Cultivating Growth and Progress
annual report
2019 The Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce is an active, volunteer-led organization empowered by its investors to cultivate economic growth and community development.
CHAMBER LEADERSHIP
2019 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD VAN TAYLOR LANDER UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT & CEO ANGELLE LABORDE, CCE Thank you for your continued support and investment as a member of the Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the past year, your Chamber’s Board of Directors and staff worked to fulfill our mission of serving as the unified voice to promote economic growth and build community. We are pleased to present the 2019 Annual Report summarizing our year. Many of our advocacy initiatives, awards presentations and programs are featured. Also, our largest event, the SC Festival of Flowers, produced an economic impact of over $4 million! Moreover, the Chamber strengthened our relationships with government officials, provided diverse programming, and ended the year with positive net revenue over expenses. Your investment in the Chamber is sincerely appreciated. It is truly an honor and a privilege to partner with and represent you as the collective voice of business in Greenwood County.
CHAMBER / FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
3.5%
Revenues
7.3%
scfof
coc
total
-
$219, 690.46
$219, 690.46
$151,249.00
$259,532.86
$410,781.86
$37,249.06
$14,006.70
$51,255.76
-
$24,633.95
$24,633.95
$188,498.06
$517,863.97
$706,362.03
scfof
coc
total
Management & General
$58,984.88
$342,283.23
$401,268.11
Programs & Events
$71,924.61
$116,247.25
$188,171.86
Advertising & Marketing
$47,955.02
$19,121.42
$67,076.44
-
$19,409.20
$19,409.20
Total Expenses
$178,864.51
$497,061.10
$675,925.61
Net Income
$9,633.55
$20,802.87
$30,436.42
Membership Dues 31.1%
Programs & Events Advertising & Marketing
58.2%
Other Total Revenues
2.9%
Expenses
9.9%
27.8%
59.4%
Membership Benefits & Services
Chamber Staff
2
DAVID DOUGHERTY
FIELY NOVILLA
AUSTIN WALKER
Vice President Investor Relations
Director of Finance & Operations
Coordinator Programs & Festival
GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2019 Annual Report
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TRISH BUIS
SUSAN JACKSON
JEFF
PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE
OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN
GREENWOOD COUNTY
JEFF DUNCAN
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
HEATHER SIMMONS JONES*
ROLAND SNELLING, JR.
GREENWOOD PARTNERSHIP
VELUX GREENWOOD, LLC
TOBY CHAPPELL GREENWOOD COUNTY KEN COFFEY SELF REGIONAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION BONNIE CORBITT G. F. RUSSELL TECHNOLOGY CENTER MAX CRAWFORD WCFIBER, LLC LOIS EUSTACE CLARK EUSTACE WAGNER, PA DANIELLE FIELDS COUNTYBANK COURTNEY FURMAN FURMAN ARCHITECTS, INC. GREG GURLEY , WINGARD S PHARMACY JASON HOMME CARQUEST AUTO PARTS
ALLIANCE MATT REYNOLDS* HERALD OFFICE SOLUTIONS J. DAVID McALLISTER, JR. MANLEY GARVIN, LLC JIMMY PEDEN* CONNECT LAKE GREENWOOD LISA SANDERS FIRST CITIZENS BANK MARY SCHOCH BRIAN SCHOCH STATE FARM AGENCY SARA SEARS SELF REGIONAL HEALTHCARE BRANDON SMITH LAW OFFICES OF BRANDON A. SMITH, LLC
SMITH
ERIC TAYLOR CONNIE MAXWELL CHILDREN'S HOME VAN TAYLOR 2019 CHAIR LANDER UNIVERSITY RICHARD THOMASON* COUNTYBANK CASEY TOMPKINS DAVIS & FLOYD, INC. PAMELA VAUGHN FUJIFILM MANUFACTURING U.S.A. INC. DEBBIE WALLING LONZA JULIE WILKIE CITY OF GREENWOOD *EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS
INCOMING 2020 BOARD MEMBERS
2019 Chair Van Taylor welcomed three new directors at the annual Board Retreat.
RUSTY DENNING
ROBERT GREER
KRISTIN MANSKE
PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE
PARDA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
GREENWOOD REGIONAL REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
2019 Annual Report
GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
3
% 110 GIVERS 1st Franklin Financial Corp. Aflac - Ronda Williams Aging With Flair, LLC The Alcoves Alexander Remington International Associates, Inc. Always Best Care of Greenwood - Anderson American Services, Inc. American Termapest, Inc. Andersen, Kristen Arc3 Gases Aromas Village Coffee Ascend Performance Materials Ashley Place Auto Care, Inc. Collision Center Ayers, Smithdeal, & Bettis, P.C. B&E Landscaping Solutions Barbie Dunlap, Make-up Artist Bath Fitter The Bayberry Retirement Inn Baymont Inn & Suites Beckman Center for Mental Health Services Belk Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Cambridge Realty Birth Connection, LLC The Blood Connection Blyth Funeral Home Boggero’s Services Bowers-Rodgers Home
Cokesbury Recreational & Historical Comm. Combined Insurance Dennis & Associates Comfort Inn & Suites Community Initiatives, Inc. Connie Maxwell Children’s Home
Greenwood Aerial Video
Keep Greenwood County Beautiful
Ninety Six School District 52
The Stoddard Funderburk Law Firm LLC
Kids First Dental & Braces
NW White & Co.
Greenwood Area Small Business Development Greenwood Army Navy
Kinard Animal Hospital
Greenwood Community Theatre
Lake Homes Realty, LLC
Greenwood County
Cox Accounting Solutions, LLC
Greenwood County Community Foundation
Lakelands Master Gardeners / Clemson Extension
Craven Consulting Group LLC
Greenwood Eye Clinic, PA
Lakelands Overhead Door, LLC
CrossRoads Pregnancy Center
Greenwood Fabricating & Plating, LLC
Lakelands Realty, LLC
Cullum Electric & Mechanical, Inc.
Greenwood Family Dentistry
Custom Audio and Lighting
Greenwood Lions Club, Inc.
Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission
Greenwood Locksmith, Inc.
Law Offices of Brandon Smith
Greenwood Municipal Federal Credit Union
Lee’s Barbecue & Catering Service
Greenwood Pathway House.
Liberty Storage Solutions of Greenwood
CORA Physical Therapy Cowart Awards, Inc.
David A. Crotts & Associates, Inc. David Lindsey Clothier ll, LLC Davis & Floyd, Inc. Davis, Ben
Greenwood Performing Arts
Suntrust Mortgage Superior Roofing
Old Main Catering
Surgery Center of the Lakelands
Omni Group, LLC Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
Sweet Teas Children’s Boutique
Ouzts-Tinney Chiropractic & Spinal Rehab
Swindell, George Synergy Counseling of Greenwood, LLC
Palmetto Stem Cell, LLC Papa John’s Pizza
T&J Kitchen and Bath, Inc.
Park Seed Company
Team Roark
Pediatric Dentistry of Greenwood
Tech Systems, Inc.
Piedmont Area Human Resource Association
Technesis
Piedmont Family Dentistry, PA
Think Tank on Main
Piedmont Tech Foundation
Thomas Concrete
Piedmont Technical College
Thompson, Chris
Pioneer Construction, Inc.
Tinsley & Adams LLP
Pope, Smith, Brown & King
TLC Real Estate
Premier Surgical Services, PA
Town & Country Construction of SC, Inc.
Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc.
Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital
Lloyd Roofing Co., Inc.
Digestive Disease Group, PA
LNinnovations
Duke Energy Carolinas
Greenwood Rental Agency, Inc.
Long, Ted, Realtor
Eaton Corporation, Hydraulics Group
Greenwood Rotary Club
Lonza
Greenwood Soup Kitchen Ministry, Inc.
Lowery, John L.
Emerald City Animal Hospital, Inc.
H. H. Turner Jewelers
Mabry-Sanders Agency, Inc.
Quality Chrysler of Greenwood
Emerald Farm
Hancock & Associates
Main & Maxwell, LLC
Quality Inn
Triangle Construction
Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites
R.T. Bailey Construction, Inc.
Triangle True Value Hardware
Mathis Plumbing Heating Air
Rainbo Antiques
Trinity Photography
McAllisters Home Furnishings & More
RE/MAX Action Realty, Inc.
Uldrick Builders L.L.C.
Regency Park Luxury Apartments
United Community Bank
Diana Pet Food
Edward Jones & Company
Employee Benefit Advisors, Inc. Enchanted Acres, LLC Enviva Pellets Greenwood, LLC
Expo 300 Faith Home Fellowship Camp & Conference Center First Citizens Corp. Flynn’s on Maxwell Uptown Wine & Beer
Frank’s Car Wash & Shell Rapid Lube
Capri’s Italian Restaurant
FSIoffice
Caris Healthcare
Furman Architects, Inc.
Carolina Health Centers, Inc.
Fusion Japanese & Thai
Carolina Medical Weight Management, PA
G. F. Russell Career Center
Carolina Pride Foods
George Ballentine Ford-Toyota
Carolina Prosthetics and Orthotics
GeoSeed
Hampton Inn of Greenwood Hardee’s Harley Funeral Home and Crematory
GLEAMNS Human Resources Grand Harbor Golf & Yacht Club Community Gray Marketing and PR Graybar Electric Company
Harris Flooring America
McCallum Orthodontics McCaslan’s Book Store
Town & Country Property Management, Inc. Town of Ninety Six
Upper Savannah Council of Governments
RL Enterprise - Recruiting & Staffing
McClary / McCartha Orthodontics
Heaner Design Group, LLC
McCormick County DSS
Robert’s Body Shop & Wrecker Service, LLC
Herald Office Solutions
McCravy, Newlon and Sturkie Law Firm, P.A
Rodgers Builders, Inc. Rodgers Well Drilling, Inc.
McGinn Construction Co., Inc.
Rush Heating & Cooling, Inc.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites at Greenwood Mall
MEG’s House
Holubek Photography
Memberfyi
Sanders Wealth Management, LLC Satterfield Construction Co.
Home Comfort Systems
Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio & Day Spa
Seasons by the Lake
HopeSouth Credit Union
Metal Garage, Inc.
The Self Family Foundation
Western Piedmont Education Consortium
Hospice and Palliative Care of the Piedmont
Mike Reeder & Associates
Self Regional Healthcare
Wiley, Tonya Realtor
Hospice Care of South Carolina
The Mill House Montague Eye Center, LLC
Self Regional Healthcare Auxilliary
Window World of the Upstate
Heritage Company of Greenwood, Inc.
Housing Authority of the City of Greenwood
Moore Pest Control Morningside of Greenwood
Humane Society of Greenwood
South Main St. Baptist Church
iHeartMedia Greenville
Neighbors United Credit Union
Southeastern Freight Lines The Spa on Maxwell
NeverSayCain’t Christian Life Coaching
Sparkle Express Greenwood
New Spring Church
Spirit Communications
Citizens Trust Company Clark Eustace Wagner, PA
Greater Greenwood
Johansen Precision Eye Care
J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment
Nexsen Pruet, LLC NHC Health Care Center
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8131 Wades on Waller Walker, Bea, Remax Action Realty Walmart Wesley Commons
Smith Dray Line
Nagoya Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar
Institute of Creative & Healing Arts
Velux Greenwood, LLC
The Skinner Company
The Museum
The Index-Journal Co.
V & R Consulting, LLC
Shealy Electrical Wholesalers
HTI Employment Solutions
Internetwork Engineering
GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Lowe’s of Greenwood
Preston Culbertson State Farm Agency
Health Related Home Care
Greater Greenwood Parks & Trails Foundation
4
Sugar Boutique
Oakbrook Memorial Park
Greenwood Place, Inc.
Cambridge Dental Associates
CINTAS
Lakelands Toros
Stoddard, Dr. Thomas B.
Northland Communications
Limestone College
Food Bank of Greenwood County
Chick-Fil-A Drive Thru
281 COMPANY SUPPORTERS Stockman Oil
Lakelands Homebuilders Association
Cambridge Academy, Inc.
Chandler Construction Services, Inc.
$12,989 CONTRIBUTIONS of Greenwood
Harvin, Bubba, Realtor
The Carolina Tavern
Greenwood County high school graduates.
Nicholson, Senator Floyd
Etron Solutions, LLC
C. Rauch Wise, Attorney at Law
at both Lander University and Piedmont Technical College for
Justus Builders, LLC
Broomfield Broadcasting, Inc Fox Sports
C C & M Inc.
Greenwood area employers, the Chamber created scholarships
John H. Welborn-Surveyor
Brookdale Greenwood
Burton Center Foundation
Scholarship initiative. Desiring to foster a qualified workforce for
United Ministry
Harris Baptist Church
Burton Center for Disabilities & Special Needs
provided an additional 10% of their dues to support the Chamber’s
Greenwood Active Day
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection
Buck Stove, Pool & Spa
Special thanks to our 2019 Chamber investors who voluntarily
Speedway Car Care Center Steifle’s Appliances Stockman Lands, Inc.
2019 Annual Report
EDUCATION & WORKFORCE 128
Students
Equipped with 21st century leadership skills.
25
Business Leaders
Connected with students to share career advice.
4TH
Student Conference
Held at Lander University in partnership with Eaton Corporation, the SC Dept. of Commerce and Leadership Greenwood.
Fostering lifelong learning and development, the Chamber hosts the annual SC Student Leadership Conference. The conference offered 21st century leadership skills to Greenwood County high school students, providing them with a competitive advantage as they advance to college and careers. The education and workforce development committee was led by Debbie Walling of Lonza.
CONNECTING LOCAL TALENT Greenwood’s Hiring is a Chamber initiative, dedicated to connecting job seekers with area employers throughout Greenwood and the Lakelands region. This active facebook page has:
Reach
5,000
Engagements
1,000
Followers
2,200 The
Greenwood
SC
Chamber
featured
new
school
superintendent Dr. Steve Glenn as the guest speaker at its Morning Blend program. Dr. Glenn was named Greenwood School District 50’s new leader for the 2019-2020 school year.
2019 Annual Report
GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
5
RECOGNIZING LEADERS
SIXTEEN AWARDS WERE PRESENTED IN 2019 TO OUTSTANDING LEADERS TO RECOGNIZE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE GREENWOOD COMMUNITY
GREENWOOD COUNTY HALL OF FAME
Since 1976 the Chamber has honored citizens who have made extraordinary contributions to the economic well-being and quality of life in Greenwood County. 1976
J. C. Self, Sr.
1988
R. B. Curry, Jr.
2002
Howard Lamar Burns
J. C. Self, Jr.
Dewey H. Johnson
2003
Dr. Lex D. Walters
William Jennings
1989
J. B. Harris, Sr.
2004
Dr. Roger E. Stevenson
Bryan Dorn
1990
Henderson Barnette
2005
William A. Klauber, Jr.
Jack Lawrence
Joe Patrick
2006
Sam Tolbert
1977
Dr. Boyce M. Grier
1991
John Drummond
2007
Lewis Harrison
1978
Julius W. (Pinky) Babb
C.Y. Thomason
2008
Dr. Jack Parham
1979
J. Ed Chaffin
1992
Larry Jackson
2009
Linda Dolny
1980
Samuel M. Smith
1993
Emmett I. Davis, Jr.
2010
Emmett F. Brooks
1981
John Benson Sloan
Charles J. Rogers
2011
Warren C. Schulze
Benjamin Sanders
1994
Dr. Stanley C. Baker, Jr.
2012
Ben Lawrence
1982
Major Walter W. Benson
1995
Thornwell Dunlap, Jr.
2013
Len Bornemann
1983
R. Frank Mundy
1996
William John Park
2014
Chuck Fox
1984
Henry Blohm
1997
William H. Harrison
2015
Joe Chandler
Col. Ernest Rosenburg
1998
Cecil Bruce
2016
A.C. “Bubba” Fennell
1985
William A. Barnette
Barksdale, Sr.
2017
A.T. Jamison
Robert L. Granger
1999
James Felton Burton
2017
Bill Stevens
1986
L. B. Adams
2000
Marion P. Carnell
2018
Floyd Nicholson
1987
F. E. Grier
2001
James E. McDonald
SENATOR FLOYD NICHOLSON Pictured with City of Greenwood staff members. Accepting award with 2018 Chair Chip Stockman & Jon Scott of Wesley Commons.
CENTENNIAL RECOGNITION
Members of the SC Legislative Delegation presented The Index-Journal with a proclamation honoring them for 100 years in business.
SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR An individual whose dedication to their business has had a profound impact on the progress and growth experienced in our county.
HOWARD CORLEY , Howard s on Main
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GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2019 Annual Report
WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE
Recognizing the unique leadership influence of women, each recipient is outstanding in her profession and is a committed champion for the Greenwood community. BETTIE ROSE HORNE, PH.D. South Carolina Higher Education Commission
DONNA FOSTER, PH.D. Piedmont Technical College
ROSSIE L. CORWON Kleinschmidt Associates
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS WLC
recognized
several
women
with
Achievement Awards for their personal achievements and community impact in serving others in Greenwood. AMY FENNELL
ALINE BARNES
DEBRA COLEMAN
Achievement Award
Champion Award
Go Girl! Award
CONNECT YP GREENWOOD UNDER 40 STARS
This recognition supports and salutes young professionals in the community. Each honoree is an emerging leader who
strives toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment, excels in their profession, strives to be engaged in their community, and serves as a role model for other young professionals.
HOLLY BROWN
MARY LYLE CATHCART
CAROLINE CHAPPELL
WELLS DUNLAP, V
Lonza
Self Regional Healthcare
Piedmont Technical College
Countybank
LESLEY LANE
LUCAS MCMILLAN
GEOFF RHYNE
Greenwood Communities & Resorts
Lander University
Wesley Commons
2019 Annual Report
GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
7
ADVOCACY CONNECTING MEMBER BUSINESSES VIA EDUCATIONAL BRIEFINGS FOR PERSONALIZED AND ONGOING INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS. AWARENESS & EDUCATION The Chamber’s State of the City / County luncheon provided business leaders with access to city and county officials and provides information about issues, government operations, and future challenges. Government officials provided the business community with an update on the revenue projections of the Capital Project Sales Tax, which was ratified by voters in 2016. Additionally the Chamber hosts an annual Legislative Breakfast gathering of Greenwood’s legislative delegation.
STATEWIDE PARTNERSHIPS As a unified voice of business at the Statehouse in Columbia, the Greenwood SC Chamber is an active participant of the Upstate Chamber Coalition and the SC Chamber of Commerce.
TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT The Upstate Chamber Coalition co-hosted a Listening Tour with Laurens County and Greenwood chambers featuring legislative advocate, Jason Zacher. South Carolina Chamber CEO Ted Pitts was the featured speaker at the SC Grassroots breakfast held at Lander University. Representatives of the Upstate Chamber Coalition met in Greenville for a leadership briefing. A transportation summit was held in Greenwood, hosted by Ten at the Top, an Upstate regional convener, which focuses on five key areas:
Community Vibrancy, Human Potential,
Sustainable Growth, Natural Beauty & Resources, and Economic & Entrepreneurial Vitality.
11 Chambers
Ten at the Top fosters trust and collaboration through partnerships
Working together to serve as the voice of Upstate business and is devoted to improving our region’s business climate.
and cooperation that impact economic vitality and quality of life across Upstate South Carolina, specifically within the following ten Upstate counties: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union. For more information, visit tenatthetop.org.
8,000 Businesses
Represented by two lobbyists in Columbia working to prevent anti-business legislation and advocating for the interest of business.
300,000 Employees
Are the reason we work so hard to create jobs, raise per capita income, and improve our region’s quality of life.
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GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2019 Annual Report
SMALL BUSINESS
SERVING AS AN ADVOCATE FOR SMALL
85%
SMALL
BUSINESSES THROUGH EDUCATION,
Businesses
NETWORKING, AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Make up the majority of our Membership
RECOGNIZING Led by Mary Schoch of Brian Schoch State Farm Agency, the Chamber hosted its second annual Small Business Week and partnered with The Index-Journal to publish a supplemental guide. A week full of events highlighted this important segment of our community and an appreciation breakfast at the Inn on the Square was held to show small business owners how much we value their economic and civic engagement. The highlight of the week was the 30th annual Small Business Awards Luncheon, where Howard Corley was recognized. As one of the first entrepreneurs to invest in the Uptown district when it was revitalized, Mr. Corley played a vital role in creating new special events and entertainment options to attract more residents to Uptown.
EDUCATING The Chamber offered many forums throughout the year, but during this special week they co-hosted a digital marketing and social media workshop with the Greenwood Area Small Business Development Center.
EXPANDING Supporting a thriving small business community, the Chamber was proud to host numerous ribbon cuttings for new and growing businesses. Recognizing that networking with other small businesses can be a key contributor to growth, three locally owned businesses worked together to host an expanded Business After Hours at the Uptown Market. They included Allegra Marketing Print Mail, Fatz Café, and Rush Heating & Cooling, Inc.
PROMOTING AND ENHANCING THE EXPERIENCE OF LAKE LIFE
4TH ANNUAL
LIFE ON THE LAKE SUMMIT 525
PEOPLE ATTENDED
2019 Annual Report
29
EXHIBITORS
20
SPONSORS
5TH ANNUAL
LIGHTS ON THE LAKE 10,000 PEOPLE
BY LAKE AND BY BOAT
21
SPONSORS
GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
9
LEADERSHIP GREENWOOD NEW PERSPECTIVES
A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY
For the past 36 years, the Chamber has sponsored the Leadership
EDUCATION THROUGH
Greenwood program, offering new perspectives and nurturing
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
future community leaders.
COMMUNITY SERVICE Members of the Class of 2019 volunteered at numerous Chamber
WHILE EXPLORING KEY ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE GREENWOOD COMMUNITY.
events, including the SC Festival of Flowers, Lakelands Business Expo, and the Grape Stomp Wine Walk. They also volunteered with the local Rotary Club at their Rise Against Hunger meal packing event and at the Pints for Polio fundraiser.
BOARD ENGAGEMENT
CLASS OF
After graduation, several members were recruited to serve on local 32 Graduates boards of directors and have become more engaged in civic affairs.
10
GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2019
ALUMNI 386 Engaged & Dedicated Civic Leaders
2019 Annual Report
, WOMEN S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL WOMEN TO GROW PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY, AND
TO BUILD THEIR INFLUENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
Led by Trish Buis of Piedmont Technical College, the award-winning Women’s Leadership Council continues to be relevant and meaningful to the women they serve.
, WOMEN S LEADERSHIP UPSTATE CONFERENCE The fifth Women’s Leadership Upstate Conference attracted more than 275 women from throughout the Lakelands. The conference, led by co-chairs Sara Sears and Dr. Donna Foster, included two keynote addresses, three breakout sessions, exhibitors, as well as lunch and a closing networking reception.
PURPOSEFUL NETWORKING WLC networked with female elected officials, offered professional development training, and sponsored two Suits & Salads events for female job seekers.
MENTORING FEMALE SCHOLARS The WLC Leadership Scholars program provides a year-round initiative to build a stronger culture of leadership for female students by providing them with mentorship and leadership development training and experiences. Proceeds from the Women’s Conference fund leadership training and programming. Community partners who supported the initiative include FUJIFILM Manufacturing, U.S.A., Inc, Greenwood Women Care, and the Rotary Club of Greenwood. Six women were honored during the 10th annual Women of Excellence Awards. These women improve our community, mentor other women and youth, and foster leadership opportunities.
2019 Annual Report
GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
11
NON-PROFIT COUNCIL
SERVE, SUPPORT, AND STRENGTHEN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR THROUGH CAPACITY-BUILDING, COLLABORATION, AND ADVOCACY FOR A BETTER GREENWOOD. Led by Jeff Smith of the Greenwood County Community Foundation (GCCF), the NonProfit Council provided targeted programs to help non-profit staff and their volunteers develop leadership skills.
ENRICHING PROGRAMS “Energizing Your Volunteers Into Agency Advocates” was presented by Heather Lother, CVA, Senior Director of Engagement at United Way of the Piedmont. Bi-Monthly Resource Connection gatherings gave non-profit leaders an opportunity to share resources and discuss ways in which to collaborate.
POVERTY SIMULATION Coordinated by SC Thrive, a poverty stimulation experience showcased the struggles people living in poverty face. Over 75 people participated, developing a multi-dimensional understanding of poverty through experiential learning. The experience benefits everyone, from policy makers to local community leaders. Participants role played as different families encountering the day-to-day realities of navigating the complex systems low-income families interact with daily. A grant from Greenwood County Community Foundation was awarded to provide board governance training in 2020.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS The Chamber is proud to support several community initiatives. Whether the Chamber is convening leaders, building the capacity of community
Creating a vibrant community where families can live, work
problem solvers, educating and reporting to the community, or conducting
and play for generations to come.
economic research, we stand ready to solve community problems and create opportunities for a stronger Greenwood County.
Supported the efforts of Keep Greenwood County Beautiful through: Lake Greenwood Clean Up, Shred Days, and the Team Up to Clean Up Initiative. Provided a contribution to The Greenwood Promise to support their educational initiatives. Partnered with Greenwood in Bloom’s unique volunteer-led effort to promote civic pride and inspire community involvement in the beautification of Greenwood.
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GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2019 Annual Report
CONNECT YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO BECOME LEADERS BY PROVIDING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
Led by Matt Reynolds of Herald Office Solutions, CYP held its signature service project, the 3rd annual “Ales for Trails” 5K run in March. The group was able to attract more than 125 runners and supporters and provided a $3,500 contribution to members of the Greater Greenwood Parks & Trails Foundation board of directors.
FOCUSED GATHERINGS CYP hosted several Monthly Mingle gatherings featuring area professionals who shared their career
success
stories
and
leadership
tips.
Additionally, they convened for socials and service projects, and held the second annual Next Level Young Professionals Summit in the fall. The group ended the year by recognizing seven outstanding “Greenwood Under 40 Stars.”
2019 Annual Report
GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
13
SC FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS
SHOWCASING GREENWOOD AS A DESTINATION FOR FLOWERS, FAMILIES & FUN!
Special thanks to the Festival’s corporate and Topiary sponsors for their commitment to this community-wide celebration. The Festival is proud to have a wonderful partner in the City of Greenwood and owes a debt of gratitude to the Public Works and Horticulture Staff as well as the topiary volunteers and master gardeners.
44 Topiaries
Large and small works of
90k Attendees All ages, from near and far
FEELING THE FUN, IN RAIN & SHINE! For the past 52 years, the Chamber has organized and coordinated the Festival. Rooted in tradition, the SC Festival of Flowers
art, showcased Uptown
produces the largest economic impact within the County and is like no other.
33 Events
Across the month of June
$4.2 Million
Economic Impact
Led by Richard Thomason for the second year, the Festival experienced a huge rain washout for the first time in over a decade! Our leadership adapted and several events were moved indoors.
AWARD WINNING International Festivals & Events Association Silver TV Promotion Bronze Misc. Clothing (Baseball tee) Southeast Festivals & Events Association Silver Best Program Bronze Best Merchandise (Baseball tee) South Carolina Festival and Event Association Best Digital Media Marketing Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event L. Ruple Harley, Jr. Named as the 2018 SFEA Volunteer of the Year 14
GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2019 Annual Report
SPECIAL EVENTS
The Greenwood SC Chamber hosts a variety of business, social, and sporting events to meet the needs of our members and to generate non-dues revenue for the organization. Collectively, these events attract over a thousand attendees and provide visibility and exposure for corporate sponsors.
105
th
A N N UA L MEETING GET THE SCOOP
2019 Annual Report
LAKELANDS RUN YOUR
MEETING
ICE OFF
BUSINESS EXPO
304 Attendees
229 Runners & Walkers
800 Attendees 53 Exhibitors
ANNUAL
GOLF CLASSIC
RAFFLE
52 Golfers
150 Tickets Sold
SUPER
GRAPE STOMP / BEER GARDEN 470 Attendees 15 Wine Stops
GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
15
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE
110 Phoenix Street Greenwood, SC 29646 www.GreenwoodSCchamber.org
GREENWOOD SC
(864) 223-8431 info@GreenwoodSCchamber.org
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CREDITS: LNINNOVATIONS, TRINITY PHOTOGRAPHY
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GREENWOOD SC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2019 Annual Report