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Greetings!    


This week marks a moment that has been a long-time in the making.  This Thursday, JetBlue makes its inaugural flight from New York's JFK airport and Boston to the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport.

With our tourism-based economy, anytime you can make traveling easier and more enjoyable for your guests and residents, it's a win-win for everyone.  With daily non-stop service from two of the top tourism markets for our destination, JetBlue has done just that.

JetBlue flying to the Lowcountry doesn't just happen.  It's been a collaborative effort between your chamber, the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Visit Savannah and the Savannah Economic Development Authority.  It's been a partnership in every sense of the word and it has paid off in a big way with the acquisition of JetBlue flights to our area.

JetBlue understands that 48% of flyers landing at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport are coming to the island, and thanks to your chamber being involved every step of the way, their marketing reflects that.  There is currently a $600,000 marketing campaign underway in New York and Boston designed to build awareness of the new JetBlue routes. Hilton Head Island is front-and-center on everything from the tops of  hundreds of taxi cabs, to ads in the Boston Globe and NY Post. I thought you might enjoy the recent taxi cab sighting below.

JetBlue's inaugural flight is so much more than just another incoming plane.  It means more travel choices for visitors and residents.  It means lower pricing for all as competition works its magic.  It's a great day in the Lowcountry and we're thrilled to be part of it.

In honor of the inaugural flight, JetBlue will be making a flyover at 2,000 feet as it passes by the Harbor Town Lighthouse Thursday morning.  It's just their way of saying "hello" to Hilton Head Island and we're glad they're here.

Have a great week!

 

    

Sincerely, 

Bill email MMB signature  

 

Bill Miles, IOM, CCE

President & CEO 

Follow Me On Twitter @MilesatChamber 

P.S. Thursday is Business EXPO - it's a big day for business in the Lowcountry and we look forward to seeing you there. One lucky attendee will win a pair of JetBlue tickets!  See full EXPO details below.


Did you know:

Your chamber's Leadership and Jr. Leadership programs continue to thrive and grow, developing the Lowcountry's emerging leaders. 
For more information about upcoming classes and how you can take part, contact Hannah Horne at [email protected]

Business EXPO

This Thursday! February 13 

Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa 

Flood Insurance Summit 10 am  
EXPO 11 am-5 pm    MEGA After Hours 5-7pm

It's EXPO time!   Chock full of great networking, seminars and more, Thursday's EXPO begins at 11:00 a.m. with a MEGA Expo After Hours from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Get the day started with our informative no-cost Flood Insurance Summit at 10:00 a.m. With over 2,000 attendees, Business EXPO is the largest business networking event in the Lowcountry.   
  • 10:00 am: EXPO Flood Insurance Summit - From Headlines to Bottom Lines - Why It Matters! 
    Industry experts share valuable news on this hot topic and address questions in an informative Q&A session.  Is there a difference in insurance rates for primary home versus second homes?  When do  new rates begin?  There are lots of questions out there. Don't miss this valuable no-cost seminar! 
  • 11:00 a.m. Business EXPO Begins!  Build your business at the largest business networking event in the region!
  • 5:00-7:00 pm: MEGA EXPO After Hours!
    Let the networking begin! Enjoy great food, complimentary beer, wine and entertainment, exhibitor giveaways and more!
  • 6:30 p.m. Special Drawing for JetBlue Tickets! 
    One lucky attendee will walk away with a pair of JetBlue tickets!  Must be pre-registered and present to win! 

 

There is no cost to attend EXPO during the day. Cost is $10 to attend EXPO After Hours for members. $20 for non-members.

There is no charge to attend the Flood Insurance Summit but registration is required so we can provide adequate seating for attendees.
Presenting Sponsor:
                           

EXPO After Hours Sponsors:
Palmetto Electric logo   

                                      Internet Sponsor:
 
                               
Flood Insurance Summit Sponsors:

       
    
Be An Olympian With Winning Career Goals  

 

The road to the Olympics is not easily traveled. As the world's elite athletes compete in the 2014 Winter Games, viewers around the globe are witness to physical prowess, human performance and excellence.

 

Are you doing what it takes to bring home the gold in your career?  
Click here to learn more in this report from businessfinancialpost.com 
Bluffton Regional Business Council Luncheon
Bluffton Branding Reveal 
Presented by Rawle Murdy Associates
Wednesday, February 19 
11:30 a.m. Registration,   Noon Luncheon 
Bluffton Rotary Community Center 
Oscar Frazier Park, Bluffton 

 

Join us on Wednesday, February 19 for the final Bluffton Branding Reveal at our Bluffton Regional Business Council Luncheon.  Bluffton's new, creative branding is ready to roll out for tourism and economic development.

The town's unique charm and innovative spirit has been captured in the new brand that will be used in marketing materials, print and broadcast. The chamber, in partnership with The Town of Bluffton, invites you to see it first!

Presenting Sponsor: 
Chamber Brings in Disney's Best!  Lee Cockerell
Former Exec. VP for Disney
Thursday, February 20
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa 

 

 Learn from Disney's best, Lee Cockerell, about how to take your  customer service to a whole new level! 

Don't miss this seminar, based on Lee's new book "The Customer Rules: 39 Essential Rules for Delivering Sensational Service." You'll leave with the tools you need to en
gage clients and potential clients like never before!  

 

"At Zappos, many of our business decisions revolve  
around the customer.  Lee Cockerell understands
the importance of a great customer experience and shows
you how to deliver happiness to your customers."
 

Tony Hsieh,
 
CEO of Zappos.com 

Cost to attend the seminar is $20 for members, or special price of $25 also provides entry to February's Business After Hours at Crazy Crab north-end location. Cost for non-members is $30, $35 for seminar and after hours.

This seminar is sure to be a sell-out!  Register early. Seating is limited.  
Leaders Can't Lead By Themselves 

   

Whether you're running a big company like Johnson & Johnson or a local business, when it comes to leadership, good leaders understand the need for collective action.

 

How good are you at bringing together your team to make the decisions that can help your company succeed? 
Click here to learn more in this report from knowlege.wharton.upenn  
February Business After Hours 
The Crazy Crab North-end Location 
Thursday, February 20 
5:30-7:00 p.m. 

February's Business After Hours heads over to Crazy Crab's north-end location on Thursday, February 20 from with a special guest appearance by former Disney VP and author Lee Cockerell.

Come join us for some casual networking, gorgeous marsh views and great signature Crazy Crab specialties along with complimentary beer and wine and great door prizes!  The cost to attend is $10 for chamber members  and $20 for non-members.
Chamber Tech Tuesday
Synergistic Marketing: The Traditional to Digital Evolution
Tuesday, February 25
Presented by Ryan Lockhart, Expanding Profits 
12:00-1:00 p.m. 
Chamber Headquarters 

 

Join our Tech Tuesday roundtable, focused on finding technology solutions for your business needs. This year-long series of classes is free and open to the public. Our guest educators cover everything from cybersecurity to website performance.

 

Join us for our next Tech Tuesday with Ryan Lockhart of Expanding Profits as he talks about "Synergistic Marketing: The Traditional to Digital Evolution."  

 

Come find out  why your website should be the center of all marketing efforts and what it should be doing for you company.  Whether you're in real estate, medicine, hospitality or countless others - marketing is essential to grow your business!

 
Sponsored by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Council. 
RSVP to Hannah Horne at [email protected] 

Explore the French Riviera

Special Member Tour

Plan Your 2014 Vacation Now!  

April 24-May

 

Ready to explore the French Riviera? Here's your chance!  Join your fellow chamber members for a fabulous 9-day getaway in the famed French Riviera, filled with history, art and culture. 
Highlights include the Nice Cours Saleya Flower Market, Rothschild Villa and Gardens, Monaco, Roman Arena and more with an optional 3-Night Paris post-tour extension.

Plan your 2014 vacation now! Don't miss this great opportunity, offered in partnership with
Island Travel and Collette Vacations.  For more information contact Cathy Havens at [email protected]
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Advocacy in Action

This week your chamber will be attending the
following meetings on behalf of our members:

 

Monday, February 10

 

Beaufort County

Beaufort County Council Meeting 

4:00-6:00 p.m.

Click here for full agenda 

 

Tuesday, February 11

 

Town of Hilton Head Island  

Economic Development Corp. Meeting 

9:00-11:00 a.m.

Click here for full agenda  

 

Town of Hilton Head Island

Public Safety Committee Meeting

5:00-6:00 p.m.

Click here for full agenda 

 

Town of Bluffton  

Town Council Meeting 

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Click here for full agenda 

 

Wednesday, February 12

 

Beaufort County

Finance Committee Meeting

3:00-5:00 p.m.  

Click here for full agenda
 

Town of Hilton Head Island     

Planning Commission

6:00-8:00 p.m. 

Click here for full agenda

 

Thursday, February 13

 

Beaufort County 

Beaufort County Council Retreat 

1:00-5:00 p.m. 

  

Beaufort County 

Rural & Critical Lands Board Meeting 

3:00-5:00 p.m.

 

Friday & Saturday, February 14, 15 

 

Beaufort County 

Beaufort County Council Retreat 

8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Meetings are subject to change. 

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BUSINESS EXPO
This Thursday!
February 13, 2014
Westin Hilton Head
Island Resort & Spa
One-Day MEGA Event
Networking, Seminars & More!

     

 

 

Chamber Calendar


February 13 

Business EXPO
One-Day MEGA Event
Westin Hilton Head Island
Resort & Spa
11:00-5:00 pm EXPO
5:00-7:00 p.m. After Hours

February 19
Bluffton Regional Business
Council Luncheon
Bluffton Branding Reveal
Bluffton Rotary Community Center
Oscar Frazier Park, Bluffton

11:30 a.m. Registration
Noon Luncheon
Register Here

February 20
Lee Cockerell Seminar
Former Disney Exec. VP &
Author of "The Customer Rules:
39 Essential Rules for Delivering Sensational Service"
Westin Hilton Head Island
Resort & Spa
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Register Here

February 20
Business After Hours
Crazy Crab
North-end Location
Hilton Head Island
5:30-7:00 p.m.

February 25
Tech Tuesday
Speaker: Ryan Lockhart
Expanding Profits
Topic: "Synergistic Marketing:
Traditional to Digital Evolution"
12:00-1:00 p.m
Chamber Headquarters

February 26
Chamber Young
Professionals Group
Corks, Bluffton

March 4
Business Education
Partnership Meeting
8:30 a.m.
Chamber Headquarters

March 7
Government Affairs
Committee Meeting
8:00 a.m.
Chamber Headquarters


Did you know...  

on the chamber website:  
You can link to the
Career Resources Center
for the latest job openings

New Members

Zounds Hearing
Tony Abbott
25 Sherington Drive, Suite A
Bluffton, SC 29910
zoundshearing.com/corp

Labor Panes
Chris Kemp
194 Bull Point Dr.
Seabrook
laborpanes.com/low-country  

Ribbon-Cuttings

Monday, February 17
5:00 p.m. Ribbon-Cutting
Society of Bluffton Artists
SOBA
6 Church Street at
corner of Calhoun St., Bluffton 

Wednesday, February 19

5:00 p.m. Ribbon Cutting
Open House 4:00-5:30 p.m.
First Federal, A Division of
SCBT Wealth Management
9 Oak Forest Drive
Bluffton

Saturday, March 1
6:00 p.m. Ribbon-Cutting
Open House :00-9:00 p.m.
House of Color Salon & Spa
Charity Partner: Alzheimer's Assoc.
$20 Admission: 100% of proceeds
go to charity, gift bags, prizes & more!
14 Oak Forest Road
Suite A, Bluffton 

Around Town...

Community Calendar

 

Community Calendar Highlights  

 

  "Don't Dress for Dinner" at
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra presents "German Romantics"

The Greenery's "Get Ready for Spring"

Singing Valentines by Hilton Head Barbershop Quartets

Valentine's Day at ELA's

Heritage Library: Researching African American Family History

Sarah Burns 'Girl on the Run'
CD-Release Show

Bluffton's Largest Craft &
Rummage Sale

Click Here for a full listing  

of what's happening this week

in the community:

 

Click Here to submit

your event to the Chamber Community Calendar:

 

Click Here to submit

your event to the  

Visitor & Convention

Bureau Calendar 


Reach Your Audience:

The Chamber Monday Morning Briefing and our
Chamber Business Monthly publication offer business members a great opportunity to reach their core audience. Sponsorship and advertising rates for these outlets are very reasonable.

If you'd like to find out more,
please contact Anne Feldman at