Greetings!

It was another amazing weekend in the Lowcountry.  The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d'Elegance was once again a huge success and a testament to what a group of committed volunteers and staff can accomplish.

We all know that the motoring festival enjoyed some great weather, perfect for strolling along the fairways of Port Royal to admire the many automobiles of every conceivable size, color and value.  What I think is important to note is that this is an event in which organizers constantly look for new ways to assure it remains fresh and relevant, and this year was no exception.

On Friday night, Hilton Head Island's general aviation field was transformed.  An airline hangar became an impressive lounge and seating area and the tarmac was filled with vintage airplanes as well as a new Gulfstream G280.  And of course, no motoring festival event would be complete without automobiles that didn't have to do too much to garner the attention of those in attendance.  The event was also home to the prestigious Auctions America automotive auction this year. The auction is an addition that goes a long way in attracting car enthusiasts and national attention.

Your chamber is a proud partner with this event as well as with Garden & Gun magazine, to help bring additional national attention to what has become not only a signature event for our area, but one of the top 3 events of its kind in the country.

We enticed journalists to head to the island to cover the event.  They all remarked that the show is garnering more buzz and has a reputation as one of the best in the nation.

Hats off to Carolyn Vanagel, who is tirelessly at the helm of this event as well as the motoring festival board of directors, hundreds of volunteers and our community members who attend and support an event that's unlike any other.  It serves as another great reminder of why our area is so very special.

Have a great Monday and I encourage you to look at new and innovative ways to tackle your week.


Sincerely,
 
 
 
Bill Miles, IOM, CCE
President & CEO
 

P.S. - Bluffton residents, please vote tomorrow.  If you need information on candidates, precincts and other important election information click here to check out the chamber's online election center.  Vote!



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
Chamber Election Center Webpage 
Bluffton Residents: Don't Forget to
Vote Tomorrow! 

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.
 
 
100 Year Celebration 
Was  A Great Success!
 
More than 700 attendees joined us for a very special State of the Region as we celebrated the 100th year anniversary of Parris Island Marine Corps Depot! 

Thanks to
keynote speaker Brigadier General Terry V. Williams and our local elected officials, Beaufort County Council Chairman Paul Sommerville, Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka and Hilton Head Island Mayor David Bennett. 

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor:
      
Supporting Sponsors:
          

  
Event Sponsors:   

Economic Development Summit 
This 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 this 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.
SCORE QuickBooks Seminar:  
Cash Management Fundamentals 
Presenter: Holly Golden, CPA 
Robinson Grant & Company 
Thursday, November 12 
Chamber Headquarters 
4:00-6:00 p.m. 

Interested in learning more about cash management? Don't miss this valuable no-cost SCORE Intro to Quickbooks seminar.

Come learn how you can enhance your small businesses' bottom-line. SCORE professionals are also available to assist with free confidential business counseling and one-on-one mentoring sessions.
 Click Here to register for the no-cost workshop
Thursday, November 12
Big Bamboo Cafe
5:30-7:00 p.m

Cooler days are the perfect backdrop for Conversation & Cocktails at Coligny's popular hotspot Big Bamboo Cafe.

Come enjoy fall networking at its best with an evening of live entertainment served up with great Big Bamboo fare along with complimentary beer and wine.

See you at Conversation & Cocktails! Join us and enjoy premier networking at the island's south-end staple, Big Bamboo Cafe.

The cost to attend is $10 for chamber members and $20 for future members.
15 Secrets of Highly Productive People

Who doesn't want to be more productive?  Take a look at these secrets of highly effective leaders and put them to work for you. You may be surprised at how much you can accomplish in your day.
Click Here for details in this report from fastcompany.com
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: Ready, Set Shop! 
Marketing Your Business for Small Business Saturday
Tuesday, November 17
Chamber Headquarters
12:00-1:00 p.m.

Last year, 88 million people decided to Shop Small on Small Business Saturday. This year could be even bigger!  Is your business marketing plan ready for Small Business Saturday? Don't miss out on the national Small Business Saturday shopping event on Saturday, November 28th.

Get started here with the chamber's special Tech Tuesday dedicated to helping your business gear up for Small Business Saturday. Hear unique marketing ideas and social media strategies from American Express to drive business to your store at the start of the holiday shopping season.

Attendees will learn about: 
  • Free Small Business Marketing Materials
  • Small Business Saturday Business Marketing Plans
  • Social Media Strategies 
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 Young Professionals
Monday, December 7
The Bluffton Room
5:30-7:00 p.m.

Get set for a Merry Monday and usher in the holidays at December's chamber young professionals happy hour at The Bluffton Room.

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.
 
Advocacy in Action

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


Monday, November 2
 
Town of Hilton Head Island
Public Safety Committee Meeting
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda

Beaufort County 
Natural Resources 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
Planning Commission Meeting
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda

Tuesday, November 3
 
Town of Hilton Head Island
Finance & Administrative Committee Meeting
2:00-4:00 p.m.

Town of Hilton Head Island
Town Council Meeting
4:00-6:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda 

Wednesday, November 3

Town of Hilton Head Island

Circle to Circle Committee Meeting
9:30-11:30 a.m.

Town of Hilton Head Island
Community Services Committee Meeting
4:00-6:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda  

Thursday, November 4

Town of Hilton Head Island
ATAX Committee Meeting
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Beaufort County
Beaufort County Corridor Beautification
Board Meeting
2:00-4:00 p.m.

Town of Hilton Head Island
Council Annual Workshop (thru Saturday)
2:00-5:00 p.m.
Click here for full agenda

Meetings are subject to change.
 
 
 
Taste of the Season!

Friday, November 20

Register for Tickets Here






Chamber Calendar

November 3
Business Education Partnership Committee Meeting
Guest Speaker: Bill Taylor
S.C. Representative
Chamber Boardroom
8:30 a.m.

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

November 12
SCORE Quickbooks Seminar
Cash Management Fundamentals
Chamber Headquarters
4:00-6:00 p.m.


November 12
Conversation & Cocktails
Big Bamboo Hilton Head
5:30-7:00 p.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 20
Taste of the Season!
Hilton Head Marriott
Resort & Spa
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Register for Tickets Here

November 28
Small Business Saturday!

December 7
Merry Monday! Chamber
Young Professionals
Happy Hour
The Bluffton Room
5:30-7:00 p.m.
RSVP Here

Did you know...  

on the chamber website:  

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

Beach Weddings by
Holly Brown

Holly Brown
301 Central Avenue #226
Hilton Head Island


Ribbon-Cuttings

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

  
Community Calendar Highlights
   

The Capitol Steps at Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

Volunteers in Medicine Gala at Westin Hilton Head Resort & Spa

Elegant Evening and Silent Auction at The TidePointe Clubhouse benefiting Hilton Head Heroes

Candle Lighting Ceremony at Jarvis Park honoring families touched
by dementia

Musical Feast Benefit for Hilton Head International Piano Competition

Family Fun Night at The Sandbox Children's Museum

MOMS Club of Bluffton and Hilton Head Yard Sale at Providence Early Learning Center

SOBA Gallery presents exhibit by artist N. Jack Huddle

NAMI Footprints in the Sand 5K Beach Walk at Coligny

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