New Contacts
|
|
If you have a new contact in your office that you need shared with members of GCHMA, please email Catherine Dority at cdority@charlestoncvb.com to make the next newsletter!
|
| Travel Council |
|
| Meeting Schedule
October 9
Regular Meeting
Charleston Marriott Hotel
4:00 pm
November 13
Regular Meeting
James Island County Park
4:00 pm
Questions...contact Kelly Wood at kwood@charlestoncvb.com or 805-3084. |
2007 Congressional Summit
|
|
Visiting with the Congressional Delegation & Staff
Members of the group met with Sen. Lindsey Graham in the Russell Senate Building.
Dan Blumenstock joins Chad Prosser, SC PRT Director, and Yonnick Hammond, Cong. Henry Brown's office, at a Congressional Staff Reception.
Also attending the Congressional Staff Reception, were Sophie Lane,Sen. Lindsey Graham's office, Blair Goodrich, South Carolina's DC office and Ed Riggs.
Kathy Crawford, Cong. Henry Brown's Charleston District Manager, joined Pierre Estoppey at the reception.
| |
|
UPCOMING MEETING DATESOctober 11
FREE Customer Service Workshop for front desk staff led by Cindy Grosso Charleston Area CVB 9:00 to 11:00 am RSVP TO CDORITY@CHARLESTONCVB.COM. October 17General Meeting featuring Scholarship Awards Trident Technial College 11:00 am - Board of Directors 11:30 am - networking Noon - lunch RSVP TO MBRATTON@CHARLESTONCVB.COM. |
2008 Charleston Area Visitor Guide
|
|
 Don't be left out!
Facts to consider: The Official Visitors Guide is the ONLY guide that
reaches visitors before they arrive in the Charleston area...and before they
make important lodging, dining, and itinerary decisions. The Official
Visitor Guide is just that - OFFICIAL. It is the primary information
resource mailed by the Charleston Area Convention & Visitor Bureau in
response to increasing number of visitor inquiries it receives each year. Get your copy of the Media Kit by clicking here. |
3rd Quarter Roundtable with Chief Greg Mullen
|
|
Hosted at the CACVB on September 18
Hospitality leaders from the City of Charleston sat down with Chief Greg Mullen, Lieutenant Charlie Mitchell and Seargent Dale Wilson for the GCHMA/GCRA quarterly roundtable. Lt. Mitchell is now overseeing Team 2 after serving many years in West Ashley with Team 4. Sgt. Wilson continues to head up the tourism district but is now also overseeing a new group called TOPS (Tourism Oriented Policing Service). TOPS will include a total of 16 officers and will be fully operational by the middle of 2008.
Other exciting news included the City of Charleston playing host to Dr. Peter Tarlow's Travel Security Forum in January 2009! Thanks to the following members that attended: Dan Blumenstock, John Boyd, Lisa Crowley, Kerry Gionis, Jasen Jones, John Keener, Mitch Linder, Kellie Pickhardt, Mike Saboe and Maureen Sheridan.
If you are interested in attending the next roundtable, please email Cdority@charlestoncvb.com. |
2007 Congressional Summit
|
|
Worth the Trip!
This year's Congressional Summit was held in conjunction with TIA's Travel Leadership Summit. On Wednesday night, SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism hosted a dinner for the SC Congressional Delegation along with many hospitality leaders from around the state. Attending from the Congressional delegation, were Cong. Gresham Barrett, Cong. Henry Brown, Sen. Jim DeMint, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Cong. Bob Inglis and Cong. Joe Wilson. There were also staff members from the offices of Cong. Jim Clyburn and Cong. John Spratt.
During the day on Thursday, GCHMA board members joined Steve Beckham, SC PRT, to call on the offices of Cong. Jim Clyburn, Sen. Jim DeMint and Sen. Lindsey Graham. Although Cong. Clyburn was tied up with the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Meeting, the group met with Chief of Staff, Danny Cromer, and Legislative Aid, Acacia Salatti. Danny and Acacia have been on the Congressman's staff for many years and have continued to provide assistance when called upon. They had great information on the Gullah-Geechie Heritage Trail and when the new Commission will be created to oversee the Trail.
Sen. Jim DeMint and Jaqueline Wood took time out to cover a variety of topics with the group including runway expansion for the Charleston International Airport and new bill proposing matching grant dollars for international marketing.
Sen. Lindsey Graham and Laura Bauld met with the group in the Senator's conference room in the Russell building. Group members updated the Senator on an increase in business since the rise in the per diem rate as well as asked for his help in securing bids from the Department of Defense to hold meetings in the Charleston area. Sen. Graham also pledged his support in reviving the Senate Tourism Caucus.
On Thursday night, the group joined the SC Association of Tourism Regions and SC PRT in hosting a reception for Congressional staff. Over the years, we have learned that knowing the staff in Washington can make all the difference - just look at the per diem! Also, these offices experience turn over year to year so it is a great opportunity to meet new people. This year the event was held very close to the Hill making it easy for staffers to come by and join us. We had over 25 in attendance representing the offices of Senators Graham and DeMint, Congressmen Brown, Inglis, Spratt and Wilson.
Afterwards, the GCHMA members hosted a private dinner for key staffers in Congressman Brown's office including Ryan Bowley, Legislative Director, and Kathy Crawford, Charleston District Manager. Ryan had a chance to share with the group his knowledge of the airline industry. He has amazing contacts at many of the airlines and is excited about assisting our area in expanding our service.
Making this trip each year has become an important part of our mission. Securing these relationships has made all the difference for not only the Charleston area but for South Carolina as well. The tourism industry nation-wide continues to work to show Congress how important our economic impact is to the country.
Thanks to the following GCHMA Board Members who made the trip:
Dan Blumenstock, Holiday Inn Airport/Convention Center
Geoff Cipkala, Gateway Hospitality
Pierre Estoppey, Vendue Inn
Tripp Hays, Mills House Hotel
Helen Hill, Charleston Area CVB
David Jennings, Charleston County Aviaition Auth.
Ed Riggs, Charleston Area Convention Center
|
|
|
