Greetings!

 

If you look around the Lowcountry this summer, you'll see no shortage of visitors and that's a good thing. They're using their hard-earned vacation time to relax at the beach and take a break from the busyness of life.

 

We could learn a thing or two from their example. A recent survey by the travel news site Skift found that 42 percent of Americans with paid time off don't use it. The U.S. Travel Association considers it a serious issue that not only means less productivity from a burned-out workforce, but an economic issue as well with millions in lost revenue to the travel industry.  

 

A study commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association found that 91 percent of senior managers believe that employees who return from paid time off return to work recharged and more productive and research proves that to be true. So why do we seem to have such a hard timing leaving the office?

 

It's a number of factors. For many of us, it's fear of the workload that greets us upon our return. Studies show that for some workers it's the lingering fear that they will be viewed as less dedicated or productive. We have a culture of busyness and an attitude of 24/7 productivity that keeps many of us from using the vacation time we've earned. Even while vacationing the study showed that many of us have a tough time disconnecting with 46 percent responding to emails and checking in with the office.

 

If we knew of a medicine that would make us less stressed, more productive, closer to your family and friends and improve your positive outlook on life, Americans would be clamoring for a prescription. That pill exists and it's called vacation. No doctor needed. You can write your own prescription. Writer Anna Quindlen wisely noted you'll never be truly great at your work if your work is all that you are. She's right. Many of us should use some time off to recharge our batteries.

 

Look around this week. Notice the families on our leisure paths, enjoying the water and laughing at the restaurant. We should all aspire to be them this year.

 

Have a great week!

 


Sincerely,

 

 

 

Bill Miles, IOM, CCE

President & CEO

Follow Me on Twitter @MilesatChamber

 

  

 


Did You Know:

Looking for a service, or a potential new client? You can learn about members by reading New Member Highlights on the chamber's website. 
 
If you're a new member, send us your new member highlights, a brief description of your business and services and we'll feature you on the chamber website as well as in the Chamber Business Monthly. 
Business After Hours 
Thursday, July 16
Calibogue Cruise Delta Lady Riverboat
Broad Creek Marina
Reserve Your Spot Today! 
5:30-7:00 p.m.  

Summer networking doesn't get any better!  What better way to enjoy casual networking than seaside aboard Calibogue Cruises' Delta Lady riverboat.

Join us for a special  evening as we cruise out of Broad Creek Marina with panoramic water views along with great specialties from The Old Daufuskie Crab Company Restaurant, complimentary beer and wine, entertainment and more.

Enjoy this exclusive opportunity to relax, river-boat style!  Space is limited to 145, advance registration is suggested.  All aboard: Be at the marina by 5:30 p.m. We'll be leaving the dock at 6:00 sharp for a 7:00 p.m. return.

The cost to attend is $10 for chamber members, $20 for non-members.
 REGISTER HERE
 5 Leadership Lessons from Start-up Gurus 

Small businesses drive our economy, with over 28 million small businesses in the U.S. according to the SBA.

Is your business headed for major growth? Check out these five lessons from top entrepreneurs such as GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons on how to drive success and profits.
Click here  for more details in this cnbc.com report
Tech Tuesday: Is Your Business
Google-Ready?
"Put Our Cities on the Map" Workshop 
Chamber Headquarters
Tuesday,  July 21
12:00-2:00 p.m. 
 

Join us for our Tech Tuesday "Put Our Cities On The Map" workshop.  We are partnering with Google to make sure your business is easily found through Google search and mapping.

This two-hour workshop will show you how to set-up your business profile to manage information displayed to customers.  Learn how to use Google tools including Google Analytics and Google Apps for Work, to improve your online presence. 

 

Join us for the no cost workshop and get your business on the
map. Seating is limited, early registration is required.

 REGISTER HERE 
Tips from the World's Top Public Speakers 

Did you know Warren Buffett was terrified of speaking in public?  He decided to overcome this fear, and he did, becoming  one of the world's richest people as well as a well-respected storyteller.

Great communicators know the power of a clear message. Take a look at these tips for your speaking success.
Click here for more details in this report from edweek.org
 
Advocacy in Action

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


Monday, July 6

Town of Hilton Head Island  

Arts and Cultural Strategic Plan Committee Meeting

3:00-5:00 p.m. 

Click here for full agenda 

  

Wednesday, July 8  

Town of Hilton Head Island

Circle to Circle Committee Meeting

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Click here for full agenda 

 

Thursday, July 9 

 

Beaufort County 

Rural and Critical Lands Board Meeting

3:00-5:00 p.m. 

Click here for agenda

 

Meetings are subject to change.
Facebook Twitter
 Quick Links
 











Chamber Calendar


July 16
Business After Hours
Calibogue Cruises's Delta Lady
Riverboat Cruise
Depart from Broad Creek Marina
5:30-7:00 p.m.

July 21
Tech Tuesday

"Put Our Cities On The Map" 2-Hour Workshop offered in  

Partnership with Google 

Chamber Headquarters 12:00-2:00 p.m.

    

July 29
Chamber Young
Professionals Group
Red Fish Bluffton
5:30-7:00 p.m.

August 7
Government Affairs
Committee Meeting
Chamber Headquarters
8:00 a.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

 

 

Community Calendar Highlights   

 

The Earth as We See It - SOBA exhibit by Bill and Sheryl Winn

 

Hilton Head Jazz Camp

 

Artists of Indigo Run Exhibit at Coastal Discovery Museum

Tennis Exhibition at Sea Pines Racquet Club

Van Der Meer Shipyard Tennis Exhibition

Summer Jams at New Shelter Cove Community Park

Magic of Gary Maurer at Coligny

Palmetto Dunes Summer
Golf Academy

May River Expedition Aboard Spartina Vessel

Old South Golf Links Clinics

Lowcountry Boy Scouts of America 3rd Annual Golf Classic


Xanadu at Arts Center  

of Coastal Carolina 

 

 

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