Welcome
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New members
BAM Group
Jerry Plybon
Phone: 224-3261
Email:
Lane's Professional Pest Elimination, Inc
Lorne Hanewich
Phone: 843-238-9995
Email:
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Stars of the Industry
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On Monday, February 23, the South Carolina Hospitality Association hosted its annual Stars of the Industry Awards lunch. Hats off to the Charleston area winners!
 On-Going Special Event - Southern Wine & Spirits' Wine Expo & Vintner's DinnerBegun 25 years ago as a fundraiser for various charities, the Wine Expo & Vintner's Dinner has evolved into an event benefiting the Trident Technical College and the Culinary Institute of Charleston. Started by Hal Jones when he worked for Pearlstine Distributors, and now a major event for Southern Wine & Spirits, the event is actually four events in one - a black-tie dinner and live auction, an oyster roast, a trade only tasting and a Grand Tasting for the trade and consumers. Over the past five years, Hal and the Wine Expo have raised over $1,000,000 for the Trident Tech Foundation 
Good Earthkeeping - Charleston Area CVB
In 2008, the Charleston Area CVB established the "Green Team." Divided into five subcommittees, Utilities, Recycling, Purchasing/Waste Stream, Communications and Research, the CACVB is improving its own culture to help lead the way by promoting and shaping the green efforts of the area's hospitality industry and the community at large. |
| Travel Council |
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March 10
Regular Meeting
Charleston Tea Plantation
4:00 pm
Questions...contact Kelly Wood at kwood@charlestoncvb.com or 805-3084. |
2009 Official Charleston Wedding Guide
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If we learned anything from the economy this year (and after 9/11), it is that people still want to travel to the Charleston area for their wedding!
Don't miss out on the opportunity to grab that business! Check out the media kit on-line now! |
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UPCOMING MEETING DATES
March 18, 2009
featuring
Mayor Joe Riley, City of Charleston Charleston Marriott Board meeting: 10:30 am Networking: 11:30 am General Meeting: Noon April 22, 2009 featuring Taste of South Carolina Motorcoach trip to Columbia Motorcoaches leave from and return to the Charleston Area Convention Center Buses board: 8:30 am Buses return: around 3:00 pm May 20, 2009 featuring Lindsey Culbreth, Smith Travel Research Doubletree Guest Suites Historic Charleston Board meeting: 11:00 am Networking 11:30 am General Meeting: Noon RSVP FOR BOTH TO MBRATTON@CHARLESTONCVB.COM! |
Survey Says...
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Peter Yesawich on the state of travel
At the 2009 SC Governor's Conference on Tourism & Travel, Peter Yesawich had quite a good bit to say. Y Partnership continues to track travel trends and here is just a "tid-bit" of what we heard...
The marketing department of the Charleston Area CVB is already "in step" with these observations! For more on Peter Yesawich, visit his blog.
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2009 Congressional Summit...
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A small contingency of the board of directors for GCHMA traveled to Washington, DC on February 25 for annual office visits. Listed below are the issues that were presented to the following members of Congress: Majority Whip Clyburn, Reps. Barrett, Brown and Wilson and Sens. DeMint and Graham. Please look for a full report in April's newsletter.
Spousal Travel Deductions
The restoration of the spousal travel deduction is not only fair but is also needed to help spur additional travel by individuals and families. More individuals will be motivated to join their spouse on business travel and we hope to see trips extended to allow time for sightseeing and other leisure activities. All of which will help produce more jobs throughout the travel and tourism sector.
Meetings & Conventions Market
Meetings and conventions contribute nearly $16 billion in tax receipts at the federal, state and local level. Given the poor financial situation of America's cities and states, cuts to the tax base of communities could mean additional cuts to essential public services. Travel for meetings, events and incentives is a cost-effective tool that companies use to strengthen business relationships; align and educate employees and customers; and compensate employees for business performance.
The consequences of a decline in travel for meetings and events are significant, considering that this type of travel creates $101 billion in spending and one million jobs. Every community in the country pays a high price when visitation declines. When business meetings and incentive travel programs are demonized and cancelled, American workers - not CEOs - are the ones who pay the price. Bellmen, housekeepers, wait staff and other hourly wage employees - the backbone of our domestic workforce- are the first to lose their jobs as travel declines. In fact, without the jobs generated by meetings and events, the unemployment rate in the United States would jump from 7.6 percent to 8.2 percent.
International Tourism
Coastal South Carolina, USA is a destination marketing organization with a primary mission on positively impacting its region through increased international visitation. A non-profit corporation, Coastal South Carolina has a membership which includes the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Hilton Head Island Visitors & Convention Bureau. Other members include Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, Charleston Golf Inc, and the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association of Hilton Head Island as well as the Charleston International Airport, and the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
This organization is applying for a Department of Commerce MDCP grant. Research proves that international visitors stay longer and spend more money. Support is needed for the grant to ensure that a spotlight continues to shine on South Carolina in the international arena.
Federal Per Diem
Currently, the federal lodging per diem for the Charleston area is at a rate of $141 per night. This is outstanding and we are appreciative of the work of our delegation that has gone into attaining this rate. Support is needed to encourage the GSA to maintain this rate as it has increased in government meeting business in the past two years that the rate has increased.
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GOLD STARS for...
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 We would like to thank...
Our new GCHMA membership committee headed by Michael Kapoulis! Thanks to Michael, Jennifer Colangelo and Tom Moorman for contacting members about 2009 dues that have "yet to be paid".
Elliott Rhoad...Elliott contacted all three House members referenced in last month's newsletter regarding tourism marketing dollars. Thanks, Elliott for sharing with us and for stepping out front for the industry!
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