MYRTLE BEACH AREA & VISITORS BUREAU March 2016

Guests will be able to sample taste-tempting delights and beverages while enjoying live music.

A portion of the proceeds from the dinner go to the Myrtle Beach Area SPORTS Hospitality Association's scholarship funds directed at hospitality and culinary education. Over $30,000 has been contributed to the MBAHA's educational endeavors since the program's inception.

by Mike Anderson, CSEE, executive director – , Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of is designed to bring together area specialties and organizations, including Commerce continues to focus on the business leaders and strategic partners attorneys, bankers, campgrounds, realty, strength of sports tourism for our area. to collaborate on ways to enhance schools, , city of Myrtle Beach, With that priority, the Myrtle Beach the quality of life of our popular city of North Myrtle Beach, city of Regional Sports Alliance has been beach destination. These individuals, Georgetown, Horry and Georgetown developed, led by Mike Anderson, representing both Horry and Georgetown counties, Coastal Carolina University, executive director. counties, lead and support the efforts of Myrtle Beach Golf , Myrtle Beach our public and private facilities located Pelicans, and The Ripken Experience, The Myrtle Beach Regional Sports in the Grand Strand. Leaders around make up this alliance and are charged to Alliance meets four times a year and our community representing various focus their efforts in three targeted areas. Sports Tourism, See Page 26

MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com 23 CVB CVB insiderinsider MEDIA REPORT January 2016 3 YEAR OCCUPANCY TYPE IMPRESSIONS ADVERTISING EQUIVALENCY VALUE 2016 2015 2014 Internet 22,984,304 $3,404,745 Jan 28.0% 27.7% 26.8% Print 5,696,097 $2,612,097 Feb 36.2% 37.3% Broadcast 5,706,973 $590,238 Mar 50.9% 52.4% TOTAL 34,387,374 $6,607,080 Apr 59.5% 60.9% May 58.3% 60.0% Jun 81.1% 78.7% ADVERTISING REFERRALS Jul 89.8% 87.2% 1,500,000 Aug 74.0% 81.9% JANUARY Sep 63.6% 70.4% 2015 675,559 Oct 42.8% 52.5% 1,000,000 2016 511,056 Nov 34.1% 34.5% % Change -24.35% Dec 26.7% 27.8%

500,000 3 YEAR AVERAGE DAILY ROOM RATE 2016 2015 2014 0 Jan $52.23 $44.80 $47.68 JFMAMJJASOND 2016 2015 Feb $58.06 $53.84 UNIQUE USER SESSIONS Mar $79.59 $69.22 Apr $99.26 $93.25 2,000,000 May $115.07 $108.87 JANUARY Jun $158.50 $144.03 2015 881,975 1,500,000 2016 934,657 Jul $187.18 $174.80 % Change 5.97% Aug $146.96 $140.50

1,000,000 Sep $102.60 $85.45 Oct $76.55 $71.24 2016 Nov $64.75 $57.73 500,000 2015 Dec $59.94 $55.18

0 JFMAMJJASOND AIRPORT ARRIVALS**

100,000 AVERAGE DAILY RATE OCCUPANCY PERCENT PER ROOM WEEK* PER ROOM WEEK* December 7, 2015 - January 22, 2016 December 7, 2015 - January 22, 2016 50,000 $100 50%

28.2% 26.4% 0 $54.98 $50.77 2014 2015 $50 25% DECEMBER 2014 39,195 2015 38,202 $0 0% 2014-2015 2015-2016 2014-2015 2015-2016 % Change -2.53% 24 Grand Strander Horry County Admissions & Accommodations Tax GT Admissions & Accommodations Tax-2

Month Admissions Accommodations Month Admissions Accommodations Dec $411,487 $412,983 Dec $27,293 $26,654 Jan $333,815 $335,900 Jan $31,281 $40,002 Feb $313,659 $509,780 Feb $26,016 $34,037 Mar $535,316 $946,185 Mar $70,560 $63,740 Apr $867,380 $1,442,959 Apr $106,000 $101,915 May $1,012,052 $1,929,547 May $130,035 $154,615 Jun $1,300,043 $3,193,167 Jun $58,174 $305,782 Jul $1,744,625 $4,267,997 Jul $56,005 $416,216 Aug $934,659 $3,276,745 Aug $42,576 $324,273 Sep $1,095,354 $1,669,108 Sep $63,760 $156,776 Oct $349,950 $915,813 Oct $52,494 $67,306 Nov N/A N/A Nov N/A N/A

$500,000 $5,000,000 3.1% 6.0% $375,000 -1.7% 0.4% $3,750,000 2.2% -1.0% $250,000 $2,500,000 11.9% 8.5% -19.4% 2.5% -50% -23.6% -21.1% -47% 35.0% -13.8% 0.2% 9.5% -9.0% 36.0% 12.0% $125,000-23.5% -10.6% 13.4% -33.0% 2.8% -33.6% -2.0% -0.8% 9.7% 0.9% $1,250,000-17.8% 37.6% -2.1% -60.4% -15.3% -15.9% 32.7% -42.91% 3.4% 37.2% 88.8% -12.6% $0 20.8% $0 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov $27,293 $31,281 $26,016 $70,560 $106,000 $130,035 $58,174 $56,005 $42,576 $63,760 $52,494 N/A $411,487 $333,815 $313,659 $535,316 $867,380 $1,012,052 $1,300,043 $1,744,625 $934,659 $1,095,354 $349,950 N/A Horry County Admissions & Accommodations Tax $26,654 $40,002 $34,037 $63,740 $101,915 $154,615GT Admissions$305,782 &$416,216 Accommodations$324,273 Tax-2$156,776 $67,306 N/A $412,983 $335,900 $509,780 $946,185 $1,442,959 $1,929,547 $3,193,167 $4,267,997 $3,276,745 $1,669,108 $915,813 N/A Month Admissions Accommodations Month Admissions Accommodations Dec $411,487 $412,983 Dec $27,293 $26,654 Jan $333,815 $335,900 Jan $31,281 $40,002 Feb $313,659 $509,780 Feb $26,016 $34,037 Mar $535,316 $946,185 Mar $70,560 $63,740 Apr $867,380 $1,442,959 Apr $106,000 $101,915 May $1,012,052 $1,929,547 May $130,035 $154,615 VisitMyrtleBeach.comJun $1,300,043 $3,193,167 December 2014 Jun $58,174 $305,782 Jul $1,744,625 $4,267,997 March 2016 Jul $56,005 $416,216 VisitMyrtleBeach.comAug $934,659 $3,276,745 Aug $42,576 $324,273 Sep $1,095,354 $1,669,108 Sep $63,760 $156,776 Oct $349,950 $915,813 Oct $52,494 $67,306 Nov N/A N/A Nov N/A N/A Horry County Admissions & Accommodations Tax HORRYGT Admissions & AccommodationsCOUNTY Tax-2 TAX COLLECTIONS Month Admissions Accommodations Month Admissions Accommodations Dec $411,487 $412,983 Dec $27,293 $26,654 Admissions & Accommodations Jan $31,281 $40,002 $500,000 Jan $333,815 $335,900 6.0% Feb $313,659 $509,780 $5,000,000Feb $26,016 $34,037 3.1% Mar $70,560Horry County Gross$63,740 Retail Sales Mar $535,316 $946,185 $375,000 0.4% Apr $867,380 $1,442,959 Apr $106,000Month $101,915Admissions -1.0% -1.7% $3,750,000May $130,035 $154,615 2.2% May $1,012,052 $1,929,547 Dec $728,416,835 Jun $58,174 $305,782 Jun $1,300,043 $3,193,167 Jan $565,958,297 $250,000 Jul $1,744,625 $4,267,997 $2,500,000Jul $56,005 Feb $416,216$614,016,165 11.9% -19.4% 2.5% Aug $934,659 $3,276,745 Aug $42,576 $324,273 8.5% -47% -50% Mar $803,766,467 -23.6% -21.1% GT County Gross Retail Sales -13.8% 0.2% Sep $1,095,354 $1,669,108 Sep $63,760 $156,776 12.0% -23.5% 35.0% -10.6% 9.5%Apr -9.0%$822,175,901 36.0% $125,000 13.4% -33.0% Oct $349,950 $915,813 Oct $52,494 $67,306 2.8% -33.6% -2.0% 9.7% 0.9% $1,250,000 May $849,320,995 Month Admissions -2.1% -0.8% -60.4% -15.3% Nov N/A N/A Nov N/A -17.8%N/A 37.6% Dec $120,862,238 Jun -15.9%$1,078,951,196 32.7% -42.91% Jul $1,091,496,269 3.4% 37.2% 88.8% -12.6% Jan $83,506,192 $0 20.8% $0 Aug $808,199,905 Feb $92,710,214 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov $500,000 DecSep Jan$706,639,944 Feb Mar Apr 6.0%May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Mar $116,359,571 $5,000,000 3.1% Oct $582,977,895 Apr $108,522,623 $27,293 $31,281 $26,016 $70,560 $106,000 $130,035 $58,174 $56,005 $42,576 $63,760 $52,494 N/A $375,000 $411,487Nov $333,815$544,680,314 $313,659 $535,316 $867,380-1.7% $1,012,052 $1,300,0430.4% $1,744,625 $934,659 $1,095,354 $349,950 N/A May $122,130,833 $3,750,000 2.2% -1.0% Jun $142,990,851 $26,654 $40,002 $34,037 $63,740 $101,915 $154,615 $305,782 $416,216 $324,273 $156,776 $67,306 N/A $412,983 $335,900 $509,780 $946,185 $1,442,959 $1,929,547 $3,193,167 $4,267,997 $3,276,745 $1,669,108 $915,813 N/A Jul $137,320,505 $250,000 $2,500,000 11.9% 8.5% -19.4% 2.5% -50% Aug $106,420,824 -23.6% -47% -13.8% Sep $99,385,867 -21.1% 12.0% -23.5% 35.0% -10.6% 0.2% 9.5% -9.0% 36.0% $125,000 13.4% -33.0% Oct $85,762,145 2.8% -33.6% -2.0% -0.8% 9.7% 0.9% Gross Retail Sales $1,250,000-17.8% 37.6% -2.1% -60.4% -15.3% Nov $79,957,608 -15.9% 32.7% -42.91% 3.4% 37.2% 88.8% -12.6% $0 20.8%6.3% -1.8% $0 $1,100,000,000Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov $27,293 $31,281 $26,016 $70,560 $106,000 $130,035 $58,174 $56,005 $42,576 $63,760 $52,494 N/A $411,487 $333,815 $313,659 $535,316 $867,380 $1,012,052 $1,300,043 $1,744,625 $934,659 $1,095,354 $349,950 N/A $150,000,000 $26,654 $40,002 $34,037 $63,740 $101,915 $154,615 $305,782 $416,216 $324,273 $156,776 $67,306 N/A $412,983 $335,900 $509,780 $946,185 $1,442,959 $1,929,547 $3,193,167 $4,267,997 $3,276,745 $1,669,108 $915,813 N/A $950,000,000 0.4% 12.0% -1.6% 1.9% -0.4% 4.8% -21.6% $122,578,125 Horry County Admissions & Accommodations Tax $800,000,000GT Admissions9.4% & Accommodations Tax-2 -9.2% -11.65% 4.2% Month Admissions Accommodations Month Admissions Accommodations $95,156,250 -3.0% -4.2% Dec $27,293 $26,6545.0% -23.7% Dec $411,487 $412,983 $650,000,000 -22.2% 0.9% Jan $333,815 $335,900 Jan $31,281 6.6% $40,002 -15.98% -21.34% 10.6% Feb $313,659 $509,780 Feb $26,016 $34,037 $67,734,375 -18.0% Mar $535,316 $946,185 $500,000,000Mar $70,560 $63,740 Apr $867,380 $1,442,959 Apr Dec $106,000 Jan $101,915Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov May $1,012,052 $1,929,547 May $130,035 $154,615 $40,312,500 $728,416,835 $565,958,297 $614,016,165 $803,766,467 $822,175,901 $849,320,995 $1,078,951,196 $1,091,496,269 $808,199,905 $706,639,944 $582,977,895 $544,680,314 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Jun $1,300,043 $3,193,167 Jun $58,174 $305,782 Jul $1,744,625 $4,267,997 Jul $56,005 $416,216 $120,862,238 $83,506,192 $92,710,214 $116,359,571 $108,522,623 $122,130,833 $142,990,851 $137,320,505 $106,420,824 $99,385,867 $85,762,145 $79,957,608 Aug $934,659 $3,276,745 Aug $42,576 $324,273 Sep $1,095,354 $1,669,108 Sep Horry$63,760 County Gross$156,776 Retail Sales $349,950 $915,813 GEORGETOWNOct $52,494 COUNTY$67,306 TAX COLLECTIONS Oct Month Admissions Nov N/A N/A Nov N/A N/A Dec $728,416,835 Horry County Gross Retail Sales Jan $565,958,297 Admissions & Accommodations Month Admissions Feb $614,016,165 Dec $728,416,835 $500,000 $5,000,000 Mar $803,766,467 6.0% GT County Gross Retail Sales Jan $565,958,297 3.1% Apr $822,175,901 Feb $614,016,165 May $849,320,995 Month Admissions Mar $803,766,467 $375,000 -1.7% 0.4% 2.2% -1.0% GT County Gross Retail Sales $3,750,000 Apr $822,175,901 Jun $1,078,951,196 Dec $120,862,238 May $849,320,995 $250,000Month Admissions Jul $1,091,496,269 Jan $83,506,192 $2,500,000 Jun 11.9%$1,078,951,196 8.5% Dec $120,862,238 Aug $808,199,905 -19.4% 2.5% -50% Feb $92,710,214 Jul $1,091,496,269 -47% Jan $83,506,192 -13.8% -23.6% -21.1% 35.0%Sep $706,639,944 0.2% Mar $116,359,571 9.5% 36.0% Aug $808,199,905 12.0% $125,000Feb -23.5%$92,710,214 -10.6% 13.4% -9.0% 2.8% -33.6% -2.0% Oct $582,977,895 9.7% 0.9% -33.0% Apr $108,522,623 $1,250,000-17.8% Sep $706,639,944 Mar -2.1%$116,359,571 -0.8% -60.4% -15.3% -15.9% 37.6% Oct $582,977,895 Apr $108,522,623 Nov $544,680,314 32.7% May $122,130,833 Nov $544,680,314 May $122,130,833 20.8% -42.91% 3.4% 37.2% 88.8% -12.6% $0 Jun $142,990,851 Jun $142,990,851 $0 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Jul $137,320,505 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Jul $137,320,505 Aug $27,293$106,420,824 $31,281 $26,016 $70,560 $106,000 $130,035 $58,174 $56,005 $42,576 $63,760 $52,494 N/A 1 Aug $106,420,824 $411,487 $333,815 $313,659 $535,316 $867,380 $1,012,052 $1,300,043 $1,744,625 $934,659 $1,095,354 $349,950 N/A Sep $99,385,867 Sep $99,385,867 Oct $26,654$85,762,145 $40,002 $34,037 $63,740 $101,915 $154,615 $305,782 $416,216 $324,273 $156,776 $67,306 N/A Oct $85,762,145 $412,983 $335,900 $509,780 $946,185 $1,442,959 $1,929,547 $3,193,167 $4,267,997 $3,276,745 $1,669,108 $915,813 N/A Nov $79,957,608 Nov $79,957,608 6.3% -1.8% $1,100,000,000 6.3%Gross Retail-1.8% Sales $1,100,000,000 $150,000,000 $950,000,000 $150,000,000 0.4% 12.0% -1.6% 1.9% -0.4% 4.8% -21.6% $122,578,125$950,000,000 0.4% 12.0% -1.6% $800,000,000 9.4% -9.2% 1.9% -0.4% -11.65% 4.2% 4.8% -21.6% $122,578,125 $95,156,250 -3.0% -4.2% 5.0% $800,000,000 9.4% -23.7% $650,000,000 -22.2% 0.9% -11.65% -9.2% 6.6% -15.98% -21.34% 4.2% $67,734,375 10.6% -18.0% $95,156,250 -3.0% -4.2% 5.0% -23.7% $500,000,000 $650,000,000 -22.2% 0.9% Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 6.6% -15.98% -21.34% $40,312,500 10.6% $728,416,835 $565,958,297 $614,016,165 $803,766,467 $822,175,901 $849,320,995 $1,078,951,196 $1,091,496,269 $808,199,905 $706,639,944 $582,977,895 $544,680,314 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov $67,734,375 -18.0% $500,000,000$120,862,238 $83,506,192 $92,710,214 $116,359,571 $108,522,623 $122,130,833 $142,990,851 $137,320,505 $106,420,824 $99,385,867 $85,762,145 $79,957,608 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov For more information regarding additional research conducted by the chamber, contact Mary Mroz at [email protected]. $40,312,500 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov $728,416,835 $565,958,297 $614,016,165Sources: S.C. Departments$803,766,467 of PRT$822,175,901 and Revenue$849,320,995 $1,078,951,196 $1,091,496,269 $808,199,905 $706,639,944 $582,977,895 $544,680,314 Horry County Gross Retail Sales $120,862,238 $83,506,192 $92,710,214 $116,359,571 $108,522,623 $122,130,833 $142,990,851 $137,320,505 $106,420,824 $99,385,867 $85,762,145 $79,957,608 Month Admissions HELP US HELP YOU By sending in your weekly numbers, you will be providing valuable data that helps us to keep Dec $728,416,835 updated information. For more information, contact Dr. Taylor Damonte, director of the Clay Jan $565,958,297 Provide data to CCU Brittain Jr. Center for Tourism at Coastal Carolina University, [email protected]. Feb $614,016,165 Mar $803,766,467 GT County Gross Retail Sales Apr $822,175,901 *Source: Dr. Taylor Damonte, director of the Clay Brittain Jr. Center for Resort Tourism at Coastal Carolina University, May $849,320,995 [email protected] Admissions **Source: Horry County Department of Airports MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com 25 Jun $1,078,951,196 Dec $120,862,238 Jul $1,091,496,269 Jan $83,506,192 Aug $808,199,905 Feb $92,710,214 Sep $706,639,944 Mar $116,359,571 Oct $582,977,895 Apr $108,522,623 Nov $544,680,314 May $122,130,833 Jun 1 $142,990,851 Jul $137,320,505 Aug $106,420,824 Sep $99,385,867 Oct $85,762,145 Nov $79,957,608 6.3% -1.8% $1,100,000,000 $150,000,000 1 $950,000,000 0.4% 12.0% -1.6% 1.9% -0.4% 4.8% -21.6% $122,578,125 $800,000,000 9.4% -9.2% -11.65% 4.2% $95,156,250 -3.0% -4.2% 5.0% -23.7% $650,000,000 -22.2% 0.9% 6.6% -15.98% -21.34% $67,734,375 10.6% -18.0% $500,000,000 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov $40,312,500 $728,416,835 $565,958,297 $614,016,165 $803,766,467 $822,175,901 $849,320,995 $1,078,951,196 $1,091,496,269 $808,199,905 $706,639,944 $582,977,895 $544,680,314 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov $120,862,238 $83,506,192 $92,710,214 $116,359,571 $108,522,623 $122,130,833 $142,990,851 $137,320,505 $106,420,824 $99,385,867 $85,762,145 $79,957,608

1 CVBCVBinsider Sports Tourism, Continued From Page 23

Facility Development – We are fortunate to have high caliber facilities in our destination. And the Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance is working to provide strategic feedback on the 'next' big thing! Where Coastal Carolina University and tournament quality in the public facilities, including Grand Park, Myrtle Beach Sports Center, North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports World Complex, 8 Oaks Park, and Myrtle Beach Convention is the CVB? Center, along with private facilities, including The Ripken Experience and Myrtle Beach Speedway, are a few examples that have launched our region to make sports event organizers take notice. The alliance will continue to push themselves to review ongoing trends in the sports event industry while focusing on the needs of the local population when considering options for future development. Trade Show Schedule Business Development – It is commonly known that the Grand Strand hosts great diamond sports CVB-Group Sales is busy in March welcoming (baseball, softball, kickball) as well as popular indoor three groups with 730 attendees. competitions (basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, dance/cheerleading). And, the area continues to make March 3-9, 2016 March 20-23, 2016 strides in hosting sports like track and field, cross South Independent country, fishing, pickleball, soccer, lacrosse and many Winston-Salem, NC Planner Educational others. As the Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance Conference (IPEC) looks at future facility developments, it makes sense March 9-13, 2016 Austin, TX to review potential sports events to place in all of the facilities and their economic impact these programs Bourse (ITB) Berlin April 3-7, 2016 will make for our region. Berlin, Germany National Association of Sports Commissions Regional Preventers – How are we doing? What (NASC) Symposium makes the region so attractive to our athletes and Grand Rapids, MI their families? As these questions become easier to answer, the MBRSA is focusing on how we can get even better. What are the areas that we face that may be limiting us to host a certain sport? What 'prevents' our region from getting better in accommodating sports, in customer service and in team arrival and departure? The MBRSA will continue to challenge Get Ready. our region to overcome these obstacles.

The Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance leadership serves as ambassadors to the Grand Strand and is an Get Set. Go! advisory group to the board of directors of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber Commerce. Our goal is to make our family friendly destination even more popular to 2016 Trade Show Program our millions of athletes we are fortunate to host each Distribute up to 25,000 rack cards to year. AAA, military and consumer travel shows.

CONTACT Jason McCoy 843-241-4407

If you have story ideas or questions for Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Insider, 26 Grand Strander contact Jason McCoy, CVB customer service manager, at [email protected].