Greetings!

Get ready to learn more, do more and be more productive. As we head into fall, your chamber is gearing up with some great ways to help your business grow and get engaged in the community.

 

Get ready to roundtable! What if you had access to professionals who are experts in how to take your business to the next level, how to finance your entrepreneurial goals and how to do business better? You do have that opportunity with the chamber's business roundtable on September 16th. There are limited spaces available for this half day seminar that will bring experts to the table in an intimate setting where you can learn about tangible ways to take your business to the next level.

 

Do schools matter? Absolutely. Learn more at this week's candidate forum on Wednesday featuring those vying for one of South Carolina's most important jobs - state superintendent of education. Your vote counts so find out where the candidates stand on educating our students to prepare them for the workforce and the world.

 

United States Senator Lindsey Graham will be joining us for this year's State of the Region Luncheon on October 22nd. He will be bringing an insider view of what's happening in the volatile Middle East as well as what is happening in Washington that is shaping our region. We will also hear from our Mayors and County Council Chairman on Lowcountry challenges and priorities.

 

Tourism is our number one economic driver. Come hear CBS News lead travel correspondent Peter Greenberg discuss travel and tourism trends and what they mean at the local level. Seats are filling quickly for the September 22nd event, so make your reservations today.

 

Get all the details below and mark your calendar for these great fall events. Make it a season of growth and prosperity for you and your business!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Bill Miles, IOM, CCE

President & CEO

Follow Me on Twitter @MilesatChamber

 

  

 


Did You Know:

Your chamber partnered with the SC Chamber of Commerce in its efforts to support increased funding and advocacy in SC for infrastructure and bridge funding, workforce development, comprehensive tax reform and health care.

Chamber Hosts Candidate Forum: 
SC Superintendent of Education 
This Wednesday, September 10 
6:00-7:00 p.m.   
Bluffton Town Hall 

  
Join us for the chamber's Candidate Forum and find out more about the three candidates running for SC Superintendent of Education, Molly Spearman, (R); Tom Thompson, (D) and Ed Murray, (A).



Hosted by the chamber's Business Education Partnership Committee, the candidate forum is a great opportunity to meet our candidates and learn more about the issues that impact Beaufort County school districts.
The candidate forum is free and open to the public. To learn more about the candidates go to hiltonheadblufftonchamber.org.
Meet Peter Greenberg: America's Top  
Travel News Journalist


2014 State of the Region Luncheon 
Keynote Speaker: U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham
Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa 
Wednesday, October 22 
Registration: 11:15 a.m. Program: 12:00 p.m. 

Find out how our area leaders are tackling the biggest issues shaping our region. Join the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce for the 19th annual State of the Region luncheon on Wednesday, October 22nd.

Keynote speaker, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, along with Hilton Head Island Mayor Drew Laughlin, Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka and Beaufort County Council Chairman Paul Sommerville will discuss important regional issues. One of the community's most popular events, over 700 business and community members attended last year. 

Tickets are $35 for chamber members and $45 for non-members. Cost includes a plated lunch. Seating is limited. Register now to attend. Table of 8 is $280. Table of 10 is $350.  

U.S. Airways Magazine

Showcases Lowcountry 

Holiday travelers on U.S. Airways will have an opportunity to learn more about the Lowcountry with an extensive 50-page editorial in the December issue of U.S. Airways magazine, which reaches over 6.5 million of the most affluent readers nationally and internationally each month.
 
Don't miss this opportunity to join the chamber, US Airways Magazine and your fellow business leaders to learn how your organization can secure a page or more of editorial coverage in this international magazine. 
 Click here to contact Heather Buchman for details.
Strategic Decision Making: 9 Trends to Look Out For

Good decision-making takes more than just smarts -- it includes hard work, decisiveness and the ability to handle the unexpected.

How good are you when it comes to the right calls? 
Click Here to learn more in this report from harvardbusinessreview.com
Business Roundtable: Grow Now, Learn How
Tuesday, September 16
Business Roundtable: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Hot Topics Discussion: 10:00-11:00
Chamber Headquarters 

Show Me the Money, People Power, Business Leadership and more!  Learn more about leading your business to succeed at the chamber's Business Roundtable.

Featured discussion leaders from the Small Business Administration, USCB Small Business Center, SCORE and the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, will cover issues that impact small business and focus on best practices for growth.

  

Quick Session Format features Hot Topic Discussions: 

  • Marketing: Social, digital, traditional
  • Business Management
  • Financing: loans, government contracting
  • Legal issues, human resources and more!
From getting started to sealing the deal, the Business Roundtable is an excellent one-stop-shop for all your business questions.  Join us and learn more at the no-cost Business Roundtable. Seating is limited. 
Got 5 Minutes? Take the SC SBDC Survey 

We are collaborating with the SC Small Business Development Centers to gather information on how to improve the services they offer to small businesses. It also helps us, as a chamber, assess business needs and provide training and education in those specific areas through this valuable research.

The easy to answer survey will provide valuable information about your business and our business community.  Please complete the survey by September 15th.
Click Here to take survey
Business After Hours
Country Club of Hilton Head
Tuesday, September 16
5:30-7:00 p.m.  

 Business After Hours moves to Tuesday night for the special premiere unveiling event at the newly redesigned Country Club of Hilton Head.  Enjoy fall networking at its best and tour the club's new half-million dollar renovation.

Come enjoy Executive Chef Mark Lietzke's signature Lowcountry cuisine along with complimentary beer and wine, special door prizes and more!

The cost to attend is $10 for chamber members and $20 for non-members.

 


 
Success is Beating Expectations

Remember when "The Lion King" was the No. 1 movie?  That completely beat everyone's expectations, and as Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks Animation CEO says, that's what success is all about.

What are you doing to exceed expectations?
Click Here to learn more in this report from fortune.com
Tech Tuesday: Email Marketing 
What's Your Open Rate? 
Presenter: Anissa Starnes, Constant Contact 
Dir., Regional Development 
Tuesday, September 23 
12:00-1:00 p.m.   
Chamber headquarters  

 

Want to maximize your social media and email marketing? Learn how at our next Tech Tuesday with Anissa Starnes of Constant Contact.

 

Find out the best way to reach your market! Constant Contact is the trusted marketing adviser to over 550,000 small organizations worldwide. You'll learn the ins and outs of getting your message across, from how to up your open rate to getting readers to take action. 

  

Tech Tuesday, a year-long series of classes sponsored by the chamber's Small Business Council, is free and open to the public.  

Chamber Quarterly Breakfast Briefing

Presented by Melissa Azallion

McNair Law Firm, P.A.  

Wednesday, September 24 

Topic: 10 Years Later - State of Handbook Law in SC 

Breakfast 8:00-8:30 a.m.  Seminar: 8:30-9:30 a.m

Chamber Headquarters
Don't miss this opportunity to learn what you need to know to ensure your business is prepared for key handbook law developments.

Come hear about SC's handbook statute and case law development in the ten years since the statute became law.  

 

TOPICS INCLUDE: 

  • Developments since the enactment of statute 
  • Pre-statute case law standards not addressed by enactment of statute
  • What your handbook should look like to give you the best approach to keep at-will employment at your company
There is no cost to attend. Seating is limited. Presentation sponsored by McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Chamber Young Professionals
Friday, September 26
Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks 
5:00-7:30 p.m. 
 
Fall breezes off the dock make for great fall networking at September's Chamber Young Professionals. Join us at Hudson's for a fun Friday social with "Show Your College Colors' theme.

Come see what the chamber's popular networking group for the under-40 set is all about! 

 
Small Business Saturday 

Get on-board with the chamber's Shop Local campaign and sign your business up for Small Business Saturday!  

 

This year, the chamber's a Neighborhood Champion and member businesses can join in to receive special promotional materials and list your business on the Small Business Saturday site. 

 

Take part in the Shop Local campaign to support area retailers on one of the busiest shopping days, Small Business Saturday on November 29.  Deadline to register your business is October 16.  

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Advocacy in Action

This week your chamber will be attending the



Monday, September 8

Town of Hilton Head Island
Public Safety Committee Meeting
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Click here for full agenda
Beaufort County
Beaufort County Council Meeting 
4:00-6:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda 
 
Tuesday, September 9

Town of Hilton Head Island 
Economic Development Corp. Meeting
9:00-11:00 a.m.
Click here for full agenda

Town of Bluffton
Town Council Meeting
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda 


Meetings are subject to change. 
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 Quick Links
 







Chamber Calendar

      

September 10

Candidate Forum

SC Superintendent of Education

Bluffton Town Hall

6:00-7:00 p.m.  

Click here to learn more  

about the candidates 

 

September 16

Business Roundtable

Grow Now, Learn How! 

Chamber Headquarters

 Business Roundtables

 Hot Topic Discussions

8:00-11:00 a.m. 

RSVP Here  

 

September 16

Business After Hours

Tuesday Evening Event 

Country Club of Hilton Head

5:30-7:00 p.m.

RSVP Here 

 

September 22
Meet Peter Greenberg
America's Top Travel Journalist
Chamber Luncheon
Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
11:30 Registration
Noon Luncheon

September 23 

Tech Tuesday with

Anissa Starnes, Constant Contact Topic: Social Media & Email Marketing

Chamber Headquarters

12:00-1:00 p.m.  

RSVP Here 

 

September 26

Chamber Young  

Professionals Group 

Fun Friday Social at  

Hudson's Seafood House

on the Docks

5:00-7:30 p.m.

RSVP Here 

 

October 3
Government Affairs
Committee Meeting
Chamber Boardroom
8:00 a.m.

October 7
Business Education
Partnership Committee
Location: Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence (ACE)
8:30 a.m.

October 21

Tech Tuesday

Presenter: Rick Hubbard,
The First Organization
Topic:  Tech Tuesday YouTube: Video Marketing Your Business 

Chamber Headquarters

12:00-1:00 p.m.  

RSVP Here   

 

October 22

State of the Region

Hilton Head Marriott  

Resort & Spa

11:15 a.m. Registration

12:00p.m. Program

Register Here

Did you know...  

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

New Members
Crush Entertainment
Josh Lynch
43 Cobblestone Ct.
Hilton Head Island
www.facebook.com/MC.DJCrush

Innovative Objects
Russ Grundy
14 Wexford Club Drive
Hilton Head Island
www.innovativeobjects.com


Ribbon-Cuttings


Tuesday, September 23
5:30 p.m. Ribbon-Cutting
Mediterranean Harbour
Bar & Grill
13 Harbourside Lane Unit B
Hilton Head Island

Around Town...

Community Calendar
 

Community Calendar Highlights  

 

PTR Wheelchair Tennis Championships at Chaplin Park

 

Whole Foods Market Free Workout with NBC4's Biggest Loser Trainer

 

An Evening of the Arts

 

 Literacy Volunteers Registration

 

Hilton Head Choral Society's POPS Concert "The Language of Love"

 

Run for the Brave

 

Hilton Head Italian Heritage Festival

  

Southern Living Idea House at Palmetto Bluff

 

 

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