universities, andpublic schools. His skillful representation of civil rightsmarchers and protesters established important precedentsin the areas of free speech and right of assembly. Perry’srepresentation of civil rights marchers arrested at theState House led to the landmark U.S. Supreme Courtdecision in Edwards vs. South Carolina, considered bymany scholars to be one of the most important FirstAmendment cases in modern American history. Perry alsowas very active in voting rights and in 1976, PresidentGerald Ford nominated Perry on the recommendationof Sen. Strom Thurmond to the U.S. Court of MilitaryAppeals, which marked the first time a black man fromthe deep South had been nominated to the federal bench.Three years later, President Jimmy Carter nominatedJudge Perry as the U.S. District Judge for the District ofSouth Carolina, where he served with distinction for morethan 25 years. In 2004, the new U.S. Court House inColumbia was named in honor of Judge Perry.Peter HorryPeter Horry was born in South Carolina in c.1743. In thelate 1760s, Horry became a partner of Anthony Bonneauin the Georgetown mercantile firm of Bonneau & Horrybut Horry did not pursue a mercantile career. Instead,he became a planter and owned three plantations and116 slaves. Active in the military during the AmericanRevolution, Horry was commissioned a captain in theSecond Regiment and was present at the Battle of FortMoultrie. He was in command of the Fifth Regiments by1780, after being promoted to a major and then colonel.In 1780 after the fall of Charleston, Horry traveledto North Carolina where he joined Baron deKalb’sContinental forces. Uniting with Francis Marion in S.C.’slowcountry, Horry commanded a regiment of light horseand was at the Battle of Quinby Bridge. Together withMarion, he later preserved an important supply route.Years later, Horry wrote a history of Marion’s Brigadeand sent the manuscript to Mason Weems for possiblepublication. Although Horry instructed Weems to editonly for style, Weems fictionalized the manuscript andhad it published as “Life of Marion.” Horry disclaimedauthorship of the distorted work. Horry served in boththe S.C. House of Representatives and Senate and asregister of the mesne conveyances for Charleston. Afterthe state militia was reorganized in 1792, BrigadierGeneral Horry was given command of the Sixth Brigade(Georgetown), where he served until 1802. Horry heldother offices and memberships including commissionerfor auditing public accounts for Georgetown District(1782), tax inquirer and collector for Prince Winyah(1784), justice of the peace (1790), and a member of theSociety of Cincinnati. In tribute to Horry’s service, HorryCounty was reconstructed from Georgetown District andnamed in his honor (1801). Peter Horry died Feb. 28,1815, in Columbia and is buried at Trinity (Episcopal)Church.The Confederation of South Carolina Local HistoricalSocieties is the official selection organization for the Hallof Fame. Each of the confederation’s 10 districts annuallyselects one contemporary and one deceased nominee forconsideration by the board of trustees.The S.C. Hall of Fame is sponsored by the city of MyrtleBeach and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.For more information about the S.C. Hall of Fame, visitMyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and click on S.C. Hall ofFame.MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.combc

c • a • l • e • n • d • a • rJanuary 3 8:30 a.m. Small Business Council Andrea Bonewicz, 916-7240January 9 8 a.m. Myrtle Beach Ambassadors Pat Creed, 916-7225January 9 8:30 a.m. North Strand Council Andrea Bonewicz, 916-7240January 9 9 a.m. Technology Workshop Michele Winstead, 916-7232*January 9 3:30 p.m. Executive Committee Amie Lee, 916-7238January 10 8 a.m. South Strand Ambassadors Pat Creed, 916-7225January 11 7:30 a.m. Connections Marketplace Pat Creed, 916-7225*January 16 2:30 p.m. Finance Review Committee Alyson Morgan, 916-7203January 16 3:30 p.m. Board of Directors Amie Lee, 916-7238January 18 6 p.m. I.C.E. Awards Michele Winstead, 916-7232*January 22 9 a.m. Legislative Policy Council Kate Miles, 916-7234January 23 4 p.m. North Strand Tabletop Business Expo Pat Creed, 916-7225*January 24 6 p.m. Grand Strand Legislative Reception Amie Lee, 916-7238January 25 8:30 a.m. Restaurant & Lodging Series Michele Winstead, 916-7232*January 25 4:15 p.m. Business After Hours Respond at 916-7250*January 30 9 a.m. LGS Alumni Leadership Series Michele Winstead, 916-7232*January 30 3 p.m. Warm Welcome Reception Pat Creed, 916-7225*February 3 8:30 a.m. Small Business Council Andrea Bonewicz, 916-7240February 6 8:30 a.m. World Class Series Michele Winstead, 916-7232*February 7 3:30 p.m. Convention Bureau Committee Wendy Tipi, 916-7264February 8 9 a.m. Membership Committee Andrea Bonewicz, 916-7240February 8 12:30 p.m. South Strand Council Faye Creel, 651-1010February 13 8 a.m. Myrtle Beach Ambassadors Pat Creed, 916-7225February 13 9 a.m. Technology Workshop Michele Winstead, 916-7232*February 13 3:30 p.m. Executive Committee Amie Lee, 916-7238February 14 8 a.m. South Strand Ambassadors Pat Creed, 916-7225February 14 9 a.m. Leadership Series Michele Winstead, 916-7232*February 20 3:30 p.m. Board of Directors Amie Lee, 916-7238February 22 4:15 p.m. Business After Hours Respond at 916-7250*February 27 9 a.m. Small Business Forum Michele Winstead, 916-7232*February 27 3 p.m. Warm Welcome Reception Pat Creed, 916-7225*Kori HippeColleen OcteauDiana GreenePOSTMASTER: Send address changes toMembership DivisionMyrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce,P.O. Box 2115, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578-2115Member Communications ManagerGraphic DesignerVice PresidentMembership Programs and ServicesThe Grand Strander, official newsletter of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamberof Commerce, is published the first Tuesday of every month.Periodicals U.S. Postage Paid. Myrtle Beach, SC 29578 USPS 124-490.Send Business Bulletin information to:Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of CommercePO Box 2115, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578Fax: (843) 626-0009 or E-mail hippek@mbchamber.orgQuestions? Call Kori Hippe at (843) 916-7205The Grand Strander is printed by Inlet Printing Co.PERIODICALSU.S. PostagePAIDMyrtle Beach, SC 29578USPS 124-490* Register online at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com