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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.
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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!
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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:
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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
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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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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
- 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.
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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 Ri de 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.
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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?
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Click here for more details in this report from fortune.com
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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
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
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Meetings are subject to change.
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Quick Links |
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SMALL BUSINESS WEEK
Awards, Luncheons,
Seminars & More
May 18-22
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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.
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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
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DNA Performance Sportswear T.J. Dickerman 81 Pine Burr Road West Hilton Head Island weardna.com
Stuckey Furniture Showroom Susan Webb 5279 North Okatie Highway Ridgeland stuckeybrothers.com
Mikkelson Law Firm Ryan Mikkelson 1278 May River Road Bluffton blufftonlawfirm.com
Construction Management Services of Beaufort, LLC Kevin Lydon P.O. Box 1978 Beaufort cmservicesofbeaufort.com
The Joint-The Chiropractic Place Dr. Karianne Hart 38 Shelter Cove Lane Hilton Head Island thejoint.com
Done Right Cleaning Services 1 Cardinal Court Suite #17 Hilton Head Island
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Ribbon-Cuttings
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Friday, May 15 5:00 p.m. Ribbon-Cutting & Grand Opening Southern Barrel Brewing Co. Buckwalter Place, Bluffton Wednesday, May 27 Noon Ribbon-Cutting Grayco Hardware 6 Bow Circle The Crossroads Hilton Head Island
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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 |
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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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