Greetings!

Facts and statistics are a powerful tool in business and we use them every day at your chamber. This month's Chamber Business Monthly  highlights some of the findings in our random-selection membership survey administered by USCB.

It's always interesting to check the pulse of what your fellow chamber members feel is important. If you're curious about what the business community feels are the top issues facing our community and which direction the economy is headed, don't miss this month's issue.

We also closely monitor the metrics that measure the economic engine of tourism. It seems that everyone has a theory on the health of our economy and the tourism industry and whether we're seeing more visitors or fewer visitors.

We rely on outside 3rd parties to provide metrics demonstrating how the destination is doing. We utilize Smith Travel Research and DestiMetrics, two of the hospitality industry's leading research organizations.  How are we doing?  If you look at the five-year trend, the number of visitors is increasing.  Occupancy has risen 22% since 2009.  Visitors are also spending more.  Average daily rates for hotels and homes and villas have risen 9% cumulatively over the last 5 years and the all-important measurement of Revenue Per Available Room, or RevPAR has risen 33% cumulatively during that same time frame.  Why does it matter?  Because it reflects a healthy and growing economy and that's a win/win for all of us.  

So when it takes slightly longer to get down Hwy. 278, or you have to wait a few minutes more at the grocery store check-out, or make a restaurant reservation, be patient and remember that's actually a good thing.  It means our economy is healthy and growing. 

Have a wonderful week!


Sincerely,

 

 

 

Bill Miles, IOM, CCE

President & CEO

Follow Me on Twitter @MilesatChamber

 

P.S.  Two great events:  Seeing a few more bikes on the road? It's Chamber Bike & Dine Week.  Check our website for participating restaurants and events. 

 

Hilton Head Institute's conference, The Forum: Courageous Conversations on America's Future, begins next week, May 14-16.  Bringing together some of today's most influential leaders, it's a rare opportunity to gain thought-provoking insights offered by this prestigious gathering. View details here. 

 

 


Did You Know:

Your chamber developed a comprehensive legislative agenda for 2015 with a focus on 18 key areas, among them:  economic development, immigration, education and workforce, tourism funding and transportation.

Chamber Bike & Dine Week 
May 4-May 9 


Join us for Chamber Bike & Dine Week, now through May 9th.
All chamber restaurant partners are invited to join in and there is no cost to participate.

Now in its third year, Chamber Bike & Dine Week is sponsored by Coligny Plaza. Participating restaurants will offer Bike & Dine Week menus with special dining offers to patrons arriving by bike.

With a full line-up of events, Chamber Bike & Dine Week celebrates the island's bike friendly setting with bike and dine specials, lunch meetups, Wednesday's after work ride, Thursday's bike to work day, Friday's Bikes, Brews and Bites and Saturday's community bike ride.

Mark your Calendars for Saturday, May 9th:  Community Beach Bike Ride at Coligny Beach Park

The ride, organized by the Town of Hilton Head Island and the Bicycle Advisory Committee is an open to all free bike ride from Coligny Beach.

CLICK HERE to register and for Chamber Bike & Dine Week schedule

We're celebrating Small Business in the Lowcountry! 
Don't miss a great opportunity to learn, network and grow - during Chamber Small Business Week.

TUESDAY: Tech Tuesday 
12:00-1:00 P.M.
Join us for ech Tuesday "Your Social Media Strategy from 30,000 Feet" with guest presenter Heidi Fedak of Gulfstream Aerospace, at chamber headquarters.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 - Member Appreciation Barbecue  
& Small Business Awards Ceremony 
11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.
 
You're Invited! Come and enjoy our member appreciation barbecue luncheon at the new Shelter Cove Community Park Pavilion. The chamber's prestigious Small Business Awards will be presented at noon: Small Business of the Year Award, Successful Startup and Young Professional Award. No cost to attend.

THURSDAY, MAY 21 - Women's Leadership Tea  
3:00-4:30 P.M. 
Learn from one of the Lowcountry's most  popular and successful small business owners - At the Women's Leadership Tea with keynote
speaker Kay Stanley, founder of Spartina 449, LLC, at Corner Perk in
Old Town Bluffton. Cost to attend is $10 for members which includes
complimentary entry to our Business After Hours Bluffton Block
Party.

THURSDAY, MAY 21 - Business After Hours Bluffton Block Party! 
 5:30-7:00 P.M. 
Come out for a great time at our special gathering in the chamber's
Bluffton office courtyard hosted by group 46. Enjoy a great Lowcountry
evening with great food and bars from Captain Woody's and Street
Meet offering complimentary beer and wine, and live music from the
band MUDDYCREEK on the balcony. Casual networking and our easy
Lowcountry setting, Herbkersman Park at the corner of Hwy 46 and
May River Road, make it the place to be! 
 CLICK HERE to register for all events 
S.C. Lowcountry SCORE   
Small Business Workshop Series 
Simple Steps For Growing Your Business 
Tuesdays, May 5-May 12  
Chamber Headquarters
5:00-7:00 p.m.
There is No Cost for Members to Attend 
Another Member Benefit from Your Chamber! 
 
Looking to improve your sales and grow your business?  Come learn how at the small business workshop series presented by the chamber in partnership with SC Lowcountry SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives. 

You're Invited!  Join us as our guest ~ An exclusive chamber member benefit: The workshop series is being offered to members at no cost and covers topics from customer service to financial management.

 

Tomorrow, May 5th: Financial Management

  • Attendees Will Learn:
  • How to Make the Most of Limited Resources
  • Why and How of Budgeting
  • Understanding Cost Accounting 
  • How to Manage Financials
  • Business Plans & Loans

Tuesday, May 12th:  Managing Operations  

  • Attendees Will Learn:
  • Successfully Manage a Business & Make a Profit
  •  Operations Management and Your Bottom Line
  • Planning Ahead for Growth -  Future Capacity Needs
  • Better Vendor Management to Improve Quality & Lower Costs
  • Define and Measure Key Performance Indicators
This series is ideal for start-ups or established small businesses that want to grow.
 
 SCORE professionals, certified small business counselors in specialized fields, will lead group discussions on topics from human resources to financials.  There is no cost to attend. Advance registration is required. 
Developing Leaders 

Today's business world is fast-paced and complex and new managers matter.  They're on the front lines with your workforce, customers and competitors.

Are you doing what it takes to develop new leaders in your business?
 Click here  for more details in this report from smartbrief.com
Business Golf Classic 
This Thursday! May 7
Spring Island
Old Tabby Links Course

Noon Shotgun Start
It's a Sellout!

Tournament players will enjoy a great day of golf with incredible play this Thursday at the chamber's 23rd annual Business Golf Classic at Spring Island's exclusive Old Tabby Links course.

Presenting Sponsor:                                        Tee Gift Sponsor:

 
                 

               
Hole Sponsor:                              Prize Sponsor:
                     

Click Here for details and brand opportunities
Chamber Young Professionals 
Wednesday,  May 27
Corks, Bluffton 
5:30-7:300 p.m
 
Our Chamber Young Professionals move to Southern Barrel Co. at Buckwalter Place for a fun gathering in Bluffton's latest hotspot!

If you're a young professional under 40, don't miss this great opportunity to network with your peers.  
 REGISTER HERE
Business After Hours
Wednesday, June 17
Mediterranean Harbour Bar & Grill, Shelter Cove
5:30-7:00 p.m. 

Mediterranean Harbour Bar & Grill is the perfect place for some casual outdoor networking at June's Business After Hours on Wednesday, June 17th at Shelter Cove Marina.

Come enjoy signature specialties, along with complimentary beer and wine, special door prizes and more!


The cost to attend is $10 for chamber members, $20 for non-members.
 REGISTER HERE
 
Advocacy in Action

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


Monday, May 4

Town of Hilton Head Island

Public Safety Committee Meeting

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 

Click here for full agenda

 

Town of Bluffton

Town Council Strategic Planning Session

2:00-5:30 p.m. 

Click here  for agenda 

 

Beaufort County

Natural Resources Committee Meeting

2:00-4:00 p.m. 

Click here for agenda

 

Beaufort County

Governmental Committee Meeting

4:00-6:00 p.m. 

Click here for full agenda

 

Beaufort County

Planning Commission Meeting

6:00-8:00 p.m. 

Click here for full agenda

 

Tuesday, May 5

 

Town of Hilton Head Island

Finance and Administrative Committee Meeting

2:00-4:00 p.m. 

Click here for agenda

 

Town of Hilton Head Island

Town Council Meeting

4:00-6:00 p.m. 

Click here for full agenda

 

Wednesday, May 6

 

Town of Hilton Head Island

Circle to Circle Committee Meeting

8:30-10:30 a.m. 

Click here for agenda

 

Thursday, May 7

 

Town of Hilton Head Island

Public Planning Committee Meeting

3:00-5:00 p.m. 

Click here for agenda

 

Meetings are subject to change.
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 Quick Links
 






SMALL BUSINESS WEEK 
Awards, Luncheons,  
Seminars & More 
May 18-22



Chamber Bike & Dine Week
May 4-9
Click Here for Participating Restaurants & Events Schedule


Chamber Calendar

May 5
Business Education
Partnership Committee
Speaker: Hank Amundson, Dir. of Workforce Dev., Lowcountry Council of Governments
Chamber Headquarters
8:30 a.m.

May 7
Business Golf Classic
Spring Island
Old Tabby Links
Noon shotgun start
It's A Sell-out!

May 18
Small Business Week
Seminars, Luncheons,
Workshops & More!

May 27
Chamber Young
Professionals Group
Southern Barrel Brewing Co.
Buckwalter Place, Bluffton
5:30-7:00 p.m.

June 2
Business Education
Partnership Committee
Chamber Headquarters
8:30 a.m.

June 5
Government Affairs
Committee Meeting
Chamber Headquarters
8:00 a.m.

June 17
Business After Hours
Mediterranean Harbour Bar & Grill
5:30-7:00 p.m.

Did you know...  

on the chamber website:  
You can link to the
Career Resources Center
for the latest job openings
New Members
Ribbon-Cuttings

Around Town...

Community Calendar


 

Calendar Spotlight

 

 

Hilton Head Institute Hosts
"The Forum: Courageous Conversations on America's Future"  3-Day Conference
May 14-16

Community Calendar Highlights   

 

Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Presents Chopin and Sibelius

 

Zip for Charity at Zipline & Aerial Adventure: Wexford Plantation Charitable Fund Event  

 

Gypsy at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

 

SOBA Gallery Exhibit "Quintessential Bluffton" Paintings by Lynda Potter

The Lowcountry Autism Fdtn & Park Plaza Cinemas
Special Moving Screening of
"The Family Next Door"

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head's Annual Spring Into Health Fair

Heritage Library Seminar:
Deep into the Heart of Germany

Bluffton Historical Preservation Society Mother's Day Tea

37th Bluffton Village Festival

3rd Annual Community Beach Bike Ride

 

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