Greetings!
Get ready for a great week ahead! It's national Small Business Week and we're celebrating with the business community in a very big way.
It's a week to reflect on the success of our Lowcountry small business community and a great opportunity for you to network with your peers and honor those businesses that set the benchmark for small business success. It's also a great opportunity to learn from some of the best in business. Tech Tuesday features social media expert Joel Kelly teaching participants how to maximize their social media marketing. Bring your laptop or tablet because it's a hands-on experience. The afternoon session is already full but there are still a few morning slots available.
He's been included on Inc.'s lists of fastest-growing businesses in the country for two consecutive years. If you've put gas in your car at a Parker's lately, you know it's a rapidly growing enterprise and its founder and CEO Greg Parker will be our keynote speaker for our Small Business of the Year Awards luncheon on Wednesday. We'll be announcing our Small Business of the Year, Successful Startup of the Year and honoring the Young Professional of the Year.
The week will culminate with a Business After Hours Bluffton Block Party you don't want to miss! The event will be held outdoors at the chamber's Bluffton office courtyard and sponsored by Bluffton businesses group 46, Omega Graphics and Print and the Corner Perk Caf�. Join us at the corner of May River Road and Hwy. 46 on Thursday for live music, complimentary beer and wine and great food provided by Captain Woody's. There will be shuttle service leaving from the Hilton Head Island chamber office on Thursday if you'd prefer to leave the driving to someone else. Reservations are required and limited so sign up today. You can register for all Small Business Week events by clicking here.
I look forward to celebrating small business with you this week. Join us!
Sincerely,
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USA Today's Top U.S. Island
10 Best Readers' Choice VOTE: Hilton Head Island!
USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards lists Hilton Head Island as a Best U.S. Island nominee. Cast your vote today!
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Did you know:
Your chamber's Leadership and Jr. Leadership programs continue to thrive and grow, developing the Lowcountry's emerging leaders.
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Applications for the Leadership class of 2015 are being accepted through Friday, May 23rd. Click here for more information.
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It's Chamber Small Business Week Learn, Network & Grow! May 19-23rd
TODAY! Pork in the Parking Lot & More
11:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M.
See you today at Pork in the Parking Lot - member appreciation barbecue!
TUESDAY: Tech Tuesday 12:00-1:00 P.M. Session Full!New Session Added: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Tech Tuesday's noon session has sold out! In response to member requests, a second session has been added with speaker Joel Kelly, director of social strategy, Verb Interactive. Don't miss this opportunity! Seating is limited. RSVP HERE.
WEDNESDAY: Small Business of the Year Awards Luncheon Limited Seating. Register Today!
Speaker Greg Parker, President & CEO, The Parker Companies, Parker's Convenience Stores
11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. The chamber's Small Business Awards will be presented during the award luncheon at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort.
Come hear keynote speaker Greg Parker, president & CEO of The Parker Companies. Parker's has been ranked among Inc.'s elite list of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S. Join us and learn how his strategy for success can make a positive difference for you and your business. Click Here to register.
THURSDAY: Business After Hours Bluffton Block Party! 5:30-7:00 P.M. Join us for a special Business After Hours-Bluffton Block Party celebration in Old Town Bluffton, at the chamber's Bluffton courtyard, hosted by group 46, Omega Graphics & Print and The Corner Perk Caf�.
Shuttle in Style! Motorcoach shuttle provided from the chamber's Hilton head Island office. All aboard at 5:15 p.m. Return at 7p.m. Limited seating. RSVP Today! Enjoy a great Lowcountry evening with food by Captain Woody's, complimentary beer and wine and live music from the MUDDYCREEK band! Casual networking and our Lowcounty setting, at the corner of Hwy. 46 and May River Road, make it the place to be!
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Click Here to register for Small Business Week events
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Chamber Bike & Dine Winner is...
Congratulations to Thomas Wade Smith for his creative entry in the #ChamberBikeAndDine selfie competition at Coligny's new unique bike rack by the fountain in the plaza. The popular contest was a part of the 2nd annual Chamber Bike & Dine, sponsored by Coligny.
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Thomas wins a gift pack from Coligny Plaza merchants valued at $250!
Thanks to everyone who sent in an entry.
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Leadership Class Unveils Wellness Fitness Trails
Jarvis Creek Park & Oscar J. Frazier Park
Ribbon-Cuttings, Thursday, May 2210:00 a.m. at Jarvis Creek Park, Hilton Head Island2:00 p.m. at Oscar J. Frazier Park, Bluffton
The 2014 Chamber Leadership Class will hold two ribbon-cuttings on Thursday, May 22 to unveil their class project, the Public Recreational Outreach (PRO) Wellness Fitness Trails located at Jarvis Creek Park and Oscar Frazier Park.
Each trail includes 10+ pieces of cross-training equipment, including a sit-up bench, pull-up bars and more. Join the chamber's leadership class in celebrating the grand-opening of the two new PRO Wellness Fitness Trails, dedicated to promoting active, healthy lifestyles on Hilton Head Island and in the Town of Bluffton.
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May's Business After Hours Winners
Congratulations to the winners of Thursday's drawings at Business After Hours at Marleys Island Grille! - $100 Visa Gift Card: Mary Trostal, Park Lane & Suites
- 2 Tickets to the Arts Center's hit musical "9 to 5:" Sharon Cass, Timeless Interiors
- SERG Restaurant Group Gift Certificate :Tim Golde, P.E., Alliance Consulting Engineers
- 2 tickets to Business After Hours: Bluffton Block Party with reserved seats on limousine shuttle: Lisa Craver, Seacoast Insurance
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Interested in Leadership? Be A Part of the Chamber Leadership Class of 2015
Enhance your leadership skills and knowledge of Beaufort County by becoming a part of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. Applications for the leadership class of 2015 are now being accepted. Developing leaders for more than 25 years, the leadership program is an in-depth, educational program that focuses on culture, history, environment, economics and civics of the Lowcountry area. Class selection is based on a written application and a personal interview. Applicants must have lived or worked in the area for a minimum of one year. Deadline for the application and three reference forms is Friday, May 23.
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Business After Hours
NEO
Thursday, June 19
5:30-7:00 p.m.
June's Business After Hours heads to NEO for some casual summer networking on Thursday, June 19 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Come enjoy NEO's fresh farm-to-table specialties, along with complimentary beer and wine, a premier bourbon tasting, great door prizes and more!
The cost to attend is $10 for chamber members and $20 for non-members.
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County Business License Renewals Due
Businesses that operate in the unincorporated areas of Beaufort County must renew their business licenses by May 31.
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Forms are available at www.bcgov.net. For more information contact the Beaufort County Business License Department at 843-255-2270.
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SBA Webinars on the Affordable Care Act
Presented in Partnership with Lowcountry SCORE Thursdays, 2:00 p.m., April-May
The Small Business Administration, Small Business Majority, and the Lowcountry SCORE Chapter have teamed up for a free webinar series on the Affordable Care Act and what it means for small businesses and their employees. The webinars are offered every Thursday at 2:00 p.m. through the end of May.
Topics covered include: - How to enroll in small business health insurance marketplaces
- Insurance Reforms
- The small business health care tax credit
- Employer shared responsibility provisions
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Advocacy in Action
This week your chamber will be attending the
following meetings on behalf of our members:
Monday, May 19 Town of Hilton Head Island Town Council Mid-Year Update Workshop 9:00 -11:00 a.m. Beaufort County Finance Committee Meeting 2:00-4:00 p.m. Click here for full agenda Beaufort County Public Facilities Committee Meeting 4:00-6:00 p.m. Click here for full agenda Beaufort County Capital Projects Sales Tax Commission Meeting 6:30-8:30 p.m. Click here for agenda Tuesday, May 20 Town of Hilton Head Island Town Council Meeting 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda Town of Hilton Head Island Public Hearing on TIF Amendment 5:00-7:00 p.m.Town of BlufftonTown Council Meeting 6:00-8:00 p.m. Click here for agenda Beaufort CountyBeaufort County School Board Meeting 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 21
Town of Hilton Head Island
Planning Commission Meting 3:00-5:00 p.m. Click here for agenda
Town of Hilton Head Island
Town Council Budget Workshop 5:00-7:00 p.m. Click here for full agenda
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Meetings are subject to change.
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Quick Links |
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Chamber Calendar
May 19-23 Small Business Week Monday: Pork in the Parking Lot Tuesday: Tech Tuesday Wednesday: Small Business Awards Luncheon with Keynote Speaker Greg Parker Thursday: Business After Hours Bluffton Block Party! Register for Events Here
May 28 Chamber Young Professionals Corks, Bluffton 5:30-7:00 p.m.
June 2 Business Education Partnership Committee Chamber Headquarters 8:30 a.m.
June 4 Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Leadership Class Graduation Bear Creek Golf Club Reception: 5:45 p.m. Program: 6:15 p.m.
June 6 Government Affairs Committee Meeting Chamber Headquarters 8:00 a.m.
June 17 Tech Tuesday Chamber Headquarters 12:00-1:00 p.m.
June 19 Business After Hours NEO Restaurant Moss Creek Village 5:30-7:00 p.m.
June 27 Chamber Young Professionals Group Location TBD 5:30-7:00 p.m.
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Did you know...
on the chamber website:
You can link to the Career Resources Center for the latest job openings
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New Members
Orange Leaf David Pierre 38 Shelter Cove Lane Hilton Head Island orangeleafyogurt.com
Whole Foods Market Brett Peterson 50 Shelter Cove Plaza Suite #R, Hilton Head Island wholefoods.com
Gourmet Appliances Jeremy Press 53 Persimmon Street Suite 101, Bluffton playandgourmet.com
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Ribbon-Cuttings
Tuesday, May 20 5:00 p.m. Ribbon-Cutting 5:00-8:00 p.m. Reception Winslow Kitchen Studio 34 New Orleans Road Hilton Head Island
Wednesday, May 21 5:00 p.m. Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Ceremony Segway of Hilton Head 33 Office Park Road Suite 215 Hilton Head Island Thursday, May 22 10:00 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Leadership Class Dedication of Class Project at Jarvis Creek Park with ribbon-cuttings for Pavilion and Fitness Trail, Hilton Head Island
Thursday, May 22 2:00 p.m. Ribbon Cutting Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Leadership Class Dedication of Class Project at Oscar Frazier Park, Bluffton
Thursday, May 22 5:00 p.m. Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Ceremony group 46 1323 May River Road Bluffton Immediately followed by Business After Hours Celebration 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 22 5:15 Ribbon-Cutting Omega Graphics Direct 1323 May River Road BlufftonImmediately followed by Business After Hours Celebration 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 5 5:00 p.m. Ribbon-Cutting Mike Reichenbach Chevrolet 10 University Parkway Okatie
Thursday, June 12 10:00 a.m. Media Sneak Preview & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Coastal Carolina Hospital Woman's Center Tours & Reception to follow 1000 Medical Center Drive Hardeeville
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Around Town...
Community Calendar
Community Calendar Highlights
9 to 5: The Musical at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
USCB Athletics Fundraiser Golf Tournament
Bluffton Farmers Market
Shelter Cove Park Farmers Market
Heritage Library & Coastal Discovery Speaker: Thomas C. Barnwell
Putting For Patriots at Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf 6th Annual Hilton Head Island Art Festival
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 |
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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
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