COMMUNITY FOCUS
FEATURED
Just because you wrote it, doesn't mean they'll read it!
Renovations of Island Rec Center Move Towards Completion
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ADVOCACY AT WORK
Are You Prepared to Vote?
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HILTON HEAD ISLAND-Bluffton Chamber of commerce
CHAMBER BUSINESS
Endangered Turtles Monitored by The Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Protection Project
AUGUST 2018
MONTHLY
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Content is an important tool to help customers make informed, educated decisions at all stages of the buying process. But determining the right content to deliver throughout their buyer’s journey is often neglected as busy business professionals scramble to get their communications out. Powerful content that converts potential customers into buyers requires forethought and targeted mapping. The process may seem a little daunting at first, but when you follow these guiding principles, the content you deliver will make it easier to close more sales. Really know your audience: Before you begin creating content, you must understand who they are, what they need, why they need it, and how you can deliver content that will make them want to do business with you. Most likely, your audience is diverse with unique demographics that must be considered when you create your content. Developing a buyer’s persona for each specific type is an important part of delivering targeted content. Content written with a “one size fits all” approach is a huge content strategy mishap. You will turn off potential buyers who need to feel confident you understand them and can service their specific needs. Define your content’s purpose: As important as it is to know your audience, it is equally important to define your goal for content delivery. If you are a business service organization, your purpose is to solve a need or problem through the delivery of a solution. If you are a retailer, your purpose may be to meet a need, while creating an emotional desire to purchase your product. For nonprofits, content purposes primarily focus on education about needs and issues, ultimately inspiring action. By defining your content purpose in advance, it becomes easy to create a content topic list with strong calls to action that produce real results. Determine your content type: Once you have a defined topic list with strong calls to action, you must determine all the types of content you want to create. In a perfect world, each topic will have content written as both long and short format. Longer form content should ultimately live on your website. It can be a blog post, downloadable white paper, case study, article, etc. The goal is to increase search engine optimization, capture an email address, and move your audience further down their buyer’s journey. Short format content is pushed out through your newsletter, social media, drip marketing campaigns, and text messaging. Highly abbreviated content is designed to direct your audience to your website where they can learn more, engage, and ultimately buy.
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A persona is a fictional representation of your ideal customer based on existing customers and those you want to reach. Persona information includes: Demographics: Name, age, gender, location, racial/ethnic heritage, occupation, annual income, education. Personal Life: Marital status, children, activities, interests, personality style, news outlet (TV, radio, online, print). Communication Preferences: Preferred method of communications (phone, email, text). Professional Life: Industry, company size, position, responsibilities, skill set, direct report. Pain Points: What problem are they trying to solve and why? Product Insight: What do they know about the product they need? Objections/Roadblocks: What will keep them from purchasing our product/service? Catalysts: What can we do or give to incite them to buy? Looking for a template to use? Here are some resources: HubSpot.com Persona Template Xtensio’s User Persona Creator Demand Metric’s Buyer Persona Template
FEATURED ARTICLE
Buyer’s Persona - a.k.a. “customer avatar”
Content Topic Ideas To Get You Started “How To” Product Usage Ideas - Showing your products being used in unique or interesting ways can help customers visualize how to use them too. Customer Case Studies and Testimonials - Learning from another customer’s experience can increase credibility and incite action to engage or buy faster. New Product/Service Announcements - Announcing a new product or service release can spur interest and a deeper dive. Q & A - Interviewing an expert on subject matter related to your product or service offerings can increase brand credibility and confidence. “Behind the Scenes” - Letting your audience step into the action of how a product is built, or a service is performed, can instill confidence in your performance. Staff Profiles and Stories - Giving your audience an opportunity to know the people behind the company, product, or service can create an emotional connection with your business.
STAY TUNED - Next month, we will continue with more best practices and insight on content mapping, re-purposing and creating new content, editorial calendar design, and how to monitor your ROI. Have an idea for a future featured article? Email sburnash@hiltonheadisland.org.
Election Day in the United States is Tuesday, November 6th. General Election Day polls are open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE - GET OUT AND VOTE!
DID YOU KNOW? Tens of thousands of whales, birds, seals, and turtles are killed every year from plastic bag litter in the marine environment as they often mistake plastic bags for food such as jellyfish. Plastic bags, once ingested, cannot be digested or passed by an animal so it stays in the gut. Plastic in an animal’s gut can prevent food digestion and can lead to a very slow and painful death. As plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to break down, once an animal dies and decays after ingesting plastic, the plastic is then freed back into the marine environment to carry on killing other wildlife.
Hilton Head Island Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Christ Lutheran Church Hilton Head Library Hilton Head Presbyterian Church Indigo Hall Facility (Indigo Run) Indigo Pines Plantation House Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club Sea Pines Community Center Spanish Wells Club St. Luke's Church TidePointe, A VI Community The Cypress Club Bluffton Bluffton Library Buckwalter Recreation Center Lord of Life Lutheran Church Moss Creek Bostwick Pavilion Pritchardville Elementary Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Park Daufuskie Jane Hamilton School
Are You Prepared To Vote?
Voting Locations
Say Goodbye To Plastic Bags
Penny Tax To Increase Safety And Improve Traffic
As visitors seek out Hilton Head Island as a top destination choice, congestion on our bridges and roadways continues to grow. The volume of this traffic places significant wear and tear on our existing roads and bridges. It is predicted that those bridges (constructed in 1982) will potentially become unsafe in the next six to seven years. Preparation to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors is urgent! In November, Beaufort County residents will have the opportunity to vote on a sales tax increase referendum designed to address several transportation issues and project needs including those on Hilton Head Island. Referred to as the “penny sales tax,” the proposed referendum will raise $120 million over four years for three projects across Beaufort County. Plans for the money raised include a designation of $80 million to make traffic improvements to the US 278 corridor. Targeted projects include repairing and replacing existing spans of the bridges to Hilton Head Island, and improvements between Moss Creek Drive and Squire Pope Road. The Board of Directors of the Hilton Head Island Bluffton Chamber of Commerce has voted to support this referendum. Our position is that the tax will fill a critical need and if not passed would be extremely detrimental regarding required infrastructure replacement. The bridges and gateway must be updated and improved, not only to support our residents and visitors but also to ensure structural safety. If the referendum fails, other funding options would put more burden on our residents and visitors alike. Learn more at bcgov.net.
It may sound far away, but the November election is only a few months off. To prepare for the upcoming local, county, state, and federal elections on November 6th, the Chamber encourages you to get ready, get set, vote! Get Ready The following deadlines will impact your ability to vote in the General Election this year. October 5 by 5:00 p.m. - Deadline to register to vote in person for General October 7 by 11:59 p.m. - Deadline to register to vote online, by fax or October 8 - Deadline to register to vote by mail (must be postmarked by this date) November 2 by 5:00 p.m. - Deadline to apply for absentee by mail ballot for General Election November 5 by 5:00 p.m. - Deadline to vote absentee in person for General Election A valid driver's license or identification card issued by S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles is REQUIRED. Get Set To be eligible to register to vote in South Carolina, the following is required: You must be a United States citizen, at least eighteen years old on or before the next election, and a resident of South Carolina, your county, and precinct. You cannot be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent or confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime. You must have never been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws OR if previously convicted, have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction.
About two million single-use plastic bags are distributed worldwide every minute and 8 million metric tons of plastic ends up in our oceans each year. To preserve the beauty of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton beaches, Beaufort County has approved an ordinance that bans single-use plastic bag use, effective November 1st, for unincorporated areas as well as the Town of Bluffton, Town of Hilton Head Island, and the City of Beaufort. The ban will help reduce negative environmental impacts and pollution from plastic bag waste while promoting the use of paper and reusable bags for shopping. Customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags, or retailers will provide substitute bags. Some retailers will also offer reusable bags for purchase. While this may feel like an inconvenience to some, it is a crucial step in reducing Beaufort County’s ecological footprint.
TAKE A LOOK!
Q & A with Frank Soule, Executive Director of the Island Rec Center
Q: How long has the project taken? A: The Island Recreation Association started working with the community in 2005. Q: What new programs are planned? A: Programs include a community-wide fitness program and classes, along with a variety of programs for all ages. Q: Is the Rec Center just for residents? A: Our new Island Recreation Center will be for everyone, including residents and visitors of all ages. Q: How can the community get engaged? A: There are plenty of opportunities to be involved with programs, event planning and assisting Association’s staff throughout the year.
Back in 1983 when my Dad first came to Hilton Head Island, the Island Recreation Center was the Island Youth Center. He saw the need to create something bigger than the existing facility that would include a new building, swimming pools, after-school care, athletic leagues, basketball courts, and more. Watching my Dad work through his plan and vision as the Executive Director, I learned how important it is for kids to have a place where they can participate in activities and sports beyond school. With the second renovation almost complete under the direction of Frank Soule, I am excited and proud that my Dad’s vision is expanding to new heights.
Visit the Rec Center’s website islandreccenter.org Check out the new preschool Discovery Club sponsored by the Zonta Club of Hilton Head View the new center video
Meeting Community Need Inspires Innovation
For Chamber Intern, Shelby Wielgus, “It’s personal!”
In 1977, the Hilton Head Rotary Club recognized that current recreational programs provided by the county government were not meeting the needs of the community’s youth. To bridge the gap, they decided to provide much-needed recreation programs through the funding and building of the Island Youth Center. By 1984, the recreation needs of the island had expanded to include residents of all ages. The Rotary Club knew the existing Youth Center would need to evolve. They formed the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people of all ages. With the Association in place, the nonprofit’s Board committed to building a new community-focused recreation facility. Through the vision of their Executive Director, Chuck Wielgus, plans for the facility took root. Wielgus’ vision included a robust center with recreational amenities and learning opportunities that would provide a centralized location for the community to come together to socialize, learn, and play. The project was many years in the making, but in 1987 the much anticipated Island Recreation Center broke ground. The completed center opened its doors in 1988 with a new recreation center and community pool. With the first phase of the project complete, Wielgus hired, and handed the baton over, to Frank Soule, Island Rec’s Executive Director. Years later, it was Soule’s vision, and the support of Hilton Head Island’sTown Council and staff, that moved the center into a new phase of renovation and expansion. When completed, the expanded Island Rec will provide an impressive community recreation center on Hilton Head Island. It will serve our residents and visitors of every age.
Since its second groundbreaking in January of last year, Hilton Head’s Island Rec Center’s renovations have been going full steam ahead. With a goal to better serve the needs of residents and visitors, the new facility will expand on its existing recreation center and pool, tripling the center’s size. The expanded center will include a new fitness level featuring a walking track, workout equipment, and two exercise rooms for classes. It will also feature a teen room, a community meeting room, and a large multi-use room. The addition of a new full court basketball gym will provide an additional opportunity to be used for volleyball and pickleball. The ultimate goal for the renovation of the New Island Recreation Center, slated to be completed and open by November, is to provide the island with a robust community center available to residents and visitors of all ages.
If you’ve noticed flags and volunteers digging on Hilton Head Island’s beaches between May and October, you’ve witnessed the Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Protection Project hard at work. A 501c3 non-profit organization that monitors annually for sea turtle nesting and hatching activity, the project was created to protect and promote the existence of the endangered species, spreading awareness of its struggle through public education and outreach. Under the direction of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, permit holder for Hilton Head Island Amber Kuehn, volunteers patrol the beach May 1st until the end of hatching season. Each morning from 5 a.m. – 12 p.m., they check on new and hatching nests. Searching for nesting loggerhead tracks, they identify turtle nests and mark them with a pole. The nests are then monitored for hatching after 45 days of incubation. When the hatchlings emerge from the nest, the date is recorded, and three days later the nest is inventoried. The contents of the nest are counted and categorized. For Hilton Head Island, the work performed by the Sea Turtle Protection Project volunteers is essential to our eco-system. For the sea turtles, volunteer commitment and passion provide an opportunity for their eggs to hatch and make their way out to the sea. If you see what looks like huge tire tracks coming from the water, the odds are good you’ve run across a nest that was laid during the night.
Learn more about the Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Protection Project, view their photo gallery and videos, and volunteer at hhiseaturtleprotectionproject.com. Get a first-hand account of turtle tracking on Hilton Head Island with Travel + Leisure writer, Nina Ruggiero on travelandleisure.com.
ADOPT-A-NEST PROGRAM Supports the Coastal Discovery Sea Turtle Education Program
You can help support educational programs at the Coastal Discovery Museum by adopting a loggerhead sea turtle nest. Programs like this help inspire people to care for the Lowcountry and all the plants, animals, and people who call it home. A unique fundraising program, it offers two levels of adoption. All adopters are kept informed throughout the nesting season with regards to the status of ‘their’ nest and general loggerhead sea turtle news. Learn more at coastaldiscovery.org.
Sea Turtle Facts
The female sea turtle is about 300 lbs. She pulls her body onto the shore to dig a hole, lay the eggs, cover the hole back up and then make the slow journey back to the water. The warmer the sand, the sooner the eggs hatch. It can range from 45 days to 74 days, with the average being 60 days. A female can lay eggs between 4-8 times in a season with only about two weeks in between each clutch. This takes a lot of energy and work, so the female will take a year or two off between nesting seasons. One egg is taken from each nest for DNA testing. Based on analysis from samples collected in GA, SC, and NC, the University of Georgia has DNA identifying a grandmother, who is associated with a nesting granddaughter. In order to nest, a loggerhead sea turtle must be approximately 30 years old, making the grandmother at least 90 years old! Most nests have an average of 120 eggs. Of those that hatch, approximately 1 in 100 make it to water. Scientists speculate that only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings make it to sexual maturity. Male sea turtles never see sand again once they enter the water. Only the females come out to lay their eggs. The survival of our hatchlings is presumed to be lower than in Florida because the sea turtle hatchlings must make it to the Gulf Stream, which is about 60-70 miles from our shore, as compared to 5 miles off of Florida’s shore.
Interested in holding a ribbon cutting at your place of business? Contact Beverly Maloney at 843-341-8375.
RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
NETWORKING EVENTS
Leadership Class Orientation AUG 15 | 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Chamber Headquarters For new Leadership class members who have been officially accepted into the 2018 – 2019 program.
Business & Education Partnership Committee AUG 14 | 8:30 a.m. Chamber Headquarters Meeting Focus: The committee is working on plans for two primary initiatives.
DX Print & Mail AUG 23 | 5:30 p.m 1000 Main Street Suite 100 B Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
SAVE THE DATE
Morning Coffee AUG 29 | 8:30 a.m. 216 Bluffton Rd. Register Now Learn more about the many ways you can leverage your chamber membership for maximum business success. Find out how to connect with other members, increase your visibility, and deepen your business knowledge to positively impact ongoing success. This coffee is open to all chamber members and invited guests.
Taste of the Season NOV 16 | 6 – 9 p.m. Mark your calendars for this year’s Taste of the Season at the new USCB Center for Event Management and Hospitality Training on Hilton Head Island. The event will feature a silent auction that includes high-in-demand items from our Chamber members, community, and travel getaways. If you would like to donate to this year’s auction, or volunteer to help with the event, please contact Penny Hughey phughey@hiltonheadisland.org.
MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Thrive Women's Conference SEP 5 - 6 | See agenda for times Sonesta Resort (HHI) The Thrive Lowcountry Women’s Conference is almost here! This annual event provides a unique opportunity for women (and men) to learn, network, and grow in their professional and personal lives. This year’s theme is “Inspiring Action!” The event kicks-off on Wednesday evening with a networking reception, speaker panel, and vendor showcase. Thursday is an all day program. Presented in partnership by SC Lowcountry SCORE Chapter and the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber. The Title Sponsor is BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
Visit our Connect Calendar for all upcoming chamber and community events, and to submit your upcoming events: hiltonheadchamber.org.
8/3 – 8 a.m. Public Policy Council (Chamber Headquarters) 8/7 – 4:30 p.m. Junior Leadership Board Meeting (Chamber Headquarters) 8/9 8:30 a.m. Bluffton Regional Council (Venue 1223, Bluffton) 8/14 – 8:30 a.m. Business & Education Partnership Committee (Chamber Headquarters) 8/15 – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. New Leadership Class Accepted Members Orientation (Chamber Headquarters) 8/16 – 5:30 to 7 p.m. Conversation & Cocktails – Waterwalk at Shelter Cove Towne Centre 8/19 – 3 to 5 p.m. Junior Leadership Class Accepted Members Orientation (Park Lane Hotel) 8/23 – 5:30 p.m Ribbon Cutting for DX Print & Mail (HHI) 8/29 – 8:30 a.m. Maximize Your Membership Morning Coffee (Bluffton Chamber Office) 9/5 - 9/6 – Thrive Women's Conference (Sonesta Resort)
Calendar at a Glance
Conversation + Cocktails AUG 16 | 5:30 – 7 p.m. Waterwalk at Shelter Cove Towne Centre Register Now Join us for our August networking event at the new Waterwalk Luxury Apartments. Make new contacts, renew acquaintances, and exchange business information to expand your business network for ongoing success. Price: $10 Chamber Members | $20 Non-members
Public Policy Council AUG 3 | 8 a.m. Chamber Headquarters Meeting Focus: Committee members will present municipal, county, state, and federal updates.
Junior Leadership Class Orientation AUG 19 | 3 - 5 p.m. Park Lane Hotel For new Junior Leadership class members who have been officially accepted into the 2018 – 2019 program.
COMMITTEES/COALITIONS
FEATURED EVENT
2018/2019 LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
Bluffton Regional Business Council AUG 9 | 8:30 am Venue 1223 Bluffton
Tisha Chafer
Does your company have news to share? Send your news or announcement to sburnash@hiltonheadisland.org. Please include a JPG photo or graphic image.
Gail Bromiley
Kaci Hollingsworth of Weichert, Realtors – Coastal Properties will represent the local Real Estate Association at the Young Professional Network’s (YPN) annual leadership conference in Chicago.
Collins Group Joins Members of America’s Best Collins Group Realty was named one of America’s most productive sales teams as a part of REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Professionals, the newly issued ranking report produced by REAL Trends and sponsored by Adwerx. The real estate group is now a member of the “America’s Best Real Estate Professionals,” and ranked number 4 for the state of South Carolina, rising from 5th place in 2016.
Amanda Camp
Jani Stephenson
MEMBERS MAKING NEWS
Art League of Hilton Head welcomes Kristin Griffis as their new Gallery Assistant.
SHARE YOUR NEWS
Charter One Realty welcomes new sales agents Alex Franseen, Amanda Camp, Gail Bromiley, Jani Stephenson, and Tisha Chafer.
Researchers from USC Report Savings Plan Would Assist South Carolina Workers Three researchers from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business report that the creation of a Palmetto Retirement Savings Program would benefit South Carolina workers as they plan for retirement. A Feasibility Study of South Carolina’s Voluntary Multi-Employer Plan commissioned by AARP South Carolina, in partnership with the Work and Save Task Force, estimates that 1.5 million South Carolina workers do not have access to a workplace retirement savings plan. Read more at aarp.org.
Connecting Veterans Business Owners With Money to Grow Bank of America is launching a Veteran Entrepreneur Lending Program to connect veteran business owners with affordable capital to kick-start and grow their businesses. Deployed to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in 7 states, including South Carolina, through the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, the program will provide $20 million in capital along with $1.3 million in grants over two years from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to help CDFIs cover operating costs.
Alex Franseen
Coastal Properties welcomes realtor® Katelyn Murphy to its sales team.
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
Collins Group Realty promotes Ashley Smith to Director Of Marketing and Community Relations.
Sonesta Resort Named “Best Places to Work” Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island has been named as one of South Carolina’s Best Places to Work for 2018 by the South Carolina Chamber. The publishers of SCBIZ, the South Carolina Chamber, and the Best Companies Group have worked together to produce the Best Places to Work in South Carolina program for thirteen years. The initiative is dedicated to identifying and recognizing South Carolina's most innovative and top-notch employers. Those companies selected as "Best Places to Work" are recognized and honored during a reception and dinner, this year presented by Colonial Life. Winners are selected based on a questionnaire and a survey completed by employees of nominated companies, and additional research to determine which employers are defining and leading the way in employee experience.
Christopher Chapmond Selected as Bluffton’s Next Chief of Police Bluffton Town Manager Marc Orlando has selected Christopher Chapmond as Bluffton’s next chief of police. Chapmond, who is currently the assistant police chief for Hot Springs, Arkansas, will begin on or before September 1. According to Mayor Lisa Sulka, “Throughout the two-month interview process, Chapmond demonstrated the leadership, law enforcement management skills, and energy to advance the Bluffton Police Department to a higher level of public safety and community policing within our Town.” The Town received more than 60 applicants from 24 states and two countries. Chapmond has been serving as the assistant police chief for the Hot Springs, Arkansas police department, managing a staff of 145. He has been with that department since 1996 in multiple positions, including field operations captain, patrol lieutenant, coordinator of the 18th East Drug Task Force, co-commander of the SWAT, detective, public information officer, and incident commander. He has a bachelor’s degree in police administration from Columbia Southern University and graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Public Safety Command Staff School.
chamber NEWS
I was born and raised on the West Coast of Sweden. I came to Bluffton/Hilton Head Island area in 2014 to pursue a lifelong dream to play golf in the U.S. Recruited to play golf for the Women’s Golf Team at University of South Carolina Beaufort, I fell in love with the area and everyone I met. Being a part of the golf team for four years enabled me to push myself personally and advance as an athlete. It took me on a personal journey that I can look back on and be proud of, ultimately introducing me to the Chamber. I am now hoping that being a part of this impressive organization will take me on a new journey and push me even more. I want to engage with our members and the community in a way that has a lasting impact. I know working as part of the events and membership team will give me the opportunity to do just that.
DESTINATION NEWS
Moa Kristenson "Making people smile is a guilty pleasure of mine."
The Inn & Club at Harbour Town Wins Travel + Leisure's "World's Best" Awards Heralded as the only Forbes Four-Star Hotel on Hilton Head Island, The Inn & Club at Harbour Town has been named one of the "10 Best Resort Hotels in the South" in Travel + Leisure magazine's "2018 World's Best Awards." Additionally, Hilton Head Island was voted the No. 1 Island in the Continental U.S. for the third consecutive year. The Inn & Club at Harbour Town was also recognized as South Carolina's "Luxury Hotel and Restaurant of the Year" by Luxury Travel Guide. These awards represent the pinnacle of hospitality achievement.
The Town of Hilton Head Island announces that there will be a Municipal General Election on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 to elect a Mayor and Town Council members for Wards 2, 4 and 5. Citizens who are interested in filing for candidacy may do so in the Records Center at Town Hall between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on August 15th. The candidacy filing form is available in the Records Center and on the Town website, hiltonheadislandsc.gov.
Deadline Approaching for Local Candidates
Completion of May River Road Streetscape Celebrated
Professional Wheelchair Tennis Returns to Hilton Head Island
Moa Kristenson Joins Chamber Staff
The Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) will once again host the Wheelchair Tennis Championships on Hilton Head Island September 20th through the 23rd. Matches will be held at the Chaplin Park Tennis Center, and Hilton Head Motorcoach Resort. Most of the world’s top players, as well as all levels, including first-time players, compete in this event, which is part of the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour and sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Spectators are invited to watch both the exhibitions and tournament matches as current and future stars in action compete for $24,000 in prize money!. Volunteers of all ages are needed to help serve lunches and participate as ball people. Contact Paige at 785-7244 or paige@ptrtennis.org.
Town of Bluffton celebrated the completion of the May River Road Streetscape project with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting May 25th. The project is part of a master plan developed to help Bluffton maintain its small-town charm while creating greater walkability for residents and guests to dine, shop, work, and live. The project included the installation of 3,400 feet of sidewalks with new street lighting on both sides of May River Road. A portion of the new sidewalks utilized porous brick pavers to protect nearby tree root systems and trees. Stormwater upgrades were also made, and an additional 30 parking spaces on May River Road from Pin Oak Street to Whispering Pine Street were added. Learn more about the Town's master plan on their website townofbluffton.sc.gov
More Accolades for Hilton Head Island SouthernLiving.com has included Hilton Head Island in their round-up of the Best Vacation Spots In Every Southern State. "The Palmetto State’s coastal towns show the very best of its Southern beach charm and culture, with Hilton Head Island leading the pack for sinking your toes in the sand and living a slower pace for a spell." Southern Living. Read more about Hilton Head Island's designation and see what other Southern State locations made the cut at southernliving.com.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Congratulations All-Stars! The Hilton Head 8U All-Stars are the 2018 Youth AA Machine Pitch State Champions. A job well done for team members and their coaches!
July 25th - Bluffton Cinemark Theaters
July 26th - Infiniti of Hilton Head
July 5th - Hilton Head Island Airport / American Airline Jets
4-9 YEARS BrightView Landscape Services Builder's First Source Coastal Home Indoor & Outdoor Furnishings Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners group46 H&R Block Hilton Head Baseball Association Hilton Head Landscapes Hilton Head Long Term Rentals, Inc. Island Explorer/Dolphin Nature Tours LowSea Bike Beach & Baby Rental, Inc. Paula Harper Bethea Roy's Place Cafe & Catering Ruby Lee's, LLC Spartina 449 Sure Network Solutions Terry Lee Contracting T-Square Surveying ultimatefloorcareservices.com Whitaker Laboratory, Inc. WJCL-ABC
July 19th - Hampton Inn by Hilton
Happy Anniversary, Renewing Members
1-3 YEARS Aegis Capital Corp Beach Biscuit Correll Insurance CycleBar Diamond Pools & Spas, LLC Esposito Construction, Inc. Gigi's Boutique Glasspro Greg Alexander Heritage Dental Spa & Salon Horizon Home Inspectors Island Club of Hilton Head Jolley Law Group, LLC Lean Ensemble Theater Local Pie Low Tide Plumbing Muse Gallery Providence Presbyterian Early Learning Center Red Piano Art Gallery Sea Monkeys Watersports Shell Ring Oyster Company
Ribbon Cuttings Caught on Camera
Looking for a service or product, a local collaborative partner, or a business referral resource? We encourage you to keep your fellow members top of mind! Search our Chamber Member Directory
15-19 YEARS Cisco Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Head Hilton Head Plantation Property Owners' Association
July 26th - Vaden Nissan of Hilton Head
July Ribbon Cuttings
ARC Tax Resolution Services, Inc. Backwater Cat Adventure Dataw Island Hilton Head Nannies & Companions Island Rentals of Hilton Head Kim Murphy One Fine Swine Savannah Coastal Magazine South Bay Commercial Capital The Spirited Hand Village Travel Service Inc.
July 16th - Palmetto Breeze Trolley Service
30+ YEARS Adventure Cruises, Inc. Dr. Martin Pauls/Dr. Robert Savarese J. Banks Design Group, Inc. McGriff Insurance Services Shelter Cove Towne Centre Shore Beach Service, Inc. The Seabrook of Hilton Head, Inc. Thomas C. Barnwell, Jr.
10-14 YEARS Beachside Getaway Bistro 17 BrightStar Digital Insurance, Inc. Global Family Medicine Montage Palmetto Bluff Sea Shack The Golf Club at Indigo Run VanLandingham Rotary Club
Welcome New Members
20-29 YEARS Beach Properties of Hilton Head, Inc. John Wesley Villas of Savannah, Inc.
DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT
Hilton Head Island's Breeze Trolley is on the Run
Start Planning Today
Hilton Head Island Named #1 Island in the Continental U.S.
Getting around Hilton Head Island is a breeze, thanks to our new seasonal trolley service! Running from July through mid-October, The Breeze carries passengers between Coligny Circle, Shelter Cove Towne Centre, and Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina. Each trolley is air-conditioned and equipped with a bike rack and free Wi-Fi. Service operates every 30 minutes between 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily, except on Tuesdays when service is extended to 10 p.m. for the Harbourfest fireworks. Tickets can be purchased, and trolleys can be tracked in real time, using The Hilton Head Island Compass App. Tickets are $1 per person, per ride, and children under 43” ride free. More information is available on hiltonheadisland.org Help spread the word to your customers, friends, and family that the new Breeze is a great way to access Hilton Head Island’s beaches, shopping, resorts, restaurants, and attractions!
The reach continues with our Travel + Leisure accolade. Read Senior Digital Editor Nina Ruggiero's second article highlighting her experiences on Hilton Head Island. travelandleisure.com.
