Chamber Business Monthly - August 2019 - Hilton Head Island / Bluffton

AUGUST 2019

UNITE SUMMIT Housing Our Workforce

FIVE QUESTIONS

DESTINATION FOCUS

with New Beaufort County Hilton Head Island School District Superintendent Named No. 1 Island Dr. Frank RodriguezHiltonHeadChamber.org in the Continental U.S. 2019 for the 1 | August Fourth Consecutive Year

IN THIS ISSUE COMMUNITY FOCUS: Bluffton “The Bluffton Song Bird” inducted onto the town’s wall of honor.

COMMUNITY FOCUS: Hilton Head Island

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Hilton Head Island named No. 1 island in the Continental U.S.

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CHAMBER BUSINESS MONTHLY

CHAMBER NEWS: Why workforce housing?

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FEATURED: 5 Questions with Dr. Frank Rodriguez Discover our new Beaufort County Superintendent’s voice and vision.

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ON THE COVER UNITE SUMMIT: Housing that Works Workforce housing challenges require innovative solutions.

SCENE & BE SEEN: Executive Connection, Ribbon Cuttings & more!

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COMING UP AT THE CHAMBER:

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Thrive, State of the Region & more!

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HiltonHeadChamber.org | August 2019

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UNITE Workforce Housing Summit

Be a part of the solution to the region’s workforce housing challenges.

We’re bringing together leading minds as well as local leaders to discuss workforce housing, economic development, opportunity zones and more. Find out the lessons learned in other counties and municipalities, and how we can learn from them.

Speakers & Topics: “Radical Housing: Employer Solutions for its Workforce” with Tony Bonitati, Commercial Housing Solutions at NAI Earle Furman.

“Opportunity Zones: Everything You Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid To Ask” with Tyler Smith, partner at Parker & Poe. “Workforce Housing To Empower” with Don Oglesby, president of Homes of Hope.

“Local Action for Affordable Housing” panel with Town of Bluffton Director of Growth Management Heather Colin; Community Development Director of Beaufort County Eric Greenway; and Hilton Head Island Town Manager Steve Riley.

“Triple Threat: Economic Development, Workforce & Housing” with Kim Statler, Workforce Advisor at the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

“Taking Inventory: Housing Mix Matters” with Brumby McLeod, College of Charleston.

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CHAMBER BUSINESS MONTHLY

FEATURED

Meet Our Guest Speakers

Tyler Smith

Tony Bonitati Founder of Commercial Housing Solutions and Shareholder, NAI Earle Furman Tony’s vast experience in commercial real estate, development, business process outsourcing, and housing offer a unique perspective to companies evaluating the cost-benefit analysis of providing employer housing for their employees. He is the author of Radical Housing Solutions, and he has created a replicable, yet incredibly client-specific, model for remedying the divide between income and affordable housing.

Partner at Parker & Poe in Greenville, S.C. Tyler Smith’s practice focuses in the areas of both public and business finance as well as government and public policy. He has served various financial institutions in the Southeast and has substantial experience in the field of new markets tax credits. Smith also has extensive experience in interest rate swaps and other derivative transactions, as well as complex investment products.

Brumby McLeod Associate Professor at the College of Charleston, School of Business in the Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management and research fellow with the Office of Tourism Analysis and the Riley Center for Livable Communities.

Since 2003, Brumby McCleod has studied the convergence of housing and tourism. His recent work included a benchmark nightly rental study on the ski mountain towns of the western United States. His housing and tourism research challenges destination marketing organizations, jurisdictions and common markets to collaborate in measuring and monitoring housing utilization, a concept termed the “housing mix”. His current project in South Carolina includes a collaboration of the CVB, county, and multiple jurisdictions focused on nightly rental compliance and regulation customized to each jurisdiction within the broader market.

Don Oglesby President/CEO of Homes of Hope in Greenville, S.C. Don Oglesby is the President/CEO of Homes of Hope, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that is the leading developer of single-family affordable housing in the state. He has led Homes of Hope in the development of over 600 affordable and energy efficient homes for low-to-moderate income families and the residential workforce development program of over 300 men overcoming drug and alcohol addictions. He continues to lead Homes of Hope’s expansion to greater impact across South Carolina.

Unite Summit Tuesday, August 27 8 a.m. Registration | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Program Country Club of Hilton Head $35 member | $45 future member (Includes breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack) Registrants are welcome to come and go throughout the day.

HiltonHeadChamber.org | August 2019 REGISTER

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Nonprofits:

A Part of the Puzzle

Thank you

to our Sponsors Community Cornerstone Partners

Q&A with Don Oglesby, President of Homes of Hope Tell us a little bit about Homes of Hope.

Homes of Hope rebuilds communities and individual lives through housing, economic, and workforce development. It was founded in 1998 with the dream to provide low-to-moderate income families with housing options they could both afford and be proud to call home. Simultaneously, another idea developed: to restore men’s lives through sobriety and job training as they acquired life-changing skills in constructing some of our homes.

Community Investors

From there, Homes of Hope has grown into the largest non-profit developer of single-family affordable housing in South Carolina. And the job training program has grown into a successful workforce development initiative that truly transforms the lives of graduates and sets them up for successful careers in well-paying trades.

To date, Homes of Hope has developed 612 affordable homes and has graduated 308 men from our workforce development program.

Community Supporters

What would happen to a community if workforce housing disappeared?

The workforce would disappear, too. The economic impact of that would be felt by all.

How can non-profit organizations help “fill the gap” between public and private workforce housing solutions?

Nonprofits have some unique tools and resources (deduction, access to certain tax credits, access to certain grants, mission focus rather than profit focus, etc.) that enable them to create affordability where it is sometimes more difficult for others. But more importantly, nonprofits should also have unique connections to understanding the needs of workforce housing customers that empower them to achieve better results for these customers than the simple 6 CHAMBER BUSINESS MONTHLY “warehousing of people” that often results.

Accommodation Sponsor

Event Sponsors

CHAMBER NEWS

Congratulations to executive assistant Connie Killmar, for being inducted into the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE)’s prestigious circle of 25+ years at a chamber.

Connie has been with the chamber for 28 years.

Congratulations to our senior sales executive Beverly Maloney (right) for receiving the Rotary Club of Hilton Head’s President’s Bookend Award for her role as the sergeant at arms and part of the leadership team. She’s pictured with Dawoud Stevenson from the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport and Tricia Lynch, who received Inspiration awards.

Thanks to Leadership Outgoing Chairs

Thank you to outgoing Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program Board of Regents Chair Wil Saleeby (class of 2016, pictured right with Bluffton Town Manager Marc Orlando) for his tenure and service. We welcome Tom Dunn (class of 2014) as the incoming chair.

Welcome back Quinn Baldree, the chamber’s Junior Leadership Program Board of Regents Chair (class of 2016, pictured right with graduate Liz Stinson), for another year at the helm of the program.

HiltonHeadChamber.org | August 2019

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COMMUNITY FOCUS: HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Congratulations Hilton Head Island, You’ve Done it Again!

For the fourth consecutive year, Travel + Leisure readers named Hilton Head Island the #1 island in the Continental U.S. in its prestigious World’s Best Awards.

As residents and an integral part of our Lowcountry business community, thank you for playing a vital role in garnering this recognition.

Accolades such as this further build and solidify our reputation among global travelers as a world-class destination. This type of recognition helps strengthen

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CHAMBER BUSINESS MONTHLY

our tourism-based economy and drives the bottom line for our Lowcountry business community.

The $1.4 billion economic impact of tourism touches each and every business and resident of our region.

The award is an incredible endorsement of a place we’re all fortunate to call home, and proud to share with our visitors from around the world.

Check out the community video below of some of our local partners celebrating.

Hilton Head & Daufuskie Islands in the National News “A Trip to Hilton Head Island: Lowcountry, low-key fun” featured in Carolina Parent. What they said: Resorts are plentiful on the island, as are house and condo rentals tucked under oaks dripping with Spanish moss.

Hilton Head Island listed among “14 Scenic Island Vacations in the U.S. Oozing with Charm” in TripAdvisor.com. What they said: You might find yourself visiting Hilton Head for the golf and the beaches, but the food, charm, and Southern hospitality will keep you around.

Happy Birthday, The Breeze + Expanded Beach Service The Breeze Trolley celebrated its 1-year anniversary on July 16 with the unveiling of the Sea Turtle Trolley, a concert at Coligny, Touch-a-Trolley at Shelter Cove, and more.

The Breeze is also offering complimentary beach shuttle service from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day between the University of South Carolina Campus and Coligny Beach Park.

“A South Carolina Island Home with an English Aesthetic” article featuring a Daufuskie Island home was featured in the Wall Street Journal.

Hilton Head Island listed among “The Top 10 Home Rental Locations for the July 4th Holiday” in Forbes. com. What they said: With 12 miles of beaches, an astounding 24 golf courses, and three separate fireworks shows, the island sees roughly 2.6 million visitors annually – many of whom fly directly onto the island’s airport.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Hilton Head Island

HiltonHeadChamber.org | August 2019

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COMMUNITY FOCUS: BLUFFTON

Rotary Club and Town Celebrate Nearly 2-Decade Partnership with Pavilion Donation

“Songbird of Bluffton” Inducted onto the Wall of Honor

Last month, the Rotary Club of Bluffton donated the Oscar Frazier Park Pavilion to the Town of Bluffton, celebrating a nearly 20-year partnership between the entities. The Rotary Club has contributed $1.3 million in enhancements to the park, including: • The Rotary Community Center • Together with the 2018 and 2019 Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class installed the Imagination Train playground, as well as a xylophone and sensory playground equipment.

• Pavilion with restrooms and art wall feature.

Town Installs Sunscreen Stations

Pressana Grant was inducted onto the Town of Bluffton’s Wall of Honor on July 9.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Bluffton

The Town of Bluffton has installed four dispensers containing eco-friendly, SPF 30 natural sunscreen at the Oyster Factory Dock, Palmetto Bluff Dock, Oscar Frazier Park Pavilion and DuBois Park. The initiative was spearheaded by Bluffton resident Jessica Deckert Long, who coordinated a successful fundraising campaign to procure the dispensers and supplies.

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Known as “The Bluffton Song Bird,” Grant was a Bluffton native and gospel singer who never took a music lesson. She started her singing career in her home Baptist church choir. Knowing the power of song, she shared her love of voice with students and founded the Hilton Head School Gospel Choir.

She was a singer, a mother, a grandmother and a minister. She was a member of St. James Baptist Church of Hilton Head Island.

Shortly before she passed away in 2017, she sang at the Garvin-Garvey House renovation celebration.

ADVOCACY CORNER

U.S. 278 Cooridor Update

Creative Cuisine.

Exceptional Service.

Whether you are planning a family gathering, corporate event or an elegant wedding, our experienced staff can help bring your ideas to life!

• Cocktail Parties • Off-Premises Catering • Wedding Brunches, Rehearsal Dinners & Receptions • Family Celebrations • Holiday Parties • Military Events • Group Golf & Tennis Outings • Conferences & Seminars • Corporate Events

A portion of the Beaufort County Penny Sales Tax that was passed in November will go toward improvements of Hwy. 278 between Moss Creek Drive and Spanish Wells Road.

Palmetto Dunes venues include: The Dunes House, Centre Court Pavilion, Alexander’s Restaurant, Arthur Hills Golf Course and more!

CALL 855-807-1934

According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), eastbound Mackay Creek Bridge will be replaced, the other three bridges will be modified, and there will be improved access to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge and the C.C. Haigh, Jr. boat ramp.

The U.S. 278 Gateway Corridor Committee was formed to share information about the project and to gather feedback. The group is comprised of community leaders, engineers, and representation from the Hilton Head IslandBluffton Chamber of Commerce.

SCDOT will hold a public meeting and open house from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, at the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island (151 Gumtree Road) to present its options for improvements - called “reasonable alternatives”.

The committee will then review the options and engage the community.

For more information about the project, visit www.scdot278corridor.com.

DunesCateringAndEvents.com PalmettoDunes.com HiltonHeadChamber.org | August 2019

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LEARN & GROW

WHY WORKFORCE HOUSING IS BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY We all benefit when there are diverse housing options in the Lowcountry.

STABLE HOUSING SERVES AS A PLATFORM for Individual & Family Well-being - Children move less often and do better in school.

- Adults and children experience better physical and mental health outcomes.

A MIX OF HOUSING TYPES & AFFORDABIILTY is the Basis for Inclusive & Diverse Communities

- Families are more likely to achive upward mobility and economic self-sufficiency.

- Housing options offer equitable opportunities for access to services.

- Communities can be places where everyone can prosper and contribute.

- Children who grew up here can make their home here as an adult.

HOUSING SUPPORTS VIBRANT & SUSTAINABLE Local Economic Development - People have the option to live near their work.

- Shorter commutes make it eaier to attract and retain workers, and reduce traffic for everyone.

- Workforce housing supports jobs in key sectors that serve residents and visitors alike.

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Sources: National Housing Conference, Poverty & Race Reserach Action Council, and Housing Underproduction in the U.S. ECONorthwest

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Questions

with the New Superintendent of the Beaufort County School Distrcict, Dr. Frank Rodriguez

What were your first few weeks like?

I spent my first morning on the job visiting summer reading programs at several schools, and talking with students and teachers. Since then I’ve been meeting with district office staff and community leaders, and I’m scheduling lots of community meetings in the weeks and months ahead. One of my first big meetings was with ecumenical leaders from across the district, and the feedback from them was very positive. They appreciated the opportunity to engage and provide me with feedback about our school district. It’s been a very busy and exciting few weeks, and I’m really looking forward to working together with the community to improve outcomes for all of our students.

What are your top three priorities for the 2019 school year?

I’ve got three critical priorities: 1. Priority number one is a countywide “listening and learning tour” that will help me learn about our district’s education system as it exists now – what we’re doing well and what needs to be improved. Those meetings with our internal and external stakeholders will take place over the next few months, and a number of them will be open to parents and the general public.

2. Priority number two is developing a comprehensive plan to reduce our “achievement gaps.” Every school district in the country is challenged by achievement gaps relating to poverty levels or ethnicity or disabilities. Although there isn’t an overnight

fix to closing achievement gaps, it’s important that we begin to take this work on as part of our efforts in improving outcomes for students.

3. Priority number three is making sure our public is accurately informed about the bond referendum that county voters will consider on November 5. Our district hasn’t had a successful bond referendum in 11 years, and growing districts typically need a bond referendum every four or five years to add new facilities and also to preserve taxpayer investments in existing facilities.

What are the top three opportunities for the Beaufort County School district over the next five years?

The development of a strategic plan is a major opportunity to improve student outcomes for our HiltonHeadChamber.org | August 2019

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diverse student community. The development of a long-range strategic plan will be instrumental in organizing, aligning, and directing our efforts as a school district towards ensuring success for all of our students. A second opportunity for our school system is to engage our community to collaborate and build a strong trusting relationship. A third opportunity is to engage our business community and work together in clearly identifying partnerships that support our students and their workforce needs.

about Beaufort County’s workforce needs and the skills our students must have to meet those needs.

These are skills our students must have if they’re going to enjoy successful careers. A number of our local businesses already have partnerships with individual schools, and we hope to generate more of those. Some businesses offer invaluable internships and apprenticeships that give students opportunities to put their academic skills to work in real-world environments. We hope to generate more of those opportunities, too.

The Chamber has a Business Education Partnership Committee. What’s the biggest thing the business community can do to ensure our students are prepared for the world that awaits them following graduation?

Favorite part about Lowcountry life so far?

Close collaboration with our business community is important for a number of reasons, including our need to make sure district educators are clear

Bill Miles with Frank Rodriguez 14 CHAMBER BUSINESS MONTHLY and Herb Berg, the interim superintendent.

Wow, narrowing it down to just one favorite thing is nearly impossible. First of all, the Lowcountry is gorgeous; an absolutely beautiful place to live. Second, every person I’ve met has been tremendously warm and welcoming, not just to me but also to my wife and two sons. And third, the food. Oh, my goodness, the food. I could be in big trouble there.

MEMBERS MAKING NEWS

Members Making News

Men from the F3 Lowcountry Foundation raised $80,000 for six local charities this spring when they participated in the Palmetto 200 - an overnight relay race from Columbia to Charleston. They presented

the check to Open Arms Child Care, Greener Grass, Deep Well, Family Promise of Beaufort County, Backpack Buddies of Bluffton and Hilton Head & Bluffton Young Life.

The Technical College of the Lowcountry secured full state approval to build the Culinary Institute of the South, and will begin construction at the Buckwalter Place Commerce Park in October. In addition, students enrolled in critical workforce programs at TCL can now tap into the new Workforce and Industry Needs Scholarship (WINS), which is designed to boost the number of technical college graduates in “critical” fields and from lowincome backgrounds.

Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar owner and chef Clayton Rollison won the Food Network Show “Guy’s Grocery Games” in July.

Thanks to the record number of passengers coming and going through the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, it is getting a $4.2 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to finish a new customs facility.

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office K9s Ares and Enzo will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. HiltonHeadChamber.org | August 2019

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MEMBERS MAKING NEWS

&

Who’s Who Who’s Where Greg A. Baisch and Heath E. Duncan have become shareholders of Ward Edwards Engineering. They are vice presidents and veteran employees of the company.

Hilton Head Regional Healthcare’s “Healthy Over Hungry” cereal drive held in June collected more than 20,000 servings of cereal for local non-profit organizations. Hilton Head Hospital collected 15,525 servings of cereal that was donated to Sandalwood Community Food Pantry.

Coastal Carolina Hospital collected $1,461 and nearly 5,000 servings of cereal that was given to Bluffton Self Help.

WTOC will premier a new hour of local daytime TV next month.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, September 16, “Morning Break” will feature news and talk along with topics that make the most out of southern and coastal living with anchors Cyreia Sandlin, Ken Griner and Tim Guidera.

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Sydney Brewton is the new office manager and volunteer coordinator at the Heritage Classic Foundation. She was previously an intern. Tyler Shutts has transitioned to ticket manager and operations support, and Andy McMillen has assumed the role of director of operations.

John Carroll has joined the Burr Forman McNair team as an associate attorney in the firm’s Hilton Head office. He is a member of the real estate practice group where he represents clients in all aspects of commercial and residential real estate transactions.

Shelley and Gary Elliott have joined Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties’s sales team.

Shelley was previously a patient and marketing coordinator for a surgeon in Atlanta, and Gary spent two decades in the energy efficiency consulting industry.

Sharon Cass has joined the Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties sales team. She previously owned an interior design firm in Huntington, N.Y.

Meghan Cline was promoted to retail manager of Outside Hilton Head. She joined the organization in 2012 as a kayak guide and retail associate, and quickly climbed the ranks to assistant retail manager in 2013.

Sheryse Dubose, Ph.D. is the Town of Hilton Head Island’s first historic neighborhoods preservation administrator. She grew up in one of the island’s historic Gullah communities, and has spent the last 25 years researching and advocating for the preservation of Gullah Geechee communities.

Maureen Richards was promoted to relocation director and vice president of marketing at Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties. She’s been with the company for almost 13 years.

Kelly Ryan is the marketing director at Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties. She is from Hilton Head Island and has many years of experience in public relations and media planning.

Mark Turner is the new general manager at the Golf Club at Indigo Run (ClubCorp). He has worked in all areas of the industry and was most recently at the TPC Piper Glen in Charlotte.

Carolyn Vanagel (top) will retire as the president of the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival following the 18th annual event this fall (October 24 – November 3). She has served in the role for the past 16 years, and is credited with building the event from a twoday show with 6,000 attendees to a 10-day, nationally-recognized lifestyle event with over 20,000 guests.

Lindsey Harrell, vice president of operations, will assume the role as director on January 1, 2020. She’s been with the festival for 12 years.

HiltonHeadChamber.org | August 2019

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Welcome, New Members!

Air Duct DR LLC

POP - Purge Organize Paint

Anchors Away Sailing Charters

Silver Oak Transportation, LLC

GRTmfg

Tio’s Latin American Kitchen

LUX~A Medical Spa Hilton Head Island

Vivid Gallery

Monarch Roofing

Happy Anniversary 30+ Years

4-9 Years

Dr. Martin Pauls/Dr. Robert Savarese

Barnett & Company Investment Counsel

Shore Beach Service, Inc.

Bluffton Police Department

The Seabrook of Hilton Head, Inc.

Chartwells@USCB

Thomas C. Barnwell, Jr.

Coastal Home Indoor & Outdoor Furnishings

Wood + Partners Inc.

Gigi’s Boutique Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island

20-29 Years Capt. Hook Party Fishing Boat Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort Grayco Building Center Heritage Classic Foundation K. Hovnanian Homes of SC & GA, Inc. Lawton Stables Southern Wine & Spirits USCB Small Business Development Center Wild Wing Café (HHI)

HUB International Island Explorer/Dolphin Nature Tours JCB Roofing Kilwins at Shelter Cove Towne Centre Lowcountry Estuarium Paula Harper Bethea Sure Network Solutions Windmill Harbour Marina

1-3 Years Belle Strategies Marketing Agency

15-19 Years Cisco eviCore healthcare

Beach Play Company Coastal Treasures Departure Media Island Club of Hilton Head Island Rentals of Hilton Head

10-14 Years

Kim Murphy

Digital Insurance, Inc.

Lean Ensemble Theater

Honorable Weddings

Lowcountry Finishes Painting & Carpentry

Island Travel

Old Town Bluffton Inn

Village at Wexford

RobMark Web.Advertising.PR So Sandra

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CONNECT + ENGAGE

Scene & Be Seen Top leadership from local businesses enjoyed networking and a reception during Executive Connection at the Long Cove Club in June.

HiltonHeadChamber.org | August 2019

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Tio’s Latin American Kitchen celebrated its opening in the Shelter Cove Towne Centre with a ribbon cutting.

Vivid Gallery celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting.

The gallery in the Shops at Sea Pines Center donates all of its proceeds to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

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CONNECT + ENGAGE

Chamber members gathered at Wild Wings Cafe on Hilton Head Island for the June Conversation & Cocktails.

HiltonHeadChamber.org | August 2019

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Upcoming Chamber Events Business Education Partnership + Public Policy Committee Meeting with State Sen. Tom Davis 8 a.m. Friday, August 2 Chamber Boardroom 1 Chamber of Commerce Drive Hilton Head Island State Sen. Tom Davis will update a joint Business Education Partnership and Public Policy Committee meeting on state education reform and other legislative efforts. All members are welcome to attend.

Conversation + Cocktails: Hargray Retail Center Opening 5 p.m. Thursday, August 15 Hargray Retail Center, 862-A William Hilton Parkway Hilton Head Island Conversations build relationships and relationships build business. Join us for end-of-summer networking while getting an exclusive look at Hargray’s new retail center. The event will kick off with a ribbon cutting and follow with a reception.

Chamber Young Professionals: AR Workshop 5 p.m. Friday, August 9 AR Workshop Village at Wexford Network with other young professionals while making a beautiful piece of art. Each attendee will get to paint their own inspirational word block and take it home!

Free event; complimentary beer/wine and snacks. AR Workshop® is a boutique DIY studio that offers handson classes for creating custom, charming home decor from raw materials. Take your home decor to the next level and have fun while creating it!

UNITE Summit 8 a.m. Registration | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Program Tuesday, August 27 Country Club of Hilton Head Workforce challenges require innovative solutions.

Join us for the third Unite Summit, where we’ve gathered a panel of experts to discuss workforce housing, economic development, opportunity zones and more.

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CONNECT + ENGAGE

Grassroots Tour with Ted Pitts, CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce 10 a.m. September 12 Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Headquarters 1 Chamber of Commerce Drive, Hilton Head Island Join us and Ted Pitts, CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, to share some of the challenges your business faces. The feedback received from the meetings will shape the state Chamber’s 2020 Competitiveness Agenda and set the Chamber’s priorities for the 2020 legislative session.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette

Thrive Lowcountry Women’s Conference: Achieving Results Thursday, September 26: 12:30-3 p.m.

(VIP Workshops) 3:30-5:30 p.m. (BizPitch), 6-8 p.m. (Reception) Friday, September 27: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(Conference) Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa

State of the Region 2019 Featuring Former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley 11 a.m.: Networking | Noon: Program Begins Tuesday, October 1 Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa Former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley - one of America’s longest-serving mayors - will share his accomplishments and leadership over his 40-year tenure, and what the Lowcountry can learn from Charleston’s success.

Join us for the third annual premier women’s gathering focused on enhancing and empowering personal and professional growth. This year’s keynote speaker is South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. New this year: VIP Workshops will offer in-depth, skillbased in a hands-on setting with experts.

Thursday’s program will also feature the first-ever BizPitch competition. Similar to Shark Tank, women entrepreneurs will “pitch” their chance for a prize to help launch or expand their enterprise.

HiltonHeadChamber.org | August 2019

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@HHIBCHAMBER WWW.HILTONHEADBLUFFTONCHAMBER.ORG 1 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DRIVE | HILTON HEAD ISLAND | 843.785.3673 216 BLUFFTON ROAD | BLUFFTON | 843.757.3673

The Connect Calendar is Here!

Whether it is the latest big festival, a schedule of upcoming plays and concerts, or sporting events, the Connect Calendar will be the source for upcoming events around the Island.

We’ll connect you with all the latest events in one easy-to-search calendar.

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LowcountryConnect.org