Greetings!

When we tell you we value your input, we mean it.  Many of our best ideas come from our members.  Our annual membership survey not only gives us valuable feedback on how we're doing as an organization, it also reveals your economic outlook and what you feel are the biggest issues facing our community.

The survey is done in partnership with researchers at USCB.  For validity purposes, participants are randomly selected by computer to receive the survey.  Thank you to so many of you who responded and took the time to give us your feedback. It provides not only a snapshot on where we are, but fantastic feedback on where we're headed.

I'm encouraged to see so much optimism among the business community.  46% of our members are very confident about the financial future of their business. 52% were somewhat confident and only 2% of you were not very confident.  This number has risen in the last few years and we're encouraged by the positive outlook on business.

When we asked members what they feel are the most significant challenges to the future of their business, ranking high were the cost of health insurance benefits and a lack of qualified workers. These are concerns we usually see in our survey that show businesses are hiring and staffing issues are top priorities.  Your chamber has a number of programs in place to assist in this arena.  If you're looking for employees, the chamber's online job center is a great place to start where you can post  your job openings at no cost.  We also have a number of valuable seminars on everything from social media marketing to how to retain and find great employees through local experts and our partners with SCORE.

Why do you belong to the chamber?  Your top reason for belonging is additional exposure for your business followed by networking opportunities and the ability to get involved in the business community. Rounding out the top 5 reasons are the business credibility by association with your chamber of commerce and the fact that the chamber is a source of business leads and referrals.

When it comes to the top issues you feel are facing our community, your top three are 1. Economic development, 2. Aging/dated commercial buildings and 3. Infrastructure needs, e.g. roads and sewer.  Also important to you is increasing tourism, workforce development and commercial air service on Hilton Head Island.

Thanks for the vote of confidence in your chamber.  90% of you have said you plan to renew your membership.  The vast majority of our members are very satisfied/satisfied with their membership with only 4% stating they are dissatisfied with 21% being neutral on the subject.

Stay tuned for additional programs and initiatives geared toward your "wish-list" and business needs. Don't wait until the next survey to let us know your feedback.  If you have ideas and concerns, we want to hear about them.

We appreciate our members. Have a fantastic week!


Sincerely,

 

 

 

Bill Miles, IOM, CCE

President & CEO

Follow Me on Twitter @MilesatChamber

 

  

 


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.


We're celebrating Small Business Next Week! 

TUESDAY: Tech Tuesday 
12:00-1:00 P.M.
Join us for Tech 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  
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. Keynote
speaker will be Kay Stanley, founder of Spartina 449, LLC, at Corner Perk in Old Town Bluffton. Cost to attend is $10 for members.

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 drinks from Captain Woody's and Street
Meet with complimentary beer and wine. Enjoy 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 
Business Golf Classic 
Was A Sell-Out !

Thanks to all our tournament players who participated in the chamber's 23rd annual Business Golf Classic at Spring Island's exclusive Old Tabby Links course.

Congrats to our Winners:

A Flight:

FIRST PLACE:

BB&T Carswell/Jay Mullinax/Seacrest Partners
John Vann, Scott Slawson, Scott Richardson, Jay Mullinax

SECOND PLACE:
Haig Point
Jason Cherry, Fred Denton, Richard Gagne, Lesly Crick

THIRD PLACE:
First Citizen's Bank
Justin Rice, Ray Deal, Roberts Vaux, Todd Brown

B Flight:

FIRST PLACE:
BNC Bank / Tidelands Bank
Paul Walter, Michael Brown, David Deaton, Kirk Dehaan

SECOND PLACE:
Enterprise Holdings
Neil Semcheski, Brett Edwards, Robbie Eastland, Josh Setina

THIRD PLACE:
Rainbow International by High Tide
Ryan Moore, Ned Mullis, Jerry Ross, JJ Hegan

Closest to the Pin - Tray Hunter

Longest Drive Female - Lesly Crick

Longest Drive Male - Dave Clark


Presenting Sponsor:                                        Tee Gift Sponsor:


 
                 

               
Hole Sponsor:                              Prize Sponsor:
                     

Beaufort County Business License Renewals Due May 31 

Businesses that operate in the unincorporated areas of Beaufort County must renew their business licenses by May 31. 

Forms are available at www.co.beaufort.sc.us. For more information contact the Beaufort County Business License Department at 843-255-2270
Forms are available at www.bcgov.net. For more information contact the Beaufort County Business License Department at 843-255-2270
S.C. Lowcountry SCORE   
Small Business Workshop Series 
Simple Steps For Growing Your Business 
Tuesday, 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 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 is being offered to members at no cost and covers topics from customer service to financial management.

 

Tomorrow, 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 workshop is ideal for start-ups or established small businesses that want to grow.
 
 SCORE professionals, certified small business counselors in specialized fields, will lead the group discussion.  There is no cost to attend. Advance registration is required. 
Chamber Bike & Dine Week
Was a Great Success!


Thanks to all who joined us for Chamber Bike & Dine Week and enjoyed  the island's bike friendly setting along with all those great bike and dine specials, from lunch meet-ups to Friday's popular Bikes, Brews and Bites! 
  
It was a great turnout for Saturday's Community Beach Bike Ride at Coligny Beach Park, organized by the Town of Hilton Head Island and the  Bicycle Advisory Committee.

Now in its third year, Chamber Bike & Dine Week is sponsored by Coligny Plaza

The Kohl's Factor: Setting a Course for Success 

Kohl's is the picture of success, ringing up $19 billion in sales per year.  Yet, the department store chain was a struggling company  in the 1980s until former president Jay Baker and his management team led it to become the retail giant it is today.

Are you leading your business on its path to success?
Click here  for more details in this report from fortune.com
Chamber Young Professionals 
Don't Miss It! Wednesday,  May 27
Southern Barrel Brewing Co. 
5:30-7:300 p.m
 
Join our Chamber Young Professionals at 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 11

Town of Hilton Head Island

Community Services Committee  Meeting

9:00-11:00 a.m. 

 Click here for full agenda

 

Beaufort County

Governmental Committee Meeting

3:00-4:00 p.m. 

 Click here for full agenda

 

Beaufort County

County Council Meeting

4:00-6:00 p.m. 

Click here for full agenda

 

Tuesday, May 12

 

Town of Hilton Head Island

Town Council Special Meeting

& Budget Workshop 

4:00-6:00 p.m. 

Click here for full agenda

 

Beaufort County

Planning Commission Meeting

2010 Comprehensive Plan Review

5:30-7:30 p.m.

 

Town of Bluffton

Town Council Meeting

6:00-8:00 p.m. 

Click here for full agenda

 

Town of Hilton Head Island

Circle to Circle Committee Public Forum

6:00-8:00 p.m. 

Click here for full agenda

 

 

Thursday, May 14 

 

Beaufort County 

Rural and Critical Land Preservation Board Meeting

3:00-5:00 p.m. 

Click here for full agenda

 

 

Town of Hilton Head Island

Sewer Summit Workshop

5:00-7:00 p.m. 

Click here for notice

 

Meetings are subject to change.
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 Quick Links
 






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

Chamber Calendar


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.

June 24
Chamber Young
Professionals Group
The Dispensary
Bluffton
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   

 

All Saints Episcopal Church Garden Tour

 

Gypsy at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

 

SOBA Gallery Exhibit

 

Paintings by Lynda Potter

 

Author & Artist Event at Three Sisters Resale -  Linda Haviland & Leanne Coulter, Rhonda Davis, Sara Deitch, Sonja Griffin Evans

 

Tee Off Fore United Way

 

Putt-Putt for PEP Miniature Golf Tournament

 

John Paul II Catholic School Spring Art Show & Silent Auction

Bountiful Art and Beautiful Boats - Society of Bluffton Artists exhibit at Hilton Head Boathouse

Paddleboard Races on the May

Pizza & Pasta Palooza at Oyster Factory Park

Open Play Day at Colleton River U.S. Junior Amateur Championship Course

 

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