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Greetings!    


Researchers at USCB are currently conducting the chamber's annual membership survey. Thank you to the hundreds of members who have taken time to share your thoughts on everything from satisfaction level with the work of the chamber and its staff, to what you think about economic development.
 
It's always interesting taking the "pulse" of the business community and summing up the current overall mood and direction of business in the coming year based on the preliminary results.  When asked about the coming year for your own businesses the vast majority are expecting profits to rise.
 
What are the challenges to business in the coming year? When we asked that question, the majority of respondents replied "economic uncertainty."  The cost of health insurance also ranked among the top three concerns. That's proof that what's happening in Washington does play a role in how you feel about the future.
 
I'd also like to say thanks for the confidence in your chamber. The overwhelming majority of members are very satisfied or satisfied with the work your chamber is doing and the professionalism of our staff. We base our plans and programs on the input we receive from you. We value your feedback, both good and bad, we are always striving for excellence.

This month's Chamber Business Monthly offers a sneak peek at some of the preliminary survey results, click here to view it.  Check it out and stay tuned for more.

Have a great week!


Sincerely, 

  

 

Bill Miles, IOM, CCE

President & CEO 

Follow Me On Twitter @MilesatChamber 

P.S. Hats off to the incredible job done by The Riverstone Group, Steve Birdwell and his team at the Sea Pines Resort! Take time out of your day to check out the new Plantation Golf Club which is a spectacular new facility that reopened last week. The Hilton Head Island Renaissance continues!

P.P.S. Hope to see you next Monday at the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. 
 

Did you know:

As a chamber member, you
also receive complimentary membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  It's just another one of your many chamber member benefits.

Look who's on the US Chamber's homepage!  Patrica Owen, Faces DaySpa & Boutique

 

https://www.uschamber.com/ 

RBC Heritage Tickets
Now On Sale! 
April 14-20 

The chamber's got your ticket! Join the excitement, don your plaid and get ready with tournament badges, daily tickets, Clubhouse Ticket packs and Doc's BBQ Club booklets.  
Come See Us on the 18th Fairway at #Social Central!

Everyone's Invited!  Stop by and see all the action in one place at the chamber's Social Media Lounge #SocialCentral on the Heritage Lawn, with 6-foot multi-viewing screens showing tournament action and live social updates!  

Share your RBC Heritage experiences & photos via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and enjoy tournament play from the best seat in the house, the perfect spot to catch Friday's Boeing flyover at noon!    

#SocialCentral is your cell phone Wi-Fi friendly zone to make calls, charge-up, connect with fans & PGA TOUR Pros!
Chamber's #HeritageSelfie campaign shows #RBC excitement as local fans countdown to RBC Heritage!  Above: Barry The Wine Guy Kroger  
Leadership Informational
Coffees - Join Us!
This Thursday, April 10 
& Thursday, April 24 
9:00-10:30 a.m. 
 
Enhance your leadership skills and knowledge of Southern Beaufort
County by becoming a part of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program.

Want to learn more? Stop in for some coffee and join us for one of our informational meetings. Two convenient meetings will be held this Thursday, April 10 at Bluffton Town Hall and Thursday, April 24, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at chamber headquarters.

For more information contact Hannah Horne, [email protected].
Chamber Quarterly Breakfast Briefing 
The Expanding ADA: Temporary Impairments, Leave Requests& FMLA/Worker's Comp Employment Seminar 
Chamber Headquarters 


Tuesday, April 15
Presented by Melissa Azallion
McNair Law Firm, P.A.  
Breakfast 8:00-8:30 a.m.  
Seminar: 8:30-9:30 a.m

Don't miss this opportunity to learn what you need to know to ensure your business is prepared for key labor and employment developments. Come hear about the expanding ADA: temporary impairments, leave requests, FMLA/Worker's Comp interaction and more.

TOPICS INCLUDE: 
  • Temporary Impairment & Recent Fourth Circuit Decision
  • Management Training & ADA Issues
  • ADA, FMLA, Worker's Comp and more 
There is no cost to attend. All members are welcome. Seating is limited. Presentation sponsored by McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Business After Hours 
The Beach House  
Thursday, April 24 
5:30-7:00 p.m. 

April's Business After Hours goes oceanfront at the Beach House!

Come enjoy great signature specialties from the Beach House's newest addition, The Porch Southern Kitchen & Bar along with complimentary beer and wine, great door prizes and more!

April's Business After Hours is co-hosted by Segway and the Beach House.
The cost to attend is $10 for chamber members and $20 for non-members.
Chamber Bike & Dine Week
April 28 - May 4 

Join us for Chamber Bike & Dine Week, April 28th through May 4th. All chamber restaurant partners are invited to join in and there is no cost to participate.  Need a bike rack, just let us know!

Hilton Head Bike and Dine RestaurantsParticipating restaurants will be offering special Bike & Dine Week menus to patrons arriving by bike along with special discounts and more!

 

Mark your Calendars!    

Saturday, May 3rd 

Islander's Beach Ride @ Coligny

 

Coligny will be unveiling a unique Lowcountry bike rack like you have never seen on the Island!  Meet us in the plaza at 9:00 a.m. for the ribbon cutting and then join us for the Islanders Beach Ride @ Coligny starting at 10am!

Presented by:
 

Click here to register for
Chamber Bike & Dine Week
The Art of Good Leadership 

Looking for a good leader?  You only have to look as far as their team. 
 
Authentic leaders produce happy and productive teams. Doing a good job and getting opportunities to do more may be all it takes when it comes to success for your team and your company's bottom line. 
 Click here  to learn more in this report from newyorktimes.com
Heart of the Lowcountry 
Art Contest & Exhibit 
Reception Thursday, April 24
5:30-7:00 p.m.
 

If you were to describe what makes Bluffton your heart of the Lowcountry, what would it look like?

The Town of Bluffton, together with the chamber and the Society of Bluffton Artists is hosting an arts contest and exhibit so you can display your love of Bluffton.  As a part of Bluffton's new brand, Bluffton: Heart of the Lowcountry, everyone's encouraged to show your heart in an art form: photographs, paintings, sculptures, iPhone pictures, drawings and mixed media.

Awards will be given in the following categories: professional, amateur, student/elementary, student/middle school, student/high school and college.
An awards ceremony and reception will be held at the Society of Bluffton Artists Center for Creative Arts on Thursday April 24 from 5:30-7:30pm.
Click Here for entry forms and more information 
Beaufort County Air Day
Hilton Head Island Airport / Beaufort County Airport 
Saturday, April 26
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.  

Come on out for Beaufort County Air Day and enjoy an entertaining afternoon viewing aircraft, great food  from local restaurants and a family-friendly children play-and-build area. Hilton Head Island Airport Air Day will take place on Saturday, April 26.
Click here for more information.

Sponsors:  Shell Gas, Inc., BJWSA, Signature Flight Support, i2 Recycle and CareCore National
May River Clean Up  2014
& Earth Day Celebration 
Saturday, April 26, 9am-Noon 

Join the Town of Bluffton's 14th Annual May River Cleanup and Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Oyster Factory Park, located on the end of Wharf Street.

The Earth Day celebration continues with a green resource expo at Carson Cottages from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Stop by the chamber's Earth Day booth and learn more about sustainability and ecotourism in the Lowcountry.

The family-friendly event is supported by volunteers, local businesses, environmental groups, schools, the Town of Bluffton, Neighbors for Clean Water, Waste Management, Keep Beaufort County Beautiful, Beaufort County Recyles and Palmetto Pride. 
 
 
For more information on the May River Clean up and how to participate contact Beth Lewis at 706-4559 or [email protected] 
Exclusive Play! Business Golf Classic Belfair - West Course 
Selling Quickly!
Monday, May 12
Registration: 10:30 a.m.
Noon Shotgun Start! 

Spots are filling up fast for the 22nd annual Business Golf Classic! For the first time, this popular tournament will tee off at Belfair's exclusive West Course with a noon shotgun start.

Golfers from novice to pro can enjoy this fun and fast shamble format tournament. A box lunch included as well as a reception and awards ceremony.

Enjoy a day on the greens with enhanced contests and prizes featuring our exciting new Mulligan package, including a sleeve of Slazenger golf balls, choice of wedge or hybrid club from Warrior Golf and more!

Prizes and contests include $100,000 putting challenge, hole in one, longest drive, closest to the pin, "Target on the Green" and great raffle prizes including a set of Taylormade Rocketballz clubs and golf foursomes.

With a limited field of 128 golfers, it's always a sell-out! New member promotion opportunities are available. Cost to play is $185 per player or $740 per team.

Presenting Sponsor:

Supporting Sponsor:        

Explore the French Riviera

Special Member Tour

Plan Your 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 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, April 7 

 

Town of Hilton Head Island

Economic Development Board

9:00-11:00 a.m.

Click here for agenda 

 

Beaufort County

Finance Committee Meeting

12:00-2:00 p.m.

Click here for full agenda

 

Beaufort County

Natural Resources Committee Meeting

2:00-4:00 p.m.

 Click here for full agenda

 

Beaufort County

Governmental Committee Meeting

4:00-6:00 p.m.

Click here for agenda

 

Beaufort County

Planning Commission Meeting

6:00 -8:00 p.m.

Click here for agenda

 

Town of Bluffton

Strategic Planning Workshop

4:00-6:00 p.m.

Click here for agenda 

 

Tuesday, April 8

 

Beaufort County 

Natural Resource Committee Meeting

Development Agreement Subcommittee 

2:00-4:00 p.m. 

Click here for agenda

 

Town of Bluffton

Town Council Meeting

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Click here for full agenda 

 

Thursday, April 10   

 

Beaufort County 

Airports Board Meeting

1:30-3:30 p.m.

 

Beaufort County 

Rural and Critical Lands Board Meeting

3:00-5:00 p.m.

 

Beaufort County

Capital Project Sales Tax Commission

5:00-7:00 p.m.

Click here for full agenda 


Meetings are subject to change. 
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 Quick Links
 


 




Chamber Calendar

April 10 & April 24
Leadership Informational Coffees
9:00-10:00 a.m.
April 10:  Bluffton Town Hall
April 24: Chamber Headquarters
Register Here

April 22
Tech Tuesday
Speaker: John Lundin, PhD,
Topic: "The 3 Questions for
Web Success"
Chamber Boardroom
12:00-1:00 p.m.
RSVP Here

April 24
Business After Hours
The Beach House
Hilton Head Island
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Register Here

April 26 
May River Cleanup &
Earth Day Celebration
Old Town Bluffton

April 30

Chamber Young Professionals
Corks, Bluffton
5:30-7:00 p.m.

Save the Date!
 Business Golf Classic
Belfair Plantation
Tuesday, May 12
Register Here

May 19-23
Small Business Week
Awards, Seminars & More!

Did you know...  

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

New Members

Dr. Travis Sizemore
1403 Main Street Village
Hilton Head Island
fraum.com

The Concierge Chef, LLC
Scott Westerbeck
24 Surf Scoter Road
Hilton Head Island

Coastal Garage Experts
Terry Meenach
301 Central Avenue, #325
Hilton Head Island
garageexperts.com

Atlantic Appraisals, LLC/
Valbridge Property Advisors
Mark Peterson
800 Main Street, Suite 202
Hilton Head Island
atlanticappraisals.com

Spartina 449

Jessica Sferlazzo
32 Calhoun Street
Bluffton
spartina449.com

Mikkelson & Bannon LLC
Meredith Bannon
Ryan Mikkelson
1278 May River Road
Bluffton
blufftonlawfirm.com


Ribbon-Cuttings

Thursday, April 24
5:00 p.m. Ribbon-Cutting
Followed by Business After Hours!
The Porch Southern Kitchen & Bar
at the Beach House
1 South Forest Beach Dr,
Hilton Head Island
TheBeachHouseHHI.com 

Around Town...

Community Calendar

 

Calendar Spotlight 

 


Historic Michelville
 
5K Run/Walk, April 12

Click Here

 

Community Calendar Highlights  

 

Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra "Symphony Under the Stars"

 

Gregg Russell Concert
at Liberty Oak, Harbour Town

Bluffton Farmer's Market

Four Corners Gallery Third Annual Man Show Exhibit

Spring Art Walk in Old Town Bluffton

Jordan Ross at Harbourside
 Burgers & Brews

Early Easter Event
Grace Community Church

Easter Egg Hunt at First Presbyterian Church

Hilton Head Island Historic Mitchelville 5k Walk/Run


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