http://www.MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.comNews related to Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce(c) 2009, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce All Rights Reserved.5 The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau today announces nonstop, twice-weekly service on Porter Airlines from Toronto City Centre (Island) Airport (TCCA) to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) beginning Feb. 28, 2010, through May 30, 2010. One-way fares start at $179 plus taxes and are available to book now via FlyPorter.com. The investment in this service signals a continued, growing interest from Canadian travelers in visiting the Myrtle Beach area. Though not the first international service for Myrtle Beach International, it is the first in the area in several years. This new growth clearly positions Myrtle Beach as an attractive and accessible destination in the Canadian travel marketplace. “The Canadian travel market is colossal for the Myrtle Beach area,” said Brad Dean, president and chief executive officer of MBACC/CVB. “Canadians already have access to Myrtle Beach through nonstop service from Niagara Falls, N.Y., via Direct Air; however, Porter’s new international service from Toronto will inspire even more Canadian guests to visit the area through these fast and affordable flights. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Porter and more Canadians to Myrtle Beach.” The lucrative Canadian market is the largest international market for visitation to the United States. In 2008 South Carolina welcomed almost a million Canadian visitors, on average spending 7.2 nights in the state; more than 85 percent of Myrtle Beach’s international visitor base is made up of Canadian visitors, with Ontario the destination’s top international market overall. To tap into the Canadian market in more depth, the MBACC/CVB recently announced the appointment of Kimberly Hartley, president and executive director of Travel Solutions by Design (Corp.), as the director of Canada for the Myrtle Beach area. Hartley is well-known and respected throughout the travel industry as a leader and expert in destination sales and marketing in Canada. "I am excited to be able to bring the Myrtle Beach area to the forefront and promote the destination to retail travel agents and consortiums; tour operators, wholesale and motorcoach companies; meeting, incentive and corporate group planners; as well as the trade and consumer media,” Hartley said. “Canadians know of the Myrtle Beach area, but they really do not know all about what the area has to offer today's visitor - it is an exciting and fun destination, offering something for everyone.” Flights from Toronto on Porter Airlines begin just a few weeks before the extremely popular Canadian-American Days Festival, which attracts thousands of Canadians to Myrtle Beach each March. The strategic timing of the flight schedule was crucial, as more than 40 percent of Canadian travelers to South Carolina visit in the first quarter of the year. “As Ambassador to Canada, I enjoyed working with Brad Dean and the team at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce,” said the Honorable David Wilkins, former South Carolina Speaker of the House and former United States Ambassador to Canada. "We collaborated on promoting Myrtle Beach to Canadians, and when Porter Airlines brought me and a large contingent of Canadian dignitaries to Myrtle Beach, we struck up a relationship that has now evolved into a partnership. This new air service will open up more travel and trade opportunities between our state and Canada than ever before.” Through its convenience, speed and service standards, Porter excels in bringing simplicity and sophistication to leisure and business travelers. The carrier serves many Canadian markets from Toronto as well as Chicago and New York (Newark) in the United States. Its new route to Myrtle Beach is the farthest south Porter has ever flown. “Myrtle Beach is an excellent leisure destination for our passengers,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. “It appeals to everyone from families to sports enthusiasts and is a good match with our successful seasonal program in Mont Tremblant. We now provide top flight golf and ski options to suit all tastes.” In July Horry County, S.C., announced plans to continue an airport landing fee incentive program started in 2008, which included the elimination of landing fees on all non-U.S. routes among other incentives for domestic flights to the destination. The program has attracted other important carriers such as Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air to begin service from key domestic markets like Chicago, Ill., and Allentown, Pa. “Myrtle Beach has long been recognized as the ultimate golf experience with more ‘Top 100’ golf courses than any other golf destination in the United States,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “Our research tells us that nonstop flights to Myrtle Beach are a critical consideration for golfers because less travel time means more time on the golf course. Toronto has been one of our top golf markets for many years, and Porter Airlines will provide a valuable service to the Myrtle Beach area by offering affordable direct flights for families looking for a beach vacation and for golfers to experience our great courses.” Based on 2006 visitor research, the MBACC estimates that 6 percent of travelers fly to Myrtle Beach. Some 14 million travelers visit the destination each year. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=283Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach area is a great place for holiday shopping, with cool, practical and quirky gift items and services from Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce members. To encourage locals, visitors and members to shop, dine, play and stay locally, the MBACC is launching its Shop Our Members campaign Nov. 9-Dec. 20. Discounts and other offers are available at ShopOurMembers.com and MBACC welcome centers at 1200 N. Oak St. in Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach International Airport and 3401 U.S. 17 Business S. in Murrells Inlet. Media partners WBTW News 13, WMBF News, WPDE NewsChannel 15 and NextMedia Radio (Wave 104.1, WRNN 99.5 FM/1450 AM, 96.1 WKZQ and Star 92.1) will promote the campaign. As an added incentive to Shop Our Members, media partners will give away hundreds of $25 gift cards to spend at member businesses. Participating member businesses will also have a chance to win advertising from the media partners. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=282Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 2009 tourism marketing summit 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel (Ballroom E). The event begins with a continental breakfast 8 a.m.-9 a.m. followed by the keynote address and presentations. The event is free and open to the public. Register online at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com by Nov. 9. Beginning at 9 a.m. David Sheatsley, U.S. Travel Association, will give the keynote address. As the association’s director of marketing research, Sheatsley will provide an overview of current travel trends and an outlook on tourism nationally. He will also share his insight on how travel trends may impact upcoming marketing initiatives locally. In addition, a number of presentations will be given starting at 10:30 a.m. MBACC staff will offer an update on 2009 marketing results and provide an overview of the direction of 2010 advertising. Staff will also give updates on meetings and group travel and local research as it impacts the Myrtle Beach area. The S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and Brandon Agency will brief attendees on cooperative advertising opportunities. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com or call (843) 626-7444. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=280Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its President’s Gala honoring Woody Crosby, 2009 Citizen of the Year, and James Benton, 2009 Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year, 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. The event is invitation-only and is not open to the public. The Citizen of the Year award recognizes an individual who has displayed outstanding leadership and community involvement. Crosby, president and CEO of Jordan Properties, oversees the lodgings Crown Reef at South Beach Resort and Tropical Seas Oceanfront Hotel in Myrtle Beach and Highlands Suite Hotel and Mountain High Lodge in Highlands, N.C., with a total staff of more than 275. He has served many years on the board of directors for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday and South Carolina Hospitality Association. As an advocate of the tourism industry, Crosby has been a guiding and creative force on the marketing cooperative to raise private funds to match the state’s two-for-one grant for tourism promotion, as well as Myrtle Beach’s 1 percent tourism development fee and airport redevelopment. In his personal life, he is a recognized champion of organ and tissue donation, serving on the board of Donate Life South Carolina, supported by the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles. Crosby was instrumental in the U.S. 501 beautification project that included median landscaping between Conway and Myrtle Beach, obtaining funding from the Horry County accommodations tax and coordinating with the S.C. Department of Transportation. Past honors include 2008 March of Dimes Community Servant Award, 2004 South Carolina Hotelier of the Year, 1999 Myrtle Beach Hotelier of the Year and 1997 Myrtle Beach Hospitality Volunteer of the Year. “No one exemplifies public service more than Woody Crosby,” said Brant Branham, MBACC board chairman. “His service on the chamber board and hospitality association board and various civic organizations speaks for Woody’s commitment to the tourism industry and community.” The Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year award, named in honor of the late Ashby Ward (president and CEO of the chamber for nearly 30 years), was established to recognize individuals who have had a significant, positive impact on the Myrtle Beach area. Benton, a Myrtle Beach native, is the retired president of C.L. Benton & Sons Inc., a construction business started by his father in 1938. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, returning home to begin his career in the family business. Under his leadership, C.L. Benton & Sons was involved in much of the rebuilding after Hurricane Hazel destroyed the oceanfront in Myrtle Beach. The company is also credited with building several campgrounds and golf courses in the area, including Arrowhead Country Club, and site development for Myrtle Beach’s first major mall (Myrtle Square). Active in the community, Benton has been involved with the Myrtle Beach Rotary Club, Grand Strand Miracle League, Horry County Mental Retardation Center and Coastal Carolina University, believing strongly in the need for excellence in academia. He has served on the boards of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Federal Bank, Coker College and Dunes Golf and Beach Club. As a testament to his contributions, Benton received the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor for service, in 2008. “Jimmy Benton is a true son of Myrtle Beach,” Branham said. “Over the past 70 years C. L. Benton & Sons has literally built Myrtle Beach, from the roads we ride on to the infrastructure laid for development. The company he grew helped Myrtle Beach grow, and now his two sons Carson and Lawton are following in their father’s footsteps.” For more information about the President’s Gala, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com or call (843) 626-7444. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=281Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce held its 2009 annual meeting today at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel. The event featured keynote speaker MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough, a Grand Strand economic forecast presented by Dr. Donald Schunk and breakout sessions on social media tips to get results, garnering publicity from local media and improvisation training to improve business skills. Another key highlight of the annual meeting was the presentation of the 2009 business and individual awards. The following individuals and businesses were honored for their contributions: • Citizen of the Year Award: Woody Crosby, Jordan Properties, presented to an individual who has displayed outstanding community service over a period of time. • Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year Award: James Benton, retired, C.L. Benton & Sons, presented to an individual who has made a significant impact on the Myrtle Beach area. • Hospitality Employee of the Year: Michele “Micki” Sisson, Island Vista Resort, presented to a non-manager who works directly with visitors regularly and projects a positive image of his/her business, property, attraction or event and the state of South Carolina. The winning nomination will be submitted to the statewide competition for the S.C. Hospitality Employee of the Year Award. • Community Service Award: Burroughs & Chapin Company, presented to a business that contributes to the community in the form of leadership, volunteer work or financial support. • Business Innovation Award: Carolina Improv Company, presented to a business that exceeds the standard for resourcefulness and creativity in the workplace. • Operating Green Award (new category): Brookgreen Gardens, presented to a business that is committed to sound environmental good practices. • Small Business of the Year Award: Croissants Bistro & Bakery, presented to a business with 10 or fewer employees that stands out from the rest. • Young Professional of the Year: Jenifer Sweat, FSA-Full Steam Ahead Inc. Fire and Water Restoration, presented to a gsSCENE member who demonstrates community involvement, aspiration to succeed in the work force and a future desire to make a difference on the Grand Strand. • Ambassador of the Year Award: Jenafor Braley, 03 World Weight Management, presented to a Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce ambassador who has earned the most points by contacting and visiting other chamber members and by acting as a mentor. • Ann DeBock Leadership Award: Greg Everett, presented to a Leadership Grand Strand graduate who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and community service. • Volunteer of the Year Award: Julie Kopnicky, United Way of Horry County, presented to an individual who has volunteered his/her time and energy to help the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. The honoree demonstrates the true spirit of service by helping the chamber promote, protect and improve the Grand Strand. • Chairman’s Choice Award: Santee Cooper, presented to an organization for its countless contributions to the Myrtle Beach area’s business community, residents and visitors. The winners of the Volunteer of the Year Award and Chairman’s Choice Award were formally presented at the Volunteer of the Year celebration Oct. 6. Brant Branham, 2008-2009/2009-2010 MBACC board chairman, was also honored at the celebration. The Ann DeBock Leadership Award was formally announced during the Leadership Grand Strand Class XXIX graduation ceremony May 8. However, all 2009 business and individual award winners are recognized at the annual meeting. The formal presentation of awards for the Citizen of the Year and Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year Award will take place Nov. 12 during the President’s Gala at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=279Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT Data from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce point to a successful fall destination campaign. The fall campaign, which ran from Aug. 24 to Oct. 18, focused primarily on television and Internet marketing. Television advertising covered 40 markets including seven markets that specifically targeted nonstop air service into Myrtle Beach. An estimated 22,773 spots, one-minute each, aired across all markets. The MBACC reports the following results for the advertising period: Unique Visitors to VisitMyrtleBeach.com: 2008: 237,575 2009: 424,663 Percent change: +78.74 Referrals to Chamber Members: 2008: 321,737 2009: 477,137 Percent change: +48.30 Lodging-Only Category Referrals: 2008: 173,733 2009: 274,408 Percent change: +57.94 Phone Calls to Chamber Call Center: 2008: 2,162 2009: 16,953 Percent change: +684.13 These figures correlate to tangible, positive outcomes locally,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “The Myrtle Beach International Airport had a super September, and occupancy is up at local accommodations, proving the Myrtle Beach area fared better than anticipated. This is very welcomed news in a challenging economic climate.” Horry County Department of Airports reported that nearly 63,000 people arrived at Myrtle Beach International Airport in September, an increase of 9.88 percent from the previous year and second highest September passenger month on record. Coastal Carolina University reveals an increase of 11.6 percent in lodging occupancy for the period between Aug. 23 and Oct. 3 compared to the same period last year. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=278Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitors Bureau announces the inaugural Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon Weekend, Oct. 22-24, 2010. The MBACC/CVB teamed with Continental Events and Sports Management Group LLC, specializing in the production of world-class running events, and the city of Myrtle Beach to bring this event, which will take place in October 2010, 2011 and 2012. Six thousand runners and walkers are expected to participate in this destination race for competitors throughout the United States. The weekend will consist of the following activities: • Two-day health and fitness expo • Coastal 5K race • One-mile Doggie Dash to benefit the Grand Strand Humane Society • 80-meter High Heel Run to benefit the Grand Strand Humane Society • 13.1-mile Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon “Continental Events and Sports Management has developed an action-packed weekend that will be sure to bring repeat visitors to the Myrtle Beach area,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “The Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon will grow our lineup of shoulder-season events while providing a unique offering that combines health and fitness with charitable giving. The races to benefit the Grand Strand Humane Society will add an entertaining fundraising touch.” The marathon course will provide participants a sampling of some of the best Myrtle Beach has to offer: • Freestyle Music Park (start) • Coastal Grand Mall • Robert M. Grissom Parkway • Broadway at the Beach • East to the ocean and then south on Ocean Boulevard • New oceanfront Myrtle Beach boardwalk and promenade, south section • Boardwalk at Plyler Park (finish) After the race, competitors will be treated to live entertainment oceanside. “This event is strategically planned at the beginning of the running season when temperatures are in the low 60s so participants can enjoy a great running event and a last getaway weekend at the beach before winter sets in,” said Robert Pozo, race founder and director. “There really is no better way to showcase this key vacation destination than with a walking or running tour through the area’s highlights, especially with the finish line on the new boardwalk. We are very honored and proud to be able to work with such wonderful Myrtle Beach groups and agencies in making this one of the premiere destination races over the next few years.” Registration for the inaugural marathon opens at 6 a.m. Oct. 23, 2009, with a special offer marking the first year. Registration will be reduced from $60 to $30 for the first 200 registrants, $36 for the next 200 registrants, followed by $42 for the remainder of the week ending at midnight Oct. 29. Regular fees will be $60 after the special pricing expires. To register and for more information, visit RunMyrtleBeach.com. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=277Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is holding its 2009 annual meeting 8 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel. The event is open to the public. Register online at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com by Oct. 23. The cost is $45 for members and $60 for nonmembers including lunch. Former Congressman Joe Scarborough (R-Fla.) will give the keynote address. Scarborough co-hosts MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and the syndicated talk radio show “The Joe Scarborough Show” on ABC Radio Network. He has authored “The Last Best Hope” and “Rome Wasn’t Burnt in a Day.” The annual meeting will feature breakout sessions on social media tips to get results, garnering publicity from local media and improvisation training to improve business skills. Other highlights include the presentation of the MBACC 2009 business and individual awards and Dr. Donald Schunk’s Grand Strand economic forecast. Schunk, a research economist with Coastal Carolina University’s BB&T Center for Economic and Community Development, will give an overview of national and local economic conditions. Schunk will discuss what to anticipate over the next year while focusing on local issues including retail, real estate and the tourism industry. The MBACC will present an update and announce the winners for Citizen of the Year Award, Ashby Ward Pioneer Award, Hospitality Employee of the Year, Business Innovation Award, Community Service Award, Small Business of the Year Award, Young Professional of the Year, Ambassador of the Year and Operating Green Award (new). Julie Kopnicky with United Way of Horry County, recipient of the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award, and Santee Cooper, recipient of the 2009 Chairman’s Choice Award, will also be recognized during the awards luncheon. The annual meeting agenda is as follows (locations vary; check with registration desk): 8-8:30 a.m. – Coffee and contacts networking breakfast 8:30-9:15 a.m. – Breakout session one: “How to Get Facebook and Twitter Results for Your Company,” presented by Brian Carter, director of PPC, SEO, social media, Fuel Interactive Breakout session two: “Improv Your Business—An Interactive Experience,” presented by Gina Trimarco, Carolina Improv Company 9:15-9:30 a.m. – Break 9:30-10:15 a.m. – Breakout session three: “How to Get Facebook and Twitter Results for Your Company,” presented by Brian Carter, director of PPC, SEO, social media, Fuel Interactive Breakout session four: “Leveraging the Power of Local Media Relations: Panel Q&A,” featuring local TV, radio and print media representatives 10:15-10:30 a.m. – Break 10:30-11 a.m. – Grand Strand economic forecast, presented by Dr. Don Schunk, research economist, BB&T Center for Economic and Community Development, Coastal Carolina University 11 a.m.-12 p.m. – Keynote address: MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Joe Scarborough 12-12:15 p.m. – Break 12:15-1:15 p.m.: Luncheon, chamber update and awards presentation For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com or call (843) 626-7444. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=276Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMTBoardwalk story proves to be a major out of market positive news angle for Myrtle Beach tourism October 20, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media contact: Kimberly Miles Public Relations Manager (843) 916-7218 Kimberly.Miles@VisitMyrtleBeach.com Nancy Gray, APR Media Communications Manager (843) 916-7235 Nancy.Gray@VisitMyrtleBeach.com MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The public relations team for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has estimated the news coverage surrounding the Boardwalk Groundbreaking Celebration garnered an estimated $553,967 in print and online advertising equivalency. This calculation was determined by the Chamber’s media monitoring and measurement service BurrellesLuce who measures ad value equivalency for public relations professionals worldwide. The boardwalk event story also generated 57,321,571 total impressions in print and online media outlets. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Myrtle Beach held the free Boardwalk Groundbreaking Celebration event on September 25 and 26 on Ocean Boulevard from Mr. Joe White Avenue to 8th Avenue North. The total net cost to produce this event was $19,000. The large amount of media coverage was generated as a result of an aggressive public relations effort by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce to garner out of market publicity for the boardwalk and the Myrtle Beach area. Prior to the event, the team generated 18 placements including coverage in top regional outlets such as the Charlotte Observer, Charleston Post & Courier and About.com’s Southeastern US for Visitors blog. The image of the colored sand art rendering of the boardwalk was distributed via Business Wire following the event and received a large amount of online pickup including syndication from the Associated Press. The Associated Press pickup led to a posting on the USAToday.com travel page. In total, 48 online news outlets posted the photo with caption. “The recent publicity surrounding the new Myrtle Beach boardwalk demonstrates that the project will provide a major story angle for us as we work to garner additional coverage for the Myrtle Beach area through summer 2010,” says Brad Laney, Vice President of the Travel and Lifestyle Practice for MBooth and Associates, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber’s Public Relations Firm. “The project has been viewed by the media as an important enhancement to the destination’s appeal and an integral part of the revitalization of the downtown Myrtle Beach area.” “On behalf of the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation, we’ve been blown away by the amount of national exposure the boardwalk has already received,” says Dave Sebok, Executive Director of the Downtown Redevelopment Cooperation. “I’ve received several inquiries from around the country in regards to new business opportunities in the downtown area. I’ve also received calls for interviews on the boardwalk from out of area news outlets such as FOX News in New York. ” Pace Communications has announced the boardwalk will be featured in US Airways Magazine’s December 2009 issue as part of a destination profile on Myrtle Beach. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce plans to continue its proactive public relations outreach on the new boardwalk as well as positive new developments along the Grand Strand. Since 1938 the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the MBACC its five-star accreditation, one of only several chambers in South Carolina to earn this distinction. The MBACC serves Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Little River, Atlantic Beach, Garden City Beach, Loris, Conway, Aynor, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com. # # # HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=275Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a luncheon meeting with South Carolina State Treasurer Converse Chellis and special guest Mark Vitner, national economist. The meeting will be held 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot, 851 Broadway St. The meeting is free and open to the public (first 80 registrants). Chellis will present a briefing on South Carolina’s financial condition and how it relates to our local economy. Vitner will provide a national scope on the economy. He has been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek and USA Today and has been a frequent guest on CNBC, CNN, National Public Radio and the “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.” Register online at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com or call (843) 916-7304 by Tuesday, Oct. 20. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=274Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Horry-Georgetown Technical College to host a business mixer 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. Attendees should meet at the college’s conference center, 950 Crabtree Lane. HGTC will showcase the diverse and rapidly expanding career programs it has developed to prepare graduates to meet the needs of local businesses. The mixer is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required (MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com). Attendees will be shuttled from the conference center to the Speir Health Science Education Center to tour the facility, meet firsthand with students and enjoy food samples prepared by students of the HGTC culinary arts technology program. Then, attendees will return to the conference center to enjoy more food prepared by the culinary arts students and entertainment by members of the Long Bay Symphony. “It’s a real pleasure to partner with Neyle Wilson and his dynamic team who lead this educational institution and to offer the local business community a unique opportunity to discover this gem of a resource,” said Brant Branham, MBACC board chair. “The chamber recognizes that the success of local job sectors, from food service to health care to turf management, depends on a well-trained workforce in sync with employers’ needs.” HGTC is educating up-and-coming leaders in the hospitality industry and medical community along with technology and other industries. HGTC can assist employers with job assessment, employee skills measurement and program implementation and evaluation processes. A specialist in customized training, the college can develop individualized training programs in areas such as leadership, management, supervision, organizational enrichment and customer service. Special training aids and manuals can also be developed for employers to use at their job site or for training. “Our mission at HGTC includes marrying college to community,” said Dr. Philip Render, dean of health sciences, business and agriculture. “Joint meetings with our area business leaders strengthen those bonds, along with keeping industry and higher education working cooperatively for the benefit of the greater Grand Strand area.” For more information visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com or call (843) 626-7444. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=273Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT The winners of the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award and 2009 Chairman’s Choice Award were announced last night during the Volunteer Celebration hosted by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. The event, presented by WMBF News, was held at the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort at Grande Dunes. Julie Kopnicky, marketing and communications coordinator with United Way of Horry County, received the MBACC 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award. Since 2008 Kopnicky has served on the Board of Regents for Leadership Grand Strand. Currently, she fills the role of the board’s vice chair and participates on various subcommittees. Kopnicky also serves on the LGS Alumni Association board and is the association’s communications chair. A founding member of gsSCENE, the MBACC’s young professionals group, Kopnicky has been instrumental in growing the new group’s membership through her participation on the events committee and helping to establish networking events. She also promotes and participates in gsSCENE community service projects and educational events. An advocate for gsSCENE, Kopnicky introduces potential new members as well as keeps current members excited and involved in the group. Other 2009 Volunteer of the Year finalists named were Chris Butler, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, and Deanne Johnson, Studio 303. The 2009 Chairman’s Choice Award was presented to Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility and the state’s largest power producer. Created and judged by the chamber’s past presidents, the award recognizes an organization for its countless contributions to the Myrtle Beach area’s business community, residents and visitors. A champion of conservation and energy efficiency for more than 40 years, Santee Cooper set an aggressive goal two years ago: to generate 40 percent of its power by 2020 from non-greenhouse gas emitting resources, biomass fuels, conservation and energy efficiency. In 2001 Santee Cooper opened the Horry County Landfill Generating Station, the state’s first Green Power station, which converts naturally occurring methane gas from decomposing refuse into an electrical fuel source. Santee Cooper also has a solar energy pavilion at Coastal Carolina University and, with Horry Electrical Cooperative, a Green Power Solar School demonstration project at Aynor Middle School. Partnering with the university, Santee Cooper is studying offshore wind energy, placing the state among the nation’s leaders in offshore wind energy research. J.D. Power and Associates presented Santee Cooper its award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Midsized Utilities in the South” for residential customers. This honor was based on many measures including power quality and reliability, price, billing and payment, corporate citizenship, communications and, most importantly, customer service. This year Santee Cooper unveiled a new energy efficiency program aimed at annual energy savings of 209 gigawatt hours by 2020. Additional programs are on tap later this year to make existing and new homes more energy efficient. Santee Cooper is involved in many local initiatives including the United Way of Horry County campaign and its Day of Caring. They continue to be a key partner in the community’s economic development, as low-cost, reliable power helps bring in industry and benefits all who live and work along the Grand Strand. Brant Branham, 2008-2009/2009-2010 board chairman and consultant with E.F. Hucks & Associates Inc., presented the Chairman’s Choice Award. “Tonight we celebrate the true meaning of volunteerism and honor three shining examples of what volunteerism, sacrifice and giving are all about,” Branham said. “Without our more than 500 volunteers, the chamber would not be able to effectively promote, protect and improve the business community and serve our 2,700 members.” The event also paid tribute to Branham, who has served on the board for the past five years and was elected to serve not one, but two, years as chairman, beginning his second year in July. Countless committee meetings, numerous communications and a myriad of events only begin to describe the position’s 12 months of dedication. He has led a number of accomplishments including moving closer to making Interstate 73 a reality and, most importantly, passage of the 1 percent tourism tax on both state and local levels. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=272Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will host an HOA Proposed Legislation Forum 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conference Center near The Market Common. Topics include a welcome, legislative overview by a number of attorneys and association/property management companies and a question and answer period. The forum is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required (MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com). “We invited our member association management companies to share their concerns about the proposed South Carolina Homeowners’ Association Act at a recent Legislative Policy Council meeting,” said Buzz Freeman, MBACC Legislative Policy Council chair. “The issues they raised, as well as feedback offered during the forum, will help us to influence policy so the law is reasonable for association management companies to follow. The bill’s impact reaches beyond our members to the entire Myrtle Beach area.” The South Carolina Homeowners’ Association Act (S. 30) was introduced by the state senate in the 2009 legislative session and is expected to be prefiled for the 2010 legislative session. S. 30 amends the Code of Laws of South Carolina (1976) by adding Chapter 52 to Title 27. The bill addresses how associations are set up and governed including openness of association finances and meetings. To association management companies, the bill contains many onerous provisions that conflict with existing state laws and association governing documents and are costly to administer and logistically difficult to perform in some cases. The high number of absentee owners in the Myrtle Beach area poses additional challenges for associations to comply with the act. Currently, condominium associations are governed by the South Carolina Horizontal Property Act (Chapter 31, Title 27) and may be governed by the South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act (for nonprofit associations; Chapter 31, Title 33). Single-family associations are governed by the South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act. Individual associations establish bylaws and declarations of covenants and restrictions in accordance with these state laws. The full text of the proposed bill can be viewed online at the South Carolina General Assembly’s Web site (SCStatehouse.gov). HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=270Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will host an adult casting call 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at its main office at 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach. During the casting call, local talent will be evaluated for possible inclusion in the MBACC’s TV, Internet and print advertising. Participants will pose for a headshot and give a brief video interview explaining why they would like to be part of the advertising campaign. The casting call is open to residents of Horry and Georgetown counties only. Adults and couples ages 30-55 and seniors and couples ages 55-70 of all ethnicities are needed. Participants must be available during the designated shooting dates, Oct. 21-23, at various Myrtle Beach area attractions and restaurants. Those chosen to appear in the campaign will receive a $100 American Express gift card to use at their favorite local business. “Our Myrtle Beach-area residents exemplify southern hospitality,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “Our advertising materials feature local residents from our casting calls last year, and with the tremendous response we’ve received from our advertising, it makes sense to maximize our opportunities again this year. We’re proud to showcase the diverse faces of the Grand Strand.” For more information about the casting call, call Tina Pace, MBACC marketing manager, at (843) 916-7262. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=271Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held earlier today for The Little White Dress Bridal Boutique, located in Rainbow Harbor. Bridal parties and debutantes alike will rejoice at the new full-service bridal boutique in Myrtle Beach that carries accessories and gowns for brides, maids, maidens, flower girls and debutantes. Partners Brenda Spadoni Urquhart and Melanie Hellmer have transformed their childhood dreams of wedding make-believe to a reality of romance and magic through The Little White Dress. The boutique officially opened its doors Sept. 26 to locals and, surprisingly, a number of visitors, and business has been brisk. Hellmer cites a need for a full-service bridal boutique in Myrtle Beach as their inspiration. “For years, brides have traveled outside the area to purchase a bridal gown. That’s no longer the case. We’re offering incredibly beautiful wedding gowns with exquisite service and detail for an overall wonderful shopping event for the bride. And what bride doesn’t deserve an amazing experience leading up to one of the most special days of her life?” The Little White Dress Bridal Boutique Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (appointments preferred) 5001 N. Kings Hwy., Suite 111 Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Phone: (843) 449-4940 TheLittleWhiteDress.net HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=269Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Volunteer Celebration, presented by WMBF News, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes. The cocktail reception will be held 5:30-7 p.m., with the awards presentation and ceremony 7-8 p.m. This is an invitation-only event. More than 500 volunteers have been invited. The chamber’s success includes the support of the numerous committee members and other countless volunteers that selflessly contribute their time and energy each year. “This is the one opportunity each year when the chamber can show our utmost appreciation for the myriad of volunteers that help allow our organization to continue to raise the bar,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “Whether it’s in our boardroom each month or at the Sun Fun Festival, their sacrifices don’t go unnoticed.” During the celebration, a volunteer of the year will be recognized for his or her time, talent and energy in helping the MBACC. Three finalists are being honored for 2009: Julie Kopnicky, United Way of Horry County; Chris Butler, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede; and Deanna Johnson, Studio 303. Nominations were solicited on the chamber’s Web site. The event will also pay tribute to Brant Branham, 2008-2009/2009-2010 MBACC board chairman and consultant with E. F. Hucks & Associates Inc., and to Santee Cooper, Chairman’s Choice Award recipient. The award was created by MBACC past chairmen of the board to recognize an organization for its countless contributions to the chamber. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=268Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT One hundred forty-six anglers competed for cash prizes in the 29th annual Fall Pier King Mackerel Tournament, which took place Sept. 18-20 on all local fishing piers: Apache Pier, Cherry Grove Pier, Myrtle Beach State Park Pier, Second Avenue Pier, Springmaid Pier, Surfside Pier and The Pier at Garden City. Charlie Love of Pittsboro, N.C., landed a first-place prize of $1,840, with a catch of 17 pounds, 12 ounces. Other tournament finalists were second-place winner Steve Richards of Camden, with 15 pounds, 7 ounces ($1,278 prize); third-place winner Ed Powers of Myrtle Beach, with 11 pounds, 10 ounces ($920 prize; Powers was the fourth-place winner last year); fourth-place winner Scottie Honeycutt of Hamlet, N.C. ($664 prize) and fifth-place winner Jake Smith of Calabash, N.C. ($409 prize). (Because only three king mackerels were caught, the names of the fourth- and fifth-place winners were drawn in accordance with tournament rules and regulations.) “Congratulations to Cherry Grove Pier for the ‘sweep’ during the tournament, with all Kings landed on the pier within about two hours on the last day, Sept. 20,” said Lyn Smith, chair of the Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo. “We are pleased that more anglers competed in this year’s fall tournament.” Fall and spring pier tournaments are coordinated by the Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo, which runs April through October and is sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call (843) 916-7221 or visit GrandStrandFishingRodeo.com. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=267Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT Meetings & Conventions magazine is inducting the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, a division of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, into its 2009 Gold Awards Hall of Fame. The Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is one of only 11 Gold Award recipients. To receive this honor, a meetings industry supplier must receive its 12th Gold Award—a true indication of excellence and staying power. “Being recognized in the Hall of Fame is the hallmark of excellence among CVBs and is quite an honor for the sales and service staff of the CVB,” said Charlie Bradshaw, MBACC Convention Bureau Committee chair, and vice president, Alabama Theatre. “The Gold Award represents consistency and dedication in promoting the Myrtle Beach area to meeting and convention planners for more than two decades.” The honorees have proven themselves to be leaders in their respective categories: hotels, resorts and CVBs. This year, M&C is inducting eight hotels/resorts into the Hall of Fame Gold Key, two CVBs into the Hall of Fame Gold Service and one hotel/resort into the Hall of Fame Gold Platter. All award recipients will also be featured in M&C’s Gold Awards issue published in November. M&C readers select Gold Award recipients by voting on industry criteria including staff attitude, quality of meeting rooms, food and beverage service, guidance on local attractions and liaison with local vendors and services. “Dedication to quality has always been a trademark of M&C’s readers, who represent the highest level of meeting and incentive professionals,” said Bernard W. Schraer, Meetings & Conventions group publisher. “The 2009 Gold Awards Hall of Fame inductees have met these tough standards by providing outstanding service. The entire M&C staff commends the honorees, who have demonstrated the qualities to earn the Hall of Fame recognition.” M&C established the Gold Awards program in 1978 beginning with the Gold Key Award, which is bestowed to the world’s finest meeting properties. The Gold Service Award for CVBs dedicated to meeting professionals was created in 1984, and the Gold Platter Award was established in 1985 to recognize the catering departments of creative meeting properties. For more information about the Gold Awards Hall of Fame, visit MCMag.com. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=266Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMTThe Myrtle Beach Area Offers Autumn Savings and Thanksgiving Specials This Fall September 16, 2009 - Myrtle Beach, SC – As the summer season comes to a close, the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina is ready to welcome fall with open arms. With average temperatures in the low 70s, festive activities and events make for a fun-filled getaway, awarding visitors an affordable way to enjoy the crisp and comfortable shoulder season with value-added autumn packages that make a weekend getaway a reality. For a complete list of fall activities and packages please visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/deals. - Fall Packages - Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort The Shop ‘Til You Drop package includes: • Three nights’ accommodations • One breakfast at Tena’s – a 46-item buffet • Welcome cocktail at Sea Mist’s Grille & Tavern • Shopping discount booklets for two people at Tanger Outlets in Myrtle Beach Rates are between $45 and $88 per night. Based on a three-night minimum, all rates are per night for two adults in a one-room unit with two double beds and are subject to applicable taxes. Offer valid September 15 – November 30, 2009. Additional $19 per child. Upgrades are available at a slight up charge. Some restrictions may apply. Must be 21 years old or over to receive cocktail(s). For more information, please call (800) 793-6507 or visit http://www.myrtlebeachseamist.com/packages/seasonal-getaways.asp#shopping. Sea Crest Resort The Fall Myrtle Beach Getaway package has rates starting at $39, and visitors who arrive Sunday through Wednesday and stay three nights or longer will receive a $30 voucher for the onsite gift shop and mini market. Offer valid September 15 – November 30, 2009. For more information, please call (800) 845-1112 or visit http://www.myrtlebeach-resorts.com/sea-crest. Sands Resorts The WOW $69 Fall Package has rates starting at $69 and includes: • Breakfast buffer for two adults and up to two kids • Free kids dinner with advanced reservations at Mango’s Grille (two kids per paid adult entrée) • Free admission to Sand’s Hall of Heroes Exhibition and Sand’s on-site recreational amenities Rates excluding taxes and resort charges. Some restrictions may apply. Offer based on two adults and two children. Package valid September 1 – December 31, 2009. For more information, please call (800) 550-6809 or visit www.SandsResorts.com/wow. Tilghman Beach & Golf Resort The Fall Beach Plantation Getaway offers guests four nights in a three bedroom condo, with a choice of the following shows: Carolina Opera, Dixie Stampede, Legends Theater, Palace Theater or Medieval Times. Visitors will be transported to and from the show in a stretch limo. Guests will also enjoy a day trip to Charleston, S.C. to view the changing season, take a tour of Boone Hall Plantation and take a carriage ride through the streets of Charleston. Top the weekend off with shopping at the historic Market Place and enjoy lunch at Charleston’s Waterfront Park Walk. Offer valid September 15 – November 30, 2009. Package starting at $848. For more information, please call (888) 280-0913 or visit http://www.tilghmanresort.com/myrtle-beach-vacation-specials.htm. 3 Palms Oceanfront Myrtle Beach The Fall Special offers guests 30% off the regular rate along with a free Tanger Outlet coupon book. Packages starting at $69.30. Offer valid September 7 – November 30, 2009. For more information, please call (888) 449-1618 or visit www.3palmsmyrtlebeach.com. Sheraton Myrtle Beach The Fall/Autumn package includes accommodations, breakfast buffet each morning, a Tanger Factory Outlet coupon book and free parking. Packages starting at $99. Offer valid September 8 – December 31, 2009. For more information, please call (888) 627-8203 or visit www.sheraton.com/myrtlebeach. Please note you must do a room night search before the package appears online. Patricia Grand Resort The Fall Spectacular package offers guests discounted accommodations and two free adult tickets to Ripley’s Aquarium. Offer valid September 15 – November 30, 2009. Rates starting at $59.95 for an ocean view room. Rates subject to availability and can be cut off at anytime. Rates listed exclude hotel taxes and fees. Two night minimum stay required and no other discounts valid with these special rates. Extra adult and weekend surcharges do apply; breakfast not included with this special. For more information, please call (800) 255- 4763 or visit http://www.oceanaresorts.com/save/myrtle-beach-fall-spectacular.asp. Myrtle Beach Resort Vacations The Pile on the Fall Fun package provides guests with two free tickets to Legends in Concert, with rates starting at $99 per night plus taxes and fees. Guests who book five paid nights will receive two additional nights free. Some restrictions may apply. Offer valid September 12 – November 30, 2009. For more information, please call (866) 863-0762 or visit http://www.myrtle-beach-resort.com/fall-legends.htm. Island Vista The Island Vista Indian Summer package offers guests a 10% discount and free daily breakfast for two. Offer valid September 9 – December 31, 2009. Three night minimum stay required. Not valid Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. Limited availability and reservations must be booked online. Prices quoted while booking online include hotel taxes and fees. Not valid on previously booked reservations or any Grand King suite. For more information, please call (800) 548-0767 or visit https://secure.guestdesk.com/reservations/?id=53&systemType=2&bookedOnrefLoc=&tollfree=%28888%29%20733%2D7581. Crown Reef Resort The Fall Weekday Special offers guests rates starting at $49 per night and an express breakfast for two each morning. Offer valid September 14 – November 30, 2009. Use booking code WDAY. Two night minimum stay required. Based on double occupancy and availability. Tax and resort fees not included. Not valid on group, golf or current reservations. Blackout dates are October 2, 3, 22 and November 26, 2009. For more information, please call (866) 652-1294 or visit https://secure.guestdesk.com/reservations/?id=389&systemType=2&packageURLID=3706. Caribbean Resort The Free Fall Nights package offers guests the following: • Stay seven nights, pay for four • Stay five nights, pay for three • Stay three nights, pay for two Rates starting at $93.60 per night plus taxes and fees. Offer valid September 10 – December 31, 2009. For more information please call (800) 552-8509 or visit https://secure.guestdesk.com/reservations/?id=12&systemType=2&packageURLID=6475. Bay View Resort The Free Fall Nights package offers guests the following: • Stay seven nights, pay for four • Stay five nights, pay for three • Stay three nights, pay for two Rates starting at $78.66 per night plus taxes and fees. Offer valid September 10 – December 31, 2009. For more information please call (866) 917-8349 or visit https://secure.guestdesk.com/reservations/?id=417&systemType=2&packageURLID=6465. Breakers Resort The Free Fall Nights package offers guests the following: • Stay seven nights, pay for four • Stay five nights, pay for three • Stay three nights, pay for two Rates starting at $61.25 per night plus taxes and fees. Offer valid September 10 – November 30, 2009. For more information please call (800) 952-4507 or visit https://secure.guestdesk.com/reservations/?id=11&systemType=2&packageURLID=6467. Compass Cove The Free Fall Nights package offers guests the following: • Stay seven nights, pay for four • Stay five nights, pay for three • Stay three nights, pay for two Rates starting at $65 per night plus taxes and fees. Offer valid September 10 – December 31, 2009. For more information, please call (800) 331–0934 or visit https://secure.guestdesk.com/reservations/?id=148&systemType=2&packageURLID=6464. Myrtlewood Villas The Free Fall Nights package offers guests the following: • Stay seven nights, pay for four • Stay five nights, pay for three • Stay three nights, pay for two Rates starting at $100 per night plus taxes and fees. Offer valid September 10 – December 31, 2009. For more information, please call (888) 297-6200 or visit https://secure.guestdesk.com/reservations/?id=490&systemType=2&packageURLID=6473. Paradise Resort The Free Fall Nights package offers guests the following: • Stay seven nights, pay for four • Stay five nights, pay for three • Stay three nights, pay for two Rates starting at $71.98 per night plus taxes and fees. Offer valid September 10 – December 31, 2009. For more information, please call (800) 858-7818 or visit https://secure.guestdesk.com/reservations/?id=479&systemType=2&packageURLID=6558 Holiday Inn At The Pavilion With the Pier 14 Dinner Package guests who stay a minimum of four nights will enjoy a free dinner for two at scenic Pier 14 Restaurant, as well as a free daily Continental breakfast. Package starting at $49 per night. Offer valid November 1 – December 1, 2009. For more information, please call (800) 874-7401 or visit www.holidayinnresort.com. Palace Resort The Fall Escapes package offers guests rates starting at $36 per night and daily breakfast for two. Offer valid September 16 – December 1, 2009. For more information, please call (800) 334-1397 or visit www.palaceresort.com. Landmark Resort The Fall Bed and Breakfast package offers guests rates starting at $49 per night and daily breakfast for two. Offer valid September 15 – November 30, 2009. For more information, please call (800) 845 -0658 or visit www.landmarkresort.com. Beach Colony The Fall Beach and Breakfast package offers guests rates starting at $43 per night and daily breakfast for two. Offer valid September 15 – November 29, 2009. For more information, please call (800) 222- 2141 or visit www.beachcolony.com. -Thanksgiving Packages- Sea Mist Resort The Thanksgiving Getaway holiday package includes: • Three nights accommodations • A traditional Thanksgiving Day buffet (Thursday, November 26 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) • A low-country Oyster Roast with games, balloon sculptures and face painting for the kids • One breakfast at Tena’s – a 46-item buffet • Welcome cocktail at Sea Mist’s Grille & Tavern Package rates start at $199. Based on a three night minimum, all rates are per night for two adults in a one-room unit with two double beds and are subject to applicable taxes. Offer valid November 24 – 29, 2009. Additional $19 per child. Upgrades are available at a slight upcharge. Some restrictions may apply. Must be 21 years old or over to receive cocktail(s). For more information, please call (800) 793-6507 or visit http://www.myrtlebeachseamist.com/packages/seasonal-getaways.asp#thanks. Sea Crest The Thanksgiving in Myrtle Beach package offers guests rates starting as low as $54 and breakfast for two each morning. Offer valid November 20 – 30, 2009. For more information, please call (800) 845-1112 or visit http://www.myrtlebeach-resorts.com/sea-crest. Seaside Resorts Seaside Properties is offering its guests delicious Thanksgiving packages at the following resorts: • Avista Resort: Avista’s Thanksgiving package invites visitors to a traditional holiday feast at restaurant Just Off Main. Offer valid November 22 – 30, 2009. For more information, please call (866) 996-8084 or visit http://reservations.ihotelier.com/crs/p_prod.cfm?ProdID=6207&HotelID=4739&killcookie=1&LanguageID=1 • Grand Shores Ocean Resort: Grand Shores visitors are invited to Thanksgiving dinner at the Shoreline Café this holiday season. Offer valid November 22 - 30, 2009. For more information, please call (866) 996-7505 or visit http://reservations.ihotelier.com/crs/p_prod.cfm?ProdID=33199&HotelID=14110&killcookie=1&LanguageID=1 • Prince Resort: With Prince Resort’s Thanksgiving Package guests are invited to 3500 Ocean Grill to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Offer valid November 22 – 30, 2009. For more information, please call (866) 996-7497 or visit http://reservations.ihotelier.com/crs/p_prod.cfm?ProdID=122743&HotelID=13389&AgentID=0&PortalSymbol=SSS&TAID=0&FromAdmin=0&LanguageID=1&randomnumber=445 • The Horizon at 77th: Horizon at 77th’s Thanksgiving Package gives guests the chance to enjoy a coastal Thanksgiving at the Shoreline Café in Grande Shores Ocean Resort. Offer valid November 22 - 30, 2009. For more information, please call (866) 996-8116 or visit http://reservations.ihotelier.com/crs/p_prod.cfm?ProdID=124083&HotelID=15527&killcookie=1&LanguageID=1 Dinner Requests: Please contact the reservations department to arrange your Thanksgiving Dinner time or place your requested time in the comments section prior to completing reservation. Dinner is at various times listed on each properties website. If your time requested is not available someone from our staff will contact you. Dinner Cancellation: If a cancellation is made for a dinner reservation more than 72 hours in advance the dinner portion of your reservation will be fully refunded. If a cancellation is made with-in 72 hours of reservation, all dinner portion fees are forfeited. Deposit Policy: All reservations with a total of $200 or more for entire package will be charged $100 per person. If entire package price is under $200, a $100 deposit will be charged to credit card. Cancellation and Change Policy: If a cancellation is made more than 14 days prior to arrival, a cancellation fee of $30 is charged. If a cancellation is made 14 days or less, prior to the arrival dates, the entire deposit is forfeited. If reservation dates are changed there will be $30 change fee. No refunds for early checkout. Tilghman Beach & Golf Resort With the Thanks for the Seaside package, guests will enjoy four nights in a three bedroom unit, with champagne and glasses upon arrival, dinner at either Carolina Road House or California Dreaming, and a coupon book for the Tanger Outlet Mall offering thousands of dollars in savings. Package starting at $625, must be 21 or older to enjoy welcome champagne. Offer valid November 26 – 29, 2009. For more information, please call (888) 280-0913 or visit http://www.tilghmanresort.com/myrtle-beach-vacation-specials.htm. Myrtle Beach Resort Vacations The Myrtle Beach Resort Vacations Free Thanksgiving Dinner offers guests packages starting at $99 per night. Guests who book four nights or more over the Thanksgiving holiday will receive $100 cash back upon check-in. Offer valid November 21 – 29, 2009. For more information, please call (866) 863-0762 or visit http://www.myrtle-beach-resort.com/thanksgiving-free-dinner.htm. Use booking code “Thanksgiving Cash” when booking package. Springmaid Beach Resort The Springmaid’s Three Night Stress Free Thanksgiving Special includes three night’s accommodations, daily breakfast, a choice of either Thursday Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner or Friday Seafood Feast and tickets to a Friday night show at Alabama Theater. Package starting at $167 per person. Offer valid November 22- 28, 2009. For more information, please call (843) 315-7162 or visit www.springmaidbeach.com. The Myrtle Beach area, popularly known as the Grand Strand, stretches from Little River to Pawleys Island, comprising 12 distinct cities along the South Carolina coast. Home to world-class golf, 60 miles of sandy beaches, an assortment of entertainment and family attractions and Southern hospitality, the Myrtle Beach area presents the quintessential vacation experience. For additional information on the Myrtle Beach area, visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com or call (888) Myrtle-1. ### Media Contacts Seagren Doran/Jenny Baragary/Sally Alfis M Booth & Associates 212.481.7000 mybeach@mbooth.com HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=265Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and city of Myrtle Beach are kicking off the city’s mile-long boardwalk and promenade project in classic block-party style. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Celebration, free and open to the public, will be held 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, on Ocean Boulevard from Mr. Joe White Avenue to 8th Avenue North. Free on-street parking is available, along with paid parking in the Pavilion Parking Garage at 9th Avenue North and U.S. 17 Business. The festivities include live entertainment, fireworks, classic car show, beer garden and dance floor. The World’s Largest Shag Dance Floor will be located on the site of the former Pavilion’s Magic Attic near 9th Avenue North. A beer garden will be set up between 8th Avenue North and 9th Avenue North, and numerous local businesses will have a sidewalk sale of food and goods. A ‘50s and ‘60s era Classic Car Show will be at 8th Avenue North. Food and arts and crafts vendors will be available both days. The celebration will also feature a colored sand art rendering of the boardwalk, giving spectators a glimpse of the much-anticipated revitalized downtown project. Created by Team Sandtastic of Sarasota, Fla., the rendering will reach 12 feet tall by 12 feet wide and will use an estimated ton of sand, sitting on a base of approximately 50 tons of sand. Team Sandtastic built the World’s Largest Sandcastle for the 2007 Sun Fun Festival and sand sculptures of the presidential candidates in January 2008. Here is the event lineup: Friday, Sept. 25 • 5 p.m.-7 p.m. – Fantastic Shakers • 8 p.m.-10 p.m. – The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards Saturday, Sept. 26 • 1 p.m.-3 p.m. – Legends of Beach • 3:30 p.m. – Celebration kickoff • 4 p.m.-6 p.m. – Charlie Thomas’ Drifters • 7 p.m.-9 p.m. – The Stylistics • 9 p.m. – Fireworks The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Celebration is sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city of Myrtle Beach, Visit Media, Miller Direct Inc., Ocean Lakes, Burroughs and Chapin Company Inc. and The Caribbean Resort and Villas. For more information, go to VisitMyrtleBeach.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=264Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce announces that USA Judo has selected Myrtle Beach as the site for its 2010 Senior National Championships. The event will take place April 30, 2010, to May 2, 2010, at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. The USA Judo National Championships draw more than 400 athletes to compete in senior elite, masters (more than 30 years old), kata and visually impaired divisions. The Senior Nationals will be a qualifier for the 2010 World Championships and a key step for elite athletes preparing for the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012. "USA Judo is very pleased to have received the bid from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce to play host to the 2010 National Championships,” said USA Judo CEO Jose H. Rodriguez. “Myrtle Beach is well known throughout our nation as a great place to visit and vacation. Now our athletes, coaches and families can enjoy the excitement of our National Championships with the beautiful beach resort of Myrtle Beach. Last year we were on the West Coast, and now this year we have found a great site on the East Coast. Our staff will continue to seek places that are great sites for our sport and fun places to visit as well. In this new economy, most people are combining vacations with activities they enjoy, and Myrtle Beach is the place to compete and play.” “Once again the Olympic community has selected Myrtle Beach as its top site for qualifying events,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “We welcome USA Judo and look forward to a long relationship that potentially includes additional events of this caliber.” Judo is one of only two martial sports that are part of the Olympic Games. In 1964 men’s judo made its debut at the Tokyo Games. Women’s judo became a full-medal event at the Barcelona Games in 1992. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=263Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT To help residents and visitors put some change back in their pockets, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is launching its ShopOurMembers.com campaign Sept. 14-Oct. 31. Discounts and other offers will be posted on the Web site and distributed at MBACC welcome centers at 1200 N. Oak St. in Myrtle Beach (main office), Myrtle Beach International Airport and 3401 U.S. 17 Business S. in Murrells Inlet (South Strand office). Media partners WBTW News 13, WMBF News, WPDE NewsChannel 15 and NextMedia Radio (Wave 104.1, Hot Talk 99.5/1450 WRNN, 96.1 WKZQ and Star 92.1) will promote the campaign. As an added incentive to Shop Our Members, media partners will give away 500 $25 gift cards to spend at member businesses. Participating member businesses will have a chance to win advertising. These winners were announced Sept. 11: $1,000 WBTW advertising: Partners in Colours $1,000 WMBF advertising: E. Peters $1,000 WPDE advertising: Lane’s Professional Pest Elimination Inc. $500 NextMedia Radio advertising: Myrtle Beach Automotive HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=262Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMTThe Myrtle Beach Area is Serving Up Seasonal Attractions, Live Performances, Affordable Shopping and Holiday Hotel Deals MYRTLE BEACH, SC – September 10, 2009 – As summer comes to a close it’s hard to believe that holiday stresses will soon be heating up. Americans will soon be in need of a wintertime oasis of warmth and holiday cheer. This year, vacationers need not look any further than the beautiful, sandy beaches of the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina. With over 60 miles of pristine coastline, the Myrtle Beach area offers visitors an endless array of attractions, exceptional shopping, live entertainment, countless dining options and value-added accommodations to help vacationers usher in the holiday season and ring in 2010. Festive activities such as live holiday performances and bustling Christmas markets will spread holiday cheer with the help of carolers, music, twinkling lights and warm southern hospitality. Whether it is a last-minute holiday shopping excursion or a quick weekend respite from the cold, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina offers visitors the perfect gift – a memorable holiday getaway. For a complete list of holiday activities and packages please visit www.VisitMyrtleBeach.com/holidaydeals. -Holiday Packages- Springmaid Beach Resort The Two Night Carolina Opry Holiday Show Package offers guests a two night stay, daily hot breakfast and tickets to the Carolina Opry Show, starting from $99 per person. Offer valid on reservations from November 22-December 10, 2009, and December 13-31, 2009. From November 1-19, 2009, guests will enjoy rates starting at $112 per person. Based on double occupancy in standard resort room. Limited availability. Other restrictions may apply. For more information, please call (866) 890-5653 or visit www.springmaidbeach.com/specials.html. Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort The Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort’s Happy Holidays at the Beach package offers guests discounted accommodations and coupon booklets to popular shopping outlets. Rates starting at: • Oceanfront Room: Rates from $37 per night • Ocean view Room: Rates from $32 per night • Across the boulevard from the ocean: Rates from $26 per night All rates based on a minimum three-night stay for two adults in a one-room unit with two double beds. Subject to applicable taxes. Offer valid November 1-December 31, 2009. For more information, please call (800) 793-6507 or visit http://www.myrtlebeachseamist.com/packages/seasonal-getaways.asp#Holidays. Sands Resort The Christmas ‘N’ Show Package includes two night oceanfront accommodations, daily breakfast for two and Gold seating at the Carolina Opry Christmas Show. Package valid November 1, 2009–January 1, 2010. Rates starting at $249 per couple. For more information, please call (888) 999-8596 or visit www.sandsresorts.com/sho. Oceana Resorts Oceana Resorts’ Holly Jolly Holiday Package includes discounted accommodations, two adult tickets to the Palace Theatre’s Christmas show, “Christmas Time”, two adult tickets to the Ripley’s Aquarium that includes the “Festival of Trees” exhibit, plus daily breakfast for two. Package valid November 1–December 30, 2009. For more information visit http://www.oceanaresorts.com/save/myrtle-beach-holiday-package.asp or call 1-866-469-7853. Starting resort rates are as follows: • Anderson Ocean Club & Spa: Ocean view rooms starting at $113.95 and Oceanfront rooms starting at $130.95 • Best Western Carolinian: Ocean view rooms starting at $92.95 and Oceanfront rooms starting at $99.95 • Camelot by the Sea: Oceanfront rooms starting at $94.95 • Ocean Park Resort: Oceanfront rooms starting at $82.95 • Patricia Grand Resort: Ocean view rooms starting at $86.95 and Oceanfront rooms starting at $99.95 All Oceana Resorts rates and package are subject to availability, rates can be cutoff at any time, no other discounts with this package, and that includes (AAA, AARP, Military), weekend and extra adult surcharges to apply to packages. All packages are only valid on new reservations, and the rates are before hotel taxes and fees, a two night minimum stay is required for these packages, breakfast only included with room types listed above. Holly Jolly Holiday Package rates listed are starting rates and are valid November 29-December 24, 2009. Grand Strand Vacations Grand Strand Vacations is offering visitors a Happy Holidays Special this season. Guests who arrive any Wednesday and stay through Sunday will enjoy four nights for the price of three. Offer valid November 1, 2009-January 2, 2010. All specials must be booked by telephone with Grand Strand Vacation agents. For more information, please call (800) 722-6278 or visit www.grandstrandvacations.com. Elliot Beach Rentals The Elliot Beach Rentals Holiday Super Saver offers guests the gift of savings! Stay three nights and get the fourth night free, with linens and departure cleaning service included. Offer valid November 1, 2009-January 1, 2010. Not valid Thanksgiving weekend or Christmas, starting rate varies. Guests can book package by mentioning code: MBC Holiday. For more information, please call (888) 669-7853 or visit the specials page at www.northmyrtlebeachtravel.com. Bay View Resorts The Bay View Resorts are offering guests great holiday packages with discounted accommodations at the following resorts: • Compass Cove: With the Compass Cove Happy Holiday Sale package, guests who stay three nights get a fourth night free, along with daily breakfast for two each morning. Package valid November 1–December 31, 2009. Four night minimum stay required, not valid on pre-existing reservations. Taxes and fees are additional. Weekends, holidays and special events will incur a surcharge. For more information, please call (800) 228-9894 or visit https://secure.guestdesk.com/reservations/?id=148&systemType=2&packageURLID=6511&showpackagedetails=1&cmpid=cshol. • Long Bay Resort: The Happy Holiday Sale package gives guests a fourth night free when they stay three nights and a $50 gift certificate to Martin’s Restaurant. Package starting at $141. Offer valid November 1 – December 31, 2009. Weekends, holidays and special events will incur a surcharge. Taxes and fees are additional. For more information, please call (800) 615- 3313 or visit https://secure.guestdesk.com/reservations/?id=52&systemType=2&packageURLID=6510&showpackagedetails=1&cmpid=cshol • Dunes Village Resort: With the Dunes Village Happy Holiday Sale guests who stay three nights will receive a fourth night free, along with daily breakfast for two. Packages starting at $198. Package valid November 1, 2009–January 1, 2010. For more information, please call (866) 489-2172 or visit https://secure.guestdesk.com/reservations/?id=434&systemType=2&packageURLID=6507&showpackagedetails=1&cmpid=cshol. Barefoot at the Beach Resort Barefoot at the Beach Resort’s Holiday Show Special offers guests three days and two nights in a standard hotel room starting at $110 per person. Guests will also receive two tickets to the Holiday Alabama Theatre Show and a complimentary fruit and cheese tray. Offer valid November 1 – December 31, 2009. Based on double occupancy. For more information, please call (877) 237-3767 or visit www.barefootatthebeach.com. -New Year’s Packages- Sea Mist Resort The Sea Mist Resort’s Myrtle Beach New Year’s Celebration package helps guest usher in the New Year with rates starting as low as $89 per person, along with the following: • Two nights accommodations • Late check-out • Split of champagne with etched souvenir champagne glasses • One breakfast at Tena’s • A welcome cocktail at Sea Mist’s Grille & Tavern • Ticket to the famous Broadway at the Beach New Year’s Eve Party Rate based on two adults in a one room unit with two double beds, located across the street from the ocean. Some restrictions may apply. Must be 21 years or older. Upgrade to Ocean View of Oceanfront is available for a slight up charge. For more information, please call (800) 793-6507 or visit http://www.myrtlebeachseamist.com/packages/seasonal-getaways.asp#nye. Sands Resort The Sands Resort’s New Year’s Eve Package includes one night ocean view accommodations at Sands Ocean Club Resort, tickets to 2001 Nightclub New Year’s Eve Party, transportation to and from 2001 Nightclub, breakfast for two on New Year’s Day from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., plus late check out until 1 p.m. Package starting at $149, with additional nights, including breakfast for two, for $59 per night. Package valid December 26, 2009–January 1, 2010. Rates do not include taxes or resort fees. For more information, please call (800) 260-8676 or visit www.sandsresort.com/nye. Oceana Resorts Oceana Resorts’ 2010 New Years Package lets guest ring in the New Year in style with discounted room reservations, two adult tickets to Broadway at the Beach’s New Years Celebration and daily breakfast for two. Resort rates are as follows: • Anderson Ocean Club & Spa: Ocean view rooms starting at $102.95 and Oceanfront rooms starting at $119.95 • Best Western Carolinian: Ocean view rooms starting at $81.95 and Oceanfront rooms starting at $91.95 • Camelot by the Sea: Oceanfront rooms starting at $ 83.95 • Ocean Park Resort: Oceanfront rooms starting at $71.95 • Patricia Grand Resort: Ocean view rooms starting at $75.95 Oceanfront rooms starting at $88.95 All Oceana Resorts rates and package are subject to availability, rates can be cutoff at any time, no other discounts with this package, and that includes (AAA, AARP, Military), weekend and extra adult surcharges to apply to packages. All packages are only valid on new reservations, and the rates are before hotel taxes and fees, a two night minimum stay is required for these packages, breakfast only included with room types listed above. 2010 New Years Package rates are starting rates and they are valid from December 30, 2009–January 2, 2010. Reservations on 2010 New Years Package must check in on Wednesday, December 30 or Thursday, December 31 because of tickets to Broadway at the Beach’s New Years Celebration on December 31. For more information visit http://www.oceanaresorts.com/save/myrtle-beach-new-year%27s-package.asp. The Myrtle Beach area, popularly known as the Grand Strand, stretches from Little River to Pawleys Island, comprising 12 distinct cities along the South Carolina coast. Home to world-class golf, 60 miles of sandy beaches, an assortment of entertainment and family attractions and Southern hospitality, the Myrtle Beach area presents the quintessential vacation experience. For additional information on the Myrtle Beach area, visit www.VisitMyrtlebeach.com or call (888) Myrtle-1. ### Media Contacts Jenny Baragary/Seagren Doran/Sally Alfis M Booth & Associates 212.481.7000 mybeach@mbooth.com HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=261Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT The fourth annual Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival, held Sept. 4 and 5, wrapped up the Sun Fun Celebration of Summer with an estimated attendance of 15,000 to 20,000. The festivities began with the 58th annual Sun Fun Festival June 5 and 6. Throughout the summer the Sun Fun Summer Concert Series, presented by Celebrity Square, Hard Rock Cafe and Broadway at the Beach, offered a variety of music—from beach to soul to country. The season-long family-friendly events, organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, provided free entertainment to tens of thousands of locals and visitors. Forty teams competed for the Anything Goes competition Sept. 4 and 5. Among the winners were: Anything Butt category ($1,000): Wholly Smoke, Mt. Pleasant, grilled cantaloupe, shrimp and bacon skewers Best Dessert category ($200): Bastin’ Away, Chester, bananas foster Best Sauce category ($200): Smoke Shack BBQ, North Augusta, Ga. Best Booth category (Sea Mist vacation package): Butts R Us, Waxhaw, N.C. Best-T-shirt category (Sea Mist vacation package): Fatback’s BBQ and Rib Shack, Fayetteville, N.C. People’s Choice category (Sea Mist vacation package): Mike’s Catering, Savannah, Ga., beef bruschetta Thirty-one teams total competed in the official South Carolina Barbecue Championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-off Sept. 5. The KCBS Cook-off, new this year, grew the event to competitors throughout the Southeast. KCBS Cook-off top winners were: Grand champion ($1,000): Jack’s Old South, Unadilla, Ga. Chicken category, first place ($500 and trophy): Jack’s Old South Pork ribs category, first place ($500 and trophy): Pickin’ Porkers, Winston-Salem, N.C. Pork category, first place ($500 and trophy): Potbelly Cookers, Summerville Beef brisket category, first place ($500 and trophy): Common Interest, North Charleston The South Carolina Barbeque Association announced its top winners: Grand champion (Sea Mist vacation package): Central Truckin’/Smokin’ Coals, Summerville Whole hog/butts category, first place ($500): Southern Q N Stew, Summerville Ribs category, first place ($500): Taste of Clarendon, Manning More than $20,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to winners of the three competitions. The large festival turnout significantly benefited Omar Shriners from the sales of Anything Goes tastings, barbeque combos, beer, T-shirts and donations for a Ford Mustang giveaway. The Wheels at the Beach Car Show Sept. 5 boasted 213 cars, trucks and SUVs. The vehicles, which lined Farrow Parkway, featured a range of years, makes and models. Trophies were presented for: Mayor’s Pick: Doug Cole, 1937 Ford pickup Media’s Choice award: Dick and Sue Gasper, 1957 Chevy BelAir Participant’s Pick award: Lenny and Argie Sirago, 1981 Chevy Corvette People’s Choice award: Jerry Oliver, 1967 Chevy Nova Plaques were awarded for the Top 30 cars and Myrtle Beach Car Club Cool 10. The Myrtle Beach Car Club, which hosted the event, raised $3,384 for Special Olympics of Horry County from the proceeds of the car show. More than $4,000 in door prizes were awarded to participants. South Carolina Education Lottery ticket sales at the festival far outpaced last year, with gross sales still being calculated. Fabiana Oliveira, Myrtle Beach, won a Harley-Davidson® Fat Boy® motorcycle Sept. 4. On Sept. 5, three preselected finalists were awarded their prizes in the Harley-Davidson® Second Chance Summer Promotion Grand Prize Reveal event. Victoria Ross, Greenville, won a Harley-Davidson® Fat Boy® motorcycle. Greg Kinnard, Myrtle Beach, and Vickie Elmore, Honea Path, each won $1,000. The fifth annual Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival will be held at Grand Park, across from The Market Common, Sept. 3 and 4, 2010. Visit SunFunFestival.com or BeachBoogieBarbequeFestival.com for updates on events and activities. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=259Sat, 05 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a home-based business workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, in the boardroom of its main office (1200 N. Oak St.). The workshop is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. This educational workshop will benefit those who have a home-based business or are thinking about starting one. Participants will hear about successes and struggles, learn about finances and discover profitable ways to market. A variety of topics will be covered: 8:30 a.m. – Light breakfast and networking 9 a.m. – Welcome 9:05 a.m. – Home-Based Success, Eileen Soisson, owner, The Meeting Institute 10 a.m. – Doing the Numbers and What’s Tax Deductible, What’s Not, James W. McIlrath, CPA, Duncan, Farmer, Munden, McIlrath & Cobb PA 11 a.m. – Social Media: Getting the Word Out, Sue White, owner, Internet-Business-Support.com 11:45 a.m. – Chamber benefits and wrap-up To register or for more information, contact Pam Wright, business sales manager, at Pam.Wright@VisitMyrtleBeach.com or (843) 916-7220. Or register online at ChamberAcademy.com. Space is limited. In 2009 the MBACC reached a peak membership of 2,750. Roughly 80 percent of its members are small businesses with 10 or fewer employees. The MBACC provides a wide array of services geared specifically to small businesses: advertising (in-market and out-of-market), promotion, networking (more than 50 networking events each year) and education and training (many of the 40-50 programs offered are geared to small businesses; nearly all are free or low cost). The MBACC also lobbies on legislative issues impacting small businesses such as home-based business tax deduction and small-business startup tax deduction. Additional member resources include Small Business Advantage, special advertising rates for small businesses, and the online Small Business Resource Center. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=258Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting two meetings in September that are open to the public. The Aviation Service Task Force meeting is from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel (Ballroom C). The MBACC Marketing Council luncheon meeting, featuring a tourism update, begins at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Crown Reef Conference Center. Advance registration is required. Register for the MBACC Marketing Council luncheon meeting by Sept. 17. Register online for both meetings at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com. These topics will be addressed Sept. 15 by the Aviation Service Task Force, formed to attend to issues related to aviation and the Myrtle Beach International Airport: • Welcome: Frans Mustert, chairman, Aviation Service Task Force • Airline Marketing/MBACC Update: Scott Schult, executive vice president of marketing, MBACC • Airline Marketing/Golf Holiday Update: Bill Golden, president, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday • Airline Industry Update: Mike Boyd, president and co-founder, Boyd Group International Inc. • Q&A “With the ailing economy, it’s important for our destination to understand what is taking place in the aviation industry and do all that we can to be good partners with airlines,” said Frans Mustert, chairman of the Aviation Service Task Force and president of Oceana Resorts. “We’re moving in the right direction with the proposed terminal expansion at Myrtle Beach International Airport. Once the economy recovers, the destination would be primed for enhanced air service, which should translate to more visitors flying to Myrtle Beach.” “A critical component of Myrtle Beach expanding its tourism base is air service development—sustaining current service while adding new service from key feeder markets where service to Myrtle Beach either does not exist or is not competitive with other destinations,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “The recent growth of the low-cost carrier segment for our market is a positive step towards enhancing our ability to target leisure travelers through our marketing efforts and will serve as the foundation for future growth in air service.” A tourism update will be hosted Sept. 23 by the MBACC Marketing Council, a group of chamber advertisers charged with making decisions regarding marketing administration and advertising expenditures. The update will feature presentations by two tourism experts. The agenda includes: • Opening: Ryan Swaim, chairman, Marketing Council • Welcome: Woody Crosby, vice chairman, Marketing Council • MBACC Marketing Update: Scott Schult • Economic Update: Dr. Taylor Damonte, director, Clay Brittain Jr. Center for Resort Tourism, Coastal Carolina University • Spring and Fall Travel Research: John Pelletier, chairman, Equation Research Inc. • Q&A HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=257Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT The American Chamber of Commerce Executives has named Pam Wright, business sales manager for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, as the No. 2 salesperson in the nation in its 2008-2009 national sales contest. Wright accepted the award at the 2009 ACCE annual conference in Raleigh, N.C., earlier this month. In her role with the chamber, Wright sold 272 memberships this past fiscal year with a value of $84,865. MBACC competes in the $500,000 to $1.5 million dues income category with several other large chambers across the country. “The ACCE category our chamber falls into is extremely competitive,” said Diana Greene, MBACC executive vice president of membership programs & services. “Pam has been an incredible asset to the chamber for years, and we are extremely proud of her accomplishments.” Wright has placed first, second or third 1998-1999 and 2001-2002 through 2008-2009. In 2006-2007, ACCE named Wright as the No. 1 salesperson of the year. “Pam has continued to set the standard for membership sales for almost a decade,” said Carrie Subity, 2009 Circle of Champions chair, ACCE Membership Development Division. “On behalf of the entire Circle of Champions Advisory Team I would like to congratulate her on her tremendous success in 2009.” The sales contest inspires and recognizes excellence in membership sales performance. To compete, sales professionals submit their quarterly sales figures. The top 10 sales professionals in each of the four dues income categories are recognized based on the total number of individual sales and on total dollar amount. For more information about the sales contest, visit www.acce.org. For more information about MBACC memberships, contact Wright at (843) 916-7220 or Pam.Wright@VisitMyrtleBeach.com. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=256Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with NextMedia Group to launch GrandStrandGoodNews.com. The Web site allows business, local and visitor good news to be posted. Businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, civic and religious groups and other community-oriented groups can post news about honors, promotions and other accomplishments. “It’s nice to see positive news about our community being promoted,” said Diana Greene, IOM, MBACC executive vice president of membership programs and services. “The Web site is a great vehicle for those who typically have no advertising dollars to reach media and other key audiences.” "Our focus is good news about Grand Strand business, education and recreation,” said Barry Brown, market manager, NextMedia radio stations WYAV, WKZQ, WMYB and WRNN AM/FM. “We want to hear about something good happening and spread the word by partnering with the Myrtle Beach Area of Chamber of Commerce." Submitted news items must be suitable for the general public. Commercial advertisements, sales promotions, adult-oriented materials or personal announcements will not be approved. To submit news, go to GrandStrandGoodNews.com and click on Submit News. Fundraisers, theatre performances and other community activities can be promoted through GrandStrandEvents.com, also hosted by the MBACC. To submit an event, click on Submit an Event. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=255Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Waccamaw Community Foundation has announced that Blakely Jenkins, membership and community programs manager, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, is the 2009 Myrtle Beach recipient, Young Professionals Award. The Young Professionals Awards, sponsored by Smith, Sapp, Bookhout, Crumpler & Calliham, recognize individuals for their philanthropic and civic-minded endeavors. Jenkins will be honored at the Waccamaw Community Foundation’s annual awards and appreciation banquet Sept. 9 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club. For information about the Waccamaw Community Foundation or the annual banquet, call (843) 357-4483. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=254Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Clemson University Institute for Economic and Community Development to bring FastTrac® Growth Venture™, an entrepreneurship educational program, to the Grand Strand. The 11-module program will take place over 10 consecutive weeks, Sept. 16-Nov. 18, every Wednesday 6-9 p.m. at Chapin Memorial Library, Myrtle Beach. FastTrac Growth Venture graduates describe the program as one that encourages entrepreneurs to streamline their business processes, analyze strengths and shortcomings and achieve more balance in their work and personal lives. Sessions include sizing up your business, exploring market opportunities, making strategic decisions, using financial tools, refining the product/service, seizing the market, leading the organization, managing operations for growth, charting financial performance and making it happen. Due to state funding, the $895 program is being offered for $245, which includes all books, class materials and refreshments. Seating is limited. Register online at ChamberAcademy.com by Sept. 11. No refunds or rescheduling. For more information, visit FastTracSC.org or contact Blakely Jenkins at Blakely.Jenkins@VisitMyrtleBeach.com or (843) 916-7232. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=252Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT Sock hoppers, classic car enthusiasts, Elvis fans and golfers alike enjoyed the variety of events offered for the Fabulous 50s Festival July 24 and 25 throughout the Grand Strand. Horry County Arts and Cultural Council joined forces with Legends In Concert and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce to launch a unique festival to raise funds for the arts council and thrill Grand Stranders of all ages. The concept for the festival was borne at Legends In Concert. Legends In Concert wanted to expand its annual Elvis competition held in July. General Manager Chris Beattie united the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council and Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce who brainstormed to create the events and promote the festival. As a precursor to the festival, roughly 150 youngsters from the city of Myrtle Beach’s Pepper Geddings Camp Friendship Program got a taste of ‘50s life at the junior sock hop. The children experienced the music, dance and traditions of the era with Hula Hoop, dance and bubble gum-blowing contests. Legends In Concert’s Elvis, Kevin Mills, made an appearance at the event. Pam Kelaher, owner-operator of Ballroom at the Beach, taught dances of the ‘50s. Wendy’s Restaurants, event sponsor, provided a hamburger coupon to each child. Twenty-three teams participated in the golf tournament at Wachesaw Plantation East July 24. Teams of four competed in the 18-hole tournament, captain’s choice. Finishing 15 under par, winning team members Tim Beck, Chris Cobb, Carl Leslie and Russell Turner were awarded $200 and a round of golf for four at Wachesaw Plantation East. Nearly $5,000 in prizes were presented. The tournament was sponsored by Signature Golf Group, Chick-fil-A Murrells Inlet, Wachesaw Plantation East and Legends In Concert. More than 250 sock hoppers filled Studebaker’s July 24 for the Fabulous 50s Festival sock hop. The event featured dancing, ‘50s music, a live auction and Hula Hoop, limbo and bubble gum-blowing contests. Appearances were made by Elvis (Michael Sokolik Jr.) and Rosemary Clooney (Laura Flint) and The Crew Cuts (Chuck Stokes, Mickey Foster and Matt Sedota). Ticket holders were also treated to a one-year membership to the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council. Studebaker’s donated the venue. Sixty-four classic cars gathered at Legends In Concert July 25 for the Classic Car Cruise-In. The cars cruised to Chick-fil-A Murrells Inlet, where they could be viewed. The event was sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Car Club, Legends In Concert and Chick-fil-A Murrells Inlet. Twelve Elvis tribute artists competed July 25 in the second annual South Carolina Semifinals, Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist™ Contest, presented by Legends In Concert and licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. Contestants were judged on their best representation of the Elvis legacy in talent, appearance, performance, stage presence and overall tribute. Nathan Belt from Grapevine, Tex., won the contest, receiving a $1,000 cash prize and the chance to vie for the title of Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist™ in Memphis Aug. 12 and 13. Sokolik was awarded third place. Mills won first place at the competition held in Lake George, N.Y., and will also advance to the final contest. “I was amazed that we were able to get such strong participation for our events the first year,” said Sandi Kendrick, executive director, Horry County Arts and Cultural Council. “Clearly, the Fabulous 50s Festival filled a niche in the community and showed that the arts are alive and well in Horry County.” Roughly $10,000 was netted from festival events, with roughly $60,000 donated from in-kind services and products from sponsors and local businesses. Funds raised will support the work of the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council as the organization continues to support local artists, arts organizations and groups in Horry County that provide cultural experiences. Plans are already being made for the second annual festival. For next year, the festival will expand to perhaps include art, “velvet Elvis” and junior Elvis competitions as well as other events. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=251Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Sun Fun Celebration of Summer ends with the fourth annual Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival 5-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at Grand Park, The Market Common. This marks the second year that the festival has been held at Grand Park. This family-friendly festival, organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, will feature free live entertainment, wake board demonstrations and the Wheels at the Beach car show. Of course, the main attraction is the finger-lickin, lip-smackin’ food (available for purchase) and lots of it from food vendors to competitors. Two cooking events promise to attract the nation’s finest competitors: Anything Goes contest and tasting on Friday and the Official S.C. Barbeque Championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-off on Saturday. Both competitions will award prize money. “We are excited about this year’s lineup of events and are delighted to partner with the Omar Shriners again on the barbeque competitions,” said Amie Lee, MBACC director of festivals and special events. “The chamber is pleased to continue providing a free, family-friendly event for locals and visitors to celebrate Labor Day weekend, which concludes the 58th annual Sun Fun Celebration of Summer.” So that others less fortunate may benefit, funds will be raised for Omar Shriner charities and Special Olympics of Horry County. For $5, festival participants can buy five tickets for sampling Anything Goes competition goodies on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, barbeque sandwich combos will be sold for $6. Beer will be sold both days. Proceeds from these food and beer sales will benefit Omar Shriner charities. The Myrtle Beach Car Club, organizer of Wheels at the Beach car show, will donate 50/50 raffle, silent auction and competition funds to Special Olympics of Horry County. Here are some of the highlights of exciting events: Friday, Sept. 4 * Food and Arts/Craft Vendors, open at 5 p.m. – Food vendors will be selling a variety of eats, both sides of the lake. Select arts/crafts vendors will be selling jewelry, children’s clothing and other unique items, north side of the lake near the main stage. Most vendors accept cash only. * BBQ, BBQ, BBQ, 6 p.m. until supplies last – Barbeque championship competitors will sell their tasty offerings. A $6 combo includes barbeque sandwich, chips and soft drink. New this year: Tickets are no longer needed with cash only accepted. Proceeds benefit Omar Shriner charities. Both sides of the lake. * Anything Goes Contest and Tasting, 6:30 p.m. until supplies last – Sample dishes from shrimp creole to homemade ice cream and anything in between—anything goes! $5 for five sampling tickets. All proceeds benefit Omar Shriner charities. Football field, south side of the lake. * The Tams, 7 p.m. – Bring family and friends, chairs and blankets (no coolers allowed) and enjoy the legendary Tams, entertaining audiences for more than 40 years with a variety of music including the hits “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,” “What Kind of Fool” and “I’ve Been Hurt.” Main stage, north side of the lake. Free. TheOriginalTams.com. * Announcement of Anything Goes Contest Winners: Anything Goes, Best Booth, Best Dessert and Best Sauce, around 10 p.m. – Come cheer for your favorite team as the winners are announced. South stage, south side of the lake. Saturday, Sept. 5 * Official S.C. Barbeque Championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-off, 8-10 a.m. – Look on as the teams prepare their barbeque for judging of ribs, chicken and whole hog/butt. Football field, south side of the lake. Free. * 4th Annual Wheels at the Beach Car Show, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Car enthusiasts can view more than 200 classic and antique cars and trucks organized by the Myrtle Beach Car Club. Vote for your favorite. Along Farrow Parkway. Free to spectators. Visit MyrtleBeachCarClub.com for entry information. * Food and Arts/Craft Vendors, open at 10 a.m. – Food vendors will be selling a variety of eats, both sides of the lake. Select arts/crafts vendors will be selling jewelry, children’s clothing and other unique items, north side of the lake near the main stage. Most vendors accept cash only. * Wake Board Demonstrations by Carolina Wake Sports, 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m. – Witness thrilling stunts on Grand Park Lake. The free shows last about 30 minutes each. Visit the Carolina Wake Sports booth to learn about wake board lessons. CarolinaWakeSports.com. * BBQ, BBQ, BBQ, 11 a.m. until supplies last – Barbeque championship competitors will sell their tasty offerings. A $6 combo includes barbeque sandwich, chips and soft drink. New this year: Tickets are no longer needed with cash only accepted. Proceeds benefit Omar Shriner charities. Both sides of the lake. * Live Music, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Main stage, north side of the lake. Free. * Sea Cruz, 2-3:15 p.m. – Main stage, north side of the lake. SeaCruz.com. Free. * Wheels at the Beach Awards Presentation, 3 p.m. – Did your favorite car or truck win an award? Who won the 50/50 raffle? Get answers to these questions and more. All proceeds raised from the raffle, silent auction and competition will benefit Special Olympics of Horry County. Car show stage, north side of the lake. * S.C Education Lottery Grand Prize Giveaway, 4 p.m. – Visit their booth to buy a ticket and a chance to win the grand prize. Grand prize winner announced 4 p.m. Main stage, north side of the lake. SCEducationLottery.com. * Announcement of Official S.C. Barbeque Championship and Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-off Winners, 5 p.m. – Learn which competitor will earn the Grand Champion title and which competitors will receive prize money. Main stage, north side of the lake. * Sun Fun Celebration of Summer Closing Ceremony, 7 p.m. – Main stage, north side of the lake. Free. * Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs, 7:30 p.m. – Bring family and friends, chairs and blankets (no coolers allowed) and enjoy Beach Music’s Hall of Famer Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs. Their hits include “Stay,” which sold more than 8 million copies and was featured on the “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack, “Little Darlin’” and “May I.” Main stage, north side of the lake. Free. MauriceWilliams-Stay.com. For more information, visit BeachBoogieBarbequeFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016. The Sun Fun Celebration of Summer begins with the Sun Fun Festival June 5-6 and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4-5. The Sun Fun Summer Concert series, held June through August, brings beautiful music to summer evenings. The free, family-friendly festivities offer a great lineup of live entertainment, national acts, events and much more in Myrtle Beach, S.C., America’s top beach and family destination. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=250Fri, 07 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce announces that USA Triathlon has selected Myrtle Beach as the site for the 2010 USA Triathlon National Championship Festival to be held Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. This first national championship held by an Olympic governing body in the Myrtle Beach area is expected to attract between 2,000 and 3,000 athletes and several thousand spectators. “Hosting this premier sporting event gives us the opportunity to showcase all the incredible assets our community has to offer athletes and their families,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “We welcome USA Triathlon and look forward to a long relationship that potentially includes additional events of this caliber.” “USA Triathlon is excited to be working with the city of Myrtle Beach and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce,” said Jeff Dyrek, national events director, USA Triathlon. “Myrtle Beach is a great family destination and will not only provide the athletes a great race but also an experience that the whole family will be able to enjoy.” The multisport festival will consist of three separate races—USAT Long Course Triathlon National Championship, USAT Club National Championship and Myrtle Beach Sprint Triathlon—as well as the Multisport Festival & Expo. The Long Course Triathlon requires all athletes to qualify to compete. The Club and Sprint events are open to any athlete. The course distance requirements are as follows: Long Course Triathlon--swim: 1.2 miles, bike: 56 miles, run: 13.1 miles Club--swim: 0.9 mile, bike: 24.8 miles, run: 6.2 miles Sprint--swim: 500 yards, bike: 13 miles, run: 3.1 miles The hub of the event will take place at Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. The swim portion will occur in the Intracoastal Waterway with the start and finish at the marina at Grande Dunes. The route for the bicycle segment starts at the marina at Grand Dunes and continues on the southbound lanes of U.S. 17 Bypass to Robert Grissom Parkway. The participants will bicycle on the northbound lanes of S.C. 31 to the S.C. 9 interchange and return the same route to the marina. The run portion will take place on U.S. 17 Bypass between Marina Inn Parkway and 48th Avenue North. The courses are designed to be the safest possible routes for the participants and to have the least impact on local traffic. Staging such a sporting event requires collaboration of local, state and federal agencies. The S.C. Department of Transportation authorized the closing of a portion of S.C. 31 for the bicycling segment of the competitions. The U.S. Coast Guard and S.C. Department of Natural Resources are closing the Intracoastal Waterway to boat traffic during the swim portion. Horry County and the city of Myrtle Beach are playing key roles in traffic control and emergency planning. “Capturing this event for our area was really exciting—and it took teamwork,” said Liz Gilland, chair, Horry County Council. “We had to overcome some initial reluctance by SCDOT to close the highway, but we managed to convince them of the importance of the triathlon. I’m confident that this race will throw the door wide open to other events, even up to the Olympic level.” HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=249Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT Twenty-five business and community members were recently selected for Leadership Grand Strand Class 30. The nine-month program, which begins in August, explores such topics as historical aspects of the Grand Strand, tourism and economic development, business, education, criminal justice, human services, government and the arts. Leadership Grand Strand is sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. In its 30 years of service to the community, Leadership Grand Strand has tackled real community needs as part of each class’s graduation requirements. Each member is required to volunteer 100 hours toward community projects. For 2009-2010, 75 hours will be spent helping Youth Leadership Academy, Horry County Disabilities and Special Needs and The Salvation Army. For the remaining 25 hours, class members will volunteer for a community organization of their choice. Leadership Grand Strand Class 30 Johnnie Bellamy, Horry-Georgetown Technical College William J. Bullen Jr., Burroughs & Chapin Company Inc. Edward “Ted” T. Cligrow III, Carmine Communications Sean Michael Collins, City of Myrtle Beach Fire Department Kevin Randall Cox, Horry Telephone Cooperative Travis Dupree, City of North Myrtle Beach Cindy L. Farley-Singleton, Target Media Ryan P. Hannan, American Heart Association Scott Head, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Otto “OJ” Jansky, Santee Cooper Scott Leister, Elliott Davis LLC Michelle Love, South Atlantic Bank O'Neil McCoy, Burroughs & Chapin Company Inc. Margaret McLaughlin, Duncan, Farmer, Munden, McIlrath & Cobb P.A. Kevin McWhirter, Ocean Lakes Family Campground Brent Joel Musick, The Conway National Bank Rhonda Phelps, First Citizens Bank Jessica Piezzo, SharedCare Inc. Dr. Brooke Pond, Discover Chiropractic Bobbei Seay, Brittain Resort Management Julia “Julie” LeGette Sluss, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Jeff Small, LHWH Advertising Gregg H. Smith, CENTURY 21 Broadhurst and Associates Inc. Michelle Sutton, Burroughs & Chapin Company Inc. Peter C. Yahnis, Yahnis Company For more information, visit LeadershipGrandStrand.com or contact Diana Greene, LGS executive director, at LGS@VisitMyrtleBeach.com or (843) 916-7222. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=248Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:00:00 GMT Purchasing a ticket for the Fabulous 50s Festival sock hop just got sweeter—and brighter. The Red Hat Society is hosting a Munchkins® giveaway 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Myrtle Beach Dunkin’ Donuts (30th Ave. N. and U.S. 17 Business). Dunkin’ Donuts is offering a free box of Munchkins to those who purchase a sock hop ticket. The ticket price of $25 includes a one-year membership to the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council, with proceeds benefiting the council. “We are grateful to Dunkin’ Donuts for partnering with us to promote the festival,” said Rochelle Mason, Queen Mother and event organizer. “We are asking every Red Hatter, locals and visitors alike to come out and buy their tickets from us.” Red Hatters are expected to attend the event in Red Hat regalia. The sock hop will be held 7:30 p.m. July 24 at Studebaker’s in Myrtle Beach. The event will feature 50s dance music, hula hoop and bubble gum blowing contests, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live auction, visit from Elvis, 50s impersonators, cash bar—and now a Red Hat costume contest. The sock hop, a cultural feature of the 50s, was an informal dance at American high schools, typically held in the school gymnasium or cafeteria. The term “sock hop” was coined because dancers were required to remove their shoes to protect the varnished floors. Generally, records were played. For more information about the sock hop, visit MyrtleBeachFabulousFiftiesFestival.com or contact Diane DeVaughn Stokes at (843) 626-7466. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council to introduce the annual Fabulous 50s Festival to the summer festival lineup. The Fabulous 50s Festival will be held Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, with events throughout the Grand Strand. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=245Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 2009 Tourism Update beginning 10 a.m. July 9 at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel (Meeting Rooms 206 and 208). The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, call (843) 916-7281 by July 6. Light refreshments will be available. The update will present the results of the June 2009 Myrtle Beach Traveler Index highlighting the impact of recent television advertising, as well as an economic update by Coastal Carolina University. The agenda is as follows: Welcome: Brant Branham, chairman, 2009-2010 MBACC Board of Directors Introduction: Ryan Swaim, chairman, 2009-2010 MBACC Marketing Council CVB Update: Scott Schult, executive vice president of marketing, MBACC Tourism Research: John Pelletier, chairman, Equation Research Inc. Economic Update: Dr. Donald Schunk, research economist, BB&T Center for Economic and Community Development, and Dr. Taylor Damonte, director, Clay Brittain Jr. Center for Resort Tourism, CCU In January 2007, the MBACC/CVB commissioned Equation Research to conduct quarterly surveys with core tracking measures to monitor attitudes and travel preferences for likely travelers to Myrtle Beach. The index has become a vital tool in providing insight into visitor awareness and perceptions of the Myrtle Beach area. For more information, contact Wendy Bernstein at Wendy.Bernstein@VisitMyrtleBeach.com or (843) 916-7217. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=244Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT Tickets are available for the South Carolina Semi-Finals of the Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist™ Contest, licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. The second annual contest will be held 8 p.m. July 25 at Legends In Concert, Surfside Beach, as part of the Fabulous 50s Festival lineup. Twelve Elvis tribute artists will be judged on their best representation of the Elvis legacy in talent, appearance, performance, stage presence and overall tribute. The winner will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize and advance to the national contest in Memphis to compete in August for the title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist. Launched in August 2007, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis is the highlight of Elvis Week activities, which last year attracted more than 70,000 fans from around the world. The first year’s winner was Shawn Klush, the featured Elvis on the local Legends’ stage from 1997-2003. “Legends has showcased remarkably talented Elvis tribute artists in our performances worldwide for 25 years, and we are thankful for Elvis Presley Enterprises’ direction to encourage and embrace these gifted entertainers,” said Chris Beattie, general manager, Legends In Concert. Tickets, which are $35 for VIP/preferred seating and $30 for regular seating, can be purchased through the Legends In Concert box office at 800-960-7469 or online at LegendsInConcert.com. For more information about the Fabulous 50s Festival, visit MyrtleBeachFabulousFiftiesFestival.com. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council to introduce the annual Fabulous 50s Festival to the summer festival lineup. The Fabulous 50s Festival will be held Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, with events throughout the Grand Strand. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=246Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT Tickets are available for the Fabulous 50s Festival sock hop, which will be held 7:30 p.m. July 24 at Studebaker’s in Myrtle Beach. The sock hop will feature 50s dance music, hula hoop and bubble gum blowing contests, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live auction, visit from Elvis, 50s impersonators and cash bar. Advance tickets may be purchased for $25 at Southern Portraits & Accents, Little River Chamber of Commerce and Legends in Concert or online at HorryACC.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. A limited number of tickets are available. The price includes a one-year membership to the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council, with proceeds benefiting the council. “Studebaker’s, with its history of shag competitions, is the perfect place for a sock hop,” said Diane DeVaughn Stokes, Fabulous 50s Festival chair. “Wear your 50s attire, dance the night away and be fully entertained for an evening you’ll remember for a long, long time.” The sock hop, a cultural feature of the 50s, was an informal dance at American high schools, typically held in the school gymnasium or cafeteria. The term “sock hop” was coined because dancers were required to remove their shoes to protect the varnished floors. Generally, records were played. For more information about the sock hop, visit MyrtleBeachFabulousFiftiesFestival.com or contact Stokes at (843) 626-7466. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council to introduce the annual Fabulous 50s Festival to the summer festival lineup. The Fabulous 50s Festival will be held Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, with events throughout the Grand Strand. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=247Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT One hundred forty-nine anglers competed for cash prizes in the 29th annual Spring Pier King Mackerel Tournament, which took place June 12-14 on local fishing piers: Apache Pier, Cherry Grove Pier, Myrtle Beach State Park Pier, Second Avenue Pier, Springmaid Pier, Surfside Pier and The Pier at Garden City. Steve Taylor of Easly landed a first-place prize of $1,877. Other tournament finalists were second-place winner Stephen Chanilo of Greensboro, N.C. ($1,304 prize), third-place winner David Cox of Lancaster ($939 prize), fourth-place winner Tab Jacobs of Loris ($678 prize) and fifth-place winner Eddie Hembree of Conway ($417 prize). (Because only three king mackerels were caught, the names of the fourth- and fifth-place winners were drawn in accordance with tournament rules and regulations.) “Congratulations to the three anglers that landed the three kings at Surfside Beach Pier, The Pier at Garden City and Apache Pier during a hot, slow weekend,” said Lyn Smith, chair, Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo. “The fishing was a bit slow, but we hope the biting will be better for the Fall Pier King Mackerel Tournament.” Spring and fall pier tournaments are coordinated by the Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo, which runs April through October and is sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. The Fall Pier King Mackerel Tournament will be held Sept. 18-20. For more information, call (843) 916-7221 or visit GrandStrandFishingRodeo.com. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=242Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT FALL INTO FUN IN SOUTH CAROLINA The Myrtle Beach Area Celebrates Food, Music, and Fun This Fall June 15, 2009 - Myrtle Beach, SC - This year as the leaves begin to change and school buses hop back on schedule, the charm, culture and history of the Myrtle Beach area’s communities will be in full swing with the fall season’s festivals and events. From food to music and entertainment, the Myrtle Beach area offers travelers an enticing array of festivals that will infuse the blustery, autumn days with unique experiences and memories to keep them warm throughout the winter. ~ Fall Festivals~ Aynor Harvest HoeDown Anyor Harvest HoeDown is an autumn event the whole family can enjoy. The day-long festival showcases over 140 craft booths, entertainment, food, games, plus a parade and a street dance to top it all off! This year’s festival will be September 19, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, please visit www.aynorscchamber.org. Brookgreen Gardens Harvest Home Weekend Festival Visitors of all ages will enjoy the fall festivities at the Harvest Home Weekend Festival in Brookgreen Gardens. Activities include the ever-popular scarecrow building contest, pumpkin painting, live entertainment, hay-rides, and much more. The two-day event is from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., October 24-25. Admission free with regular admission to the gardens ($12 for adults; $5 for children 6-12, children 5 and under are free). For more information, please call (800) 849- 1931 or visit www.brookgreen.org. Darlington Historic Racing Festival This celebration of motorsports history, filled with legendary drivers and cars, is sure to please car enthusiasts of all ages. The festival is September 26-27, from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is $15 per day, or $25 per person for the weekend. Children under 12 receive free admission. For more information, please call (843) 395- 8802 or visit www.darlingtonraceway.com. House of Blues Annual Folk Art Festival From October 3-4, local and regional artists will mingle with visitors at the House of Blues for a weekend of art, food, handmade collectibles and of course, music. Festival goers will also enjoy a concert by B.B King scheduled October 3. Festival hours are 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday. For more information, please call (843) 913- 3735 or (843) 913- 3730, or visit www.houseofblues.com/myrtlebeach. Loris Bog Off The community of Loris’ annual Bog Off is a celebration of heritage expressed through a top notch cooking competition to determine the best Chicken bog – a spicy blend of rice, chicken sausage, onion and black pepper served in a “big ‘ol bowl.” In addition to the competition the weekend also includes a parade, arts/crafts, and live entertainment. The 30th annual Loris Bog Off will be celebrated on October 17, 2009. For more information visit www.LorisChamberSC.com. Murrells Inlet Annual Oyster Roast The historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet serves up an afternoon filled with bushels and bushels of sweet local oysters during the community’s annual Oyster roast in November. Oyster fans can enjoy a great all-you-can-eat afternoon of steamed oysters and great offerings from Dead Dog Saloon, Drunken Jack’s, Divine Fish House, Bovine’s, River City Cafe and more alongside live music. For more information call (843) 357-2007 or visit www.murrellsinletsc.com. Shrimp & Jazz Festival Combining the very best in live jazz music and flavorful locally sourced shrimp, the Shrimp & Jazz Festival in the seafaring community of Little River, SC is a fall afternoon treat held each year in early October; this year the festival will be held October 10 and 11. For more information call (843) 249-6604 or visit www.shrimpandjazzfest.org. South Carolina Fossil Fair Sure to bring out the inner scientist in everyone, the South Carolina Fossil Fair at the Ocean Lakes Family Campground’s Recreation Building, will be Saturday, October 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and features fossil identification and a fossil hunt. Admission is free. For more information, please visit http://www.oceanlakes.com/special_events/fossil_shell_fair.aspx. The Market Common • Art Walk at The Market Common The final Art Walk of the year features artists from all over the region, along with live entertainment and a children’s activity tent. The Art Walk will be held on September 12 – 13, from 12 pm to 7 pm. For more information, please visit www.marketcommonevents.com • Fashion Week at The Market Common Fashion Week – September 13-19 - features a slew of in-store activities and restaurant specials, with a Mr. Myrtle Beach Man Pageant and a Fashion Show. For more information, please visit www.marketcommonevents.com. • Oktoberfest Gordon Beirsch will kick off this year’s Oktoberfest on Friday, October 2, with a keg tapping and concert. The festival will continue in full swing, complete with German beers, wine, food, music, children’s activities and contests on Saturday, October 3. No admission fee. For more information, please visit www.marketcommonevents.com. The Myrtle Beach area, popularly known as the Grand Strand, stretches from Little River to Pawleys Island, comprising 12 distinct cities along the South Carolina coast. Home to world-class golf, 60 miles of sandy beaches, an assortment of entertainment and family attractions and Southern hospitality, the Myrtle Beach area presents the quintessential vacation experience. For additional information on the Myrtle Beach area, visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com or call (888) Myrtle-1. ### Media Contacts Seagren Doran/Jenny Baragary/Sally Alfis M Booth & Associates 212.481.7000 mybeach@mbooth.com HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=241Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT Registrations are being accepted for the Fabulous 50s Festival golf tournament, which will begin with a shotgun start 7:15 a.m. July 24 at Wachesaw Plantation East in Murrells Inlet. The deadline to register is Friday, July 17. For a registration form, visit MyrtleBeachFabulousFiftiesFestival.com. Teams of four will compete in the 18-hole tournament. The format is captain’s choice, best ball. The event is sponsored by Signature Golf Group, Chick-fil-A Murrells Inlet, Wachesaw Plantation East and Legends in Concert. “This is the only golf tournament on the Grand Strand where you can wear jeans and a T-shirt,” said Lou Krieger, golf tournament chair. “Those playing in the tournament will not only help the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council, a great cause, but will also have the chance to win free golf for four—even if you place 10th.” The entry fee is $59 per player, with proceeds donated to the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council. The cost includes greens fees, cart, prizes, goodie bag and a coffee-and-donut breakfast and Chick-fil-A lunch after the tournament. Each goodie bag includes a $20 discount card from the Grand Strand Golf Association. The winning team will receive $200 cash. Other prizes will be awarded for first place women’s team, Par 3 hole, second through 10th positions, closest to the pin (men’s and women’s teams) and long drive for men and women. Wachesaw Plantation East is the former site of four golf tournaments on the LPGA tour and has received a four-star rating by Golf Digest (“Places to Play”). For more information about the course, visit WachesawPlantationEast.com. For more information about the golf tournament, contact Lou Krieger at resortmb48@aol.com or (843) 215-3753. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council to introduce the annual Fabulous 50s Festival to the summer festival lineup. The Fabulous 50s Festival will be held Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, with events throughout the Grand Strand. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=240Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT Nearly 170 runners competed June 6 in the 31st annual Sun Fun Beach Run as part of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s 58th annual Sun Fun Festival®. The event was sponsored by the MBACC and City of North Myrtle Beach in cooperation with the City of North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department and North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. The top three males and females overall and the top three in each age group for both the five-kilometer race and one-mile fun run received awards. Age groups for the five-kilometer race were 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over. Age groups for the one-mile fun run were 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over. Runners from a number of states competed: Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The following Grand Strand residents placed in the five-kilometer race: Female Overall Winners: 2nd, Debra Peters, Myrtle Beach, 23:28 3rd, Caroline Freese, Myrtle Beach, 24:14 Male Overall Winners: 2nd, Jordan Hunt, Murrells Inlet, 19:08 Female Winners, Ages 15-19: 1st, Hope Thompson, Myrtle Beach, 26:17 2nd, Amanda Czerkawskyj, Surfside Beach, 39:30 3rd, Ashley Fernandez, Murrells Inlet, 41:49 Female Winners, Ages 20-29: 2nd, Amanda June Daley, Myrtle Beach, 26:19 3rd, Heather Gannoe, Myrtle Beach, 26:58 Male Winners, Ages 20-29: 2nd, Nicholas George Hag, Myrtle Beach, 23:19 3rd, Robb Urbaniak, Myrtle Beach, 26:20 Female Winners, Ages 30-39: 1st, Lisa Fanning, Myrtle Beach, 25:54 3rd, Lorena Murphy, Myrtle Beach, 27:02 Male Winners, Ages 30-39: 1st, Michael Graham, Myrtle Beach, 20:24 3rd, Chris Singleton, Conway, 22:59 Female Winners, Ages 40-49: 1st, Susan Chambers, Myrtle Beach, 24:40 2nd, Sarah Shore, Myrtle Beach, 26:13 3rd, Sunnie McGonical, North Myrtle Beach, 26:42 Male Winners, Ages 40-49: 1st, Lance Kinsey, Myrtle Beach, 19:33 3rd, Douglas Smith, North Myrtle Beach, 21:50 Female Winners, Ages 50-59: 1st, Mary Johnson, North Myrtle Beach, 26:46 3rd, Jeri Himmelsbach, North Myrtle Beach, 31:15 Male Winners, Ages 50-59: 1st, Ron Floyd, North Myrtle Beach, 22:48 2nd, Steve Hart, Murrells Inlet, 23:41 3rd, Jonathan Herman, Myrtle Beach, 25:01 Female Winners, Ages 60 and Over: 1st, Linda Hackley, North Myrtle Beach, 41:34 Male Winners, Ages 60 and Over: 1st, Joe Bennett, Conway, 21:15 The following Grand Strand residents placed in the one-mile fun run: Female Winners, Ages 10 and Under: 1st, Rylie Troxell, North Myrtle Beach, 9:29 2nd, Karley McGonical, North Myrtle Beach, 14:57 Male Winners, Ages 10 and Under: 1st, Dellan McGonical, North Myrtle Beach, 7:51 Female Winners, Ages 15-19: 1st, Leanne Simmons, Longs, 8:56 2nd, Mallory Holmes, Little River, 13:34 Female Winners, Ages 30-39: 1st, Toni Floyd, North Myrtle Beach, 9:16 Female Winners, Ages 40-49: 1st, Sunnie McGonical, North Myrtle Beach, 9:34 Male Winners, Ages 40-49: 1st, Greg Hembree, Little River, 6:55 For more information about the Sun Fun Beach Run, contact Gregg Barnhill, City of North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department, at (843) 280-5673. For more information about the Sun Fun Festival, visit SunFunFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016. The Grand Strand’s summer festival season begins with the Sun Fun Festival June 5-6 and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4-5. The free, family-friendly festivities offer a great lineup of live entertainment, national acts, events and much more in Myrtle Beach, S.C., America’s top beach and family destination. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=239Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT The first annual Surfside Beach Sun Fun Super Saturday will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at Surfside Drive and Ocean Boulevard and the Surfside Pier beach area. The event, which is free and family-friendly, is sponsored by the town of Surfside Beach and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Activities on the street will feature: • Inflatables and games for the kids • Live entertainment by Sea Cruz 11 a.m.-2 p.m. • Food and arts and crafts vendors Activities on the beach will feature: • Regional volleyball tournament 9 a.m. • Kickoff ceremony 10 a.m. • Horseshoe games 11 a.m. • Sandcastle building contest 2 p.m. “Sun Fun Super Saturday should be a big success,” said Mayor Allen Deaton. “The town has taken an old event, moved it to a new venue, and added arts and crafts and food vendors to breathe new life into it. We have partnered with the chamber in reworking it to make it a real family event, which fits in with our new branding as ‘Surfside Beach, The Family Beach … It’s all right here!’ We’re looking forward to a real successful event with a sizeable turnout.” “I’m happy to see the town of Surfside Beach begin a tradition with its Surfside Beach Sun Fun Super Saturday,” said Brant Branham, MBACC board chair. “Surfside has always had a great reputation as a family vacation spot, and I spent time there as a kid from Lake City. I know this will provide a fun day for residents and visitors.” For more information, visit SurfsideBeach.org or call 650-9548. For more information about the Sun Fun Festival, visit SunFunFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016. The Grand Strand’s Celebration of Summer begins with the Sun Fun Festival June 5-6 and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4-5. The free, family-friendly festivities offer a great lineup of live entertainment, national acts, events and much more in Myrtle Beach, S.C., America’s top beach and family destination. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=238Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT Jenny Price has been crowned 2010 Miss Sun Fun®, and Hillary Bradshaw, 2010 Miss Sun Fun Teen®. The pageant was held June 6 at the Myrtle Beach High School auditorium in conjunction with the 58th annual Sun Fun Festival. This year’s pageant theme was “Jewels of the Sea.” Price, of Clover, is a 21-year-old junior at the College of Charleston and a recipient of a LIFE scholarship. Her ambition upon graduation is to move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Price and her family spent their summers in Myrtle Beach. “The beaches of South Carolina are among the most beautiful in the world,” Price said. “I have such an appreciation for the Grand Strand and find it an honor to represent Myrtle Beach.” Bradshaw, of Boiling Springs, is a 17-year-old graduate of Boiling Springs High School and Miss Boiling Springs High School 2009. She plans to attend the University of Alabama in the fall and obtain a degree in pre-dental studies. Bradshaw is actively involved with Special Olympics and is an avid volunteer. “I want to have a positive impact on others,” Bradshaw said. “Winning Miss Sun Fun Teen gives me the honor and responsibility to represent everything I love about South Carolina.” Pageant winners will compete, expenses paid, in the Miss South Carolina USA and Miss South Carolina Teen USA pageants Nov. 20-21 in North Charleston. Miss Sun Fun and Miss Sun Fun Teen also will represent the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, its member businesses and the Grand Strand throughout their reigns, participating in festivals, promotional trips and local events. Other Miss Sun Fun winners were Kathleen Benton of Myrtle Beach, first runner-up; Megan Stoffel of Ridgeland, second runner-up; Price, Miss Congeniality; and Stoffel, Miss Photogenic. Other Miss Sun Fun Teen winners were Courtney Huggins of Myrtle Beach, first runner-up; Haleigh Payne of Andrews, second runner-up; Christy Green of Bethune, Teen Congeniality; and Bradshaw, Teen Photogenic. The 36 contestants (18, Miss; 18, Teen) competed in three equally weighted categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Important qualities include poise, personality, beauty of face and figure and the ability to speak articulately about the Grand Strand area. “This year’s Miss Sun Fun and Miss Sun Fun Teen pageant featured an exceptional field of contestants,” said Paula Miles, pageant director and director of the Miss South Carolina USA/Teen USA pageant. An impressive panel of professionals was involved in the production of the event. Judges came to Myrtle Beach from around the country, and RPM Productions’ veteran choreographer Dr. Donald Campbell produced the show. Hosting the pageants were Miss South Carolina USA 2009 Stephanie Smith and Campbell. Also in attendance were reigning queens 2009 Miss Sun Fun Leah Hickman and 2009 Miss Sun Fun Teen Courtney Sellers. The Sun Fun Festival began modestly in June 1951, when a handful of regional beauty queens, riding in Nash Ramblers, arrived in Myrtle Beach to add some luster to the 14 events that comprised the inaugural festival. Fifty-eight years later, the festival has earned the distinction of being one of the largest annual festivals in the Carolinas. For more information about the pageants, call Miles at (803) 648-6220. For more information about the Sun Fun Festival, visit SunFunFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016. The Grand Strand’s Celebration of Summer begins with the Sun Fun Festival June 5-6 and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4-5. The free, family-friendly festivities offer a great lineup of live entertainment, national acts, events and much more in Myrtle Beach, S.C., America’s top beach and family destination. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=237Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT Leadership Grand Strand is accepting proposals from nonprofit organizations for potential community service projects that have a lasting benefit to the community. The projects, which would be completed by LGS Class 30, must take place between September 2009 and April 2010 and occupy 30 participants for 25 hours (750 total hours of labor) over the eight-month period. Applications are due by July 7, 2009. Nonprofits and government agencies are encouraged to submit proposals that address an organization’s specific needs that involve hands-on volunteer hours. Projects over the years have varied widely, from improving a local animal shelter to providing assistance to a program for abused children to building or repairing homes. Leadership Grand Strand, celebrating its 30th year of service to the community, tackles real community needs as part of each class’s graduation requirements. The sponsoring organization must furnish the funding necessary for the projects, as fundraising by the class is not anticipated. Interested organizations can find a copy of the request for proposal at LeadershipGrandStrand.com, LGS projects link. Leadership Grand Strand is accepting applications for Class 30. Applications, which require three letters of reference, must be typed and are due by June 30, 2009. Applications are available at LeadershipGrandStrand.com. Tuition costs are $890 per person. For more information, visit LeadershipGrandStrand.com or call (843) 916-7222. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=236Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT Thirty-seven contestants will be competing for the titles of 2010 Miss Sun Fun® and 2010 Miss Sun Fun Teen® in conjunction with the 58th annual Sun Fun Festival. The pageant will be held 6:30 p.m. June 6 at the Myrtle Beach High School auditorium. Doors open 6 p.m. The public can purchase tickets at the door for $15 (cash only). This year’s theme is “Jewels of the Sea.” All contestants will be judged in three equally weighted categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Important qualities include poise, personality, beauty of face and figure and the ability to speak articulately about the Grand Strand area. Pageant winners will compete, expenses paid, in the Miss South Carolina USA and Miss South Carolina Teen USA pageants. Miss Sun Fun and Miss Sun Fun Teen also will represent the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, its member businesses and the Grand Strand throughout their reigns, participating in festivals, promotional trips and local events. “The Miss Sun Fun pageant offers an exciting and unique opportunity for two young women from South Carolina. The Sun Fun Festival and the Miss Sun Fun pageants are long-running traditions that provide an incredible year for the winners,” said Paula Miles, Miss South Carolina USA/Teen USA director and producer of the Miss Sun Fun pageants. Hosting the pageants will be Miss SC USA 2009 Stephanie Smith (emcee) and reigning queens Miss Sun Fun 2009 Leah Hickman and Miss Sun Fun Teen 2009 Courtney Sellers. Miss SC Teen USA 2009 Mary Helen Caver will attend as visiting queen. The Sun Fun Festival began modestly in June 1951, when a handful of regional beauty queens, riding in Nash Ramblers, arrived in Myrtle Beach to add some luster to the 14 events that comprised the inaugural festival. Fifty-eight years later, the festival has earned the distinction of being one of the largest annual festivals in the Carolinas. For more information about the pageants, visit SunFunFestival.com or call Paula Miles, RPM Productions Inc., at (803) 648-6220. For more information about the Sun Fun Festival, visit SunFunFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016. The Grand Strand’s Celebration of Summer begins with the Sun Fun Festival June 5-6 and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4-5. The free, family-friendly festivities offer a great lineup of live entertainment, national acts, events and much more in Myrtle Beach, S.C., America’s top beach and family destination. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=235Mon, 25 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce announces the lineup of the 2009 Sun Fun Summer Concert Series. The series, presented by Celebrity Square, Hard Rock Cafe and Broadway at the Beach, will be held at Celebrity Square. All concerts start at 7 p.m. All dates and times are subject to change without notice and due to weather: Friday, June 12 Tru Sol Friday, June 19 Coastline Friday, June 26 Black Label Friday, July 3 Too Much Sylvia Saturday, July 4 The Tams Sunday, July 5 Alabama/Blues Brothers Tribute Friday, July 10 Mark Roberts – Breeze Band Friday, July 17 Tony Howard Show Friday, July 24 Super Glide Friday, July 31 Spare Change Friday, Aug. 7 Key West Band (Jimmy Buffett Tribute) Friday, Aug. 14 Rolling Stones Tribute Friday, Aug. 21 Soul Function Friday, Aug. 28 Tim Clark For more information about the Sun Fun Festival, visit SunFunFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016. The Grand Strand’s Celebration of Summer begins with the Sun Fun Festival June 5-6 and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4-5. The free, family-friendly festivities offer a great lineup of live entertainment, national acts, events and much more in Myrtle Beach, S.C., America’s top beach and family destination. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=234Thu, 21 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will host a casting call 1-4 p.m. May 17 at The Palace Theatre. During the casting call, local talent will be evaluated for possible inclusion in the MBACC’s TV, Internet and print advertising. The casting call is open to Horry and Georgetown county residents, male and female individuals, couples and families, five to 80 years of age. Couples of all ages are also encouraged to attend. During the casting call, participants will be asked for valid proof of residency and will be posed for a headshot and brief video interview. Participants must be available during the designated shooting dates, June 1 through June 5 and June 15 through June 19, at various Myrtle Beach area accommodations, attractions and restaurants. Those chosen to appear in the campaign will be given a $100 America Express gift card to use at their favorite local business. “Genuine southern hospitality is embodied by our residents,” said MBACC president and CEO Brad Dean. “Our current advertising materials feature local residents from our casting call last year, and with the tremendous response we’ve received from our advertising, it makes sense to maximize our opportunities again this year. We’re proud to showcase the diverse faces of the Grand Strand.” For more information about the casting call, call Tina Pace, MBACC marketing manager, at (843) 916-7262. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=233Tue, 12 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT Leadership Grand Strand presented its 2009 Ann DeBock Leadership Award to Greg Everett during the Leadership Grand Strand Class XXIX graduation ceremony May 8 at Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. Everett is cofounder and publisher of Veterans Herald, an online publication focused on American veterans, and served as president and publisher of the Myrtle Beach Herald until its recent sale. He is also president of Myrtle Beach Funeral Homes Inc. and of GE Media Inc., which owned and operated WFXB FOX-TV for more than a decade. From 2002 to 2008 he hosted “Carolina People,” a half hour community show, on WFXB. Since the sale of WFXB in 2006, GE Media has focused on developing its domain portfolio of more than 15,000 names including TheBestOfTheYear.com and ReadTheHerald.com. He is vice president of GOCOM Media of Illinois LLC, which owns and operates the two FOX affiliates WRSP and WCCU and the CW affiliate WBUI in central Illinois. Everett is also vice president of Triple “E” Apartment Management Inc. (TEAM), which oversees apartment complexes in Durham, Fayetteville and Wilmington, N.C. He is an active board member of several nonprofit organizations in the Myrtle Beach area including the Horry-Georgetown Technical College Foundation, the Horry County Division of March of Dimes, the Conway Medical Center Foundation and the Waccamaw Division of the American Heart Association. Since 1997 he has served on the executive board of the Center on Law, Ethics and National Security at Duke University School of Law. Everett was recognized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce as its 2007 Citizen of the Year, an honor bestowed to an individual who has displayed outstanding leadership and community involvement. He was born and raised in Durham, N.C., and received a B.A. degree in politics from Wake Forest University in 1993. Each year, the Leadership Grand Strand class honors an alum who has exhibited outstanding leadership and service. The Ann DeBock Leadership Award was commissioned and started by Class XIX in memory of Ann DeBock, the executive director of Leadership Grand Strand from its inception in 1979 until her death in 1998. To receive this award, the recipient must volunteer in service or civic roles, serve on appointed boards or commissions and exhibit an overall demonstration of effective leadership skills. For more information, visit LeadershipGrandStrand.com or call (843) 916-7222. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=232Mon, 11 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT The 27 participants of Class XXIX will graduate from Leadership Grand Strand during a ceremony this evening at Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. Dinner will start at 6:45 p.m., and the graduation ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. The goal of the program, which is sponsored by Leadership Grand Strand and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, is to develop a corps of informed, committed and qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership for the Grand Strand area. For class participants to graduate, they must complete a nine-month program and a minimum of 100 hours of community service. This year, participants assisted more than 10 nonprofit organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Horry County Disabilities and Special Needs, the March of Dimes, The American Red Cross and the MBACC’s Youth Leadership Academy project. Graduates of Leadership Grand Strand Class XXIX are: • Gregory Ackerman, Smith, Sapp, Bookhout, Crumpler & Calliham • Kevin Alford, Ocean Lakes Family Campground • John Bertang, Myrtle Beach Police Department • Paige Bird, RE/MAX Ocean Forest • Carole H. Bowdre, Agape Senior and Hospice • Dennis J. DiSabato Jr., Law Office of Dennis J. DiSaboto Jr. LLC • Stephanie Springs English, Tidelands Bank – Myrtle Beach • Kenneth Generette, Horry County Schools • Robyn Graham, Graham E-Z-Go • Howard Henry, BB&T • Blakely Jenkins, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce • Charlene “Charlie” Leone, South Carolina Electric and Gas • John Reuben Long II, Heran, Brittain & Martin P.A. • Matthew Radcliff Lowery, M. Radcliff Lowery CPA, PFS, CFP, LLC • James F. McCrackin, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP • Kristy L. McDowell, Phillips, Hursey & Farrell CPA’s LLC • Kimberly Miles, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce • Karen Miller, Fairfield Inn by Marriott at Broadway • Tina Pace, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce • Tammy B. Ramsey, WebsterRogers LLP • John Richards, Thomas & Hutton Engineering Inc. • Carla Schuessler, Ally Management Inc. • Walter E. “Wes” Standish IV, Associated Insurors • Richard Stiles, FSA-Full Steam Ahead Inc. • Steven Strickland, The EARTHWORKS Group Inc. • Gina Trimarco • Josh Wise, Beach First National Bank Leadership Grand Strand is still accepting applications for the upcoming Class 30. Applications are available online at LeadershipGrandStrand.com and require three letters of reference, must be typed and are due by June 30. Tuition costs are $890 per person. The program, which will begin in August 2009 and end in May 2009, is open to citizens who have resided in Horry County continuously for at least one year prior to the application date. Candidates may be nominated by an organization or may nominate themselves. The program is limited to 30 participants, with selection reflecting the demographic, geographic and professional diversity of the Grand Strand. Criteria for selection include evidence of leadership abilities, potential to provide leadership to the Grand Strand, interest in community affairs, desire to expand volunteer involvement and commitment to become more involved in the Grand Strand. Participants and their sponsoring organizations must be willing to invest the time required for members to fully participate in the program, which includes a two-day retreat in September, a full day of classes the first Thursday of each month and 100 hours of community service. Regular attendance is imperative and mandatory. Leadership Grand Strand explores such topics as historical aspects of the Grand Strand, tourism and economic development, government and politics, education, law enforcement, human services and the arts. Alumni serve on community boards and commissions and in key decision-making positions throughout the Grand Strand. For more information, visit LeadershipGrandStrand.com or call (843) 916-7222. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=231Fri, 08 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT The American Power Boat Association national championship will add speed and thrills to the 58th annual Sun Fun Festival® as part of the APBA Racing H2X 2009 Tour presented by Sea-Doo, I-Ball Productions and RESQ™ Energy Drink. The tour represents the largest personal watercraft race on the East Coast. Spectators can view personal watercraft racing June 5-7 on the beachfront between Damon’s Grill (2985 S. Ocean Blvd.) and Springmaid Beach Resort (3200 S. Ocean Blvd.). Endurance racing will be held 1-3:30 p.m. June 5, and professional racing and freestyle competitions will be held 1:30-4:30 p.m. June 6 and 7. Personal watercraft demonstrations will be performed throughout the day June 6 on Grand Park Lake across from The Market Common on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Jason “The Destroyer” Stoyer of Hollywood, Fla., the No. 3 world champion and No. 1 U.S. champion in pro freestyle jet skiing, will be doing demonstrations 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Both the racing and demonstration events are free to spectators. New this year, APBA national champion and pro racer Rob Greenwald will instruct a beginner racing course 1-3:30 p.m. June 5. The course will teach participants core exercises for watercraft racing, proper race maintenance, riding and racing techniques, starting and timing techniques and more. The session will end with each beginner racing against the clock, with the fastest receiving prizes and a trophy. Register 12 p.m. June 5 at the Springmaid Pier. The cost is $50 to participate; helmets and goggles are available at an additional cost. As part of the tour, H2X Racing is promoting the new and innovative RESQ Energy Drink. RESQ bonds two all-natural super fat metabolizers (L-carnitin and taurine) with the high-energy stimulant guarana. These three elements are mixed with pure Alpine water to create a power drink with a sweet, citrus-like flavor. The inaugural H2X Tour will feature four popular racing destinations: Sun Fun Festival APBA Nationals, June 5-7, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Purr Performance APBA Nationals, July 24-26, Denver, N.C.; Emerald Coast Boat Week, Aug. 7-9, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; and H2X Finals, Aug. 21-23, Macon, Ga. For more information about the H2X Tour, visit pwcfun.com or contact Mike Young at mpyoungjr@aol.com. For more information about the Sun Fun Festival, visit SunFunFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016. The Grand Strand’s Celebration of Summer begins with the Sun Fun Festival June 5-6 and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4-5. The free, family-friendly festivities offer a great lineup of live entertainment, national acts, events and much more in Myrtle Beach, S.C., America’s top beach and family destination. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=230Thu, 07 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is joining hundreds of cities, states and businesses nationwide in the annual salute to travel and tourism in America. The MBACC is celebrating the 26th annual National Travel and Tourism Week May 9-17 with activities and promotions for those visiting the Grand Strand. Last year, nearly 14 million tourists visited the area, spending more than $4 billion. “I think this year’s ‘Travel Matters’ theme really hits home with the recession,” said Brant Branham MBACC board chairman and consultant with E. F. Hucks & Associates Inc. “Travel fuels America’s economy, and tourism is the Myrtle Beach area’s No. 1 industry. This year more than ever, we hope our visitors continue to reconnect with their friends and loved ones and travel to America’s top beach and family destination.” As in past years, the chamber’s welcome centers in Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet will serve complimentary refreshments during National Travel and Tourism Week. Airport welcome center visitors will be serenaded by live music periodically throughout the week. MBACC members will receive “Thank You for Visiting” static cling decals to place on business or vehicle windows. In the media, a “Tourism Works for Us” ad touting the benefits of tourism will appear in local newspapers, and a public service announcement will air on WBTW News 13, WMBF News and WPDE News Channel 15. Leadership Grand Strand Class XXV has provided a billboard on U.S. 501 thanking visitors. National Travel and Tourism Week was established as National Tourism Week in 1983 when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution designating the week to be celebrated in May 1984. In a White House ceremony, President Ronald Reagan signed a presidential proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with “the appropriate ceremonies and activities.” By January 1986, industry leaders had formed a permanent full-time office at the U.S. Travel Association to sponsor the event and expand tourism awareness into year-round programs. 2009 National Travel and Tourism Week Facts Source: U.S. Travel Association • Travel and tourism is a $1.7 trillion industry in the United States. If one dollar bill equaled a second of time, then $1.7 trillion would equal more than 54,000 years. • Travel and tourism generates $115 billion in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments. 115 billion one dollar bills placed end-to-end would circle the world 438 times. • Travel and tourism industry is one of the country’s largest employers with 7.7 million direct travel-generated jobs with a payroll totaling $189 billion. • Driving accounts for 87 percent of travel in the United States. South Carolina Tourism Facts Source: S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism • Domestic travelers spend more than $9.7 billion in South Carolina annually. • Approximately 30 million visitors enjoy the Palmetto state each year (including more than 850,000 Canadians and approximately 80,000 overseas visitors). Horry County Tourism Facts • The total impact of visitor spending on the Grand Strand economy is roughly $5.8 billion annually (source: Coastal Carolina University, BB&T Center for Economic and Community Development, 2008). • 68 percent of county employment is tourism related (source: S.C. Employment Security Commission, 2008) • 86 percent of visitors to the Grand Strand drive their cars (source: Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce In-Market Visitor Profile, 2008) • Approximately 3.4 million rounds of golf are played annually on the Grand Strand’s 102 golf courses (source: Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, 2008) • More than 1.56 million passengers arrived and departed from Myrtle Beach International Airport (source: Myrtle Beach International Airport, 2008) 2008 Horry County Tax Collections Source: Coastal Carolina University, BB&T Center for Economic and Community Development • $15.10 million: 2 percent accommodations tax collections in Horry County (down 1.84 percent from 2007) • $9.94 million: 5 percent admissions tax collections in Horry County including a reported $490,459 paid by Hard Rock Park (up 2.70 percent from 2007) • $8.59 billion: Gross retail sales in Horry County (down 7.22 percent from 2007) • $5.36 billion: Net taxable sales in Horry County (down 15.84 percent from 2007) • $29.87 million: 1.5 percent RIDE hospitality fee collections for Horry County, RIDE I projects (up 3.59 percent from 2007) • $6.39 million: 1 percent hospitality fee collections from unincorporated Horry County (down 1.24 percent from 2007) For a National Travel and Tourism Week logo and updated industry facts and figures, visit USTravel.org. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=229Tue, 05 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council to introduce an annual Fabulous 50s Festival to the summer festival lineup. The Fabulous 50s Festival will be held Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, with events throughout the Grand Strand. “The Horry County Arts and Cultural Council is thrilled to team with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce to add the Fabulous 50s Festival to the chamber’s festival repertoire,” said Diane DeVaughn Stokes, Fabulous 50s Festival chairperson. “I want locals and visitors alike to join me for a trip down memory lane at the Sock Hop in support of the arts in Horry County. Everyone’s going to be there—Elvis, Buddy Holly, the Crew Cuts and others. You’ll feel like you’re on American Bandstand.” Here are some highlights of the exciting events: * Golf Tournament at Wachesaw Plantation East, July 24, 7:15 a.m. shotgun start – Golfers are invited to play—captain’s choice, best ball format, teams of four. Prizes will be awarded including $200 to the winning team. Proceeds will be donated to the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council. Sponsored by Signature Golf Group, Chick-fil-A Murrells Inlet, Wachesaw Plantation East and Legends in Concert. Murrells Inlet. $59 per person. * Fabulous 50s Sock Hop, July 24, 7:30 p.m. – 50s music, dancing, Hula Hoop contest, bubble gum blowing contest, 50s impersonators, live auction and more. Proceeds to benefit the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council. Studebaker’s, Myrtle Beach. $25 per adult includes one-year membership to the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council. Limited number of tickets available. Advance tickets for sale at Legends in Concert, Little River Chamber of Commerce and Southern Portraits & Accents. * Classic Car Cruise-in and Show, July 25, 3-7 p.m. – 50 classic cars will gather at Legends in Concert in Surfside and cruise to Chick-fil-A Murrells Inlet for display. 50s music, contests and prizes. People’s choice award and trophies. Sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Car Club, Legends in Concert and Chick-fil-A Murrells Inlet. Free. * Legends in Concert presents the Second Annual Myrtle Beach Preliminary Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist™ Contest, licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc., July 25, 8 p.m. – Winner will receive $1,000 cash prize and be eligible to compete for the title of Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist™ of the Year August 2009 in Memphis. Legends in Concert, Surfside Beach. $30 regular seating and $35 VIP/preferred seating. 800-960-7469. The Grand Strand’s summer festival season begins with the Sun Fun Festival June 5-6 and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4-5. The free, family-friendly festivities offer a great lineup of live entertainment, national acts, events and much more in Myrtle Beach, S.C., America’s top beach and family destination. For more information, visit SunFunFestival.com or call the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council at (843) 349-7122. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=228Mon, 04 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT The 31st annual Sun Fun Beach Run will be held Saturday, June 6, as part of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s 58th annual Sun Fun Festival®. The event is sponsored by the MBACC and City of North Myrtle Beach in cooperation with the City of North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department and North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. Participants have the option of a 5K run/walk, which starts 8:30 a.m., or one-mile run, which starts 9 a.m. Both races will start and finish on the beach in front of Ocean Park, 1st Ave. South, North Myrtle Beach. Race day registration begins 7 a.m. at Ocean Park. The top three males and females overall and the top three in each age group will receive awards. Age groups for the 5K run/walk are 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over. Age groups for the one-mile run are 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over. The deadline to pre-register is May 29. The entry fee for the 5K run/walk is $15 for pre-registration (by May 29) and $20 the day of the race. The one-mile run is $10 for pre-registration and $15 on race day. Combined races are $20 for pre-registration and $25 race day. Log on to SunFunFestival.com to download an application with additional details. For more information about the Sun Fun Beach Run, contact Gregg Barnhill, City of North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department, at (843) 280-5673. For more information about the Sun Fun Festival, visit SunFunFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016. The Grand Strand’s summer festival season begins with the Sun Fun Festival June 5-6 and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4-5. The free, family-friendly festivities offer a great lineup of live entertainment, national acts, events and much more in Myrtle Beach, S.C., America’s top beach and family destination. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=225Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT Due to an overwhelming response (and limited storage space), North Strand Helping Hand can no longer accept donations of clothing, bedding, toiletries and small household items for victims of the Horry County wildfire. North Strand Helping Hand is partnering with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, which is collecting, sorting and delivering donated items. Roughly 600 people have dropped off items at the chamber’s main office. Chamber staff volunteered Friday evening until 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. to sort clothing and respond to calls from those seeking long-term housing. Thus far, one 26-foot truckload of items has been collected and delivered to North Strand Helping Hand. According to United Way of Horry County, monetary donations are needed at this time to help fire victims who are uninsured and underinsured. United Way of Horry County has activated 2-1-1 statewide for all donations and referrals regarding the wildfire. These area organizations are accepting donated items to benefit residents throughout the year: Goodwill Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach Salvation Army Used But Not Abused (CASA’s Thrift Store) HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=224Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with North Strand Helping Hand to collect, sort and deliver donated clothing and other items for victims of the Horry County wildfire. NSHH is requesting clothing of all sizes. Only spring and summer items are being accepted due to limited storage space. Khaki pants, black pants and white shirts are specifically needed for those working in the service industry. The MBACC asks that men’s, women’s and children’s clothing be bagged separately to help with the sorting process. In addition to clothing, NSHH has expressed a need for toiletries, bedding items and small household items such as pots and pans for those displaced. Donations should be taken to the MBACC’s main office at 1200 N. Oak St. during these times: Saturday, April 25: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 26: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, April 27-Friday, May 1: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Chamber staff will sort donated clothing according to size and gender and will deliver collected items to NSHH. To receive donated items, fire victims should take their American Red Cross referral letter to NSHH at 2501 Long Bay Rd., Longs. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=222Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT Horry County Emergency Operations Center is requesting the following donated items for fire fighters: • Towels • Wash cloths • Tooth brushes • Toothpaste • Shampoo • Conditioner • Soap • Any other personal hygiene items (razors, deodorant, etc.) A total of 300 items is needed, and any quantity is welcome. Items may be dropped off at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce main office at 1200 N. Oak St. until 4:30 p.m. today. If pickup assistance of donated items is needed, call 916-7240 for pickup today. MBACC will be delivering collected items to the designated dropoff location. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=223Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is assisting the American Red Cross by collecting information on potential long-term housing options for victims of the Horry County wildfire. Business properties that can offer housing for a minimum of one week to three months are encouraged to contact Debbie Heintzelman, MBACC, at 916-7296 or Debbie.Heintzelman@VisitMyrtleBeach.com. Responders should include a contact name, business name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, information on the housing offered (number of units, pet policy, number of bedrooms, etc.) and the length of time offered. The list will be provided to the American Red Cross, who will coordinate matching available housing with those in need. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=218Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach area will officially kick off the summer season along the Grand Strand with the 58th annual Sun Fun Festival® celebration June 4-8, typically drawing between 30,000 and 40,000 attendees each year. The core festival, June 5 and 6, will take place at Grand Park across from The Market Common on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. The fun lasts all summer long with days full of free, family-friendly events, concerts and much more, organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. The Sun Fun Festival will feature live entertainment June 5 and 6, and June 6 the festivities continue with celebrity meet-and-greets, H2X Racing’s 2009 Tour of personal watercraft racing and demonstrations on Grand Park Lake, Miss Sun Fun®/Miss Sun Fun Teen® pageant, food and arts/crafts vendors and fireworks, to name a few activities. Here are some of the highlights of exciting events: * Live Entertainment and Food Vendors, June 5 – Bring family and friends, chairs and blankets (no coolers, please) and enjoy free live entertainment. Come hungry because food vendors will be open Friday, new this year. * Celebrity Meet-and-Greets, June 6 – Showcasing national recording artist Blake Lewis of “American Idol” (season 6 runner-up) performing live and celebrity meet-and-greets with Lewis, Jason Earles of “Hannah Montana” and Robert Newman of “Guiding Light.” Free. * Concert Featuring Lifehouse, June 6 – Don’t forget to grab a chair or blanket (no coolers, please) for this multiplatinum national recording act’s performance. Free. * H2X Racing Demonstrations on the Lake, June 6 – Professional watercraft racers will show their tricks. Free. * Kids Zone Games, June 6 – A bouncing good time with inflatable rides, games and more. Free. * H2X Racing’s 2009 Tour presented by Sea-Doo, WizzardX Media and Res-Q Energy Drink, beachfront between Damon’s Grill (2985 S. Ocean Blvd.) and Springmaid Beach Resort (3200 S. Ocean Blvd.), June 5-7 – Personal watercraft racing as part of the American Power Boat Association national tour. New this year, APBA national champion and professional racer Rob Greenwald will teach a beginner racing school. Competition free to spectators. * 2010 Miss Sun Fun and Miss Sun Fun Teen Pageant, Myrtle Beach High School, June 6 – A Myrtle Beach tradition, the pageants began in 1960 to symbolize one of the largest annual festivals in the Carolinas. Miss Sun Fun and Miss Sun Fun Teen applications are being accepted until May 1. Admission $15. * Sun Fun Beach Run, North Myrtle Beach, June 6 – Take your pick of a 5K run/walk or a 1-mile fun run sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and city of North Myrtle Beach in cooperation with the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and North Myrtle Beach Recreation Department. Free. * Sun Fun Festival Fireworks Extravaganza, June 6 – Free. The Grand Strand’s summer festival season begins with the Sun Fun Festival and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4-5. Both festivals, as well as the Sun Fun Summer Concert Series, will take place at Grand Park across from The Market Common on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Festival events and concerts are free and family-friendly, with a great lineup of live entertainment, activities and much more. For more information, visit SunFunFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=214Tue, 31 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT Leadership Grand Strand is now accepting applications for Class 30. The purpose of the nine-month program, which will begin in August 2009 and end in May 2010, is to develop a corps of informed, committed and qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership for the Grand Strand area. Program sponsors are Leadership Grand Strand and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Leadership Grand Strand is open to citizens who have resided in Horry County continuously for at least one year prior to the application date. Candidates may be nominated by an organization or may nominate themselves. The program is limited to 30 participants, with selection reflecting the demographic, geographic and professional diversity of the Grand Strand. Criteria for selection include evidence of leadership abilities, potential to provide leadership to the Grand Strand, interest in community affairs, desire to expand volunteer involvement and commitment to become more involved in the Grand Strand. Participants and their sponsoring organizations must be willing to invest the time required for members to fully participate in the program, which includes a two-day retreat in September, a full day of classes the first Thursday of each month and 100 hours of community service. Regular attendance is imperative and mandatory. Leadership Grand Strand explores topics such as historical aspects of the Grand Strand, tourism and economic development, government and politics, education, law enforcement, human services and the arts. Alumni serve on community boards and commissions and in key decision-making positions throughout the Grand Strand. Applications, which require three letters of reference, must be typed and are due by June 30, 2009. Applications are available online at LeadershipGrandStrand.com. Tuition costs are $890 per person. For more information, visit LeadershipGrandStrand.com or call (843) 916-7222. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=213Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Business & Restaurant Expo will be open to the public 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center (Exhibit Halls B and C). The expo is free to the public. The expo helps businesses gain exposure to market their products and services and introduces residents and visitors to the variety of businesses and restaurants operating along the Grand Strand. New this year, the event will offer musical entertainment from Tru Sol, a sports lounge sponsored by the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk and a kid-friendly area with games, face painting and more. More than 125 businesses will be exhibiting, including banks, health care, hotels, retailers, theaters, community agencies and restaurants. Many exhibitors will offer giveaways and door prizes for those visiting their booths. Restaurants will be serving scrumptious samples of their delicious dishes. Tickets can be purchased for food sampling. Food samples will range from $1-$3 each. “The Business & Restaurant Expo is a great opportunity to showcase the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk,” said David McMillan, partner and general manager, Drunken Jack’s Restaurant & Lounge on the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk. “The marsh is a natural attraction that we’ve enhanced by connecting the diverse restaurants along the walk. Many folks find out about the restaurants by enjoying the natural beauty of the marsh walk, and it’s free.” Three honors will be presented at the expo: the Exhibitors Award, which recognizes the best exhibit as selected by exhibitors, Judges Award, which applauds the best exhibit as judged by a committee, and Restaurant Award, which recognizes the best dish as judged by a committee. For more information, call (843) 916-7276 or visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=212Wed, 18 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications from arts/crafts and food vendors for its 58th annual Sun Fun Festival June 5 and 6 and 4th annual Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4 and 5. Online applications are available for both festivals at SunFunFestival.com. The deadline to submit completed applications is April 15. Space is limited. The Grand Strand’s summer festival season begins with the Sun Fun Festival and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival. Both festivals will take place at Grand Park across from The Market Common on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Festival events are free and family-friendly, with a great line-up of concerts, entertainment, activities and much more. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=211Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners for its third annual Incredible Customer Experience (ICE) Awards. Awards were presented tonight during an elegant celebration at the Palace Theatre. The ICE Awards consist of 10 categories with an individual and business winner in each category, for a total of 20 winners. Each winner was presented with a 12-inch engraved crystal award. “We congratulate all the winners and nominees who help make the Myrtle Beach area a great place to live, work and play,” said Greg Everett, president, Myrtle Beach Funeral Home & Crematory. “The ICE Awards are the Academy Awards of customer service. This is truly the Myrtle Beach event of the year.” Amusement/Entertainment Business: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Individual: Mary Williams, House of Blues Communications Business: WBTW News 13 Individual: Richard Green, Time Warner Cable Dining Business: Chick-fil-A of Surfside Beach Individual: George Clark, Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort Financial Business: Atlantic Bank & Trust Individual: Kim Smith, Atlantic Bank & Trust Lodging Business: Springmaid Beach Resort Individual: Pam Reis, Crown Reef Resort & Conference Center Nonprofit Business: Grand Strand Miracle League Individual: Bob Jewell, Brookgreen Gardens Professional Business: Discover Chiropractic Individual: Ian McClure, Atlantic Physical Therapy Real Estate Business: Century 21 Broadhurst & Associates Inc. Individual: Paige Bird, RE/MAX Ocean Forest Retail Business: EmbroidMe Individual: Sallie Hinson, CVS Pharmacy, Store 3567 Services Business: FSA – Full Steam Ahead Inc. Fire and Water Restoration Individual: Linda McDaniel, A&I Fire and Water Restoration The ICE Awards are made possible through the generous support of these event and media sponsors: Myrtle Beach Funeral Home & Crematory, Myrtle Beach Herald, Coastal Engravers, Inlet Affairs, WBTW News 13, WMBF News and WPDE NewsChannel 15. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=210Sat, 07 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT Applications are being accepted for the 2010 Miss Sun Fun® and 2010 Miss Sun Fun Teen® pageants, which must be received by May 1. An official entry form and contest rules and regulations are available at SunFunFestival.com. The pageants will be held in conjunction with the 58th annual Sun Fun Festival 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the Myrtle Beach High School auditorium. Doors open 6 p.m. The public can purchase tickets at the door for $15 (cash only). This year’s theme is “Jewels of the Sea.” Hosting the pageants will be Miss SC USA 2009 Stephanie Smith (emcee) and reigning queens Miss Sun Fun 2009 Leah Hickman and Miss Sun Fun Teen 2009 Courtney Sellers. Miss SC Teen USA 2009 Mary Helen Caver will attend as visiting queen. All contestants will be judged in three equally weighted categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Important qualities include poise, personality, beauty of face and figure and the ability to speak articulately about the Grand Strand area. Pageant winners will compete, expenses paid, in the Miss South Carolina USA and Miss South Carolina Teen USA pageants. Miss Sun Fun and Miss Sun Fun Teen also will represent the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, its member businesses and the Grand Strand throughout their reigns, participating in festivals, promotional trips and local events. “The Miss Sun Fun pageant offers an exciting and unique opportunity for two young women from South Carolina. The Sun Fun Festival and the Miss Sun Fun pageants are long-running traditions that provide an incredible year for the winners,” said Paula Miles, Miss South Carolina USA/Teen USA director and producer of the Miss Sun Fun pageants. The Sun Fun Festival began modestly in June 1951, when a handful of regional beauty queens, riding in Nash Ramblers, arrived in Myrtle Beach to add some luster to the 14 events that comprised the inaugural festival. Fifty-eight years later, the festival has earned the distinction of being one of the largest annual festivals in the Carolinas. For more information about the pageants, visit SunFunFestival.com or call Paula Miles, RPM Productions Inc., at (803) 648-6220. For more information about the Sun Fun Festival, visit SunFunFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444/(800) 356-3016. Festival events and activities are still unfolding. Check the Web site for the most current information. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to make changes to festival line-ups without notice. The Grand Strand’s summer festival season begins with the 58th annual Sun Fun Festival June 4-8 and ends with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Sept. 4-5. The core festival, June 5-6, will take place at Grand Park across from The Market Common on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. The festival will feature live entertainment, Kids Zone, food and arts/crafts vendors and much more. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=208Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT The United States Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce its five-star accreditation for sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community. Most recently, 17 chambers were accredited, with only six receiving the prestigious five-star ranking. Local chambers are rated accredited, three stars, four stars or five stars. “As board chairman, I’m just as proud as I can be that the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber was not only accredited on the first attempt but also received top honors,” said Brant Branham. “The application process took four months, and the submittal was so comprehensive that it required multiple binders to contain it. I commend the staff for all their hard work, not just for the application but each and every day, which earned them this distinction.” Of the 6,936 chambers in the United States, 260 (less than 4 percent) of those are accredited. Of those accredited, only 49 (19 percent) have earned the five-star ranking. In South Carolina, 10 state and local chambers are accredited, with four of those earning five stars. The determination is made by the accrediting board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members. “Accreditation recognizes chambers for their high standards of practice, full accountability to members and steadfast commitment to community,” said Thomas J. Donahue, president and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “We applaud these organizations for advancing these principles of free enterprise.” Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. To receive accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, demonstrating competency in nine core areas: governance, finance, human resources, government affairs, program development, communications, technology, facilities and benchmarking. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=209Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT RBC Bank, presenting sponsor of Canadian-American Days, is accepting golf player registrations for the 2009 Battle at the Beach, the first annual Canada vs. U.S.A. Friendly Competition for the RBC Cup. Head Coach David Bennett, Coastal Carolina University football, will serve as the U.S.A. team captain. Players should register by Friday, March 13. For a registration form, visit CanAmDays.com. The 2009 Battle at the Beach will be held Thursday, March 19, at the Pine Lakes Country Club. The format for the 18-hole tournament is four-person scramble. Known as the “Granddaddy,” the Pine Lakes golf course has been closed for nearly two years for renovation and redesign and will reopen March 14. The concept for “Sports Illustrated” was developed at the Pine Lakes club house in 1950. “Royal Bank of Canada views our presenting sponsorship as an ideal fit for community involvement,” said Steve Carter, marketing executive, RBC Bank. “We think of Canadians here as our ‘other locals,’ and the Battle at the Beach offers a great platform for a friendly competition between Canadians and Americans. We hope this will serve not only as a popular addition to Can-Am Days but also as a tradition for years to come.” The cost of $100 per person or $350 per foursome includes the greens fee, cart, prizes, awards ceremony and food. Divine Dining Group and Damon’s Grill will provide food at all par-three holes, and Divine Dining will offer lunch. The day of the tournament, March 18, registration is 11 a.m., lunch is served 12 p.m. and tee time is 1 p.m. (shotgun start). Following the tournament, the awards ceremony will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by Divine Dining, Damon’s and Scatori’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant. Raffle tickets and mulligans will be sold. The grand raffle prize, sponsored by Burroughs & Chapin Company Inc., is a one-year membership to Pine Lakes golf course. Hadwin-White Pontiac Buick GMC Subaru will award a car for the first hole-in-one on No. 16. Door prizes and trophies will also be awarded. The RBC Cup, which will be presented to the winning Canadian or American team, will be displayed with the winning team’s national flag at the golf course. All tournament profits, including raffle ticket and mulligans proceeds, will be donated to Myrtle Beach Haven to benefit homeless families. “We selected Myrtle Beach Haven as the charity of choice because 97 percent of donations directly benefit families through temporary housing, health care and job assistance,” Carter said. “It’s important to keep families together during a crisis, and Myrtle Beach Haven is unique in its ability to do that.” The tournament is part of the 48th annual Canadian-American Days festival, which will be held March 14-22 throughout the Grand Strand. The festival, which is organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, will offer a variety of events. For more information about the tournament, contact Brett Calhoun, RBC Bank, at (843) 444-3800. For more information about Canadian-American Days, including a schedule of events, visit CanAmDays.com or call (843) 626-7444. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=207Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT RBC Bank is presenting the March 14 performance of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band and Seaforth All Girls Marching Band. The concert is part of the 48th annual Canadian-American Days celebration, which will be held March 14-22 throughout the Grand Strand. The festival, which is organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, will offer a variety of events including free military band concerts. The concert is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available beginning Feb. 25 and are limited to two per person on a first-come, first-served basis. Here are additional details: When: Sat., March 14. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket holders must be seated by 6:45 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Where: Surfside United Methodist Church, 800 13th Ave. N., Surfside Beach Ticket pick-up: Surfside Beach Town Hall: 115 Hwy. 17 Business N., Surfside Beach; Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5 p.m. The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. The Seaforth All Girls Marching Band of Ontario has been delighting audiences near and far with popular show tunes and other nontraditional marching music for more than 60 years. The band, a group of 50 to 60 young women, range in age from 11 to 19. For more information about Canadian-American Days, including a schedule of events, visit CanAmDays.com or call (843) 626-7444. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=204Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT RBC Bank is presenting the March 15 performance of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band. The concert is part of the 48th annual Canadian-American Days celebration, which will be held March 14-22 throughout the Grand Strand. The festival, which is organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, will offer a variety of events including free military band concerts. The concert is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available beginning Feb. 26 and are limited to two per person on a first-come, first-served basis. Here are additional details: When: Sat., March 15. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket holders must be seated by 6:45 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Where: Myrtle Beach Community Church, 3015 Theater Drive, Myrtle Beach (behind Fantasy Harbor off U.S. 501 adjacent to Hard Rock Park) Ticket pick-up: Available at MBACC offices; office locations and hours of operation are: • 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, (843) 626-7444 Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • 3401 Hwy. 17 Business S., Murrells Inlet, (843) 651-1010 Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Call ahead for ticket availability after Feb. 26. The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. For more information about Canadian-American Days, including a schedule of events, visit CanAmDays.com or call (843) 626-7444. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=205Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for its third annual Incredible Customer Experience Awards. The awards ceremony is 6-10 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at The Palace Theatre. The event begins with a cocktail reception (6-7 p.m.), followed by an awards ceremony (7-8:15 p.m.) and an after-party celebration (8:15-10 p.m.). The event is open to the public. The deadline to register for this esteemed black-tie-optional event is March 3. The cost is $30 per person and includes admission to the reception, ceremony and after party with heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar and musical entertainment. Register online at MyrtleBeachICEAwards.com. “I’ve experienced the growth of the Myrtle Beach area for the past 28 years,” said Jim Bowdre, executive vice president, Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and Crematory. “The ICE Awards are just one way the chamber and businesses can maintain the momentum in promoting the community, which has become a tourist Mecca. As an event sponsor, we play a role in honoring the best-of-the-best customer service providers. Our area holds the customer service standard, which keeps visitors returning and often relocating here, ultimately.” The ICE Awards recognize 10 businesses that have raised the bar on hospitality and 10 individuals who have excelled in customer service. The award finalists are: Businesses Amusements/Entertainment: Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament; Myrtle Beach Pelicans; Theatre of the Republic Communication: WBTW News 13; WPDE NewsChannel 15; WMBF News Dining: Chick-fil-A of Surfside Beach; East of Chicago Pizza Company; Rotelli’s Italian Dining Financial: Atlantic Bank & Trust; Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union; Chuck Martino & Associates Lodging: Premier Resorts at Barefoot Resort; Springmaid Beach Resort; Staybridge Suites Nonprofit: Grand Strand Miracle League; Limos for Learning; Mercy Hospice & Palliative Care Professional: DDC Engineers Inc.; Discover Chiropractic; Dr. Jack L. Green Jr., DDS MSD PA Orthodontics Real Estate: Century 21 Broadhurst and Associates Inc.; Grand Strand Land Man Inc.; RE/MAX Ocean Forest Retail: EmbroidMe; Formal Wear of Myrtle Beach; Southern Portraits & Accents Services: FSA – Full Steam Ahead Inc. Fire and Water Restoration; Seaboard Signs & Engraving; Thompson Construction Group Individuals Amusements/Entertainment: Cheryl Holowacz, The Palace Theatre; Chris Butler, Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction; Mary Williams, House of Blues Communication: Kyle Grainger, WMBF News; Matt Sedota, WEZV Easy Radio; Richard Green, Time Warner Cable Dining: Craig Payne, Carrabba’s Italian Grill; George Clark, Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort; Mendi Hierholzer, Outback Steakhouse of Murrells Inlet Financial: Kim Smith, Atlantic Bank & Trust; Rhonda Phelps, First Citizens Bank & Trust; Tina Glenn, Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union Lodging: Pam Reis, Crown Reef Resort & Conference Center; Sharon Jones, Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center & Hotel; Vickie Carmody, Pirateland Family Camping Resort Nonprofit: Bob Jewell, Brookgreen Gardens; Dee Riedel, Horry County Schools; Jessica Durivage, Global Awareness Project Professional: Dr. Bill O’Connor, Little River Medical Center – Myrtle Beach location; Ian McClure, Atlantic Physical Therapy; Louise Montgomery, InCare Home Health & Hospice Real Estate: Misty Greenway, RE/MAX Southern Lifestyles; Paige Bird, RE/MAX Ocean Forest; Paula J. Wilke, SPM Resorts Retail: Dana Haggard, Winnelson Company; Danny J. Hardee, Mt. Vernon Grocery; Sallie Hinson, CVS Pharmacy, Store 3567 Services: Grady Jordan, Thompson Construction Group – Service Department; Kim Lumpkin, Weedman of Myrtle Beach; Linda McDaniel, A&I Fire & Water Restoration The ICE Awards are made possible through the generous support of these event and media sponsors: Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and Crematory, Myrtle Beach Herald, WBTW News 13, WMBF News and WPDE NewsChannel 15. For more information about the ICE Awards, visit ICEAwardsMyrtleBeach.com or call (843) 916-7238. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=202Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT Today the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism presented the state’s top travel and tourism honors. The awards were announced at the 44th annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism & Travel. Set at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, the conference, entitled “Sustainability: Tourism’s Timeless Trend,” focused on sustainable efforts in the tourism industry and featured leading experts in consumer trends and marketing. During the awards luncheon, Rodney Grant, a maintenance technician at Springmaid Beach Resort, received the state’s Hospitality Employee of the Year award. His nomination from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce stated “Rodney is a dedicated individual not only to his job but to the family of Springmaid Beach Resort and to the guests that visit. He is outstanding with attention to detail and willing to do all jobs, from assisting a guest with a room key to helping build a fence.” "Rodney exemplifies the kind of person who makes South Carolina such a great place to visit,” said Chad Prosser, director, SCPRT. “Our people truly are our best product." The MBACC recognized Grant as its Hospitality Employee of the Year, an award presented to a nonmanager who works directly with visitors regularly and projects a positive image of his/her business, property, attraction or event and the state of South Carolina. Grant accepted the award at the MBACC’s annual meeting held Oct. 29, 2008, at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel. Other honors presented today were the Bundy Award for contribution to the travel and tourism industry in rural South Carolina, to Marion du Pont Scott Colonial Cup Steeplechase Races in Camden; the Governor’s Cup, to Capital City/Lake Murray County Regional Tourism Board for its work with the Forrest Wood Cup, a major national bass tournament championship; Sustainability Award, to Middleton Place, a national historic landmark, for its extensive, leading-edge efforts in modern sustainability, conservation and eco-friendly practices. The late John Curry, a key figure in the sustainable development of Hilton Head Island, was recognized for his leadership roles with the Sea Pines Company, Heritage Foundation and other civic and business ventures. For more information, visit www.SCGovCon.com or call Marion Edmonds at (803) 361-6144. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=203Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT Today the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce hosted two research presentations to address the 2009 Myrtle Beach visitation outlook. John Pelletier, chairman, Equation Research, and Dr. Donald Schunk, research economist, Coastal Carolina University’s BB&T Center for Economic and Community Development, presented their findings to the MBACC board of directors and local elected officials. Total tourism demand nets the Palmetto state roughly $16 billion annually, with the economic impact of tourism expenditures in the Myrtle Beach area around $5.8 billion. According to Schunk, current trends could lead to a potential loss of more than $400 million in tourism revenues in 2009 if market share remains consistent. That figure could decrease if the destination gains market share or increase if the destination loses market share. Anticipating a reduction in its 2009 promotional budget, the MBACC commissioned Equation Research to conduct a study on destination metrics. The purpose of the research was to gauge travel planning trends, travel expectations and other factors impacting tourism in the Myrtle Beach area in 2009. An online survey was conducted Jan. 14-18 in the Top 10 visitor states outside the Carolinas. Respondents were 25-54 years of age who traveled last year and plan to travel this year. The survey was divided evenly among travelers who had visited in the past two years (Myrtle Beach visitors) and those who had not visited in the past two years (nonvisitors). Survey results revealed: Awareness and desirability of the Myrtle Beach area are growing, largely due to increased advertising in 2007 and 2008: • Desirability of the destination is increasing: 43 percent of Myrtle Beach visitors, 26 percent of nonvisitors. (When first measured in fall 2006, the average rating for the Myrtle Beach area was roughly 16 percent.) This ranks favorably with competitor destinations (Daytona, Virginia Beach, Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge and Orlando). Myrtle Beach visitors rated Orlando, the closest competitor, 33 percent; nonvisitors, 28 percent. • Sixty-two percent of Myrtle Beach visitors and 36 percent of nonvisitors reported seeing advertisements promoting the destination. (When first measured in fall 2006, the average rating for the Myrtle Beach area was roughly 12 percent for visitors/nonvisitors.) • This rating compares favorably to most competitor destinations (Virginia Beach, Daytona Beach and Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge), except Orlando. Seventy-nine percent of Myrtle Beach visitors and 72 percent of nonvisitors reported seeing Orlando advertisements. Awareness due to advertising will likely decline in 2009 due to reduced marketing dollars, both at the state and local levels: • The 2009 promotional budget is roughly half the level of advertising in 2007 and 2008. Myrtle Beach visitors reported high levels of satisfaction and tended to view the area as affordable: • Ninety-two percent of visitors reported being either “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied.” • Seventy-six percent of visitors believe the Myrtle Beach area is an “affordable vacation destination,” and 74 percent believe the destination offers “good value.” Many Myrtle Beach visitors plan to cut back on travel and travel expenditures in 2009, largely due to the economy: • The key factors that will negatively impact travel planning in 2009 are uncertainty about the economy (52 percent) and reduced disposable income (39 percent). • Thirty-one percent of visitors plan to take fewer trips, and 50 percent plan to spend less on leisure travel in 2009. (These figures are unprecedented and indicate that Myrtle Beach visitors are somewhat more likely to cut back in 2009.) The comparable percentages for nonvisitors are 29 percent and 44 percent, respectively. Reduction in travel expenses will hit lodging, retail, restaurants and entertainment very hard: • For those Myrtle Beach visitors planning to cut back: 46 percent will cut back on shopping 39 percent will spend less on souvenirs 32 percent will look for a more affordable hotel 32 percent will see fewer shows or spend less on entertainment 30 percent will visit fewer attractions 27 percent will reduce the number of nights they travel 23 percent will prepare more meals instead of eating out Most are willing to change destinations in 2009 if it leads to savings: • Forty-eight percent of Myrtle Beach visitors and 51 percent of nonvisitors have not chosen their destination for 2009. • When asked if they will consider visiting a different destination in 2009, as compared to 2008: 67 percent of Myrtle Beach visitors said “yes” (only 8 percent said “no”) 68 percent of nonvisitors said “yes” (only 8 percent said “no”) • The most powerful incentives are a free night stay, discounted travel packages and discounted airfare. The research findings are available on the MBACC Web site, MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=201Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT Once again the Myrtle Beach area is rolling out the red carpet for its visitors to the North during the destination’s annual Canadian-American Days. This year, from March 14-22, the Myrtle Beach area will welcome Canadian and American visitors with a line-up of fun events, giveaways, discounts and concerts taking place throughout the Grand Strand. Canadian-American Days draws as many as 100,000 Canadian visitors and snowbirds from northern states. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce introduced Canada Days in 1961 to attract Canadian families during their spring school break. The name was changed in 1963 to Canadian-American Days. It is regarded as the first international festival organized in South Carolina. “Can-Am Days celebrates our snowbird visitors, who escape the cold and snow for the beautiful climate and wealth of attractions of the Myrtle Beach area,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “Many of these visitors have been traveling to our destination for decades, and we strive to create new memories for each generation through our festivals.” “This year we welcome RBC Bank as presenting sponsor,” said Amie Lee, MBACC director of festivals and special events. “RBC Bank has added excitement to Can-Am Days by introducing the Battle at the Beach golf tournament. The timing of the tournament coincides perfectly with the much-anticipated unveiling of the new Pine Lakes golf course.” The Pine Lakes golf course has been closed for nearly two years for renovation and redesign and will reopen March 14. The 48th Annual Canadian-American Days will offer a variety of events. Highlights include: • 26th Annual National Shag Dance Championships, March 12-14 – This competition is especially fitting for the Myrtle Beach area, where the shag dance originated. The event showcases amateur and professional division dancers with more than 50 couples are expected to compete for the national title. Studebaker’s, Myrtle Beach. Admission $15-$25. • 2009 RBC Bank Presents the Royal Canadian Artillery Band and Seaforth All Girls Marching Band Concert, March 14 – The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. The Seaforth All Girls Marching Band of Ontario has been delighting audiences near and far with popular show tunes and other nontraditional marching music for more than 60 years. The band, a group of 50 to 60 young women, range in age from 11 to 19. Surfside United Methodist Church, Surfside Beach. Free but tickets are required. Tickets available Feb. 25 at the Surfside Beach Town Hall. • 2009 RBC Bank Presents the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, March 15 –The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of six Canadian Forces brass and reed bands, is a unit of 35 professional musicians. Formed more than 100 years ago, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band represents the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. Myrtle Beach Community Church, Myrtle Beach. Free but tickets are required. Tickets available Feb. 26 at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. • 2009 RBC Bank Canadian-American Days Kickoff Celebration Expo, March 16 – This expo officially kicks off Can-Am Days and features exhibitors, musical entertainment, prizes, giveaways and refreshments. Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach. Free to the public. • Out of Winter Into Spring: The Courage to Live Undivided, March 17-19 – Presented by Still Learning Inc., this retreat at the beach will renew the heart and spirit. Sea View Inn, Pawleys Island. Space is limited. $889 per person. Canadian currency accepted. • 15th Annual South Strand Wildlife and History Day, March 18 – Enjoy family-friendly entertainment, exhibits and activities including birds of prey and reptile demonstrations and sea turtle and beachcombing programs. The Taste of Murrells Inlet, a culinary extension of the event, will boast specialties from some of the finest restaurants in the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. Event and park admission are free. Cost for food. • 2009 Battle at the Beach, March 19 – Golfers are invited to participate in the first annual Canada vs. U.S.A. Friendly Competition for the RBC Cup, four-person scramble format. The tournament will take place at the just-renovated Pine Lakes golf course, known as “the Granddaddy.” Prizes will be awarded. All tournament profits will be donated to Myrtle Beach Haven. Presented by RBC Bank and sponsored by Damon’s Grill, Scatori’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant and Divine Dining Group. Pine Lakes Country Club, Myrtle Beach. Fee $100 per person, $350 per foursome. For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit CanAmDays.com for the most current information and event times. The MBACC reserves the right to make changes to festival events without notice. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=200Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College will host the Grand Strand Legislative Reception for S.C. General Assembly members 5-9 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Clarion Hotel Downtown (formerly the Clarion Town House Hotel) in Columbia. The event is invitation only and is not open to the public. The purpose of the legislative reception is to increase awareness and understanding of the greater Myrtle Beach area’s numerous contributions to the state and its economy and to underscore the importance of supporting the area’s critical needs during the 2009 legislative session. “With the economy forcing the state legislature to make tough budget decisions, we must make sure that the significant role and related financial contributions, as well as the various specific needs of our area, are strongly and clearly heard regarding support and funding for issues such as tourism promotion and Interstate 73,” said Franklin Daniels, MBACC Legislative Policy Council chairman and an attorney with Nexsen Pruet LLC. “Securing funds for the 2-for-1 matching grant for tourism promotion is a priority and will pay great dividends to this area and to our state in the future, just as it has in the past. Tourism promotion is a major part of the state’s budget solution; it is clearly not a budget problem. Likewise, I-73 funding, both with economic stimulus dollars and a permanent state source, would enhance our economic position in the future and immediately create new jobs. Even in tough economic times, both of these issues are clear examples of how we need to invest today for a stronger and more diversified tomorrow.” Traveling to Columbia will be representatives from these host organizations as well as various public officials, business leaders and other Grand Strand chambers and organizations. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=199Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with SCORE, Counselors for America’s Small Business, to present “How to Survive a Recession.” The class, which is free and open to the public, will be held 6-7 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, 1200 N. Oak St. Seating for the class is limited, and registration prior to the Jan. 19 deadline is encouraged. To register, go to ChamberAcademy.com. “How to Survive a Recession” will offer practical strategies for reducing the impacts of a recession on small businesses including methods to reduce expenses, increase revenue and restructure debt. “The recession storm is here,” said Mark Hess, SCORE counselor and program instructor. “Expenses are rising, consumer spending is down, competition is intensifying and debt is increasing. For small businesses, that means fewer customers with fewer dollars to spend and greater competition for those dollars. This class is designed to help small businesses better weather the storm.” For more information, contact Blakely Jenkins at (843) 916-7232 or Blakely.Jenkins@VisitMyrtleBeach.com. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=197Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT The 2009 edition of The Official Myrtle Beach Area Vacation Guide™, formerly known as Stay & Play®, is now available. The Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, a division of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, offers this free, comprehensive guide each year to aid travelers in planning their Myrtle Beach vacations. The Official Myrtle Beach Area Vacation Guide™ is a glossy, full-color publication highlighting accommodations, dining, attractions, entertainment, shopping, golf and events along South Carolina’s 60-mile Grand Strand. The 256-page guide is packed with valuable visitor tips, local history, colorful photos, color-coded sections for ease of use and a golf course-specific map. This year, readers will find a: • New, detachable color-coded map pinpointing area attractions, shopping, restaurants and more. • New coupon and discount pullout booklet. • Expanded information highlighting the various Grand Strand communities. “Unlike most resort destinations, the dozen Grand Strand communities are unique and distinctive in character,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “Visitors will find a variety of offerings, from the historic fishing village of Little River to the Gullah culture of Atlantic Beach to the ‘seafood capital of South Carolina,’ Murrells Inlet.” Those who travel with adults or children with special needs will be delighted to read about Project Lifesaver, a program that tracks lost or wandering visitors. Through Project Lifesaver, visitors with autism, Down syndrome or Alzheimer’s disease can be quickly located through a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal. The wristbands are offered free to visitors during their stay in the Myrtle Beach area. According to Project Lifesaver International, this is the first time that wristbands are being offered to visitors. The Official Myrtle Beach Area Vacation Guide™, the No. 1 guide to the Myrtle Beach area, can be ordered online at VisitMyrtleBeach.com or by calling 1-866-936-2620. The publication is available at the MBACC welcome centers at 1200 North Oak St., Myrtle Beach; 3401 U.S. 17 Business S., Murrells Inlet; and the Myrtle Beach International Airport. An estimated 14 million travelers visit the Myrtle Beach area annually. In 2008 alone, Myrtle Beach earned such distinctions as Top 10 Family-Friendly Destinations (Weather.com), Top Family Destinations (Ask.com) and Top 10 Places for Families to Visit in the U.S. (Yahoo!). In addition, the Travel Channel featured the Grand Strand on “Samantha Brown: Passport to Great Weekends,” a half-hour show that premiered this summer. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=196Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, a division of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, has introduced a new incentive program, Growing with Groups, to engage the community in expanding meeting bookings. Locals involved with business and social organizations are encouraged to provide referrals through 2009 that result in groups meeting in Myrtle Beach. "Groups traveling to the Myrtle Beach area represent an estimated 10 percent of our annual visitors,” said Danna Lilly, CMP, CVB director of sales. “The Growing with Groups program is an excellent opportunity to get the local community involved in growing group business.” Here’s how the program works: Step One: Identify and contact the event planner within your organization to express interest. Step Two: Obtain answers from the event planner for general questions on the Growing with Groups form, available at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com. Step Three: Submit the form to the CVB, and they will pursue your lead. In return, locals whose referrals result in at least 25 hotel rooms booked per night will receive: • A two-night staycation in Myrtle Beach • Breakfast, lunch and dinner gift cards • Entertainment tickets for two In addition, referrals resulting in 150 or more booked rooms per night will receive $100 in Beach Bucks redeemable at select area businesses. For more information, contact Danna Lilly at Danna.Lilly@VisitMyrtleBeach.com or (843) 916-7261. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=195Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce announces the 2009 dates for its Canadian-American Days®, Sun Fun Festival® and Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival®. These free, family-friendly festivals add even more fun to the already diverting and playful destination. In 2008 alone, Myrtle Beach earned such distinctions as Top 10 Family-Friendly Destinations (Weather.com), Top Family Destinations (Ask.com) and Top 10 Places for Families to Visit in the U.S. (Yahoo!). “Our peak-season festivals entertain crowds of more than 100,000 with free, top-notch performances and events,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “Visitors and locals alike can’t beat the national acts, activities, events, contests and spectator competitions—all without digging into their wallets.” The 48th annual Canadian-American Days will be held March 14-22, 2009, throughout the Myrtle Beach area. The nine-day line-up will feature events, activities and discounts, including welcome receptions, military band concerts, athletic tournaments and wildlife and history days. For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit CanAmDays.com. Canadian-American Days draws as many as 100,000 Canadian visitors and snow birds from Northern states. The MBACC introduced Canada Days in 1961 to attract Canadian families during their spring school break. The name was changed in 1963 to Canadian-American Days. It is regarded as the first international festival organized in South Carolina. The 58th annual Sun Fun Festival will be held June 4-8, 2009, throughout the Myrtle Beach area. The core festival, June 5-6, will take place at Grand Park across from The Market Common on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. The festival will feature live entertainment, Kids Zone, food and arts/crafts vendors and much more. For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit SunFunFestival.com. A popular festival, Sun Fun draws between 30,000 and 40,000 attendees. The first Sun Fun Festival, held in 1951, was conceived to attract vacationers during the period between the end of the school year and the July 4th holiday. That year, a handful of regional beauty queens, riding in Nash Ramblers, arrived in Myrtle Beach to add some luster to the 14 events that comprised the inaugural festival. The fourth annual Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival will be held September 4-5, 2009, at Grand Park across from The Market Common. This Labor Day weekend festival, which draws between 50,000 and 60,000 attendees, will feature the official barbeque competition of South Carolina, Wheels at the Beach car show, live entertainment and Kids Zone among other events. For more information, call (800) 356-3016 or visit BeachBoogieBarbequeFestival.com. Events and activities for each festival are still unfolding. Check the Web sites for the most current information. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to make changes to festival line-ups without notice. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=194Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:00:00 GMT The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Horry County and cities of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach joined forces today to announce their response to “City Crime Rankings 2008-2009: Crime in Metropolitan America” at a press conference. The report, which was released Nov. 24 by CQ Press, ranks the greater Myrtle Beach area as the 14th most dangerous in the nation with a score of 70.16. Each year CQ Press compares crime numbers, rates and trends throughout the United States. “City Crime Rankings 2008-2009” ranks 356 metropolitan areas and 397 cities for the violent crimes of murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault and property crimes of burglary and motor vehicle theft, known as the “Crime Index.” In deriving its statistics, CQ Press takes total crimes and then divides by the number of residents. “The interpretation of crime statistics by CQ Press shows a wanton disregard for accuracy by evaluating personal and property crimes in our area on a per capita basis,” said Brad Dean, MBACC president and CEO. “By failing to consider our 14 million visitors per year and part-time residents, the CQ Press rankings are incorrectly skewed and offer a gross inaccuracy as related to our local community,” Dean said. Rather, area officials contend that visitors and part-time residents (184,600—average number of daily tourists) should be factored with the permanent population (247,229), yielding an adjusted population of 431,829. Using this adjusted population figure, the score of 70.16 falls to -2.65, and the ranking falls from 14 to 149, below the national average (ranking of 139). The attached spreadsheet explains these adjustments. Further, the report derives its data from the FBI’s Crime in the United States by Metropolitan Statistical Area, 2007. The report methodology states “The FBI discontinued use of this [crime index] measure in 2004 because its officials and advisory board of criminologists concluded that the index was no longer a true indicator of crime. The consensus of the FBI and its advisory groups was the Crime Index no longer served its purpose and that a more meaningful index should be developed.” For more information about the CQ Press report, visit www.cqpress.com/product/City-Crime-Rankings-2008.html. For more information about the FBI’s Crime in the United States by Metropolitan Statistical Area, 2007, visit www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2007/data/table_06.html#m. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=191Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT Members of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and others who wish to meet the Horry and Georgetown counties legislative delegation are invited to the 2008 legislative luncheon 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Crown Reef Conference Center, Myrtle Beach. A moderated Q&A session will follow lunch. The event is sponsored by Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS (presenting sponsor) and Grand Strand Business Association (supporting sponsor). The event is open to the public. The cost to attend is $35 for MBACC members and $45 for nonmembers. Register at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com by Dec. 8. Those attending the luncheon will have the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns with legislators. Elected officials invited to attend include Sens. Luke Rankin, Ray Cleary, Yancey McGill and Dick Elliott and Reps. Nelson Hardwick, Tracy Edge, Thad Viers, Vida Miller, Carl Anderson and George Hearn. “Each year the chamber holds its legislative luncheon to give the community a chance to get to know the lawmakers impacting their everyday lives and where they stand on important issues,” said Franklin Daniels, chairman of the Legislative Policy Council and an attorney with Nexsen Pruet LLC. Also, the chamber’s 2009 legislative agenda will be unveiled. The chamber recently conducted a member survey to help determine governmental priorities for the coming year at the local, state and federal levels. “Equally as important is showcasing the upcoming legislative agenda at the luncheon,” Daniels said. “Not surprisingly, our members ranked three energy-related issues as their top policy priorities: a comprehensive energy policy for our state and our nation, offshore drilling for liquefied natural gas and offshore drilling for oil. Members indicated seeking recurring state and federal funds for I-73/74 as the top infrastructure priority.” For more information, contact Amie Lee, director of special events, at Amie.Lee@VisitMyrtleBeach.com or 916-7238. HTTP://MYRTLEBEACHSCCOC.WEBLINKCONNECT.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=192Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT