♦ NORTH MYRTLE BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ♦ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ♦ SEPT 2009 ♦ Dear Member, From the Desk of Our President

Tourism and Hospitality is the Over the last ninety days, perhaps place. Internet inquiries rose 70% city’s number one industry. As you have read about the special during that time. In June alone, the “Designated Marketing Or- Advertising and Marketing Blitz the chamber distributed close to ganization” for marketing and Campaign we initiated with the 40,000 Visitor’s Guides and a to- promoting the community nation- financial support of the City of tal of 81,000 over the 3-month ally and internationally with the North Myrtle Beach. period. This compares to 47,000 support of Accommodations Tax one year ago for the same 3 dollars, your North Myrtle Beach Realizing the downturn in our months. Chamber of Commerce, Conven- nation’s economy, and the nega- tion & Visitors Bureau, advocates tive projections made for this Overall inquiry types were up a strong partnership with the city summer’s tourism business, the even more. Hotel-Motel inquiries and county to help assure that the city agreed to grant the chamber rose by 152%; Condos/ Beach business climate at the local level $200,000 with an additional Houses were up 125%; Attrac- remains positive and supportive $50,000 from the chamber’s tions rose by 119%; and Golf was for quality growth and a thriving budget to provide $250,000 for up 72.8%. economy. the campaign. This truly indicates the quality In addition to hospitality and The results were impressive and brand we have all created for tourism, our Business Plan for hopefully you have seen exam- North Myrtle Beach and the huge 2009-2010, includes position ples of these results from the number of potential visitors inter- statements and collaborative ini- number of visitors we have been ested in our location as a family tiatives in support of transporta- fortunate enough to attract to our vacation destination. tion and infrastructure; planning city. This means critically needed and development; education and tax dollars are generated to keep It also says wonders about how workforce; economic develop- our businesses operating and city our full time residents welcome ment; and efficiency of govern- services at optimum levels. these visitors which is so very ment; all aimed at enhancing and much appreciated and important improving North Myrtle Beach as The online marketing campaign, to our success. which ran from March 15th a premier vacation destination, as th well as a place to live, work, and through July 15 , leveraged the Thank you for all you do to make raise a family. impact of the chamber’s current our community such a wonderful marketing efforts already in place.

Inside this issue… Sincerely,

Annual Turkey Dinner Drive………………………………………..pg 5

Board of Directors Spotlight……………………………………..….pg 6 R. Marc Jordan, IOM, CCE Henry Brown visits North Myrtle Beach……………………………pg 6 President/CEO

North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce North Myrtle Beach Board of Directors Chamber of Commerce Staff Officers Mike Robertson…………………………………Chairman of the Board Marc Jordan President/CEO Damon’s Grill

Ed Horton………….…..Immediate Past Chairman/Visitor Center Chair Trina Scabery Executive Assistant Anderson Brothers Bank

Rachel Whitley………………………………………………...Treasurer Ann Arnold Chief Financial Officer National Bank of

Marc Jordan……………………………………………..President/CEO Ruth Anne Ellis Visitor Center Director North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce

Ed Prince…………………………………………….Public Policy Chair Marilyn Rinehart Marketing/Advertising Director Prince & Prince Properties

Hardy Butler………………………………………...Membership Chair Charlene Lynam Retired Retailer Community/Special Events Director Joyce Thomas……………………………..Marketing/Advertising Chair Century 21 Thomas Realty Vicki Keibler Membership/Sales Director Ron McManus……………………..Community & Special Events Chair Dixie Chicken Fishing Funament Jennifer C. Prince Media/Communications Monroe Baldwin…………………………Economic Development Chair Specialist Myrtle Beach Tours Antonel Neculai Board Members at Large MIS/Marketing Database Manager Bubba Collins Kim B. Dayvault Bubba Collins Insurance Myrtle Beach Mall Jay Drummond

John Griggs Operations Assistant Larry Spainhour State Farm Insurance HTC

Visitor Center Information John Smithson George Gregory Specialists: Ex-Officio Elliott Realty Sandra Appelbe

Jim Eggen Richard Scott Charlotte Bailey Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts Gilmore Entertainment Brenda Brewster

Debra Brown Grace Spainhour Dan Moore Jan Ellington Grace Realty Co. DM Development Company Patricia Harrison Tom Staats Betty Mauney

Century 21 Barefoot Realty Inc. Joe Flesch Fazelle Scaggs Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort Betty Ann Sharpe

Office Volunteers: Jessica Worley Mary Beam Ocean Drive Resort Frances Beck Dottie Brehaut Jean Etheridge Find us on Facebook: Rosemary Hannell Jean Gibson www.facebook.com/people/North-Myrtle-Beach- Lucille Lewis Chamber/100000067578226 Minnie McIntyre Mary Kay Nance

2 Member Spotlight The Signatures Group, Inc. SendOutCards

In 1996, with the Internet just getting started, Cara Adams left Kerry Kasotsky is an independent distributor of SendOutCards, a The Post and Courier Display Advertising Department in relationship marketing system. With SendOutCards, businesses Charleston to set out on a new venture, exploring how and what can send customized greeting cards and gifts to their clients and this new internet opportunity could do to promote and expand prospects to build and maintain relationships. Take a moment small business; with the idea of starting a local online directory and send a thank you for your business card, an unexpected birth- to shop businesses, get local assistance for leisure travel and day card, etc. Clients may not remember exactly what you did groups needing our knowledge and expertise. or said but they WILL remember how you made them feel. Kerry helps her clients plan and budget SendOutCards marketing Today, The Signatures Group, Inc., offers 8 one stop source city campaigns that take advantage of the time and cost saving fea- guides for business info, real estate assistance, and destination tures of the system. With SendOutCards, you create cards with travel planning; Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Colum- photos, digital handwriting, and signatures with a few key- bia, Greenville in South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, Asheville, strokes. The system’s card catalog contains 13,000+ greeting North Carolina and New Orleans Louisiana. Other destination cards and its gift catalog has dozens of business-appropriate gifts cities that will be included as well are San Francisco, California, and gift cards. You can store contact data online and receive e- New York City, Las Vegas, Nevada and Orlando, Florida. Linda mail alerts for important events. Once you create your custom Cox is our newest addition as Sales Manager for The Signatures card with SendOutCards, the company prints and stuffs it, adds a Group, Inc. for the Myrtle Beach area. She will be handling all first class stamp, and mails it via the U.S. Postal Service. A gift leisure travel and groups in the Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle is packaged with a custom card in a clear envelope and mailed Beach area from our AccessMyrtleBeach.com city guide and via Priority Mail. All you do is make selections via your local business clients. Give her a call today at (843) 427-4112. SendOutCards account on the internet, and SendOutCards does everything else! There are several SendOutCards packages available with costs and features to fit every budget. For more info contact Kerry at (910) 383-2741 or [email protected]; go to www.sendoutcards.com/

Want to be included in the Member Spotlight? E-mail Jennifer Prince at [email protected] or fax 843-280-2930. Spotlights are on a first come first serve basis and may be edited by staff members

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3

Business After Hours Freedom Fest ‘09 (BAH) Saturday, September 12th Freestyle Music Park Thursday, September 17th 5:30 –8:00 pm This daylong festival will feature Resorts a concert by super- 408 Main Street, NMB star LeAnn Rimes at 8 pm, fol-

lowed by “Kiss the Sky” a spec- Don’t miss this great networking tacular fireworks and laser finale. opportunity. Come and enjoy Additional entertainment will in- food, beverages, and door prizes! clude afternoon concerts by Char- lie Floyd and Southern Express,

Next After Hours: Jeffrey Allen Edwards and South- October 15th—Molly Darcey’s ern Blues and 60’s superstar Billy Joe Royal.

Irish Italian Tickets for this exciting event are International Festival on sale now. Tickets include 2- day park admission, rides, a patri- Saturday, September 26th otic parade themed exhibits and 10 am—4 pm concerts. Main Street, NMB

Purchase your tickets by calling Entrance is free to the public the (843) 236-7625. day of the event. This festival

Happenings highlights delectable entrees from local restaurants that feature Irish For more info visit Music on Main www.FreestyleMusicPark.com. and Italian foods, arts and crafts, Thursday, Sept 3rd awesome music, and an area em- Andrew Thielen phasizing FREE children's activi- (Big Band) ties.

Journey to downtown North Myr- If you have questions regarding Special Thanks… tle Beach to get to know the area the Irish Italian International Fes- merchants in a relaxed and fun tival please contact Parks and Atlanta Bread Company for the Recreation at (843) 280-5570, or atmosphere. Enjoy a live band on delicious pastries… visit www.nmb.us/afc. Main Street from 6:30-8:30 pm the first Thursday night of the Sounds of Summer Frank from Pittsburg for the month through the summer. For hot doughnuts… more info contact Parks & Rec- Concert Series reation Center at (843) 280-5584. Friday, Sept 18th Bruce Brown from the North 7—9 pm Ambassador of the Month Brunswick Chamber for the McLean Park, NMB wonderful gift basket…

Congratulations to Cathy Featuring Jim Quick and Coast- All the models and volunteers Honeycutt with FOX TV on line (). Bring a winning July Ambassador of the that helped make our photo shoot beach chair, blanket and non- at the new O.D. Pavilion a suc- month! alcoholic beverages! For more cess… Are you interested in becoming info call Parks an Recreation at an Ambassador? Contact Vicki (843) 280-5584. at (843) 241-2109.

4

Welcome New Members For July

Acosta Mechanical Carol R. Stump Pike-McFarland-Hall Associ- 4245-A Exchange St. 1000 11th Ave. N. #108 ates, Inc. Little River North Myrtle Beach 1300 Professional Dr., Ste. 201 (843) 272-4174 (843) 249-3962 Myrtle Beach (843) 497-0272 Bloomin'deals Consignment Martinez's Painting Company 10001 Beach Dr. PO Box 4135 Send Out Cards Calabash Wilmington 9180 Southern Blvd. SE (910) 575-4949 (910) 231-7515 Winnabow (910) 383-2741 MyrtleBeachHotels.com 357 Lake Arrowhead Rd., MB (843) 445-2930 5th Annual Paws Across the Water Duck Race Annual Turkey Dinner Drive Saturday, September 12th Sponsored by Grand Strand Resorts and Boulineau’s Barefoot Landing, NMB Two North Myrtle Beach busi- A Thanksgiving dinner can be Support the Humane Society of nesses in conjunction with the provided for $19.00 which in- North Myrtle Beach by attending North Myrtle Beach Chamber of cludes a twelve to fourteen pound the 5th Annual Paws Across the Commerce have joined forces to turkey, yams, two cans of vegeta- Water Duck Race on September make the Thanksgiving holiday a bles, cranberry sauce, rolls and a 12th beginning at 11:30 am. The little brighter for hundreds of pie. The Turkey Dinner Drive families in the North Myrtle will kick off Thursday, Septem- race will be at 2:00 pm, but there th will be festivities all day long! Beach area. ber 17 at the Chamber’s Busi- ness After Hours, held at Grand This event will be held on the In- Boulineau’s IGA and Grand Stand Resorts beginning at 5:30 tracoastal Waterway at Barefoot Strand Resorts are working to- pm. Landing. See thousands of ducks gether for the fifth year in a row race to win the 1st place prize, a to raise money for turkey dinners. Those wishing to donate can also $2,000 gas card from Myrtle make contributions via mail; Beach Harley Davidson. Also, 20 "In the past four years, the Turkey please make checks payable to: other prizes will be awarded! Dinner Drive has donated over North Myrtle Beach Chamber, 1,000 dinners to area families," PO Box 349, North Myrtle To purchase your ducks please said Betty Mauney, Information Beach, SC 29597. visit the Humane Society of Specialist for the North Myrtle North Myrtle Beach shelter at 409 Beach Chamber. In an ideal world, everyone would Bay Street or adopt your ducks be able to enjoy Thanksgiving online: Mauney is spearheading the fund- dinner with family and friends. www.HumaneSocietyNMB.org. raising effort and will help organ- But the reality is that many peo- Also, adoption papers are ize volunteers to deliver the tur- ple in this area can’t afford a holi- avaiable at the Chamber’s Visitor key dinners November 25th. day meal and many would spend Center. the day alone if it weren’t for "There are many deserving fami- some caring, generous people in All the proceeds from this event lies in our area," Mauney said. our local community. Help make will benefit the Humane Society. "We work with churches, schools Thanksgiving special for the less and North Strand Helping Hand," fortunate in our community by she continued. donating an entire Thanksgiving dinner.

5 Chamber Celebrates 10th Anniversary

The North Myrtle Beach Cham- a 32 year chamber career. The salute the foresight and leadership ber of Commerce celebrated our chamber has a staff of eleven full of our founders many who are 10th anniversary on August 9th. time employees and six part-time. still active with the organization An open house was held on Fri- today. The enthusiasm and com- day, August 7th from Noon – 5:00 The Chamber has worked dili- mitment still exists today to con- pm to commemorate the event. gently promoting tourism. In tinue this legacy of leadership Chamber members were invited 2008 they created the “Twice the into the future,” stated Marc Jor- to stop by for refreshments, cake Fun, Half the Distance, Experi- dan, President/CEO of the Cham- and tour of the Chamber office. ence North Myrtle Beach Bus ber. Tour.” The tour was so success- The Chamber definitely has ful it was repeated again in 2009 plenty to celebrate. This past and plans have been made to con- year; we received 4-Star Accredi- tinue to tour each year. The tation from the US Chamber of Chamber has also increased mar- Commerce, a recognition only keting efforts by developing a 283 chambers have received. $250,000 interactive blitz cam- paign that ran this past spring, In March 2007, the chamber hired which increased inquires 70%. a new President/CEO, R. Marc Also, we are currently working on Jordan, who was attracted to travel centers that will be placed The Chamber Staff poses for a North Myrtle Beach following in upscale malls in North Caro- photo with the 10th Anniversary lina. Celebration cake on Friday, Au- gust 7th. “As we reflect and celebrate on Henry Brown visits NMB our first decade of service to the business community and citizens Congressman Henry Brown Jr. of North Myrtle Beach, we must made a stop in North Myrtle Beach on August 20th to speak to the Chamber legislative Grass- Board of Directors Spotlight roots Network. The meet and greet was held at Prince Resort in Cherry Grove. Members of the Kim B. Dayvault Chamber’s Legislative Grassroots Specialty Leasing Manager, Myrtle Beach Mall Network received a special invita- tion to attend. Chairman of the Board of Directors Term: 2008-2011 Legislative Council, Ed Prince along with Mayor Marilyn Hatley Serves on Community & Special Events Committee presented an appreciation plaque to Brown for his efforts in com- Hometown: Fairfax, VA Kim is also the President of the pleting the much-needed beach North Myrtle Beach Kiwanis renourishment project last sum- Lived in North Myrtle Beach: 28 Club and loves being involved in mer. years the community. Her favorite pas- time is spending time with her Kim has spent 14 years in mall family, husband Mark and daugh- management at Myrtle Beach ter Peyton. Kim says her happy Mall, and has held several posi- place is Disney World! tions there.

6 Visitors Guide Ads Quarterly Membership Meeting Due Sept 8th Wednesday, September 16th

We have begun production for the Please join us for our next Quar- is no fee to attend and please note 2010 Visitor Guide. For those terly Membership Meeting on all Chamber members are invited who have purchased an ad in the Wednesday, September 16th at to each area meeting. guide, please remember your ads 8:00 am (location TBA). are due no later than Tuesday, Once the location has been final- September 8th. If you need more Held quarterly in each of the ized we will announce it in our information on ad specs please founding beach communities weekly email blast and it will be contact Vicki Keibler at (843) which make up the City of North posted online in the Members 241-2109 or email Myrtle Beach, the North Myrtle Only Area. Vicki@NorthMyrtleBeach Cham- Beach Chamber of Commerce ber.com. The guide will be avail- Quarterly Membership Meetings Don’t know how to access the able by early December. are aimed at gathering with all Members Only Area? Visit our chamber members for the purpose website, click on Members Only AND don't forget we have a of learning more about chamber and use the same email address great opportunity with NC activities and discussing ideas to the Chamber has on file to re- Road Trips for you to promote enhance membership value. trieve your username and pass- your business in upscale malls word. in North Carolina! Call Vicki To RSVP please call Charlene for details! Lynam at (843) 281-2662. There

Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Offers Upcoming Events FREE classes to Chamber Members The North Myrtle Beach Cham- Endless Summer Festival ber of Commerce Convention & PhoCusWright, the travel industry We are now seeking sponsors for Visitors Bureau enjoys many research authority on how travel- the upcoming Endless Summer benefits of membership with ers, suppliers and intermediaries Festival on Saturday, October Southeast Tourism Society. As a connect, will discuss key trends 31st! We have sponsorships North Myrtle Beach Chamber shaping travel distribution in ranging from $500 to $1,000. 2009 and beyond. Presenting key Member you arte invited to attend This is a great event and perfect findings from recent research in the next STS Professional Out- way to promote your business to reach Program (POP) class, com- online and offline channel trends, visitors and locals! plimentary. This program brings consumer behavior, destination timely information right to your marketing, leisure and corporate desktop with topics important to travel, PhoCusWright’s senior Christmas Parade your organization’s success. You director of research Douglas It’s that time again! We are now can enjoy this class from the com- Quinby will examine the key accepting applications for the fort of your own office by watch- challenges and opportunities fac- 2009 Christmas Parade to be ing the presentation on your com- ing travel marketers in the months held on Saturday, December 5th puter and listening over your own to come. on Main Street. You can phone – without leaving your download an application by visit- We welcome you to our next desk! This class is complimen- ing www.nmbevents.com or by tary. class on “Travel Distribution Trends: 2009-2010.” For more calling Charlene Lynam, Events Our Next Class: Wednesday, Oc- information about this class and Director at (843) 281-2662. tober 7th at 10:00 am, to register, click here. “Travel Distribution Trends: 2009-2010” 7

August Ribbon Cuttings

Sea Haven Inc. Wachovia Bank

September Ribbon Cuttings

Eagle Realty Beach Memories Studio Horry County State Bank 4245 Sea Mtn. Hwy, NMB 157 Pinnacle Place, Little River 617 Hwy 17 South, NMB Thursday, September 10th @ 11 am Tuesday, September 15th @ Noon Friday, September 18th @ 9 am

Timeless Memories Sandpiper Heating & Air Conditioning LLC 4020 Railroad Ave, Loris 15050-B Hwy 17 N, NMB Tuesday, September 22nd @ 11 am Thursday, September 24th @ Noon

August Business After Hours

Special thanks to Apache Pier for hosting a wonderful Business After Hours!

8 Six Commandments of Effective Search Engine Marketing If you are looking for an effec- This is why you first need to every web site visitor asks with tive, low financial risk, low push up your website organi- no exception: “What’s in it for cost way to market your busi- cally, through classic SEO, me?” Pay extra attention to the ness over the internet, I have otherwise you will get lower description of your pages, it’s good news for you. The answer and lower in the sponsored link just like the subject line of an is Search Engine Marketing section no matter how high you email. You need to grab peo- with a blend of Search Engine are willing to bid for the key- ple’s attention and you need to Optimization. Wouldn’t be in- words. do better than your competi- teresting to cut a deal with a tors. Who are your competi- newspaper, a magazine or a TV 2. Understand your keywords tors? All the other nine web- station that would be willing to for every page sites listed along with yours on charge you only if the ad you Bring your customers to the the search engine results page. placed with them is generating right page once they searched It’s a tough competition: results for you? You know for a specific keyword. Make “Click me, no, me, me…” what? As crazy as it sounds, sure each page on your website there actually is such a mass has specific keywords and you 6. Search engine market media outlet and is called don’t mix them up to create through Pay-per-Click Internet. confusion for search engines You don’t want to ignore a and most important, for your strategy that is able to offer Now that I (hopefully) grabbed potential customers. you a 300% return on your in- your attention, let me detail six vestment. You obviously have of the most important rules (I’ll 3. Check your meta keywords to invest a little bit in order to call them commandments just In order to rank highly, make get a return. This is not only to ring a bell in your mind sure the meta keywords you fun, but also very effective. about how important they are). can see under View—Page If you are not very familiar view in your browser match In the end, there is only one with the concepts but still be- the keywords on that page. more thing I would like to em- lieve it sounds promising and phasize: these strategies and helpful for your business, don’t 4. Always create good content tactics are not without risk. hesitate to contact the Chamber Content is the King! Any mistake you make, any of Commerce. The Chamber Google hires so many young wrong word placed on your offers its members and the lo- PhD’s that is no wonder their website might have a huge cal business community in gen- search engine is able to act ex- negative impact on your brand. eral, through programs like actly like a human mind. There People talk and you know how “Recipe for Success”, many is no way to fool search en- quickly words spread out. Only opportunities to become more gines and the better the content this time it’s the word of… knowledgeable in the field. is (easy to follow, to the point, mouse. wrapped around the keywords), 1. Perform SEO the higher they will rank your People think they can buy their website. top position on search engines under the upper and side paid 5. Focus on WIIFM areas. What they don’t know is This should be the core of your that ranking is another impor- marketing strategy - the ques- tant factor. tion that each and Antonel Neculai

9 Candlelight Memorial Vigil

Lets get together and show our support and patriotism on Patriot Day, September 11th to honor the innocent victims of 9-11-01. The Vigil will be held at the Horseshoe on Main Street at 7:00 pm on Friday, Sep- tember 11th. Red, white, and blue glow sticks will be provided for the fist 2,974 participants. Our goal is to light a candle stick for each one of the 2,974 victims of 9-11-01.

Sponsored by NMB Lions Club, Jays of Little River, City of NMB and Rolling Thunder Chamber 13.

For more information please contact LION George O’Neill at (843) 399-1111 or email [email protected].

Keibler places 2nd in National Sales Contest by ACCE Members in the News

Vicki Keibler, Membership/Sales all fifty states and 23 countries Congratulations to Capital Bank- Director for the North Myrtle were in attendance. card and Vice President of Mer- Beach Chamber of Commerce, chant Services Brian Peters for placed 2nd place in the United “It is always nice to get recog- their recent recognition as the #1 States and Canada sales competi- nized by your peers and for the Independent Sales Organization tion by the American Chamber of city of North Myrtle Beach and for 2009 by the Electronic Trans- Commerce Executives (ACCE). the State of South Carolina to action Association during the or- stand out is great for everyone,” ganization’s recent annual con- The award recognized Keibler for stated Keibler. vention in Las Vegas. Capital 259 memberships sold during the Bankcard is a provider of mer- 2008-2009 fiscal year. Keibler The North Myrtle Beach Cham- chant accounts and credit card attended the annual ACCE con- ber of Commerce has been serv- processing solutions, including ference in early August in Ra- ing the local community for the hand held portable terminals, leigh, NC to receive her award. past ten years. The mission of the online processing, gift cards, and North Myrtle Beach Chamber of check processing. bri- The North Myrtle Beach Cham- Commerce is to be recognized as [email protected]. Visit online ber competes in the $200,000- the premier business organization at www.capitalbankcard $499,000 category with many serving the North Myrtle Beach atlantic.com. other chambers across the nation. area and its business members by At the conference in Raleigh, NC providing quality products, pro- Did your business receive an the first week in August, chamber grams, and services while influ- award? Email Jennifer Prince at of commerce representatives from encing issues that enhance the Jennifer@NorthMyrtleBeach economic prosperity of our com- Chamber.com to include your an- nouncement in our next newslet- 10 munity. ter! Chamber President chosen to serve as Ford Foundation Fellow and ACCE Board Member

The American Chamber of Com- statements, and a history of his 34-year merce Executives (ACCE) has Chamber career; which includes selected R. Marc Jordan, CCE, the last 20 years spent as the CEO President/CEO of the North Myr- of regional Chambers in Raleigh, tle Beach Chamber of Commerce NC and Memphis, TN. CVB, along with 33 other busi- ness-civic leaders to participate in “I would like to thank Marc for its Regional Sustainable Develop- his willingness to represent our ment (RDS) Fellowship, funded community and share the benefits by the Ford Foundation. Begin- of the Fellow’s program through ning in the fall of 2009, two his service,” stated Ed Horton, Marc Jordan, President/CEO of groups of Fellows, one of which Immediate Past Chairman for the the Chamber. will include Jordan, will begin the Chamber Board of Directors. 12-month program that will deepen Fellows’ understanding of Also, Jordan was recently elected About ACCE the policies and practices that to the association’s board of di- Established in 1914, ACCE is the lead to long-term economic and rectors. Jordan was officially wel- only national association community growth. Each Fellow comed to the board during uniquely serving the professional will work on a regional action ACCE’s annual national conven- development needs of individuals project that will address an oppor- tion which, this year, was held in managing chambers of commerce tunity for or barrier to creating Raleigh, NC, July 29 – August 1. throughout the and sustainable, inclusive prosperity “Marc’s successful leadership of Canada. Representing more than for their own region. the North Myrtle Beach Chamber 7,000 chamber professionals, of Commerce combined with his ACCE enhances the knowledge, “Spurring regional, sustainable excellent contribution to ACCE leadership skills and management development is one of the major and to many other boards, will be effectiveness of chamber execu- issues facing civic organizations, of great value to our organiza- tives and their staffs through edu- especially chambers of com- tion,” remarked ACCE president cation, trend analysis, bench- merce, in the 21st century,” says Mick Fleming. marking and best practices. Mick Flemming, President of ACCE promotes the highest stan- ACCE. “This program immerses Jordan joined the North Myrtle dards of professional excellence regional leaders in integrated eco- Beach Chamber of Commerce in and integrity within the chamber nomic and community growth February of 2008. He previously profession. strategies that foster greater eq- served as President and Chief Ex- uity of opportunity for all sectors, ecutive Officer of the Memphis Read all the latest neighborhoods and individuals.” Regional Chamber, a position he Chamber News online! held for ten years. February of Jordan was chosen from a pool of 2010 will mark an impressive 35- more than 60 distinguished and year career serving in leadership www.NorthMyrtleBeach talented candidates. Each Fellow positions with Chambers of Com- Chamber.com chosen, represents diverse com- merce including Raleigh, NC, munities and personal back- Norfolk, VA, Rocky Mount, NC, Click on “Chamber grounds. As part of Jordan’s ap- and beginning with the Greater Information” then plication he submitted four letters Lynchburg Chamber of Com- “Press Releases” of recommendation, a biographi- merce. cal sketch, news articles, personal July Website Report NMO…

Total number of visits: 47,094 Total number of page views: 132,807 Learn about the benefits the Chamber has to offer! New visits: 70.89% New and existing members Countries generating most number of visits are welcome. Light United States 45,309 refreshments will be served. Canada 1255 Wednesday, United Kingdom 118 September 30th @ 8:30 am Poland 65 Held at the chamber office. Germany 57 * The website received visits from 75 270 Hwy 17 N. countries and territories North Myrtle Beach Chamber’s Inquiry Overview Upcoming Events:

5th Annual Paws Across the Water Duck Race 18,000 16,000 Saturday, Sept. 12th 14,000 Barefoot Landing 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 Irish Italian 4,000 July 08-June 09 International Festival 2,000 July 07-June 08 0 July 08-June 09 Saturday, Sept. 26th July 07-June 08 Main Street

Endless Summer Festival Saturday, October 31st Main Street

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

July 07-June July 08-June Convention & Types 08 09 % Increase Visitors Bureau Visitors Guide 131,450 210,963 270 Hwy 17 North, E-Newsletter 1,355 3,015 North Myrtle Beach Hotel/Motel 4,338 11,148 (843) 281-2662 Condos/Beach Houses 5,229 10,237 (877) 332-2662 Attractions 7,990 16,827 Golf 2,988 4,094 Group Tours 817 1,383 Calendar of Events 3,613 12,337 Fishing 1,531 5,111 TOTAL 159,311 275,115 72.69%

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September 2009 SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 BOD @ 8 am

RC—Eagle Realty Exec @ 4 pm @ 11 am

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 RC—Beach Quarterly Mem- RC—Horry Memories Studio bership Mtg @ 8 BAH—Grand County State Bank @ Noon am Strand Resorts @ @ 9 am 5:30 pm

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 RC—Timeless RC—Sandpiper Memories @ 11 Heating & Air @ am Noon

27 28 29 30 NMO @ 8 am

Final Reminders…

□ Donate a Turkey Dinner for a much needed family in the North Myrtle Beach area. □ Attend the next Quarterly Membership Meeting on Sept 16th. □ Attend Business After Hours on Sept. 17th at Grand Strand Resorts. □ Join a Chamber Committee! Call us to find out how!