♦ NORTH MYRTLE BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ♦ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ♦ AUG 2009 ♦

From the Desk of Our President

Inside this issue…

Chamber Board Approves Healthcare Amendment………………...pg 6 CHOICES Program at NMB Middle School………………………..pg 7 Chamber Blitz Marketing Campaign Results……………………….pg 9

here is out of the question. The probability of an extension being granted by Congress is the best bet on what will happen, but once again, this is no comprehensive approach and will cost our country millions of wasted dollars and jobs. Congress-man Henry Brown, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastruc-ture Committee, is waging a valiant campaign to get Congress to approve a long-term surface reauthorization bill calling for the need to cut red tape on transportation projects. He needs our support. I was asked by the US Chamber to provide a “blog statement” to the National Journal. Following is the statement I provided: “There continues to be a disconnect in America between what “real grassroots” Americans want, and what our Congress and Administra-tion is pushing. Such is the case with the nation’s comprehensive transportation program and policies and how we initiate and fund it. Once again we hear the words “extend” or “restudy”, or “postpone” when we speak of the critical needs of our surface, air, water, and mass transit systems along with bridges and infrastructure, which are

Dear Member, Your chamber continues to support federal legislation calling for a Com-prehensive National Transportation and Infrastructure Plan to address the needs of the nation. Such a plan would ensure the effective and effi-cient movement of people and com-merce connecting all modes of trans-portation including air, roads, rail, and water, and to plan for future ca-pacity as well as address the replace-ment of aging infrastructure. (The formal policy position adopted by your Board of Directors can be read on our web site’s “Members Only” section in the Legislative Grass Roots section). On July 14-15, 2009, our Board Chairman Mike Robertson (Damon’s Grill), Public Policy Council Chair-man Ed Prince (Prince Developers), and I traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the US Chamber’s Transportation Fly-In. At risk is our nation’s Core Transportation Pro-gram due to expire on September 30, 2009. Included in this program is funding which our local area de-pends upon to repair, upgrade, and expand our transportation systems. Without it, moving people to our area and relieving congestion once they’re

vital to not only hundreds of thou-sands of jobs today, but have a huge impact on our environment and fu-ture economic competitiveness. Our leaders just don’t get it. Our very existence here in North Myrtle Beach and the entire Grand Strand of South Carolina depends on the movement of people for our very economic survival. More than 13 million people visit this vacation destination annually and to place our country’s core transportation system at risk is not acceptable and not an option. Our presence at the US Chamber’s Transportation Fly-In this week in Washington, indicates how critically important we rank transportation and infrastructure im-provements to our economic future in North Myrtle Beach and the costal region of SC. Continued on page 10

Have you renewed your Membership?

Chamber membership renewals were due by July 15th. If you have not paid, your information is not being displayed in the Visi-tors Center or on the Chamber website. We value your member-ship and look forward to keeping you as a member of our 4-Star Accredited Chamber. Questions about your dues? Call Vicki Keibler at (843) 241-2109.

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Marc Jordan President/CEO

Trina Scabery Executive Assistant

Ann Arnold Chief Financial Officer

Ruth Anne Ellis Visitor Center Director

Marilyn Rinehart Marketing/Advertising Director

Charlene Lynam Community/Special Events Director

Vicki Keibler Membership/Sales Director

Jennifer C. Prince Media/Communications Specialist

Antonel Neculai MIS/Marketing Database Manager

Jay Drummond Operations Assistant Visitor Center Information Specialists: Sandra Appelbe Charlotte Bailey Brenda Brewster Debra Brown Jan Ellington Patricia Harrison Betty Mauney Fazelle Scaggs Betty Ann Sharpe

North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Staff

North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Officers Mike Robertson…………………………………Chairman of the Board Damon’s Grill

Ed Horton………….…..Immediate Past Chairman/Visitor Center Chair Anderson Brothers Bank

Rachel Whitley………………………………………………...Treasurer National Bank of South Carolina

Marc Jordan……………………………………………..President/CEO North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce

Ed Prince…………………………………………….Public Policy Chair Prince & Prince Properties

Hardy Butler………………………………………...Membership Chair Retired Retailer

Joyce Thomas……………………………..Marketing/Advertising Chair Century 21 Thomas Realty

Ron McManus……………………..Community & Special Events Chair Dixie Chicken Fishing Funament

Monroe Baldwin…………………………Economic Development Chair Myrtle Beach Tours Board Members at Large Bubba Collins Bubba Collins Insurance

John Griggs State Farm Insurance

John Smithson Ex-Officio

Jim Eggen Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts

Grace Spainhour Grace Realty Co.

Tom Staats Century 21 Barefoot Realty Inc.

Kim B. Dayvault Myrtle Beach Mall

Larry Spainhour HTC

George Gregory Elliott Realty

Richard Scott Gilmore Entertainment

Dan Moore DM Development Company

Office Volunteers: Mary Beam Frances Beck Dottie Brehaut Jean Etheridge Rosemary Hannell Jean Gibson Lucille Lewis Minnie McIntyre Mary Kay Nance

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Myrtle Beach Workforce Center The Myrtle Beach Workforce Center is available to help busi-nesses with their employment needs. The South Carolina Em-ployment Security Commission opened our newest office in the Magnolia Town Centre Plaza just south of the Highway 17 and Highway 22 intersection. We can assist employers fill job open-ings by recruiting and screening applicants based on the posi-tion’s qualifications. We also provide interviewing and training space, and have space available to hold job fairs. Another unique tool we provide is the SC Joblink web-based system. After logging onto www.SCjoblink.org, businesses can perform resume searches, receive emails on new jobseeker re-sumes, as well as utilize several other functions associated with the website. Businesses can also utilize our up to date labor mar-ket information with important employment statistics at www.sces.org. All of these services, and more, are provided at no cost. For more information, contact us at (843) 839-5900.

Maintenance Task Providers Maintenance Task Providers is just what is says; we provide a vast list of services, with the on-time, done-right attitude. We offer 24-hour emergency services for commercial and residential customers. We also are affiliated with six national service pro-viders in the commercial area. We provide the following services: light plumbing, electrical, sheet rock repair, painting, tile repair, lock changes, screen re-placement, storm door installation, power washing, replacement glass, store fixture repairs and store front services. We are also building our referral list to better service our clients. For more information please call (843) 685-1973 or email Main-tenanceTaskProviders@gmail.com.

LITUS* Properties Joe Garrell and Kathy Foxworth of LITUS* Properties, leaders within the real estate industry, can help you maximize your real estate opportunities in North Myrtle Beach and along the Grand Strand—regardless of whether you are buying or selling. Cred-ited with establishing residential oceanfront properties over 25 years ago as exclusive high-end products, their reputation and record in the sales and marketing of these properties remains unmatched. Specializing in residential, commercial and invest-ment properties as unique as their clients, the dynamic duo’s un-paralleled success has earned them a national reputation with offerings that include luxury oceanfront homes, equestrian es-tates, charming bungalows and condominium living. Forbes Magazine, recently profiled Joe Garrell and Kathy Foxworth in a feature that referred to them as ‘the real estate duo that is shak-ing up the Grand Strand market.’ Their clients refer to them as the team that “listens, acts and delivers”. Their key to success is a proven track record of outstanding cus-tomer service fostered by proactive relationships with buyers and sellers. Through access to a comprehensive and proprietary infor-mational database of resources, clients are able to make informed real estate decisions—decisions that are right for them. Let Joe and Kathy help you find the perfect vacation home, rental prop-erty or new permanent residence! www.litus.com

Want to be included in the Member Spotlight? E-mail Jennifer Prince at Jennifer@NorthMyrtleBeachChamber.com or fax 843-280-2930. Spotlights are on a

first come first serve basis and may be edited by staff members

Member Spotlight

RDS Home Improvements RDS Home Improvements has been improving homes through-out the Charlotte, NC region for over 27 years and is expanding into the North Myrtle Beach/Myrtle Beach, SC area. Owner, Rick Simpson specializes in interior/exterior painting, molding and trim work as well as small repairs of any kind. All work is guaranteed and performed by Rick. His past experience in home warranty and inspections make him the ideal source for real es-tate agents needing top quality repairs for home inspection items. The next time you’re in need of painting, trim or small repairs, give Rick a call. He delivers expert service at novice prices! RDS Home Improvements is a proud member of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and is pleased to offer a 10% dis-count for all chamber members. For more information call (704) 400-3962.

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Special Thanks…

Atlanta Bread Company for the yummy pastries… Freestyle Music Park for the deli-cious doughnuts… Bob Evans for the delectable blueberry and banana bread… Avista Resort for the yummy brownies… All of the volunteer models that helped with our new marketing campaign photo shoot...

Business After Hours (BAH)

Thursday, August 20th 5:30 –8:00 pm Apachee Pier

9700 Kings Rd. , Myrtle Beach

Don’t miss this great networking opportunity. Come and enjoy

food, beverages, and door prizes!

Next After Hours: Sept 17th- Grand Strand Resorts

Music on Main

Thursday, Aug. 6th Pantasia

(Steel Pan Band) Journey to downtown North Myr-tle Beach to get to know the area merchants in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Enjoy a live band on Main Street from 6:30-8:30 pm the first Thursday night of the month through the summer. Families are encouraged to come down and experience the flavors of Main Street, listen to live mu-sic, shop and dance til you drop! Bring a beach chair for an eve-ning of fun and relaxation! For more info contact North Myr-tle Beach Parks & Recreation Center at (843) 280-5584.

Chamber’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

That’s right, The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is celebrating our 10th Anniversary on August 9th! Chamber members are invited to stop by for cake and refreshments from Noon—5:00 pm on Friday, August 7th. Play “North Myrtle Beach Trivia” and tour the Cham-ber office!

Friday, Aug. 21st Super Glide Band

(60’s to today)

Enjoy an evening with your fam-ily and friends listening to live music, picnicking and playing in the safe and fun environment of beautiful McLean Park. Each concert will feature a differ-ent band playing family friendly music. Bring a lawn chair, blan-ket, food and non-alcoholic bev-erages. The North Strand Optimist Club will provide food and drinks for sale. For more info call (843) 280-5584.

Seacoast Medical Center Foundation Ball

The first Foundation Ball is scheduled for August 22nd at Lakeside Conference Center. This event will support the foun-dation's efforts and its capital campaign for the addition of inpa-tient beds at Seacoast Medical Center and the expansion of Loris Community Hospital. A number of sponsorships are currently available, as well as tickets to the event, contact Susan Platt, Foundation Ball Committee at (843) 457-0945.

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Welcome New Members For June Bargain Beachwear #14 1616 Executive Ave. Myrtle Beach (843) 361-1401 Bob Evans Restaurants, Inc. 801 Hwy 17 N. North Myrtle Beach (843) 281-9690 Bruce Campbell Painting 705 23rd Ave S North Myrtle Beach (843) 272-7236 CCop Software, LLC 2408 Madison Dr. Ste. 202A North Myrtle Beach (843) 877-0590 Clean Streak 1260C Burcale Rd Myrtle Beach (843) 241-0498 EMI Graphics 3424 High Hill Dr. Little River (843) 390-4410

Horry's Restaurant 1155 E. Hwy. 9, Longs (843) 399-4367 Huddle House 3711 Hwy 17 S North Myrtle Beach (843) 663-3663 Maintenance Task Providers Little River (843) 685-1973 Mr. G's Ice Cream 3300 Highway 17 S Ste A, NMB(843) 272-3766 Multi Media Advertising 424 Gravelley Shore Dr., MB (843) 359-4233 Myrtle Beach Vacation Rentals, Inc. 603 Briarwood Dr., MB (843) 272-7070 NewTek Inc. 702-6 Sea Mtn. Hwy. North Myrtle Beach (843) 343-1750

Robert Vitorre Fine Clothing 1019 4th Ave. #211 Conway (843) 333-5000 Sandpiper Heating & Air Condition-ing 9983-1 Traders Lane Calabash (843) 385-7263 Shaggin' Joe & Donuts To Go 219-B Main Street North Myrtle Beach (301) 280-2900 Super 8 Motel-Barefoot 3801 Highway 17 S North Myrtle Beach (843) 913-3030 The Signatures Group, Inc. PO Box 4398 North Myrtle Beach (843) 427-4112 Wachovia Bank Bi-Lo Shopping Center at Barefoot Re-sort North Myrtle Beach

19th Annual OD Shag Club Fall SOS

Charity Golf Tournament

Saturday Sept. 12th 8:00 AM – Until

This tournament is a Captain’s Choice 4 person teams ABCD Players, Limited Field. Entry fee is $60.00 per player and entry forms/fees must be received by Sept. 8th. Cash prizes for 1st thru 4th place teams. Also, we will have a longest drive and closest to the pin contests. Each player will also receive a goodie bag, breakfast biscuits, liquid sun-shine, 2 beverage carts and are invited to the on-course cookout. Entry forms are available online, www.odshagclub.com.

State Representative Tracy Edge recently announced that the high-way project in North Myrtle Beach, known as the Main Street Connector, has been named by SCDOT as the “Robert Edge Sr. Parkway. Robert Edge, Sr. was the first mayor of North Myrtle Beach and one of the pioneers and first set-tlers in the North Myrtle Beach area. Mayor Edge passed away in 2002 and was the patriarch of one of the most influential families of Horry County and NMB. The Parkway is tentatively sched-uled to open on August 20th.

Robert Edge Parkway Opens in August

If you aren’t part of the social networking craze, you’re missing out! The North Myrtle Beach Cham-ber recently created a Facebook account. Why? To network with YOU! Be our “Friend” on Facebook, just search for North Myrtle Beach Chamber.

Chamber Facebook Page

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Chamber Board Approves Healthcare Amendment Members urged to contact congressional delegation

and workers. Cadillac, gold-plated coverage like this will not appeal to the young. The mini-mum level of coverage should be more akin to a high-deductible health plan with coverage of pre-ventative services. - Imposing of additional tax bur-dens to individuals or businesses: The implementation of new taxes and fees for businesses and/or individuals that cannot afford health insurance would be dra-matically counterproductive. Fur-ther, the taxation of health bene-fits will lead to a reduction in benefits offered by employers and will lead to higher taxes for many individuals and businesses. The legislation under considera-tion now would create a govern-ment run (public) insurance plan, create employer mandates on businesses particularly small business requiring them to pro-vide coverage for all employees, and major tax increases including imposing an additional “surtax” on high income earners. All of which the Chamber opposes. We are eager to support initiatives to reform the system, however, not at the expense and on the backs of businesses. The current em-ployer-based system already vol-untarily provides health benefits to more than 160 million Ameri-cans, and overwhelmingly, em-ployees are satisfied with these benefits and want their employers to continue providing it to them. Additionally, last week Congres-sional Budget Office (CBO) Di-rector, Douglas Elmendorf, told the Senate Budget Committee

The Board of Directors of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce unanimously ap-proved the chamber’s amended Health Care position statement on July 9, 2009, as recommended by the Legislative Committee. The Legislative Committee met earlier to review existing positions and to recommend any changes or additions to these positions for the board’s consideration. The amended position addresses the following proposals which congress will soon debate on be-half of President Obama’s Health Care recommendations. We oppose: - The creation of employer man-dates: Punishing employers who cannot afford to provide health insurance coverage, including re-quirements to pay or play, is not the answer. Employer mandates, by their nature limit flexibility and innovation – the cornerstones on American health care. - The creation of a Government-run (Public) plan: A government-run plan would be an unfair com-petitor, with the government act-ing as both a team owner and the referee. Government programs shift costs to the private sector. The Lewin Group estimates 130 million people would move from private to public insurance. This could lead to a government-controlled single-payer system. - The creation of Minimum Re-quired Coverage Level: Propos-ing a huge Federal Employee Health Benefits Program FEHBP-like minimum coverage package will bankrupt employers

during testimony, that the health reform measures being proposed would worsen an already bleak budget outlook, increasing deficit projections and driving the nation more deeply into debt. To view our 2009 Federal Legis-lative Agenda with amended Healthcare Position statement log into the Members Only area on our website. Also, view the Local and State Legislative Agenda’s.

NMB Humane Society 5th Annual Paws Across the

Water Duck Race

The 5th Annual Paws Across the Water Duck Race will be held on Saturday, September 12th at Barefoot Landing, starting at Noon.

The North Myrtle Beach Cham-ber of Commerce challenges YOU to be part of the “Business Race.” To buy your ducks for the Business Race please stop by The Chamber or the NMB Humane Society. Those who purchase the Business Ducks are asked to decorate them with their company logo. You will be recognized through chamber email blasts and newsletters as part of the “Business Race” Group. For more info visit www.humanesocietynmb.org.

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Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Offers FREE classes to Chamber Members The North Myrtle Beach Cham-ber of Commerce Convention & Visitors Bureau enjoys many benefits of membership with Southeast Tourism Society. As a North Myrtle Beach Chamber Member you arte invited to attend the next STS Professional Out-reach Program (POP) class, com-plimentary. This program brings timely information right to your desktop with topics important to your organization’s success. You can enjoy this class from the com-fort of your own office by watch-ing the presentation on your com-puter and listening over your own phone – without leaving your desk! This class is complimen-tary.

Our Next Class: “Am I Meeting My Goals?” A Study in Account-ability Conversion as a Process.

The Chamber is starting the pro-duction process for the 2010 Visi-tors Guide. If you have reserved ad space please remember your ad is due by August 14th and must be paid in full. If you have not reserved your ad space, contact Vicki Keibler at (843) 241-2109. Space is limited, so don't wait to call! The 2010 Visitors Guide will be delivered in late November and will include visitor information and a complete listing of our North Myrtle Beach Chamber Members.

later have served over 6 million teens across the nation. Santee Cooper provides the pro-gram to every middle school in Horry County and has agreed to allow the chamber to provide the program in the NMB Middle School. Santee Cooper will train the NMB committee and work closely with us in our classroom preparation and instruction. Sev-eral of our local BOA profession-als have agreed to participate on our committee which allowed us to receive national BOA Founda-tion Grant funds to cover the costs of providing the program in NMB. If you are interested in being a part of this program please con-tact Marc Jordan at 281-2662.

If the goal of any marketer is to assist in the generation of a sales or a visit, we must consider all the activities that convert a poten-tial customer to an ac-tual customer. This can best be described as an ongoing, continu-ously flexible process and not just the measurement of one single step. Conversion is a process, the movement from a particular set of attitudes, opinions, actions or in-action that transforms the neutral prospect into a guest, visitor or customer. The Speaker: Jack Yager, MarketVerge. Jack Yager offers clients a unique and valu-able resource for exploring and solving major research and brand-ing issues.

His travel industry experience covers over 35 years of conduct-ing quantitative and qualitative

Visitors Guide Ad Sales end August 14th

studies for destinations, attrac-tions, theme parks, casinos, Worlds Fairs, accommodations, and transportation firms. He has trained over 50 advertising agen-cies on the use of research. We welcome you to our next class on “Am I Meeting My Goals?” For more information about this class and to register, click here.

CHOICES Program at the NMB Middle School

The North Myrtle Beach Cham-ber will be working collabora-tively with Santee Cooper and Bank Of America to present the CHOICES program in the NMB Middle School. CHOICES is an interactive deci-sion-making workshop that fo-cuses on keeping teens in school, motivating them toward their edu-cation and future, and introducing them to practical life skills to help them succeed. In two fast-paced hour-long sessions, business vol-unteers take students through real-world exercises on academic self-discipline, time and money management and goal setting. The program was started by a Se-attle dad that broke through to his troubled teenage son, and 24 yrs

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August Ribbon Cuttings

Wachovia Bank Bi-Lo Shopping Center at Barefoot Commons

Friday, August 28th @ 1:00 pm Refreshments will be served.

July Business After Hours

Special thanks to Cinzia the Spa at North Beach Plantation for hosting a wonderful Business After Hours!

July Ribbon Cuttings

Bruce Campbell Painting Maintenance Task Providers

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Double (Online) Personality - a Must! There is another major reason why people should create separate ac-counts for their personal and profes-sional lives. If a company starts its own Facebook profile page, many employees would like to be added as a friend to keep up with the com-pany’s posts. But this is a two way communication channel. Once added as a friend, your personal posts will show on the company’s wall and things start to get complicated. The company does not want to have posts regarding the personal life of its em-ployees, the same way people don’t want their personal life to be dis-played on the company’s wall. How do you solve the dilemma? One way to handle this is to have your employees’ posts (news feeds) hidden on the company’s Facebook page. It might be a solution but em-ployees should not be very happy with it. Their personal life and updates are still available for a curious employee to see. After all, even though your news feeds are hidden, you are still a friend or fan and your profile is visi-ble to whoever has the user name and password of the company’s Facebook page (might be the IT guy or the PR person, but it might as well be “the big boss”). The most effective way to prevent the mix-ups between employees’

Many business owners or companies are not taking full advantage of the great marketing/branding opportuni-ties Facebook or social media in gen-eral has to offer. You can probably do more harm by using Facebook in the wrong way, than by not using it at all!

Too many people look at themselves, in the virtual space, as a single per-son. Truth is, we must separate our-selves into two different virtual be-ings based on our personal and pro-fessional life. We all know those stories of college graduates trying to get a job and learning the hard way what a bad idea it was to post all those pictures from their wild par-ties. First thing an employer would do is check their online profiles and nobody would entrust their company on the hands of a “drink-my-brain-out” kind of a person. I know, it might not sound fair, but life is not fair either. Every company that creates a Face-book account (or any other social media for that matter: Twitter, Flickr, Myspace, LinkedIn, etc), tries to grow its number of friends, fol-lowers or whatever they are called. Once the audience grows, you have to face the noise of too many voices talking on your profile (news feeds posted on your wall). And this is not the toughest issue for you to han-dle…

personal life and company’s Face-book profile is to encourage your employees to create a professional social media profile, separate from the one for their personal life and add their professional profile as friends or fans on company’s page and still hide their news feeds. There is a good reason for that. Keep in mind that your company should only speak with one voice to its (online) public so decide whose posts are im-portant for the effectiveness of the online presence and display those feeds only. For example, it might not be a bad idea (in fact, I strongly rec-ommend) to have people in the man-agement team post on the company’s Facebook wall. Remember: their professional profile, not the personal one. After all, you don’t want people finding out how many cats or dogs the CEO has or how much did the CFO pay for her last hair style. In-volving the entire management team will add diversity and allow leader-ship to interact at a professional level with followers (by allowing them to comment).

In conclusion, as long as people keep their personal life separate from the business they own or companies they work for, and involve only their vir-tual professional profile, using Face-book should be a recipe for success.

Antonel Neculai

North Myrtle Beach Chamber Blitz Marketing Campaign Yields 70% Increase in Leads

The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the City of North Myrtle Beach devel-oped a special $250,000 Blitz Mar-keting Campaign to run in our drive markets this past Spring. City Coun-cil approved this additional funding after meeting with Chamber leaders and discussing the need for a tourism push in North Myrtle Beach. The blitz campaign came just in time for the summer season.

The online marketing campaign in-cluded pay–per-click advertising with Google and Yahoo. Also, ads were placed on Trip Advisor, Trave-locity, The Charlotte Observer, Ra-leigh News & Observer, and AAA Carolinas websites. The marketing campaign, which ran from March 15th – July 15th, leveraged the impact of the Chamber’s current marketing efforts already in place.

The Chamber’s internet inquires rose 70% during that time. In June alone, the Chamber distributed 39,355 Visi-tors Guides. The total number of impressions the Chamber website, www.NorthMyrtleBeachChamber.com received during that time was 20,890,762.

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Information Specialist take FAM trips The Chamber’s Information Specialists would love to tour your business! They are the face of the Chamber when visitors walk though our doors and the welcom-ing voice when visitors call. What does “FAM” stand for? Familiarization...familiarize our Information Specialists with your business if you have recently added upgrades or renovations, added new services or would just like them to tour your business! Please schedule an appointment with Ruth Anne Ellis, Visi-tor Center Director by calling (843) 281-2662.

From the Desk of our President, con’t from page 1

We are on record calling for a com-prehensive national transportation and infrastructure plan which would ensure the effective and efficient movement of people and commerce connecting all modes of transporta-tion including air, rail, roads, and water and to plan for future capacity as well as address the replacement of aging infrastructure. Included in the core surface transportation programs due to expire on September 30, 2009, are I-73 and 74 which have been and remain top priorities for our area. Continuing the status quo is not an option and somehow we must convince Congress and the Administration, to act now, but I think we all know what an uphill battle this is. Either we need to change the way we deliver our mes-sage and/or enlist more Americans to speak out, or accept the fact that in a very short period of time, no matter

what happens to our health system or the environment, our lack of com-petiveness and inability to more peo-ple, goods, and materials, will result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs and the American way of life which made our country the envy of the world.” Best Regards, R. Marc Jordan, IOM, CCE President/CEO

The Annual Endless Summer Fes-tival will be held on Saturday, October 31st on Main Street in NMB! A variety of sponsorships are available for your business. Please contact Vicki Keibler if you are interested, (843) 241-2109. Sponsorships range from $250 to $1,000. Sponsor benefits include: logo displayed on www.nmb events.com, signage at the festi-val, recognition from the emcee, and depending on the level you choose you could be added as a “Chamber Star!”

In June the ladies visited La Dolce Vita Villas, located at 3701 N Ocean Blvd in Cherry Grove.

For more info on this property visit www.ladolcevitavillas.com.

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NMO…

Chamber’s Inquiry Overview

June Website Report

* The website received visits from 72 countries and territories Web Statistics collected through Google Analytics

Learn about the benefits the Chamber has to offer!

New and existing members are welcome. Light

refreshments will be served. Wednesday,

August 26th @ 8:30 am

Held at the chamber office.

270 Hwy 17 N. North Myrtle Beach

Total number of visits: 40,267

Total number of page views: 122,439

New visits: 79.41%

*Countries generating most number of visits United States 39,117

Canada 743

United Kingdom 91

Germany 40

The chart visually compares the number of requests for specific information. North Myrtle Beach

Chamber Of Commerce Convention &

Visitors Bureau 270 Hwy 17 North, North Myrtle Beach

(843) 281-2662 (877) 332-2662

Types June 2009

Attractions 3,526

Calendar of Events 2,520

Hotel/Motel 2,831

Condos/Beach Houses 2,113

Fishing 1,182

Golf 740

E-Newsletter 524

Group Tours 157

Upcoming Events:

5th Annual Paws Across the Water Duck Race Saturday, Sept. 12th

Barefoot Landing

Irish Italian International Festival

Saturday, Sept. 26th Main Street

Endless Summer Festival

Saturday, October 31st Main Street

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2 3 4 5 6 7 Chamber’s 10th

Anniversary Celebration Noon– 5pm

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9 10 11 Exec @ 4 pm

12 13 BOD @ 8 am

14 15

16 17 18 19 20 BAH– Apachee Pier @ 5:30 pm

21 22

23 24 25 26 NMO @ 8:30 am

27 28 RC—Wachovia Bank @ 1 pm

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SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

August 2009

Final Reminders… □ Stop by and help us celebrate our 10th Anniversary on August 7th □ Reserve your ad space in the 2010 Visitors Guide □ Attend August Business After Hours at Apachee Pier