2- 2019 February Chamber Business Monthly

FEATURED Chamber Ball 2019: Celebrating Community Leaders and Businesses COMMUNITY FOCUS Countdown to the 36th Annual Hilton Head St. Patrick's Day Parade FEATURED ARTICLE PAGE 20 ADVOCACY AT WORK Focused on Business Issues That Matter Most to You PAGE 4 PAGE 2 HILTON HEAD ISLAND-Bluffton Chamber of commerce CHAMBER BUSINESS DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT February is Foodie Month! february 2019 MONTHLY PAGE 6 Andrew Camines David M. Carmines  Memorial Foundation Outstanding Organization of the Year Celebrating Community Leaders and Businesses Community Awards Sponsors Debi Malool Zonta Woman  of the Year Thank you to our Chamber Ball Sponsors! Anna Pepper Hewett and Emily Burden - Gigi's Boutique Bluffton Regional Business  Council Member of the Year {{page}} Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated Partner Sponsors {{page}} Presenting Sponsor {{page}} CHAMBER BALL 2019 Community Awards Sponsors BurrForman McNair Coastal Plains Insurance Hargray Hilton Head Regional Healthcare Servpro of Beaufort County Verb Supporting Sponsor Emmett McCracken Alice Glenn Doughtie Good Citizenship Award {{page}} Anne Poole of Hilton Head Christian Academy Sue West Educator  of the Year Award Award Winners Ready to get involved with the chamber's advocacy committees in 2019? Contact Hannah Horne at HHorne@hiltonheadisland.org. Chambers rally for  H-2B Visa Reforms At the request of several of our resorts, the chamber has partnered in a letter writing and telephone campaign with both the US Chamber of Commerce and SC Chamber of Commerce, requesting immediate attention to the H-2B visa program. The immediate need is for Congress to include reform measures in any future spending bills. Specifically, this is focused on raising the number of visas issued under the program. The H-2B visa program allows for the temporary access of seasonal laborers into the American workforce. We appreciate the immediate attention we received from the staffs of Senator Tim Scott and Senator Lindsey Graham on this issue. long text in bullets - make bullets flush left BCSD Referendum Question Recently, the new Beaufort County School Board authorized the interim superintendent to prepare to begin gathering information about a possible referendum question for the November ballot. The Board approved a calendar that calls for its members to make a decision in May on whether to hold a referendum. Possible areas of focus could include equalizing facilities in schools across the district, repairing and renovating aging buildings, improving security, and also building additional schools to address rapidly growing student populations in Bluffton. ADVOCACY AT WORK {{page}} Chamber Representation Included on Hilton Head Island’s Corridor Task Force The Town of Hilton Head Island has named 14 local resident-leaders to its newly formed 278 Gateway Corridor Committee. Among them is the Chamber’s Vice-President of Public Policy and Programs, Hannah Horne. The committee, according to its charter, will work cooperatively with the SC Department of Transportation to gather information, encourage citizen input and make any recommendations to Town Council. “This is a major project that will have a considerable impact on the environment, communities situated along the area slated for improvement and the island as a whole,” said John J. McCann, the Mayor of Hilton Head Island. “We have heard about potential effects from families, businesses, and other island residents. We felt strongly that we needed a way for the community to be involved, and this committee will help fulfill that role.” We encourage our business community to sign up on the Town’s website hiltonheadislandsc.gov to receive notices and updates about the committee’s meetings and work. {{page}} Back to the Ballot Box in Ward 6 The election to fill the remaining term for Hilton Head Island Town Council representative of Ward 6 is scheduled for February 19, 2019. The winner of the seat will fulfill the remaining two-year term of Mayor, John McCann. In 2020, the seat will be up for re-election for a full, four-year term. The following candidates will be on the ballot: Kent Loper Berry Jim Collett Cathy McClellan Glenn Stanford Focused on Business Issues That Matter Most to You Beaufort County’s Legislative Delegation Receives Respected Committee Assignments Members of Beaufort County’s legislative delegation, representing the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce in Columbia, have each received their committee assignments. The appointment of our representatives to these seats is a great honor as they serve not only their districts but matters state-wide. Representatives include: Senator Chip Campsen - Agriculture and Natural Resources, Fish, Game and Forestry (Chairman); Judiciary; Legislative Oversight; Rules; & Transportation Representative Bill Herbkersman – Ways & Means, Healthcare Subcommittee (Chairman) Representative Shannon Erickson – Ways & Means, Transportation & Regulatory Subcommittee (Chairman); Regulations & Administrative Procedures; SC Joint Citizens & Legislative Committee on Children (Co-Chair) Senator Tom Davis - Banking and Insurance; Corrections and Penology; Finance; Labor, Commerce, and Industry; Legislative Oversight; & Medical Affairs Representative Weston Newton – Judiciary & Legislative Oversight (Chairman) Representative Jeff Bradley – Judiciary & Regulations and Administrative Procedures Senator Margie Bright Matthews - Corrections and Penology; Family and Veterans' Services; Judiciary; Medical Affairs; Transportation Representative Michael Rivers - Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Representative Shedron Williams - Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Beaufort County Council Meeting Feb 11 | 6 PM Town of Bluffton Council Meeting Feb 12 | 6PM Town of Hilton Head Island  Council Meeting Feb 19 | 4 PM Town of Hilton Head Island  Ward 6 Vote Feb 19 Beaufort County Council Meeting Feb 25 | 6 PM MEETINGS OF INTEREST Transportation Sales Tax  Increase begins May 1st The SC Department of Revenue is in the process of notifying local businesses of the additional 1% sales tax for Beaufort County that goes into effect on May 1st. Special attention is also being given to our hospitality partners to alert them to add the additional 1% into quotes being given for business that falls on May 1, 2019 and beyond. The additional tax was approved by voters in November 2018 as a way to fund road, bridge, and other transportation safety projects in Beaufort County. If your business is quoting prices or receiving paid reservations for May 1, 2019 and beyond, you should be adding in the extra 1% sales tax that will be fully in effect at that time. {{page}} The countdown clock on the Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Parade website marches toward celebration day as residents, sponsors, parade coordinators, and participants prepare for the longest running parade in the State of South Carolina—held right here on Hilton Head Island. This year, the parade will be the only one in the region to be held on Sunday, March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day) and will begin with tradition in mind, sharply at 3 p.m. While some people call it the first celebration of Spring, others recognize the afternoon as the largest free family event on the Island. And as 35,000 people line the streets to watch 125 businesses and organizations represent the community, the parade is sure to make a significant economic impact on the place we call home. Many featured participants will return this year for the 3-hour procession: pipe and drum bands, high school and university marching bands, the U.S. Marine Corps Band from Parris Island, and a procession of local dignitaries. Other exciting attractions are expected to enter by Parade Day, so you might even get a glimpse of the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales, Planter’s Peanut Nutmobile, and the Greater Kensington String Band from Philadelphia. All will join the collection of colorful floats and marching groups for an event you won't want to miss! "With around 35,000  people in attendance  and approximately  125 local businesses and organizations marching in the parade, it is sure to make a positive economic impact on our community ." Gabrielle Muething Marketing Team Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick's Day Parade Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick's Day Parade begins on Sunday, March 17 at 3 PM St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshall Announced for 2019 The Hilton Head Island St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee has selected David Lauderdale, Senior Editor and Columnist for The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette, as Grand Marshal for the 36th Annual Hilton Head Island St. Patrick's Day Parade. He is recognized for his coverage of a wide range of issues, especially the environment, mental health, Gullah culture, literacy, and local history. {{page}} COMMUNITY FOCUS The Parade: Everything You Need to Know! There's room for everyone at the Annual Hilton Head St. Patrick's Day Parade. Whether you're a resident or visitor looking to watch a collection of colorful floats and marching groups, a volunteer who would like to help coordinate the event, or a business that wants to be a sponsor, here are the details you need to know. Parade Date and Time: Sunday, March 17, 2019 @ 3 PM  rain or shine Parade Location:  Pope Avenue at Hilton Head Island's South End The Parade will follow its usual route, beginning at the south end of Pope Avenue near Coligny Circle and marching north to Office Park Road—site of the reviewing stand—where it will make a left turn and proceed to its end in front of Park Plaza and The Courtyard Building. Join the Parade! Enter online at HiltonHeadIreland.org. Entry fees are $400 for businesses and $200 for non-profit organizations. Volunteer Volunteers are needed to help in the staging area and along the Parade route. Volunteer online at HiltonHeadIreland.org or contact Bill Harper at (843) 616-3604. Countdown to the 36th Annual Hilton Head St. Patrick's Day Parade Foodie February - All month long! See pages 20 - 22 for details Events single page for the month - chronological order - okay for committee meetings & at a glance to be on 2nd pg MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Conversation & Cocktails + Chow Daddy's FEB 13 | 5:30 - 7 PM Chow Daddy's Bluffton 15 Towne Drive (Bluffton) $10 members / $20 future members Register Now Meet your ideal (business) match and show your love for your business at this Valentine’s-themed Conversation & Cocktails. Don't forget your business cards! In the Know - Offshore Drilling FEB 25 | 10:30 - NOON Speaker: Attorney General Alan Wilson Registration Coming Soon Join South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson to learn about South Carolina’s stance for blocking seismic testing for oil and gas off the South Carolina coast. Backed by GOP Gov. Henry McMaster, Wilson became the first Republican attorney general to join a legal fight — launched by 16 S.C. cities, nine environmental groups and nine Democratic state attorneys general — to halt permits for exploration off the Atlantic Coast. FEBRUARY EVENTS FEATURED EVENT Calendar at a Glance 2/1 | 7:30 - 8:30 AM - Chamber Young Professionals Coffee @ Java Burrito 2/1 | 8 - 9 AM - Public Policy Committee  @ Chamber Headquarters 2/4 - 2/10 - Chamber Restaurant Week @ Hilton Head Island & Bluffton 2/5 | 8:30 - 9:30 AM - Business Education Partnership @ McGriff Insurance (Bluffton) 2/12 | 6 - 8 PM - Chamber Young Professionals - Soul Food & Friends @ Northridge Event Venue (HHI) 2/13 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM - Conversation & Cocktails @ Chow Daddy's (Bluffton) 2/13 | 8:30 AM - 3 PM - Junior Leadership @ USCB (Bluffton) 2/21 | 8:30 AM - Bluffton Regional Business Council @ Ward Edwards Engineering (Bluffton) 2/25 | In the Know (details coming soon) 2/28 | Noon - GETsmart Series @ Chamber Headquarters (HHI) 3/11 | 10 AM - Business Golf Classic @ Atlantic Dunes / The Sea Pines Resort COMMITTEE MEETINGS STAY CONNECTED Visit our Connect Calendar for all upcoming chamber and community events and to submit your upcoming events: hiltonheadchamber.org. COMING IN MARCH MEMBERSHIP MATTERS {{page}} Business Golf Classic MAR 11 | 10 AM Atlantic Dunes - The Sea Pines Resort 100 North Sea Pines Drive (HHI) Click here for details & registration The Business Golf Classic is hosted annually at one of our area’s exclusive private courses and attracts the region’s leading executives and business professionals. Chamber Restaurant Week FEB 4 - 10 Various locations Participating restaurants offer specially-priced or prix-fixe menus, signature dishes, new entrees, and old favorites. You simply come to dine and enjoy! Click here for a list of participating restaurants! {{page}} GETsmart Business Education Series FEB 28 | NOON 1 Chamber of Commerce Drive (HHI)  Topic: Human Resources 101 This month's GETsmart (Grow, Engage, Train) business education series focuses on basic human resources concepts, human resources principles for a small business, the key processes in human resource management, and the various laws associated with human resources. Email HHorne@hiltonheadisland.org to register! Public Policy Committee Meeting Feb 1 | 8 AM Speaker: Jean Beck, CEO, Hilton Head Area Realtors Topic: Realtors Association’s Legislative Agenda Location: Chamber Headquarters (HHI) Business Education Partnership Feb 5 | 8:30 AM Speaker: Rachel Wisnefski, Ph.D., Beaufort County School Board District 7 Topic: Introduction of New School Board Member Location: McGriff Insurance, 7 Arley Way, 2nd floor (Bluffton) Bluffton Regional Business Council Feb 21 | 8:30 AM Speaker: Chris Chapmond, Chief of Police, Bluffton Topic: Public Safety Update Location: Ward Edwards Engineering 119 Palmetto Way, Suite C (Bluffton) Chamber Young Professionals -  Soul Food & Friends FEB 12 | 6 - 8 PM Northridge Event Venue 435 William Hilton Parkway, Suite Z (HHI) $30 Register Now Cooking demo with Sallie Ann Robinson about traditional Gullah cooking and the history of their dishes. E-mail mkristenson@hiltonheadisland.org by February 5 to attend. Chamber Young Professionals - First Friday Coffee FEB 1 | 7:30 - 8:30 AM Java Burrito 1000 William Hilton Parkway (HHI)  No registration required Not a chamber member yet? If you would like to attend a coffee to learn more about the value of chamber membership, please contact Beverly Maloney: email bmaloney@hiltonheadchamber.org or call (843) 341-8375. Did you know one of the many benefits of chamber membership is the opportunity to share company news, community news, and staff hires and promotions? To be considered for a future Chamber Business Monthly, please send us your media release or business news that will be of interest to fellow chamber members. No product or service promotions/advertisements, please. Send info and JPEG image to sburnash@hiltonheadisland.org. MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Recycle Your Jacket for Deep Well In an effort to provide warm clothing to those in need, Outside Hilton Head will host its 27th annual Recycle Your Jacket Program this February. The community is asked to bring in donations of sweaters, coats, and jackets in good condition to be donated to Deep Well. For those who donate, Outside Hilton Head will provide up to fifty percent off of in-stock jackets and outerwear. The program runs from February 1st to 15th at the Outside Hilton Head Flagship Store in The Plaza at Shelter Cove. MEMBERSHIP MATTERS MEMBERS MAKING NEWS Speaker: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Pure Barre Hilton Head Island has assumed new ownership as Jenna Irvin takes the helm. SHARE YOUR NEWS Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Shares Upcoming Events Recurring throughout the month of February, performances of “Blithe Spirit” will spotlight a fantasy comedy by Noel Coward that combines farce, emotion and clever wit. When writer Charles Condomine holds a séance at his house, the ghost of his first wife comes back and causes all kinds of mischief for Condomine and his wife Ruth! Visit artshhi.com for the full schedule of performances and ticket purchase information. Local Restaurants Serve Up Soup to Benefit Second Helpings The “SouperBowl of Caring Fundraiser” to benefit Second Helpings will be held on Saturday, February 2nd from 12 - 4 p.m. at Coligny Plaza. The public is invited to come out and stroll through pop up stores while local restaurants serve food during a live music performance by The Matt Brantley Band. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at colignyplaza.com/events. Magic Memory Ball Wins  Good Food Award The Juice Hive, the Bluffton-based healthy eatery known for its cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and variety of all-natural, predominantly raw foods, has won a prestigious “Good Food Award” for its Magic Memory Ball. The Juice Hive had the distinct honor of having two finalists—Magic Memory Ball and Berry Bluffton Fruit Leather—in the high-profile national food competition. In addition, this year, its sister restaurant, The Cottage Café, Bakery & Tea Room, also had the honor of being recognized as a finalist for its Curried Pickled Red Okra in the national competition. Each year the national Good Food Awards honor the people throughout the country who make food that is delicious, respectful of the environment, and connected to communities and cultural traditions. For more information about the 2019 Good Food Awards and a complete listing of this year’s winners, click here. {{page}} Hargray to Acquire USA Communications' Alabama Assets Hargray Communications announced an agreement to acquire the Alabama assets of USA Communications, an incumbent cable provider serving Pell City, Alabama and surrounding areas. The transaction, expected to close early this year, will add additional residential and commercial customers to Hargray's expanding network in the southeastern United States. Read more. Coastal Properties Owners/Brokers-in- Charge, Joe and Karen Ryan, welcome Jana Halas to the agency's sales team. {{page}} MEMBERS on the move Women in Tennis Forum Held During PTR International Tennis Symposium Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) announced that it will hold a Women in Tennis Forum during the PTR International Tennis Symposium - February 12 - 15th, on Hilton Head Island. Professional Pickleball Registry hires Nicole Hobson as Member Services Manager {{page}} Hampton Hall Club welcomes Loraine Vienne, CCM, CAM, as the new General Manager/COO. MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Sea Pines Win "Best of Weddings" from The Knot Sea Pines continues to receive rave reviews from brides year after year. The Sea Pines Resort has won The Knot's "Best of Weddings" again for 2019, placing it in the Hall of Fame once more. Sea Pines would like to extend thanks to all of the couples who chose to get married at The Sea Pines Resort and took the time to write a fantastic review. They are excited to see what 2019 will bring! Second Helpings Named 2018 PGA TOUR Charity of the Year The PGA TOUR announced recently that Second Helpings, a Hilton Head Island-based non-profit beneficiary of the RBC Heritage, has been named the 2018 PGA TOUR Charity of the Year. The award comes with a $30,000 grant from the PGA TOUR to assist Second Helpings, which will be utilized to further help its efforts to combat hunger in South Carolina. The grant may be used to bolster Second Helpings’ recently-launched Healthy Food Initiative which supplements donations with fresh produce and proteins. Coastal Properties Owners/Brokers-in- Charge, Joe and Karen Ryan, welcome Roger Daly to the agency's sales team. Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka spends time with a young fan of the new Sensory Playground's xylophone. Field of Dreams Breaks Ground in Oscar Frazier Park {{page}} Education and College Class Day for  Junior Leadership Students The Chamber’s Jr Leadership Class will visit USCB on February 13th for a day of speakers discussing college preparation and career readiness. The 33 high school juniors in the program are from 6 local high schools in Bluffton, Okatie, and Hilton Head Island. Jr. Leadership Hilton Head Island-Bluffton program was formed to develop a corps of informed, committed, and qualified individuals capable of becoming successful leaders of their peers and their community. Each year the class participates in work days and several class projects. Applications for the 2019 - 2020 class will be accepted in April/May of 2019. For more information, contact (843) 785-3673. The Rotary Club of Bluffton and the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class of 2019 held an unveiling and groundbreaking event for Phase II of the Field of Dreams project on Saturday, January 19th at Oscar Frazier Park. Phase II of the project, expected to be completed this spring, will enhance the existing park and playground by adding a covered pavilion with restrooms as well as a sensory play area. Each year, the chamber Leadership Class completes a local project for the community. This year they are working with the Bluffton Rotary to provide the sensory play area at Oscar Frazier Park. Sensory play areas are open to all children but are specifically designed for children with special sensory needs. Sensory play is any activity that engages a child’s senses: touch, movement, balance, sight, and hearing. To complete the project, the Leadership class is soliciting donations from local businesses, organizations, and individuals. All donations will significantly impact the success of the Sensory Playground. Donors contributing more than $250 will be recognized with permanent signage at the park. For more information visit: www.sensebluffton.com or watch a recent episode of WHHI TV with Leadership class member Kaci Hollingsworth. {{page}} GOT NEWS? Diana Eason Brookdale Senior Living Solutions To participate in the new CYP program or sponsor a future event,  contact Caitlin Lee at events@hiltonheadisland.org. Interested in Becoming a Chamber Champion? Being a Chamber Champion is the number one way to gain business exposure by engaging with local businesses, executives, and community leaders. For more details, contact Cathy Havens at (843) 341-8369. Send us your press release and business news for consideration in our Chamber Business Monthly. Send to: SBurnash@hiltonheadisland.org. "We've been a chamber member throughout our business tenure on Hilton Head Island. For the past three years, we've been very excited and fortunate enough to take advantage of being a chamber champion. We felt that was an important thing for us to do because we really want to be a part of the community and the chamber is so much a part of the community—the life and knowledge and resources for the Hilton Head area—so we made that decision and we haven't regretted it since." ABOUT BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING SOLUTIONS: Brookdale offers a wide range of excellent senior living and senior care by enriching the lives of those served with compassion, respect, excellence, and integrity. Chamber news Cristian Jewell Kent Slaton is  New Intern at the Chamber My name is Cristian Jewell Kent Slaton. I am a senior studying Hospitality Management at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. I am excited to have my internship at the Chamber because I am interested in destination marketing and the research behind it. One fun fact about myself, I am a distance runner on the USCB’s men’s track team. MEMBERSHIP MATTERS CHAMBER CHAMPION "In the Spotlight" Chamber news MEMBERSHIP MATTERS {{page}} Secure the Call with Bluffton  Police Department The Bluffton Police Department is recycling cell phones for a safer community by partnering with a Maryland company, Secure the Call, an organization that wipes data off old phones and turns them into free 9-1-1 emergency access instruments. Only 9-1-1 can be accessed from the phones and is intended for those who may need a tool that can dial 9-1-1 quickly and immediately. Have a cell phone you'd like to donate? All cell phones will be accepted, with or without charging cables. Please bring the phones to the Bluffton Police Department at 101 Progressive Street in Buckwalter Place and place in the Secure the Call barrel located in the lobby. Town of Bluffton Seeks Proposals from Contractors for Affordable Housing The Town of Bluffton is seeking proposals from interested and qualified firms or joint ventures with past, proven, positive experiences in developing high-quality affordable housing solutions through all of the major development milestones, such as financing and construction, through marketing for sale and long term management. The Request for Proposal (RFP) schedule contemplates proposal submittal, then request for oral presentations from firms with the top-ranked submittals. The target start date for contract award is March 2019. Read more. Our yearlong, small business growth series called “GETsmart" is in full swing. In January, our first topic was Cybersecurity for Small Business. With the help of the Small Business Administration, and our special guest Colonel William Oden, Deputy Chief of Staff of Cybersecurity and Intel for the South Carolina State Guard, attendees learned how to protect their business from potential threats and cyber attacks. Our next class in the GETsmart series takes place on Thursday, February 28th at noon at Chamber Headquarters. This month's topic is Introduction to Human Resources. It will cover basic human resources concepts, human resources principles for a small business, the key processes in human resource management, and the various laws associated with human resources. Each GETsmart class begins with a half hour basic skills webinar followed by a local panel or speaker to continue the conversation. Our GETsmart Business Growth Series are free and open to the public. Please email HHorne@hiltonheadisland.org to register. Hilton Head Island Town Council Appoints  U.S. 278 Gateway Corridor Committee With the recent adoption of a resolution calling for the formation of the Hilton Head Island U.S. 278 Gateway Corridor Committee, the Hilton Head Island Town Council has formally appointed 14 local citizens to serve on the advisory panel. The committee will work with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), which is planning roadway improvements along U.S. 278 from the intersection of Moss Creek Drive to the intersection of Spanish Wells Road. This will include the eastbound bridge crossing Mackay Creek to Hilton Head Island, which the SCDOT has deemed as structurally deficient, as well as the other three bridges crossing Mackay Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway. Alan Wolf, Director of Operations SERG Restaurant Group Jerome Smith, General Manager Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort {{page}} Chamber news Town of Bluffton Releases  "2018 Year in Review" 2018 was a busy year for the Town of Bluffton. In its January 7th media release, it presented a look back at significant accomplishments in 2018, highlighting progress in capital improvement projects, economic development, environmental protection, updated policies, additional programs, and accolades throughout the year. Read more. MEMBERSHIP MATTERS GETsmart Small Business Growth  Series In Full Swing COMMUNITY news Start Planning Today Welcome New Chamber Board Members FEB 28 Introduction to Human Resources MAR 28 Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights APR 25 Introduction to Accounting MAY 30 Market Research JUN 27 Sales for Small Businesses JUL 25 Strategic Planning AUG 29 Introduction to Pricing SEP 26 Crime Prevention for Small Business OCT 24 Competitive Advantage NOV 21 Insurance & Benefits 101 DEC 12 Keys to Customer Service Jean Beck, Executive VP & CEO HH Area Assoc.  of Realtors MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Chris Corkern, President Prudential Insurance Casey Lavin, General Manager Montage Palmetto Bluff Spicy Cocktails Give Added Excitement to  Any Night Out At FARM in Bluffton, the spicy lemongrass cocktail is a refreshing winter cocktail. Beverage director, Josh Heaton, makes the base of this cocktail by allowing grapefruit zest and lemongrass to rest in a spoonful of intensely aromatic, slightly bitter oleo sacrum—this allows the lemongrass and grapefruit to release their oils. Read more. {{page}} Vote for Hilton Head Island in Travel+Leisure's World's Best Awards! Last year, Hilton Head Island won Travel + Leisure's World's Best Award for "No. 1 Island in the Continental U.S." It’s time to vote and win again, so let’s get started today! The deadline to vote is March 4th, 2019. Click here and follow the prompts to cast your vote. Delta Airlines Launches Daily Service from Hilton Head Island Delta Airlines will launch daily service from Hilton Head Island to Atlanta beginning May 24th, 2019, along with a Saturday flight to New York-LaGuardia beginning June 8th. The expanded service will make it even more convenient for business and leisure travelers to access the region. Hilton Head Island is One of Best Beach  Towns to Visit This Winter Hilton Head Island was named in Southern Living Magazine as the #2 spot in a round-up of “The Best Beach Towns to Visit This Winter.” The piece called out “Hilton Head is a Lowcountry, low-key island that has something for everyone.” The Harbour Town Lighthouse and The Salty Dog Cafe were highlighted. Read more. destination news MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Governor McMaster Announces 2019 Slate of South Carolina Chef Ambassadors On Wednesday, January 16th, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster named the 2019 South Carolina Chef Ambassadors. Each year, chefs from across South Carolina are nominated to serve as the state’s culinary ambassadors and the governor, this year, chose five to participate—in honor of the 5th year of the program. One of the five Ambassadors selected is Chef Brandon Carter of FARM, located in Historic Bluffton. Born in Ohio and raised in Georgia, Brandon was inspired by the allure of the kitchen during a family trip to Italy at the age of 13. Compelled by the industry’s high energy, he took his talents to the Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated in 1999. As executive chef and partner of FARM, Brandon works tirelessly to connect the dining experience with authentic farm culture. Always cognizant of seasonality and availability of ingredients, he crafts ever-evolving menus that speak to the bounty of the region while paying homage to the many farmers and artisans who inspire him. The four other 2019 South Carolina Chef Ambassadors include Chef Jessica Shillato, The Spotted Salamander in Columbia; Chef Marc Collins, Circa 1886 in Charleston; Chef Tania Harris, The Lazy Goat in Greenville; Chef Kelly Vogelheim, Town Hall in Florence. These chefs embody the best of South Carolina’s food scene, both in the quality of their provisions, as well as their dedication to incorporating healthy, locally grown ingredients into their menus. In 2019, the chefs will participate in a number of culinary, agriculture, and tourism-specific events throughout the Southeast, hosting cooking demonstrations, and discussing the numerous offerings found in the cities in which their establishments are based. Hilton Head Island Featured in 9 Best Family Spring Break Vacations for 2019 Editor Amanda Norcross and Editor-in-Chief Lissa Poirot produced a placement on FamilyVacationCritic.com calling Hilton Head Island one of the best family spring break vacation destinations for 2019. The story highlights our beaches, golf courses, and bike paths, as well as the abundance of eco-adventures. It specifically calls out The Inn & Club at Harbour Town – The Sea Pines Resort as a place to stay. This placement was a result of the winter pitch we distributed to national and regional travel media, including editor Amanda Norcross. The chamber assisted in providing details and high-res images of Hilton Head Island. Read more. destination news {{page}} MEMBERSHIP MATTERS The South Carolina Getaway We Can’t Get Enough Of Forbes.com recently published a story surrounding the Music To Your Mouth Festival and Montage Palmetto Bluff, highlighting the “action-packed calendar” and “world-class accommodations and wonderful cuisine.” The article was written by Demarco Williams, the managing editor of the Forbes Travel Guide, who has written several articles and posts that focus on Hilton Head Island. Williams has also recently confirmed his interest in a spring/summer 2019 press trip to Hilton Head Island. Read more. Healthy Spins On Your Favorite  Comfort Foods: Chef Karla Williams’ Chicken Pot Pie Fox & Friends hosts Karla Williams, executive chef at Hilton Head Health, on its segment “Cooking with Friends.” Chef Williams shows how to flip a favorite comfort food (chicken pot pie) into a healthy dish you can make at home. View the video. Allegiant Announces New Nonstop Service to Savannah Allegiant announced four new nonstop routes to Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport from Allentown, PA; Grand Rapids, MI; Niagara Falls, NY; and Portsmouth, NH. To celebrate, the company is offering fares on the new routes as low as $49 each way. The new routes will operate twice-weekly and will bring nearly 6,500 passengers to the area. Visit allegiant.com for flight days, times, and lowest rates. 9 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do  on Hilton Head Island Bryan Dearsley on Panetware.com highlights the top things to do on Hilton Head Island, including visiting the beaches, Coligny Beach Park and Coligny Plaza, Harbour Town Lighthouse, Coastal Discovery Museum, bike trails, Bluffton and Daufuskie Island. “The big draw?,” he states, “In addition to the many fun things to do here for families, its top tourist attractions, and its great hotels and resorts, Hilton Head Island is a heaven-on-earth for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.” Read more. BeautifullyElegantBlog.com Features Travel Guide: Hilton Head Island, SC Nataly Schma of Beautifully Elegant has published her wrap-up blog post about her New Year’s Eve trip to Hilton Head Island with the support of the Chamber. She mentions that she was invited to a New Year’s Eve party at the Beach House Resort by the Chamber and shares everything she and her husband did on the island, including bike riding, shopping, exploring Old Town Bluffton, spending time at Coligny Beach and Sea Pines, and horseback riding. She specifically calls out some of the restaurants they dined at, such as Hilton Head Diner,The Salty Dog Cafe, Hudson’s, Black Marlin and Carolina Crab Company. Read more. MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Thank You! Do YOu have a holiday event you would like to list on our Connect Calendar? Click here! 4-9 YEARS Bath Fitter Savannah Business Brokers of the Lowcountry Comcast Spotlight Copper Penny  Hilton Head Data Publishing Hilton Head Plastic Surgery, LLC Hilton Head Properties Realty & Rentals KPM Flooring National Museum  of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Osprey Village Port Royal Sound Foundation Premium Properties of Hilton Head LLC The Corner Perk Cafe The AdFish Group The Lodge Beer & Growler Bar “MEMBER SPOTLIGHT” Happy Anniversary, Renewing Members 1-3 YEARS CBIZ Dividend Assets Capital, LLC Housekeeping Services of Hilton Head, LLC Island Skiff  Adventure Tours Jane Bistro & Bar Savannah Music Festival, Inc. Westview Investment Advisors OTHER Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening Host your own event and the chamber will help you spread the word. Contact: Beverly Maloney at bmaloney@hilton headisland.org Event and Chamber Champions Sponsorship A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available for additional business exposure through event communications, collateral, signage, media releases, invitation-only events, etc. Contact: Cathy Havens at chavens@hiltonheadisland.org Member Directory Listing Take advantage of your free chamber member business listing on www.hiltonhead blufftonchamber.org. Connect Calendar Submit your community events for promotion to residents and visitors on www.hiltonhead blufftonchamber.org and www.hiltonheadisland.org. Travel-Related Offers Post visitor-specific special offers on www.hiltonheadisland.org. (To manage all of the above visit our Partner Portal http://partners.hiltonheadisland.org/ user/login. Questions? Contact Kelli Brunson kbrunson@hiltonheadisland.org.) Looking for new ways to promote your business? SPECIAL EVENT PROMOTION Announcement in Monday Briefing Email $150 Submit a color ad (564 pixels wide x 282 pixels high at 72 dpi) with website link for one time placement. (Reservation in advance required.) Announcement in Chamber Business Monthly (rates based on size) Submit a color ad for one-time inclusion in our monthly newsletter. Our CBM is hosted on our website, sent through a variety of emails, and promoted through our social channels. For ad sizes and pricing, contact sburnash@hiltonheadisland.org. Social Media Video Profile $300 Includes a 60-second, chamber-produced video hosted on the chamber’s YouTube channel and shared on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. (Includes chamber logo.) Chamber Business Monthly Profile $150 Includes a half-page Q & A article with photo of your designated business representative featured one time in our monthly newsletter. (Questionnaire provided.) COMPLIMENTARY PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES Get Connected! Looking for a service or product, a local collaborative partner, or a business referral resource? Use our Member Directory to support other chamber members! 15-19 YEARS Adams Outdoor Advertising Belfair Dental Care - Steven M. Miller, D.D.S. Bluffton Today Kiwanis Club of  Hilton Head Mister Label, Inc. Chamber Business Monthly Send us your business news, new hires, and promotions for inclusion in our monthly newsletter. Send to sburnash@hiltonheadisland.org. MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Visit our Connect Calendar for the most updated list of holiday happenings and to submit your holiday events. PAID PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES Hilton Head Seafood Festival Top chefs, mixologists, sommeliers, local seafood, artisans, live music, and wildlife come together during a week-long culinary and cultural tourism event. Hosted by the David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation, the event helps raise money for other non-profit organizations in our communities. For more details, visit hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com. Lowcountry Seafood Experience on the Water FEB 18 - 22 | 2 PM (Hudson's Seafood on the Docks) Pitmaster 101 FEB 21 | 4:30 - 6 PM (Waddell Mariculture Center) James Beard Foundation's Celebrity Chef Tour FEB 21 | 6 - 10 PM (The Shorehouse at The Omni Hilton Head Resort) Pig Pickin' + Oyster Roast FEB 22 | 6 - 9 PM (Waddell Mariculture Center) Saturday Seafood Festival FEB 23 | 11 AM - 5 PM (Historic Honey Horn Plantation) Seafood, Champagne + Gullah Sunday Brunch FEB 24 | 10 AM - 1 PM (Hudson's Seafood on the Docks) Getting in Front of 3,000+ Potential Customers Just Got Easier! Angel Oak Home Loans, LLC Another Broken Egg Cafe Avis/Budget Car Rental of Hilton Head Birdie James Bluffton Dave Ferguson - The Leaders' Coach Luna & Lillie's Pure Natural Market Security Management of SC Smarty Pants Photography Teddy & Emmett McCracken The Construction Green Team Your CBD Store 30+ YEARS Adventure Inn/Vacation Time of Hilton Head Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Wyndham Vacation Rentals 10-14 YEARS Andy Twisdale Real Estate at Charter 1 North Bargain Box Black Marlin Bayside Grill Creative Structures, Inc. Marsh Point Richard Cleaveland Welcome New Members {{page}} MEMBERSHIP MATTERS 20-29 YEARS Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Carolina Cleaning Ellis Construction Co., Inc. Giuseppi's Pizza  and Pasta H & H Auto Service Inc. Piney Land Company Vaughan Kennels Inc./ DBA Evergreen Pet Lodge Volunteers in Medicine Clinic Hilton Head Island Make your reservations now! {{page}} Chamber Restaurant Week February 4 - 10 Modeled after successful restaurant weeks in New York and other cities, last year’s 10th annual Chamber Restaurant Week featured 70+ of the area’s top, award-winning restaurants. Visit participating restaurants as they offer specially-priced or prix-fixe menus, signature dishes, new entrées, and old favorites. You simply come to dine and enjoy! Find out who is participating this year to plan your week of culinary bliss by visiting hiltonheadisland.org/restaurantweek. {{page}} Looking for  new ways to promote  your business? DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT Are you a foodie living around or visiting Hilton Head Island in February? Well, Foodie February is the perfect month to indulge your taste buds with a series of food-related events all month long! From traditional Gullah cuisine to fresh oysters, shrimp, grilled mahi, flounder, and more, you’ll have plenty to choose from during Chamber Restaurant Week and the month of February. Foodie February will leave you with a longing to explore Bluffton and Hilton Head Island's 250 + restaurants— most locally owned. February is Foodie Month! Hilton Head Island  Seafood Festival February 18th - 24th Join us for the quintessential, Lowcountry, family-style, culinary celebration on Hilton Head Island. The festival explores the South's evolving food culture, which has been returning to its roots in recent years by honoring its rich native agriculture. Experience our coast's rich fishing heritage during this weeklong festival. Sample restaurants' fresh catch specials, try fresh oysters, and maybe even learn how to fish . From incredible seafood meals to rustic barbecue and bonfires, world-class talent and southern charm collide on one gorgeous island setting. Over the course of seven days, guests take in celebrity guest chef dinners, the best of southern pitmasters, local wildlife, cooking demos, wine tastings, mixologist scholars, and more. Explore artisan-made art, gifts, and specialty items all while tasting the very best of our coastal cuisine and spirits. For event details and  to purchase tickets, visit hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com {{page}} {{page}} COMING UP IN MARCH Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival  Enters 34th Year - March 11 - 17 The Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival is now in its 34th year. The festival brings together wineries, wine connoisseurs, epicures, and talented local chefs for a weeklong series of events showcasing the island’s culture, March 11-17. The three cornerstones of the weekend commence with the casual Sip & Stroll throughout the Harbour Town Shops on Thursday afternoon. Guests are treated to a great selection of wines while enjoying discounts at participating shops, all while taking in the beautiful surroundings. Friday evening brings the festival’s most exclusive celebration, the Grand Tasting, featuring award-winning wines and an array of light hors d'oeuvres. This event occurs in the Harbour Town Clubhouse, an elegant setting worthy of these fine wines. Saturday is the largest event of the weekend at the Harbour Town Yacht Basin, the Public Tasting. Guests can choose from over 250 wines from around the world. In addition, local chefs will be showing off their culinary talents at the Sysco Outdoor Gourmet cooking demonstrations. Live jazz music will be featured throughout this event. Attendees will be excited to learn about some of the new events this year to round out this weeklong experience. Monday will be our 2019 kickoff event with a tribute to New Orleans cooking class at The Bluffton Room with Chef Jeff Condon. Wednesday night will pay homage to the 1976 Paris Tasting and the legendary story of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. Join us for an intimate evening as we sample four different decades from Stag’s Leap Winery. Light refreshments and live music from the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra along with a beautiful sunset over the Intracoastal waterway will make this a sought-after seminar! Thursday night will see a new event to spotlight the best of the best wines from the February judging. This event will feature the double gold medal-winning wines, live music, and Lowcountry delicacies as the sun sets along the Harbour Town Marina. Lastly, everyone is encouraged to look for the silent auctions, as these proceeds fund the John & Valerie Curry Scholarship Fund. This fund provides scholarships to deserving students at the Technical College of the Lowcountry and University of South Carolina Beaufort in the Culinary & Hotel programs. To date, the fund has provided over $100,000 in scholarships. So, bid big and toast to education! DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT JANUARY 31 - MARCH 2 23rd Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration and Festival Throughout February NIBCAA, South Carolina’s Gullah Cultural Ambassador, will present the 23rd Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration and Festival throughout the month of February 2019. The annual celebration will reprise their award-winning Gullah Market, Sweetheart Ball, and Arts Ob We People Exhibit and Sale. The featured artwork for the 23rd Gullah Celebration is “Gwain North” by the renowned Dianne Britton Dunham. The 23rd Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration will present a series of events that please the palette of attendees and captures the spirit and significance of Gullah culture. The Gullah Market, an Arts, Crafts and Food Expo on February 16 and 17 at Historic Honey Horn on Hilton Head Island, will be alive with music, dance, and messages presented to strengthen the community and enhance the understanding of the native island culture. The Gullah Market will be open with food and shopping. There will be children’s events and featured traditional entertainment including African dance ensembles, storytellers, the famous Gullah Geechee Ring Shouters, and the renowned Voices of El Shaddai. Throughout the month, several other cultural programs will be held that offer perspective on the traditions that have been maintained by the descendants of the West Africans who were brought to the coastal islands of South Carolina and Georgia in bondage. Those programs include the Soul Food and Friends Cooking Class, Sweetheart Ball at the Northridge Club, Gullah Heritage Music Series, the Gullah Institute, Paint and Sip, Ol’ Fashion Gullah Breakfast, Freedom Day, and Taste of Gullah. Advance tickets are recommended and available on gullahcelebration.com. For more information about the Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration, visit the website or call (843) 255-7303. {{page}} {{page}} DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT {{page}} Ribbon Cutting - Carolina Car Wash CYP - First Friday Coffee In the Know - Dr. Peter Brews CYP - Meet Your Mayors Leadership Health Care Day at Tide Pointe Caught on Camera July Ribbon Cuttings Press Conference - Delta Airlines Returns to HHI {{page}}