Greetings!

Conversations build relationships and relationships build businesses.  Even in a technology-driven world, nothing takes the place of interacting one-on-one with your clients and potential clients which is why we're launching Conversation & Cocktails this week.  

We've hit the re-set button on the traditional Business After Hours event to keep it fresh, relevant and interesting. If you haven't been to a chamber after hours event in a while, head over to Conversation & Cocktails this Thursday night where we will be enjoying the waterfront view Lowcountry style with an oyster roast and Lowcountry boil on the deck with our friends from Old Oyster Factory.

Great food and drink, great music, great views and great conversation.  Sounds like an evening that's great for business in the Lowcountry.  Click here for details.

It's amazing when you think about the fact that every year over 750 of your business colleagues come together for lunch at the chamber's State of the Region event which has become quite the tradition.  We're celebrating a century of excellence at Parris Island with Brigadier General Terry Williams.

We'll also hear from our mayors from Bluffton and Hilton Head Island as well as our County Council chairman and give you the opportunity to ask questions.  These are the leaders in our community who help set the agenda for so many important issues.

It's a great week for your chamber and business community.  Join us as we launch Conversation & Cocktails and celebrate with those who serve at Parris Island.


Sincerely,
 
 
 
Bill Miles, IOM, CCE
President & CEO
 

100 Year Celebration
This Thursday, October 29 
Seats filling quickly! 
Registration: 11:15 a.m. Noon Program
Keynote Speaker: Brig. Gen. Terry V. Williams
Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region
Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa

Join us for a very special State of the Region this Thursday as we celebrate the 100th year anniversary of Parris Island Marine Corps Depot.

Keynote speaker Brig. Gen. Terry V. Williams will speak to the importance and the key role that Parris Island plays in our South Carolina economy as well as address important national concerns. 

Following Williams' keynote, featured speakers Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka, Hilton Head Island Mayor David Bennett and Beaufort County Council Chairman Paul Sommerville will discuss their goals, challenges and the overall health of our community.

Tickets are $38 for chamber members and $48 for future members. Table of 10 is $380. Cost includes a plated lunch.  One of the community's most popular events, over 750 business and community members attended last year. Seating is limited. Advance registration required.

Presenting Sponsor:
        
Supporting Sponsors:
          

  
Event Sponsors:           
 

Did you know, as a chamber member you also receive free membership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce?

Thanks to your chamber membership, sending business packages and holiday gifts is easier than ever.  From overnight express delivery to member savings, you can save money by taking advantage of special discounts and services. Fed-Ex and Sam's Club are just a few of the places you'll save. That's your chamber membership at work for you.
Click Here for more information
S.C. Chamber of Commerce Grassroots Meeting
Speaker: Ted Pitts, S.C. Chamber President and CEO
Thursday, October 29

Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa, Sable Palm Room
10:00-11:00 a.m.

Want to let our leaders in Columbia know what matters to you in business?  Join us for the S.C. Chamber of Commerce Grassroots meeting on Thursday morning, preceding the State of the Region luncheon. The grassroots meeting is an open-forum session and one of the first steps in creating the Competitiveness Agenda, the business community's annual list of legislative priorities

There is no cost to attend. Community and business members are encouraged to attend.
RSVP Here
This Thursday, Oct. 29
Old Oyster Factory
5:30-7:00 p.m.

Join us for our inaugural Conversation and Cocktails, formerly Business After Hours, and enjoy our premier networking and fall oyster roast, Old Oyster Factory-style.

With gorgeous sunsets over Broad Creek, it's the perfect setting for casual, waterfront networking with business colleagues.

The cost to attend is $10 for chamber members and $20 for future members.
Taste of the Season
Friday, November 20
Country Club of Hilton Head
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Tickets on Sale Now!
VIP Tickets Sold Out! 

Experience the innovative cuisine of top
area chefs as they share culinary fare from more than 25 of your favorite restaurants at the 26th annual Taste of the Season!

This year, Taste of the Season moves to an exciting new venue at the Country Club of Hilton Head.  Celebrate the holidays and get your shopping off to an early start with silent auction items including great getaways, gifts, dining, golf and more, with the chance to bid early on online auction items.

It's always a sellout! With the new intimate setting, tickets will be limited. Tickets are $65, on sale now at chamber headquarters, the chamber's Bluffton office and online at HiltonHeadBlufftonChamber.org.
Click Here for tickets and more details.

Presenting Sponsor:

Tech Tuesday
Branding - The Only Differentiator in the Digital Age 
This Tuesday! Oct. 27
Ryan Lockhart, group46
Chamber Headquarters
12:00-1:00 p.m.

If you don't tell people who you are and what your brand is, someone else will.  Join us for Tech Tuesday and learn what you need to know about branding. In Ryan's hour long, power-packed seminar, he'll ask core questions about your business brand.
  • How do you clearly define who you are, what you offer and what you stand for?
  • How are you different?
  • How will you succeed?
The chamber's Tech Tuesday roundtable is focused on finding technology solutions for your business needs. This year-long series of classes is free and open to the public.  
Chamber Election Center Webpage

The Chamber's Election Center webpage provides a one-stop location for information about the 10 candidates running for office in the Town of Bluffton.
 
 
Chamber Young Professionals
This Wednesday, October 28
Corks, Bluffon
5:30-7:00 p.m.

October's Chamber Young Professionals moves to Corks for a fun social hour at one of Bluffton's hotspots in the Promenade.

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

 If you're a young professional, don't miss this great opportunity to network with your peers. There is no cost to attend.
 5 Questions Every CEO Should Ask  

Leading effectively is a challenge. Check out these five key questions every leader should consistently ask themselves to improve decision-making and their company's strategic direction.
Click Here for details in this report from about.com
Economic Development Summit 
Thursday, November 5
Hampton Hall Club
10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Beaufort County Association of Realtors and the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors will host the 2nd annual Economic Development Summit on Thursday, November 5th.

Keynote speaker is Secretary of Commerce Robert Hitt, III from the S.C. Department of Commerce. Come hear the respective goals, achievements, and challenges from the the counties' and local municipalities' economic development entities tasked with bringing jobs and businesses into the area.
 
The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, advance registration is suggested.

The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce is a 2015 Summit Sponsor for the second annual Economic Development Summit.
 
Advocacy in Action

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


Monday, October 26 
 
Town of Hilton Head Island
Public Facilities Meeting
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda

Beaufort County 
Community Services Committee Meeting
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda 
 
Town of Hilton Head Island
Arts and Cultural Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
3:00-5:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda

Beaufort County
County Council Meeting
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda

Tuesday, October 27
 
Town of Hilton Head Island
Community Services Committee Meeting
9:00-11:00 a.m.

Town of Hilton Head Island
Economic Development Corp. Board Meeting
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Click here for full agenda

Town of Hilton Head Island
Finance and Administrative Committee Meeting
1:00-5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 28  

Town of Hilton Head Island

Circle to Circle Committee Meeting
8:30-10:30 a.m.

Town of Hilton Head Island
Planning Commission LMO Committee Meeting
9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda 

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

Thursday, October 29

Town of Hilton Head Island
ATAX Advisory Committee Meeting
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Meetings are subject to change.
 
 
 
State of the Region

Thursday, October 29

Register Here







Chamber Calendar

October 27
Tech Tuesday: Branding
 The Only Differentiator in
the Digital Age
Guest Educator:
Ryan Lockhart, Group46
Chamber Headquarters
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Register Here

October 28
Chamber Young
Professionals Group
Corks, Bluffton
5:30-7:00 p.m.
RSVP Here

October 29 
SC Chamber Grassroots Meeting
Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa
10:00-11:00 a.m.
October 29

State of the Region
Keynote Speaker:
Brig. Gen. Terry V. Williams
Commanding General, Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot & Eastern Recruiting Region
Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa
Reg. 11:15 a.m.  Noon Program  
Register Here

October 29
Conversation & Cocktails
Old Oyster Factory
Hilton Head Island
5:30-7:00 p.m
Register Here

November 3
Business Education Partnership Committee Meeting
Chamber Boardroom
8:30 a.m.

November 6
Government Affairs
Committee Meeting
Chamber Boardroom
8:00 a.m.

November 17
Tech Tuesday: Ready, Set, Shop! Marketing Your Business for Small Business Saturday!
Chamber Headquarters
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Register Here

November 28
Small Business Saturday!

Did you know...  

on the chamber website:  

You can link to the
Career Resources Center
for the latest job openings
New Members   

Hilton Head Dairy Queen
Kaylynn Kim
1018 William Hilton Parkway
Hilton Head Island
www.facebook.com/dg44117

Sandalwood Community Food Pantry
Nannette Pierson
P.O. Box 5061
Hilton Head Island
Ribbon-Cuttings

Wednesday, October 28

Noon Ribbon-Cutting
Sunspire Health Hilton Head
2200 Main Street
Hilton Head Island

Thursday, November 5
 5:15 p.m.Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Open House 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Namaste Spa at Marriott's Barony Beach Club
5 Grasslawn Avenue
Hilton Head Island
www.namastespahhi.com



Around Town...
Community Calendar

Calendar Spotlight


Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d'Elegance

October 31- November 1
  
Community Calendar Highlights
   

Palmetto Bluff Sporting Clays Cup Benefit Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton

Fall Garden Tour at The Greenery

21st Annual Wild Wing Cafe "Nutty Buddy" Tennis Classic

Inherit the Wind at Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

Public Art Exhibition on Hilton Head Island at Coastal Discovery Museum

SOBA Gallery presents Color Me Abstract by Vickie Jourdan

Island Rec Center Pumpkin Patch

Halloween at Coligny

Trunk or Treat at First Baptist Church Hilton Head Island

Halloween Wagon Ride at The Sea Pines Resort

Trunk-O-Ween at Shelter Cove Towne Centre

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
 

 

In This Issue