WELCOME TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

On behalf of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, welcome to the business community here along the Grand Strand. We take great pride in our community and all that it has to offer.

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is 65 years old. It is both long-established and successful. Just as the Myrtle Beach area has grown and changed over the decades, so too has the chamber.

The mission of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is to provide community leadership in the promotion of economic development, including tourism. Accordingly, the chamber will effectively involve itself in the governmental and political arena and in the coordination of efforts to advance business development in order to improve the quality of life and to encourage unity in the region. Simply stated, our primary objective is to make this area an even better place to live, work and play. We do that through service, innovation, community leadership and collaboration.

Congratulations to you, our members, for your commitment to our community. By investing in the chamber you have become part of a dynamic group of individuals who realize that together we can do much more to shape the future of the Grand Strand than by going it alone. Our membership consists of thousands of companies, like yours, whose combined efforts continue to promote economic development, ethical business practices, and a high quality of life for those who live and play here.

For more information on the Myrtle Beach area or membership opportunities, call the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-356-3016.

Sincerely,

Brad Dean,
President & CEO

2006 - 2007 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COMMITTEES

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce exists to promote, protect & improve Grand Strand businesses. The chamber does so through the work of its board of directors and committees, as well as special task forces appointed as needed. Committees are made up of representatives of member businesses and organizations who serve a one-year term. The standing committees are:

IMPORTANT DATES IN CHAMBER HISTORY

FOR THE RECORD
Updated Quarterly

Look what we've done!

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has been extremely active creating opportunities for your business to grow and prosper. The vision of the chamber is to promote, protect and improve the Myrtle Beach area as an excellent place to visit, live and conduct business. 

Take a look at what your chamber has done the second quarter of 2006:

• Co-sponsored the North Strand Council Mixer attended by 126 local officials, members and community.
• Joined Gov. Mark Sanford and parents of the SaveSCSummers.com at the ceremonially bill signing of H. 4229, a bill which set the state's school year to begin no earlier than the third Monday in August.
• Participated in Hospitality Day at the Statehouse with more than 300 industry representatives joining state legislators and legislative staff for another amazing Taste of South Carolina legislative luncheon.
• Held the Inaugural Hurricane Preparedness Conference & Expo with 21 exhibitors and 259 people attending the event.
• Celebrated Administrative Professionals Day with 50 people attending.
• Held two informative familiarization tours visiting various tourist destinations in the North Myrtle Beach area.
• Held a Hospitality Partnership Membership Drive.
• Casted out the 53rd Annual Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo, which will run April through October.
• Unveiled the upgraded Official South Carolina Hall of Fame kiosk, located at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, and a new Web site at SouthCarolinaHallofFame.com.
• Celebrated See America Week/National Tourism Week May 13-21.
• Joined several Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce businesses in hosting the Christian Meeting & Convention Association Spring Showcase.
• Held the Hawaiian Tropic 55th Annual Sun Fun Festival.
• Held three sessions of Amazing Marketing Tools, which showcased high quality, cost-effective marketing solutions that meet our members' budgets and goals.
• Hosted two BlueCross BlueShield True Blue® Chamber Plan seminars.
• Received two ACCE Awards: Award of Merit for the Grand Strander newsletter and an Award of Merit for last year's "Thank You for Visiting" National Tourism Week promotion.
• Held five outstanding networking events: Connections Marketplace took place twice with 65 members in attendance and three Business After Hours were held with 700 people attending.
• Celebrated 11 ribbon-cutting ceremonies: Realty Executives Elite, Coastal Carolina Home Watch, LLC, Alternative Health Clinic, Thank You Body, Apex Homes Inc., Price & Company Realty Inc., Awnings of Distinction, Xango-Jenafor Braley Distributor, Tidewater Builders Inc./Kelly's Cove, Coastal Pianos and Pomodoro's Trattoria & Bar.
• Hosted two Warm Welcome receptions with 44 members attending.
• Held 13 training events: Small Business Series: "Public Speaking" with five people in attendance; "Spanish in the Workplace" with 16 people in attendance; "Your Company and Compliance with Overtime Laws" with 12 people in attendance. Personal Development Series: "Using Positive Relationships to Resolve Problems" with six people in attendance; "Time Management" with 20 people. Marketing and PR Series: "Getting the Word Out With Online Newsletters" with 15 people attending. Technology Workshop: "The Do's and Don'ts Against Spam" attended by eight people; "Advanced Excel Training" attended by 12 people; "Microsoft Publisher Training" attended by 16 people; "Advanced E-Mail Techniques" attended by 15 people; "Access/Database Training" attended by nine people. Women's Business Forum: "Breakthrough Methods and Tools for High Performance" attended by 28 people; "Success is an Inside Job" attended by 10 people.
• Booked 44,525 room nights into member properties. Distributed 129 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers. Serviced 124 groups representing 17,289 people. Exhibited at three trade shows promoting to the group market and six travel shows promoting to the consumer market.
• Answered 70,484 phone calls. Greeted 76,115 visitors at our welcome centers. Fulfilled 117,219 qualified inquiries.
• Welcomed 137 new members.
• Provided information, photography and other assistance to 80 travel writers and other media (including two visits from Southern Living). Sent 58 news releases and/or public service announcements. Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau received more than 158 mentions in media stories. The chamber also received nearly 400 media mentions solely regarding the World's Tallest Sandcastle in Myrtle Beach, which resulted in publicity valued at nearly half a million dollars and reached 15 million people.
• Recorded 834,787 user sessions and 4,407,966 page views with an average time of around 10:28.
• Recorded 1,885,336 referrals from chamber Web site business directory (a referral is a display of the member's name).
• Logged 58,023 click throughs to members' Web sites.
• Noted 835,382 total advertising referrals.
• Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupons-Books/Packets, Campgrounds-Family, Discount Cards, Restaurant, Cruises-Boat Excursions/Sightseeing, Golf Courses, Amusements, Attractions, Jetski-Jetboat/Scooter Rentals, Nature-Based River Trips, Fishing Boats-Charter/Headboats, Fishing-Piers.

Take a look at what your chamber has done the first quarter of 2006:

• Sponsored a property tax reform meeting attended by legislators and community leaders. The property tax reform would eliminate personal property tax while levying an additional 2 percent sales tax statewide
• Co-sponsored North Strand Tabletop Business Expo with North Myrtle Beach Chamber, Little River Chamber and Colonial Mall with 110 exhibitors
• Held three worthwhile networking events: Connections Marketplace with a turnout of 70 members and two Business After Hours events attended by 600 members
• Showcased Travel Trends and MBACC New Marketing Rollout with 150 people attending. Unrolled new ad layouts targeting "the regular person" to come to Myrtle Beach and introduced VisitMyBeach.com
• Hosted S.C. Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (Ernest Frederick "Fritz" Hollings and William Henry Drayton) with around 800 people in attendance
• Hosted Grand Strand Legislative Reception attended by 77 legislators and more than 320 guests
• Held a luncheon for Rep. Bobby Harrell, speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives and one for U.S. Reps. John Mica of Florida and Henry Brown of South Carolina
• Held a bill signing ceremony at the chamber office. Gov. Mark Sanford joined local business leaders and legislators to sign a bill aimed at expediting the completion of I-73 by allowing tolls to pay for construction
• Celebrated Canadian-American Days Festival with a kickoff and expo attended by over 3,000 people with more than 60 exhibitors
• Traveled to Washington, D.C. with 45 community members as part of "Grand Strand Goes to Washington"
• Held the South Strand Chamber Update with special guest Congressman Henry Brown and 92 people in attendance
• Co-sponsored two Council Mixers: South Strand mixer attended by 50 local officials, members and community; Myrtle Beach mixer attend by 94 officials, members and community
• Held 13th Annual Business & Restaurant Expo and Business After Hours with around 125 exhibitors and 1,400 people attending the expo
• Worked diligently to help pass the late school start bill H. 4429. Gov. Mark Sanford signed H. 4429 on April 8, a bill that sets the state's school year to start no earlier than the third Monday in August
• Co-sponsored the U.S. Air Force Academy Winds band free concert performance
• Participated in the Myrtle Beach Marathon Runner's Expo and races
• Held a Warm Welcome Reception with 41 members in attendance
• Sent out a survey to South Strand members asking for feedback on programs and benefits
• Celebrated nine ribbon-cutting ceremonies: AAA Vacations, Columbia Sportswear, Inlet Flowers and Gifts, Copter Views, Grand Strand Diversified Development Inc., City Market, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Condustrial Inc. and Habitat for Humanity of Horry County and one grand re-opening at Build-A-Bear Workshop
• Held 16 training events: Women's Business Forum: "Dining Etiquette" with 30 people in attendance; "Fashion by Belk," with 27 people in attendance; "Marketing Your Product by Using Color," attended by nine people. Restaurant Series: "Is Your Staff Ready for Big Bottles?" attended by 54 managers and owners; "Are You Ready for Big Bottles?" for restaurant staff members and attended by 89 people; "Free Pour Training," attended by 143 people. Technology Workshop: "The Basic Foundation of Enterprise E-Mail" with 10 people attending; "Developing E-mail Brand Value," attended by nine people. Small Business Forum: "Customer Service Boot Camp" attended by 39 people; "Proper Interview Questions," with nine people in attendance. Marketing and Public Relations Series: "Introduction to E-Mail Marketing" with five people attending; "Driving Traffic to Your Web Site," with 23 people attending. Two Celebrate Hospitality sessions attended by 23 people. Personal Development Series: "Having Crucial Conversations to Avoid Problem Escalation," attended by eight people
• Booked 25,045 room nights into member properties. Distributed 205 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers. Serviced 78 groups representing 19,086 people. Exhibited at 11 trade shows promoting to the group market and 17 travel shows promoting to the consumer market
• Answered 43,024 phone calls. Greeted 40,757 visitors at our welcome centers. Fulfilled 112,729 qualified inquiries
• Welcomed 127 new members
• Provided information, photography or other assistance to 72 travel media. Hosted writers on assignment from World Traveler magazine (Northwest Airlines) and Dayspa Magazine. Sent 66 news releases and/or public service announcements. Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau received more than 169 mentions in media stories.
• Recorded 555,013 user sessions and 3,822,560 page views with an average time of around 11 1/2 minutes per session. Recorded 728,887 referrals from chamber Web site business directory (note a referral is a click and a display of the member's name). Logged 60,517 click throughs to members' Web sites. Noted 1,048,654 total advertising referrals. Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Amusements, Attractions, Comedy Clubs/Piano Bars, Coupons-Books/Packets, Cruises-Boat Excursions/Sightseeing, Discount Cards, Golf Courses, Theaters-Dinner Attractions, Bars, Nature-Based River Trips, Night Clubs, Theaters-Live, Restaurants

Take a look at what your chamber has done from October-December 2005:

• Hosted 65th annual membership meeting with around 350 in attendance
• Celebrated 2nd annual President's Gala with around 225 in attendance
• Partnered with area chambers, including the S.C. Chamber of Commerce, to present 2005 Grand Strand Regional Grassroots Meeting
• Held Legislative Luncheon with a panel of eight representatives and senators and around 185 people in attendance
• Worked with the S.C. Association of Tourism Regions to bring eight S.C. representatives and one senator to the Grand Strand to tour the area gain a better understanding of the area's issues
• Co-hosted a familiarization tour for about 29 Canadian travel agents as part of the Myrtle Beach Loves Canada campaign
• Helped welcome the Southeastern Regional Motorcoach Operators group - 75 tour operators from six states experienced the Myrtle Beach area
• Co-sponsored South Strand Tabletop Business Expo with 75 exhibitors
• Partnered with Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association and Hospitality Association of South Carolina to bring increased benefits to our membership and business community
• Held a joint membership meeting with Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association with around 250 in attendance
• Celebrated Christmas Towne with between 800 to 1,000 residents and visitors attending
• Greeted 500 bus tour riders during the 3rd annual Christmas Motorcoach Festival.
• Held two Celebrate Hospitality (formerly known as Wednesday Welcome) with a turnout of 62 members
• Worked with the Hospitality Association of South Carolina to hold a ServSafe Alcohol class
• Hosted one Warm Welcome reception with 25 members attending
• Applauded five ribbon-cutting ceremonies: Atlantic Home Mortgage, The Original Soup Man, Safety Works, Wachovia Bank-Murrells Inlet, SeaChique Art, LLC. Celebrated one groundbreaking ceremony: Tyson Sign Co.
• Booked 24,971 room nights into member properties. Distributed 121 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers. Serviced 84 groups representing 34,816 people. Exhibited at 11 trade shows promoting to the group market and nine travel shows promoting to the consumer market
• Answered 18,823 phone calls. Greeted 42,896 visitors at our welcome centers. Fulfilled 24,411 qualified inquiries
• Welcomed 65 new members
• Provided information, photography or other assistance to 51 travel media. Hosted or helped plan itineraries for writers from TravelGolf.com, The Decatur Daily (Alabama), Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Charlotte Parent, Canadian Traveller and GolfStyle magazines. Sent 23 news releases and/or public service announcements
• Recorded 484,495 user sessions and 1,637,829 page views with an average time of 6 minutes per session. Noted 1,009 views for Stay & Play® digital online guide. Recorded 696,503 referrals from chamber Web site business directory (note a referral is a click and a display of the member's name). Logged 25,314 click throughs to members' Web sites. Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupon-Books/Packets, Night Clubs, Discount Cards, Comedy Clubs/Piano Bars, Golf Courses, Bars, Entertainment, Cruises-Boat Excursions/Sightseeing, Amusements, Theaters-Live, Restaurants, Attractions

During July - September of 2005, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Hosted three Hurricane Preparedness Seminars attended by around 120 people
• Assisted with a news conference held by Sen. Jim DeMint to discuss I-73 and a United States Senate subcommittee hearing, chaired by Sen. DeMint, examining the impact of hurricanes on the Grand Strand
• Hosted a ceremony for Zeb Thomas Sr. to name a local bridge, which connects Robert Grissom Highway with S.C. 31, the Zeb M. Thomas Sr. Bridge
• Facilitated a communitywide discussion about the area's annual May motorcycle events
• Hosted a Hurricane Katrina fundraiser with WBTW News 13 helping to raise more than $200,000 for the American Red Cross
• Applauded chamber volunteers at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon attended by around 200 volunteers
• Distributed an education survey and legislative survey seeking member input on educational classes and 2006 legislative agenda.
• Celebrated six ribbon-cutting ceremonies: Buyer's Choice Mortgage Corp., Title Max, Verizon Wireless, Wachesaw Medical Center, Collins + Company Advertising/Design and Discover Chiropractic
• Held two Women's Business Forums with 62 members in attendance
• Held three sessions of Connections Marketplace with a turnout of 110 members and three Business After Hours attended by 900 members
• Booked 25,116 room nights into member properties
• Distributed 173 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers
  Serviced 186 groups representing 39,046 people
• Exhibited at six trade shows, 10 consumer shows and went on two sales missions
• Welcomed 92 new members and hosted three Warm Welcome Receptions with 78 members attending
• Assisted 85 travel writers and other media and sent 27 news releases and/or public service announcements
• Answered 26,148 phone calls
• Greeted 105,584 visitors at our welcome centers
• Fulfilled 65,105 qualified inquiries
• 46,988 click throughs to members Web sites
• Recorded 963,986 referrals from chamber Web site business directory (a referral is a click and a display of the member's name)
• Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory:
• Coupon-Books/Packets, Hotel-Motel ; Discount-Cards; Golf Courses; Night Clubs; Cruises-Boat Excursions/Sightseeing; Attractions; Bars; Amusements; Entertainment; Comedy Clubs/Piano Bars; Real Estate-Condo/Cottages; Restaurants-Full Menu; Cruises-Scenic/Dinner/Dances; Theaters-Dinner Attractions
• Most Popular Events requested from online calendar of events: Summer Family Golf Tournaments; Summerfest 2005; From Goodnight Moon to Art Dog: The World of Clement, Edith and Thacher Hurd; South Carolina Spirit "Season Pass"; Brookgreen's Cool Summer Evenings Festival; The Last Album: Eyes From the Ashes of Auschwitz-Birkenau; Showstopper National 2005; 2005 PGA Tour Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship; Sons of Italy 11th Annual Italian Festival.

During April - June of 2005, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Celebrated See America Week/National Tourism Week with music, food and fun at our four welcome centers
• Sponsored the Hawaiian Tropic 54th annual Sun Fun Festival®
• Assisted with Business Forum on City Services
• Hosted a luncheon for U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers of Kentucky attended
  by 56 people
• Assisted with an economic development forum, "Diversifying our Economy-the Grand Strand's Future"
• Hosted the Great American Road Show with 300 people in attendance, 104 were tour planners
• Showcased New Products/New Packages Rollout with 58 members attending
• Sponsored "The Grand Strand Goes to Washington" with 58 members flying to Washington, D.C.
• Held two sessions of Connection Marketplace with a turnout of 120 members and three Business After Hours attended by 850 members.
• Held two worthwhile training events: Wednesday Welcome (hospitality training) attended by 29 people and Women's Business Forum with a turnout of 19 members
• Co-hosted Leadership Development Conference - "The Influential Leader," attended by 118 people
• Celebrated seven ribbon-cutting ceremonies: Cold Stone Creamery, MAACO-Collision Repair & Auto Painting, CARE Pharmacy, Sleep Telemedicine Services, San Francisco Oven, Fogarty & Fogarty Plumbing Co. Inc., Sew Many Common Threads - Quilting & Heirloom
• Booked 43,734 room nights into member properties
• Distributed 72 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers
• Serviced 105 groups representing 17,071 people
• Exhibited at five trade shows promoting to the group market and five consumer shows
• Answered 46,756 phone calls
• Greeted 94,000 visitors at our welcome centers
• Fulfilled 168,230 qualified inquiries
• Welcomed 91 new members
• Hosted two Warm Welcome reception with 28 members attending
• Recorded 736,603 user sessions
• Recorded 948,340 member referrals
• Assisted 106 travel writers and other media
• Sent 38 news releases and/or public service announcements
• Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupon-Books/Packets, Night Clubs, Bars, Entertainment, Real Estate-Condo/ Cottages, Golf-Courses, Amusements, Attractions, Theaters-Live, Cruises-Boat Excursions/Sightseeing, Zoo, Discount-Cards, Comedy Clubs/Piano Bars, Restaurant Guide
• Most Popular Events requested from online calendar of events: An Everlasting Piece: Quilts From the McKissick Museum; Summer Family Golf Tournaments; 6th Annual Horry-Georgetown High School Juried Fine Art Exhibition; 8th Annual Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild Juried Exhibition; Myrtle Beach Collects; Life Line Screening; Summerfest 2005; The Adorning Arts: Art to Wear; The Paintings of Ray Kass; Association of Carolina Shag Clubs/Spring Safari; Summerfest 2005; "From Goodnight Moon to Art Dog": The World of Clement, Edith And Thacher Hurd; Fabulous Fantail Film Festival-"Mysteries With a Smile"; "The Last Album: Eyes From the Ashes of Auschwitz-Birkenau"; 22nd Annual National Retired Military Golf Classic; Showstopper National 2005; Campout in the Stadium; South Carolina Spirit "Season Pass;" Showstopper National 2005; 54th Annual Sun Fun Festival; Brookgreen's Cool Summer Evenings Festival; Association of Carolina Shag Clubs /Society of Stranders Summer Workshop

During April of 2005, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Hosted the Great American Road Show with 300 people in attendance, 104 were tour planners
• Showcased New Products/New Packages Rollout with 58 members attending
• Sponsored "The Grand Strand Goes to Washington" with 58 members flying to Washington, D.C.
• Held Business After Hours attended by 350 members
• Held two worthwhile training events: Wednesday Welcome (hospitality training) attended by 29 people and Women's Business Forum with a turnout of 19 members
• Co-hosted Leadership Development Conference - "The Influential Leader,"
  attended by 118 people
• Celebrated 2 ribbon-cutting ceremonies: Fogarty & Fogarty Plumbing Co. Inc. and Sew Many Common Threads - Quilting & Heirloom
• Booked 15,702 room nights into member properties
• Distributed 25 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers
• Serviced 45 groups representing 7,404 people
• Exhibited at 3 trade shows promoting to the group market and 3 consumer shows
• Answered 17,732 phone calls
• Greeted 26,963 visitors at our welcome centers
• Fulfilled 51,504 q ualified inquiries
• Welcomed 33 new members
• Hosted Warm Welcome reception with 14 members attending
• Recorded 218,542 user sessions, an average of 7,285 per day
• Assisted 32 travel writers and other media
• Sent 11 news releases and/or public service announcements
• Recorded 2,019,645 year-to-date referrals from chamber Web site business directory (note a referral is a click and a display of the member's name); Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupon-Books/Packets, Night Clubs, Bars, Entertainment, Real Estate-Condo/ Cottages, Golf-Courses, Amusements, Attractions, Theatres-Live, Cruises-Boat Excursions/ Sightseeing, Zoo; Most Popular Events requested from online calendar of events: An Everlasting Piece: Quilts From the McKissick Museum, Summer Family Golf Tournaments, 6th Annual Horry-Georgetown High School Juried Fine Art Exhibition, 8th Annual Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild Juried Exhibition, Myrtle Beach Collects, Life Line Screening, Summerfest 2005, The Adorning Arts: Art to Wear,
  The Paintings of Ray Kass, ACSC/Spring Safari

During March of 2005, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Celebrated 44th annual Canadian-American Days Festival® with more than 60 businesses exhibiting and nearly 2,500 visitors and locals attending the Kickoff Celebration
• Held 12th annual Member-to-Member Table Top Business Expo and Business After Hours with 143 exhibitors and more than 850 members in attendance
• Published 16th edition of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Statistical Abstract (free copies available at welcome centers and online)
• Attended Southeast Tourism Society's Congressional Summit in Washington, D.C. while lobbying on important legislatives issues affecting the Grand Strand area
• Held two worthwhile training events: Women's Business Forum attended by 30 members and Construction Safety Training with a turnout of around 45 people
• Celebrated two ribbon-cutting ceremonies: Venice Bakery and Ashley Furniture Homestore
• Booked 10,394 room nights into member properties
• Distributed 45 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers
• Serviced 27 groups representing 7,323 people
• Exhibited at 2 trade shows promoting to the group market and 3 consumer shows
• Answered 26,166 phone calls
• Greeted 27,330 visitors at our welcome centers
• Fulfilled 49,781 qualified inquiries
• Welcomed 33 new members
• Recorded 251,219 user sessions, an average of 8,104 per day
• Assisted 37 travel writers and other media
• Sent 19 news releases and/or public service announcements
• Recorded 1,654,423 year-to-date referrals from chamber Web site business directory; Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupon-Books/Packets; Discount-Cards; Night Clubs; Bars; Entertainment Cruises-Boat Excursions/Sightseeing; Comedy Clubs/Piano Bars; Amusements; Golf-Courses; Attractions; Most Popular Events requested from online calendar of events: An Everlasting Piece: Quilts From the McKissick Museum; 6th Annual Horry/Georgetown High Schools Juried Exhibition; Summer Family Golf Tournaments; Myrtle Beach Collects; 8th Annual Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild Juried Exhibition; Summerfest 2005; Pier Birding Pleasure; Exhibit: "The Last Album: Eyes From the Ashes of Auschwitz-Birkenau;" Association of Carolina Shag Clubs /Spring Safari

During February of 2005, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Named Chamber of Commerce of the Year by the Myrtle Beach Herald's Best of the Year 2004 contest (readers' choice awards)
• Supported the Carolinas I-73 Transportation Summit and I-73 Stakeholders Meeting
• Participated in the Job and Volunteer Assistance Fair
• Participated in and hosted a reception for the 2005 Governor's Conference on Tourism & Travel
• Held two exciting networking events: Business After Hours attended
  by around 300 members (sponsored by Costco Wholesale) and Connections Marketplace with a turnout of 46 members
• Co-sponsored Wednesday Welcome (hospitality training) attended by 37
• Celebrated 4 ribbon-cutting ceremonies: Garden City Furniture Co. Inc., Palmetto Employment Solutions, Hungry Howie's Pizza & Subs and Carrabba's Italian Grill
• Booked 11,624 room nights into member properties
• Distributed 51 leads
  to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers
• Serviced 31 groups representing 8,924 people
• Exhibited at 6 trade shows promoting to the group market and 6 consumer shows
• Answered 13,028 phone calls
• Greeted 13,833 visitors at our welcome centers
• Fulfilled 21,917 qualified inquiries
• Welcomed 30 new members
• Hosted a Warm Welcome reception with 19 members attending
• Recorded 214,099 user sessions, an average of 7,646 per day
• Assisted 31 travel writers and other media
• Sent 13 news releases and/or public service announcements
• Recorded 826,644 year-to-date referrals from chamber Web site business directory; Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupon-Books/Packets; Night Clubs; Bars; Golf-Courses; Entertainment; Real Estate-Condo/Cottages; Theaters-Live; Amusements; Theaters-Dinner Attractions; Cruises-Scenic/Dinner/Dances; Most Popular Events requested from online calendar of events: An Everlasting Piece: Quilts From the McKissick Museum; Summer Family Golf Tournaments; 6th Annual Horry/Georgetown High Schools Juried Exhibition; 8th Annual Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild Juried Exhibition; Pier Birding Pleasure; Myrtle Beach Area Collects Exhibit: "The Last Album: Eyes From the Ashes Of Auschwitz-Birkenau;" Summerfest 2005; Home Show 2005 

During January of 2005, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Hosted a successful Legislative Reception with Coastal Carolina University - attended by 115 business leaders and more than 100 South Carolina legislators
• Sponsored a popular North Strand Table Top Business Expo with North Myrtle Beach and Little River chambers of commerce and Colonial Mall-Myrtle Beach - 120 businesses exhibited
• Held two exciting networking events: Business After Hours attended by around 600 members (held during expo with North Myrtle Beach and Little River chamber members) (sponsored by Islamorada Fish Co.) and Connections Marketplace with a turnout of 75 members (sponsored by Edward Jones: Brenda J. Varnum, AAMS)
• Celebrated 3 ribbon-cutting ceremonies: Specialty Appliance, All Points Travel and Moonstone Beads & Crafts Inc.
• Booked 8,123 room nights into member properties
• Distributed 64 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers
• Serviced 11 groups representing 6,070 people
• Exhibited at 1 trade show promoting to the group market and 8 consumer shows
• Answered 19,077 phone calls
• Greeted 9,367 visitors at our welcome centers
• Fulfilled 28,300 qualified inquiries
• Welcomed 23 new members
• Recorded 297,881 user sessions, an average of 9,609 per day
• Assisted 23 travel writers and other media
• Sent 11 news releases and/or public service announcements
• Recorded 471,605 year-to-date referrals from chamber Web site business directory; Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupon-Books/Packets, Night Clubs, Real Estate-Condo/Cottages, Theaters-Live, Bars, Golf-Courses, Cruises-Scenic/Dinner/Dances, Theaters-Dinner Attractions, Amusements, Entertainment; Most Popular Events requested from online calendar of events: Myrtle Beach Area Collects Exhibit, An Everlasting Piece: Quilts From the McKissick Museum, Summer Family Golf Tournaments,
  8th Annual Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild Juried Exhibition, 6th Annual Horry/Georgetown High Schools Juried Exhibition, Exhibit: "The Last Album: Eyes From the Ashes Of Auschwitz-Birkenau," Symphonic Jazz, Free Family Day Chinese New Year Celebration, Summerfest 2005

During December of 2004, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Hosted a Legislative Luncheon attended by 166 chamber members and state lawmakers
• Presented two Telephone Doctor seminars with an attendance of 233
• Collected and shared members' holiday specials with visitors; answered around 388 phone calls from Dec. 27-31 requesting New Year's info
• Booked 7,920 room nights into member properties
• Distributed 25 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers
• Serviced 9 groups representing 2,435 people
• Exhibited at 3 trade shows promoting to the group market
• Answered 189,564 phone calls
• Greeted 263,951 visitors at our welcome centers
• Fulfilled 11,415 qualified inquiries
• Welcomed 14 new members
• Recorded 193,548 user sessions, a 67% increase over 2003; an average of 6,243 per day
• Assisted 30 travel writers and other media
• Sent 9 news releases and/or public service announcements
• Recorded 68,185 year-to-date referrals from chamber Web site business directory; Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupon-Books/Packets, Night Clubs Theaters-Live, Golf-Courses, Real Estate-Condo/Cottages, Theaters-Dinner Attractions, Cruises-Scenic/Dinner/Dances, Entertainment, Real Estate-Company; Most Popular Events requested from online calendar of events: New Year's Eve Party 2005, Beach Ball Classic, Myrtle Beach Collects Exhibit: "The Last Album: Eyes From the Ashes Of Auschwitz-Birkenau," An Everlasting Piece: Quilts From the McKissick Museum, Free Family Day Chinese New Year Celebration, Music From the Theater, Great Orchestral Classics, Beach Music Celebration

During November of 2004, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Sponsored South Strand Business Expo with Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, Surfside Beach Business Association and Inlet Square Mall
• Hosted Wednesday Welcome, front-line hospitality training, with 40 in attendance
• Sponsored Bar Code Managers Training with South Carolina Tourism & Hospitality Educational Foundation
• Assisted with 2004 Ambassadors Tour bringing international exposure to the Grand Strand
• Collected and shared members' Thanksgiving specials with visitors
• Championed Vote YES on minibottles referendum during Nov. 2 election
• Distributed 41 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers
• Serviced 24 groups representing 3,477 people
• Booked 9,996 room nights into member properties
• Exhibited at 4 trade shows promoting to the group market and 2 consumer shows
• Answered 8,312 phone calls
• Greeted 14,523 visitors at our welcome centers
• Fulfilled 9,831 qualified inquiries
• Added 23 new members
• Recorded 207,867 user sessions, a 62.14% increase over 2003; an average of 6,929 per day
• Assisted 32 travel writers and other media
• Sent 16 news releases and/or public service announcements
• Recorded 11,568,971 year-to-date referrals from chamber Web site business directory; Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupon-Books/Packets, Night Clubs Theaters-Live, Golf-Courses, Theaters-Dinner Attractions, Real Estate-Condo/Cottages, Cruises-Scenic/Dinner/Dances; Most Popular Events requested from online calendar of events: Hurricane Hazel: Transforming the Grand Strand, Christmas at Broadway, A Rivertown Christmas, Surfside Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony, Nights of a Thousand Candles, North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony, Georgetown Christmas Parade, Conway Christmas Parade

During October of 2004, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Held its 64th annual meeting with more than 350 members attending awards luncheon and educational sessions; awarded 10 individual and business awards
• Hosted 1st President's Gala with more than 140 attending event
• Hosted Wednesday Welcome, front-line hospitality training, with 41 in attendance
• Co-sponsored U.S. Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants
• Hosted 2004 Association of Membership Executives for the Carolinas (AMEC) Conference at Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes
• Distributed 35 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers
• Booked 9,035 room nights into member properties
• Serviced 48 groups representing 7,777 people
• Exhibited at 3 trade shows promoting to the group market and 3 consumer shows
• Answered 10,333 phone calls
• Greeted 21,845 visitors at our welcome centers
• Fulfilled 11,277 qualified inquiries
• Added 23 new members
• Recorded 209,983 user sessions, a 26.54 percent increase over 2003; and an average of 5,030 per day
• Assisted 37 travel writers and other media
• Sent 11 news releases and/or public service announcements
• Hosted or assisted in arranging familiarization tours for media from Anniston, Ala.; Burlington, Ontario; Group Travel Leader; and Southern Living
• Helped arrange shoot for new Turner South show "Lantana Life"
• Recorded 11,266,078 year-to-date referrals from chamber Web site business directory; Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupon-Books/Packets, Theatres, Theatres-Dinner Attractions, Restaurants and Real Estate-Condo/Cottages; Most Popular Events requested from online calendar of events: St. Andrew's Taste of the Town, A Rivertown Christmas, Surfside Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony, Christmas at Broadway

During September of 2004, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Hosted 2004 Grand Strand Regional Grassroots Meeting with S.C. Chamber of Commerce and other area chambers
• Co-sponsored Bar Code Managers Training program with South Carolina's Tourism and Hospitality Educational Foundation
• Distributed 52 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers
• Booked 14,287 room nights into member properties
• Serviced 51 groups representing 19,853 people
• Exhibited at 6 trade shows promoting to the group market and 1 consumer show
• Fulfilled 11,330 qualified inquiries
• Greeted 21,797 visitors at our welcome centers
• Added 17 new members
• Recorded 155,405 user sessions; an average of 5,180 per day
• Assisted 41 travel writers and other media
• Sent 9 news releases and/or public service announcements
• Hosted or assisted in arranging media familiarization tours for German media group, Michigan travel writer and Gary, Ind., outdoors writer
• Assisted TV (Turner South) producer planning pilot on beach music featuring Myrtle Beach area
• Participated in live airing of SCETV Road Show in the Myrtle Beach area
• Recorded 10,872,132 year-to-date referrals from chamber Web site business directory; Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupon-books/packets, Nightclubs, Cruises-scenic/dinner/dances; Top Keywords entered most often in searching online business directory: Hotel, Restaurant, Bank, Real Estate

During August of 2004, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Trained staffs at all four chamber welcome centers in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The group learned basic first aid techniques that could help visitors in an emergency.
• Distributed 58 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers.
• Booked 3,701 room nights into member properties.
• Serviced 57 groups representing 6,218 people.
• Answered 11,507 phone calls.
• Greeted 35,023 visitors at our welcome centers.
• Fulfilled 28,868 qualified inquiries.
• Added 47 new members.
• Recorded 221,328 user sessions; an average of 7,140 per day, up 22.17 percent over last August.
• Received recognition as one of the Best of the Web tourism sites from Travel + Leisure.
• Earned first-place for retained dollars in dues income in the $1 million-over category from National Association for Membership Development.
• Assisted 65 travel writers and other media.
• Sent 4 news releases and/or public service announcements.
• Recorded 10,670,709year-to date referrals from the chamber Web site business directory; Top Business Categories displayed most often from online business directory: Coupon-books/packets, Nightclubs, Cruises-scenic/dinner/dances; Top Keywords entered most often in searching online business directory: Hotel, Newspaper, Campgrounds.

During July of 2004, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Opened a new Airport Welcome Center, where representatives greet incoming visitors, distribute brochures and other literature, and answer questions about the Myrtle Beach area and the airport.
• Distributed 56 leads to convention and motorcoach lead service subscribers.
• Booked 6,720 room nights of new group business in member properties.
• Serviced 75 groups with 14,879 attendees.
• Welcomed 40,550 visitors into our welcome centers.
• Fulfilled 54,155 qualified inquiries.
• Handled 13,244 phone calls.
• Added 31 new members.
• Recorded 298,961 user sessions; an average of 9,644 per day, up 18.46 percent over last July.
• Sent 5 news releases, public service announcements and/or notices.
• Assisted 41 travel writers and other media.

During June of 2004, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Threw a wildly successful Sun Fun Festival. A first-time regional marketing campaign by the chamber helped increase crowd size.
• Promoted 5 cooperative advertising opportunities to members. Visit http://www.myrtlebeachinfo.com/chamber/com/co-ops.htm to see which co-op opportunities are still available.
• Booked 10,943 room nights at member properties.
• Serviced 54 groups with 6,931 attendees.
• Welcomed 36,343 visitors into our welcome centers.
• Fulfilled 33,732 qualified inquiries.
• Handled 17,262 phone calls.
• Added 43 new members.
• Recorded 300,226 user sessions; an average of 19,008 per day, up 25.97% over last June.
• Sent 5 news releases, public service announcements and/or notices.
• Assisted 69 travel writers and other media.

During May of 2004, you Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Launched new advertising initiative "The Early School Outs Campaign", directed at counties in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina that wrap up their public school terms on or before May 27. Created to bolster business in the first two weeks of June that have been declining in recent years.

   

• Recorded almost 11.9 million hits, more than 269,000 user sessions, and almost 770,000 page views on our Web site www.myrtlebeachinfo.com. Hits were up 85%, users sessions 15.5%, and page views 27.1% above last May's totals.
• Booked 16,123 new group room nights at member properties.
• Exhibited at 2 tradeshows, geared toward the meetings and international markets.
• Welcomed 21,214 visitors into our lobbies, up from 16,071 in May 2003.
• Provided services to 20 groups with 2,455 attendees.
• Added 27 new members.
• Fulfilled 25,406 qualified inquiries.
• Handled 19,859 phone calls.

During April of 2004, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Hosted I-73 Congressional Road Rally in Myrtle Beach with local officials, tourism leaders, state lawmakers and more than two dozen U.S. congressional staffers in attendance. It was a chance for elected officials from all levels of government to talk about the road's plans and see the need firsthand.
• Recorded almost 10.2 million hits, more than 244,000 user sessions, and almost 679,800 page views on our Web site www.myrtlebeachinfo.com. Hits were up 39.8%, users sessions 18.9%, and page views 6.3% above last April's totals.
• Booked 11,271 new group room nights at member properties.
• Exhibited at 2 travel shows, promoting the area to consumers. Exhibited at 3 tradeshows, geared toward meeting planners and tour operators.
• In an effort of continued cooperation, partnered with the Georgetown County Chamber and North Myrtle Beach Chamber, for Business After Hours with the Pelicans.
• Held "Best Practices of Internet Marketing" and "Immigration/Employment Law" seminars.
• Welcomed 24,812 visitors into our lobbies, up from 17,280 in April 2003.
• Provided services to 52 groups with 9,327 attendees.
• Added 33 new members.
• Fulfilled 30,138 qualified inquiries.
• Handled 20,150 phone calls.

   

During March of 2004, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Held 3 community forums to gather input on our services, benefits, and programs. This information will help us in updating our strategic plan.

   

• Recorded almost 13.1 million hits, more than 294,000 user sessions, and almost 893,900 page views on our Web site www.myrtlebeachinfo.com. Hits were up 72.2%, users sessions 34.3%, and page views 34.2% above last March's totals.
• Booked 5,182 new group room nights at member properties.
• Exhibited at 3 travel shows, promoting the area to consumers. Exhibited at 7 tradeshows, geared toward meeting planners and tour operators.
• Held the 11th annual Member-to-Member Tabletop Expo, which featured 144 exhibitors and drew about 800 attendees.
• Provided information/photography to 26 print, broadcast, and electronic media representatives. Sent out 11 news releases, 9 public service announcements, and 4 media invitations/notices.
• Welcomed 20,430 visitors into our lobbies, up from 15,776 in March 2003.
• Provided services to 42 groups with 11,941 attendees.
• Added 25 new members.
• Fulfilled 49,610 qualified inquiries.
• Handled 25,417 phone calls.

During January of 2004, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Processed 68,863 qualified inquiries, up 43% from last January.
• Provided services to 12 groups with 2,695 attendees, earning a satisfaction rating of a perfect 5 on a 1-5 scale.
• Placed 138 national newspaper ads (23,989,228 circulation), 12 national magazine ads (9,406,836 circulation). Bought 62 Canadian newspaper ads (2,458,000 circulation), 4 meetings magazine ads (132,083 circulation), and 2 international magazine ads (245,300 circulation).
• Recorded almost 10.8 million hits, more than 302,750 user sessions, and almost 707,500 page views on our Web site www.myrtlebeachinfo.com. Hits were up 51.3%, users sessions 49%, and page views 32% above last January's totals.
• Booked 6,616 new group room nights at member properties.
• Generated 73 leads for convention bureau subscribers.
• Partnered with the S.C. Association of Tourism Regions to market the area at consumer travel shows in Atlanta and Cincinnati and with the Campground Association in Pontiac, Michigan, and Nashville.
• Named Ian Robinson Ambassador of the Year for 2003.
• Welcomed 6,797 visitors into our lobbies.
• Answered 30,494 phone calls.
• Provided information/photography to 37 print, broadcast, and electronic media representatives. Sent out 10 news releases/public service announcements/media invitations.
• Added 23 new members.

   

During 2003, your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Processed 524,872 total inquiries, 341,643 of them being qualified.

   

• Provided services to 462 groups with 153,209 attendees, earning a satisfaction rating of 4.85 out of a possible 5.
• Ended the year with 2,488 members, 87% of whom were renewals.
• Answered 252,933 phone calls, an average of 4,864 per week.
• Recorded more than 77.5 million hits, 2.3 million user sessions, and 6.3 million page views on our Web site www.myrtlebeachinfo.com
• Booked 100,722 new group room nights at member properties.
• Generated 525 leads for convention bureau subscribers, exceeding goal of 500.
• Made 85,691 referrals by telephone to member businesses.
• Greeted 45 motorcoaches, with more than 1,844 passengers, from 15 U.S. states and Canada.
• Placed 1,780 ads and anchored 45 advertising co-ops. Conducted direct mail campaigns with a total circulation of 206,000 and sent an additional 3,287,622 four-page cooperative pieces.
• Hosted 90 networking/professional development sessions for members.