Impact Report 2 0 2 4
Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Message
Reflecting on a Remarkable Year
The true strength of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton lies in our ability to unite, innovate, and inspire. This year has been a testament to that resilience and collaboration. As we move forward in 2025, it’s a time to celebrate the collective achievements of our community and look ahead to the opportunities awaiting us in the year to come.
We’re thrilled to share that the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce was named the 2024 Outstanding Chamber of the Year for North and South Carolina by the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. This prestigious honor reflects the dedication of our members, volunteers, Board of Directors and Staff, whose hard work and vision set us apart among chambers across the Carolinas and beyond.
This year, we also launched LowcountryJobsNow.org, a dynamic platform connecting local employers with job seekers, addressing workforce challenges, and strengthening our economic foundation.
Our community’s excellence continues to shine on a national stage. Hilton Head Island earned the title of #1 Island in the U.S. for the 8th consecutive year in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards Bluffton was chosen as the site for the 2025 HGTV Dream Home, bringing even more attention to the charm and vibrancy of the Lowcountry.
Hilton Head’s Vacation Planner was named #1 in the country at the U.S. Travel ESTO Awards, telling the story of the Lowcountry from the beaches, culinary scene, history, and more. Additionally, the Savannah/ Hilton Head International Airport was named the #1 domestic airport in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, further solidifying our region as a premier destination.
Hilton Head Island was recognized as an international leader in sustainable tourism at the Condé Nast Traveler Points of View Summit, thanks to our resident-first approach and balanced tourism strategy. This distinction reinforces our commitment to protecting our unique environment while driving economic vitality. We also continue to educate our visitors about the importance of our environment and to leave no trace.
Thank you for your unwavering support in making 2024 a year of shared success. Together, we’re building a community that thrives today and leaves a lasting legacy for tomorrow. Here’s to an extraordinary 2025!
Warm regards,
Jay Wiendl Chair of the Board of Directors
Bill Miles President & CEO
Mission, Vision & Values
MISSION
Stimulate the regional economy while enhancing the quality of life for all.
VISION
To ensure the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton region is a welcoming community, focused on embracing nature, culture, and economic vibrancy for residents and visitors.
VALUES
The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce is a professional, resultsdriven and innovative organization for our partners and our community by being ethical, accountable, pragmatic, visionary, and compassionate.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
We help bolster the business community by connecting, educating, advocating, and facilitating research
Make decisions based on long-term perspective
Serve as a voice and advocate for the business community
Maintain the highest ethical standards in all we do
Initiate programs for which there is funding and staffing resources
Develop and implement programs and services that benefit the economic well-being and common interests of our members
Work to preserve enhance the growth, quality character of
Develop collaborative partnerships only in areas where the partnership can accomplish that which organization cannot do alone
preserve and the prudent quality of life and of our region partnerships partnership which our alone
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Impact
Your Chamber
Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2024
Jay Wiendl Chair
General Manager, Beach House Hilton Head Island
Lola Campbell Vice Chair, Business Workforce Coalition
Owner, Binya Boutique, LLC
Susana Cook
Immediate Past Chair
General Manager, Hilton Garden Inn
Ray Warco Vice Chair,
Finance
Center for Strategic Planning/USCB
Mike Tighe Vice Chair, Visitor & Convention Bureau
General Manager, The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Mary Lee Carns Vice Chair, Bluffton
Regional Business Council
VP of Advancement, Technical College of the Lowcountry
Diana McDougall Vice Chair,
Membership
Lowcountry Regional President, Coastal States Bank
Bill Miles, IOM, CCE President & CEO
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
Bob Cosgrove Vice Chair, Business
Education Partnership
General Manager, Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island
Ahmad Ward Vice Chair, Public Policy
Executive Director, Mitchelville Preservation Project
Andrew Carmines
Berl Davis
Jean Beck
Jon Rembold
Joe Caruso
Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
Chris Corkern
Your Chamber Staff
Bill Miles President & CEO
EXECUTIVE President
Connie Killmar Assistant to the
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Ray Deal Controller
Kelly McCallister Assistant Controller
COMMUNICATIONS
Charlie Clark Vice President of Communications
Hallie Martin Communications Director
Matthis Visual Content Coordinator
Dashaé Middleton Visual Content & PR Coordinator
Jordan
Vice President, Public Policy & Small Business
VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU
Beverly Maloney Senior Membership Account Executive
Tom Henz
Laura Higgins Programs Assistant
Kim Nelson Membership Administrator
Vanessa Capehart Membership Account Executive
Linda Lanier Information Specialist
Ariana Pernice Vice President of the Visitor & Convention Bureau
Kyleigh Leaf Marketing Coordinator
Zack Shedd Senior Sales Manager
Chase O’Dell Research Manager
Kathy Winings Information Specialist
Robert Obernier Web Administrator
2025
Membership, Events & Services
The membership team is focused on providing benefits, and services that support, enhance and inform the business
Services
benefits, programs, initiatives business community.
Your Chamber is:
• 5-Star accredited Chamber of Commerce by the U.S. Chamber (in the top 1.6% of chambers nationwide)
• 3-Time National Chamber of the Year from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
• Partnership with SCORE, which offers free and confidential business advice for new and existing businesses
• Leadership program has been developing our community leaders for 39 years
• Named Chamber of the Year by the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Our Members
1,300+ Members Strong
159+ New Members in 2024
65+ Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreaking Ceremonies
50+ members featured in our “Faces of Small Business” video series
Impact of Small Business
Our local businesses provide millions of dollars to our local governments, which helps support amenities that we all enjoy like parks, bike paths, festivals, beach renourishment, and so much more.
Budgeted collections for FY 2025:
*Source: Towns of Hilton Head Island & Bluffton FY 2025 budgets published online
Town of Hilton Head Island ATax
$6,880,890
Town of Bluffton ATax $5,372,036
Town
Out of every $1 spent at local business:
67 cents stays in the local community
44 cents of that goes to the small business owner and their employees.
23 cents of that gets invested into other local businesses.
91% of Americans patronize a small business at least once a week
66% of small businesses give back to local charities
Impact of Local Chambers
VALUE
Most U.S. adults agree that local chambers of commerce...
Are a trusted resource/ partner for businesses Are a collective voice of businesses in their community Are stewards of a strong local economy Create
Strongly/somewhat agree U.S. adults feel that their local chamber has strong community impact. % At least some impact
Most business owners* recognize the value of their local chamber of commerce. 65% 62% Say it advocates for policies that are in the best interest of their business
Say it supports the growth and prosperity of their business
*Employed US adults who are a CEO, owner, or partner of their business
Adults say that being active in a local chamber of commerce is an effective strategy for businesses to... 61%
Demonstrate that they are reputable 60% Suggest they are involved in their local community 57% Show they use good business practices % Very/somewhat effective
Growing the local economy 1 2 3
Growing businesses locally Creating jobs
Top three most important roles the local chamber can play in the coming years:
Adults say that knowing a local business is a member of the local chamber of commerce would make them more likely to... 50%
Purchase goods or services from the business 48%
Recommend the business to someone else 64% among those who are familiar with their local chamber of commerce 63% among those who are familiar with their local chamber of commerce
Research Method
This survey was conducted online within the United States between September 5-9, 2024 among 2,075 adults (aged 18 and over) including 141 respondents who are business owners (i.e., employed with a title of CEO, partner or owner) by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) via its Harris On Demand omnibus product.
Data were weighted where necessary by age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, household income, [employment], and political party affiliation, to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to other multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including, but not limited to coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments.
Connect & Grow 150+ events Over 10,000 attendees
The AI Advantage Forum
February 15 | With AI Expert Zack Giglio, David Nelems, CEO of the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, Jordan Crenshaw, Executive Vice President of the Technology Engagement Center at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and SCORE.
Attendees
Honored community awards:
• Pinnacle Award Presented Goes Beyond the The Greenery
• Heritage Award Presented with Outstanding Community Bluffton
• Zonta Woman Amber Kuehn, Sea
Chamber Ball
March 16
Attendees
community stalwarts with awards:
Presented to a Business That the Bottom Line: Greenery
Presented to a Non-Profit Community Impact:
Self Help
Woman of the Year: Sea Turtle Patrol HHI
Bluffton
Chamber Business Golf Classic
April 17 | Palmetto Hall
Small Business Week
May 20-24
We celebrated our members and local businesses, who are the backbone of our community.
State of the Region
October 3
Hyundai’s Chief Project Implementation Officer and General Counsel, Christopher Smith, discussed the profound ripple effects of the Hyundai Metaplant near Savannah. Our local mayors and the chairman of Beaufort County Council presented on the challenges and successes on the local
front.
Sparkles & Spirits
December 6
We kicked off the holidays in style at The Quarterdeck.
Conversation + Cocktails
Monthly event helping our members connect and grow their networks. Thank you to our hosts and our charity partners!
• Chez Georges + Deep Well/Outside Foundation
• The Bank + Volunteers in Medicine
• Java Burrito + The Children’s Center
• Beach House Hilton Head Island + Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island
• Zunzibar + Full Spectrum Studio
• The Sandbox
• Nectar Bluffton + Alzheimer’s Walk Bluffton
• Mitchelville Place + Bluffton Self Help
•
Power Hour
Hosted 11 sessions that featured live, unfiltered updates straight from national, regional, and local leaders.
Biscuits & Benefits
Hosted quarterly meetings for members to learn about how they can leverage their chamber membership for business success.
Chamber Young Professionals
Held quarterly networking and service events meant to connect members of our business community under 40 years old.
Thank you to our hosts:
• Sea Love Candle Bar and Boutique
• Burnt Church Distillery
• Sprout Momma
• StretchLab Hilton Head
Executive Connection
Brought together CEOs and business owners for exclusive quarterly networking. Thank you to our hosts:
• Bowdie’s Chophouse
• Long Cove Club
• J. Banks Design
Shop Small Saturday
Your chamber was once again named a Neighborhood Champion for Shop Small Saturday on November 30! We encourage the Lowcountry to shop locally year-round.
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton
Leadership
For nearly four decades, our flagship Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Leadership program has been the catalyst for change-makers in our community.
Each Leadership class also completes a community project. In the past eight years, leadership classes have raised and invested over $189,000 into the community through these projects including Wheels to the Waves, Reel In & Recycle, Bluffton Library Park, sunscreen dispensers at Hilton Head Island parks, playground equipment at Oscar Frazier Park, Matthew’s Oak in Shelter Cove Towne Centre, “Follow the Fiddlers” in Old Town Bluffton, signage on Daufuskie Island, and more.
We welcomed 24 local professionals to the Class of 2025 Leadership:
Paul Arvantides, Don Ryan Center for Innovation
Bethany Brown, Hilton Head Island Recreation Association
Sarah Brown, Sea Love Candle Bar and Boutique
Amy Conners, Hilton Head Regional Healthcare
Madeline Cox, Outside Hilton Head
Jim Damico, South Atlantic Bank
Angela Douglas, Town of Bluffton
Kathleen Duncan, J.K. Tiller Associates, Inc.
Andrew Dunlap, Shoreline Construction
Libby Gilden, Part of the Family, LLC
Daniel Guerrini, Alliance Global Partners
Hannah Hartberger, Town of Bluffton
Stephanie Jurczak, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton
Kristen McIntosh, Art League of Hilton Head
Mallory Munson, The Sea Pines Resort
Sheila Paz, LOCAL Life Magazine
Ryan Pye, Hospice Care of the Lowcountry
Olivia Root, Taylor’s Quality Landscape Supply
Dalton Shaw, The Fraum Center for Restorative Health
Lindsay Taylor, Just Tri Performance
Morgan Thompson, Town of Hilton Head Island
Connie Turlington, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
Jose Vargas, Hargray is now Sparklight
Ryan Wise, Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island
Class of 2024
The 2024 class graduated and completed its project, Wheels to the Waves, which provides the Town of Hilton Head Island beach-friendly wheelchairs.
Congratulations to the graduates:
Benny Mullins Jr., Hargray is now Sparklight
Bethany Marcinkowski, United Way of the Lowcountry
Brooke Mingledorff, Palmetto Electric Cooperative
Claudia Reid, Tetelestai Foundation
Emily Kraus, The Sea Pines Resort
Joann Faison, Beaufort County School District
James Dismond, Hospice Care of the Lowcountry
Jamie Mitchell, South Atlantic Bank
Jeb Bush, Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity
Jessica Bigos, TidePointe - Broad Creek Care Center
Kim Bortle, Coastal States Bank
Kimberly Shedd, Town of Hilton Head Island
Lee Jenkins, Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue
Liz Trujillo, Town of Bluffton
Lori Trimble, Hilton Head Regional Physician Network
Nicol Rupol, Retired
Ryan Larson, SERG Restaurant Group
Ryan Williams, South Atlantic Bank
Victoria Smalls, Town of Bluffton
Thank you to our 2024-2025 Board of Regents!
Adam Martin, Chair (Class of 2022), Hampton Lake
Kiley Fusco, Vice Chair (Class of 2014), City of Pooler
Brian Neumann, Past Chair (Class of 2014), Revolution Network
Joan Richardson, Treasurer (Class of 2022), Carey & Company
Cary Welker, Secretary (Class of 2023), SERG Restaurant Group
Nicki Charles, Mentors (Class of 2016), Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Susana Cook, Sponsorships (Class of 2016), Hilton Garden Inn
Henry Criss, Book Presentations (Class of 2022), Fraum Center for Restorative Health
Allyson Etheridge, Recruiting (Class of 2023), Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty
Lynn King, Sponsorships (Class of 2014), Kevin King Associates
Emily Kraus, CEAs (Class of 2024), The Sea Pines Resort
Bethany Marcinkowski, CEAs (Class of 2024), United Way of the Lowcountry, Inc.
Russell Rogers, Recruiting (Class of 2023), Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue
Cinda Seamon, Mentor Coordinator (Class of 1991), Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue
Ryan Williams, Assistant Treasurer (Class of 2024), South Atlantic Bank
Junior Leadership
The class of 2024 celebrated the graduation of 36 students.
We welcomed 36 students in our 2025 Junior Leadership Class from Bluffton High School, Heritage Academy, Hilton Head Christian Academy, Hilton Head High School, Hilton Head
Preparatory, John Paul II Catholic School, May River High School, and Cross Schools.
Thank you Board of Regents!
Erica Pepper, Chair
Kaci Hollingsworth, Past Chair
Scott Baker, Treasurer
Benny Mullins Jr., Class Project
Lawrence Melton Jr., CEAs
Kelly Cody
Angel Del Valle
Brent Lett
Chris Neff
Corey Tuten
Ashley Wilson
Gwen Chambers
Leadership Alumni
The “Best Classes Ever” got back together! The Leadership Alumni group hosted networking, and learning sessions as well as service projects.
Thank you Board of Regents!
Tom Dunn, Chair, Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue
Andrew Davis, Treasurer, Sign D’Sign
Katie Rudder, Secretary/Communications, South University
Bryant Gordillo, Events, Apple Billing
Blair Streitenberger, Events, Lowcountry Legal Services, LLC
Nicki Charles, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Wil Saleeby, Palmetto Electric Cooperative
Lynn King, Kevin King Associates
Ansley Goodman, South Atlantic Bank
Julie Smith, Clearwave Fiber
Advocacy & Workforce
Act as the voice of the business community with lawmakers at the local, state, and federal levels, and meet with lawmakers on behalf of our membership to advocate for business-friendly policies
Our Committees
Held over 30 meetings throughout the year with our Business Workforce Coalition, Bluffton Regional Business Council, Business Education Partnerships, and Public Policy committees to help develop and advance priorities of Lowcountry businesses and our members.
Business Workforce Coalition
The committee worked to shape the Encore Career initiative, which encourages retirees to return to the workforce and employers to create more flexible positions to accommodate.
Gullah-Geechee Business Coalition
Helped the Gullah-Geechee Business Coalition advance its goal of encouraging native islanders to start and support their own businesses.
Public Policy
Hosted monthly meetings of the Public Policy commit tee to focus on local, state, and national policy and develop our 2025 Legislative Priorities.
Bluffton Regional Business Council & Business Education Partnership
These committees joined forces to put together the chamber’s high school and college internship programs.
Adopt A Polling Place
We coordinated with 50+ polling locations and businesses to provide lunch and refreshments to over 500 volunteers on Election Day, November 5.
Thanks to our businesses who helped:
Heritage Library Foundation • McGriff Insurance Services • Court Atkins • The Sulka / Bogart Real Estate Team
Coastal States Bank • Truffles Café • SERVPRO • Heritage Library Foundation
Ron Latin Liberty Wealth Management • Hilton Head Realtors • Hilton Head PSD • Haig Point Club & Community
Zunzibar • Lowcountry Fresh Market & Café • Crazy Crab Jarvis Creek • Hilton Head Island Airport
South Atlantic Bank • Indigo Run • Indigo Pines • Long Cove Club • Signatire Catering by SERG •
ROC Dental Group • Moss Creek • Montage Palmetto Bluff • Palmetto Dunes POA
Palmetto Hall Golf & Country Club • HHI-Bluffton Leadership Class
Chez Georges • Correll Insurance Group • Ocean Oak Resort
Loni Lueke, The German Real Estate Agent • Pearce Scott
The Sea Pines Resort • Ocean Oak Resort • The Cypress
The Seabrook • Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton
Tidepointe, a Vi Community • USCB - HH Campus
Wexford Club
Election 2024
• Promoted registration, early voting and day-of voting information, and encouraged residents to vote.
• Compiled a comprehensive “Election Central” web page that listed all the candidates running for office in local, state, and federal elections.
We again hosted the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce on the local leg of its Grassroots Tour to help shape its 2024 Legislative Priorities.
Revamped LowcountryJobsNow.org website to connect job seekers and employers in different categories: college and high school internships, encore (retirees), people with disabilities, and transitioning military in partnership with Hiring our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Initiatives & Legislative Efforts We Supported
• Town of Hilton Head Island’s passage of the memorandum of understanding for the 278 Corridor Expansion.
• “Prove It” Act (HR 7198) to relieve excessive federal regulations on small businesses.
• Signed on to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce letter to urge congress to prevent tax increases.
• Signed on to letters from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Travel Association to encourage Congress to replenish funding for disaster relief programs.
Represented Chamber Membership at:
• Beaufort County Council
• Bluffton Town Council
• Town of Hilton Head Island & Committees
• Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation
• LATS
• S.C. Senate and House of Representatives
• Gullah-Geechee Task Force
• 278 Corridor Review Committee
• GGHNCDC
• Water Reuse
• SoLoCo
• S.C. Chamber Washington Night
• S.C. Chamber Workforce Development Symposium
• Beaufort County Legislative Delegation Meeting
• S.C. Chamber Economic Outlook Conference
• Bluffton Affordable Housing Committee
• S.C. Chamber Partners Committee
Visitor & Convention Bureau
Bureau
The Visitor and Convention Bureau is the destination marketing division of the chamber. This division works to increase tourism through its marketing efforts cultivating leisure as well as meetings and group business. The VCB strives to ensure alignment with our community and top values attributed to the destination, and improve awareness and understanding of the economic impact of tourism to the region.
The chamber is the official Destination Marketing Organization for the Town of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, as well as Southern Beaufort County.
The VCB is accredited by Destinations International (DI), one of less than 200 accredited DMOs in the world.
Hilton Head Island was recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as a leader in sustainable tourism. President & CEO Bill Miles served on a panel at their Points of View Summit, where Hilton Head Island was highlighted as an example of a destination that’s getting it right— prioritizing balance and collaboration to benefit our business community and our resident quality of life.
2024 Hilton Head
2023 Tourism Economic Report
2023 Tourism Economic Report Source:
$3.61 Billion in economic impact generated from Hilton Head Island Tourism.
40,641 jobs in Beaufort County generated by Hilton Head tourists in 2023, representing 33.3% of all jobs in Beaufort County
$1 invested
$24.11 returned to local economy Source:
ROI For Visitor Spending
For every $1 of ATax dollar invested in marketing, $24.11 is returned to the local economy in net local government.
For every $1 ATA X dollar invested in marketing, $24.11 is returned to the local economy in net local government revenue.
Island DMO Efforts
Hilton Head Island Website Performance
The HiltonHeadIsland.org website is our virtual storefront, serving as the window to our destination and playing an integral part in the traveler’s decision making process. The insight and data taken from this platform allows for us to better serve our partners, anticipate trends, and react to consumer behavior.
Website Analytics
January 1 - December 31, 2024
• 3.4 Million Visitors to HiltonHeadIsland.org
• 32% Website Conversion Rate
• 1.5 Million Link Clicks to Partners
Source: Google Analytics
Social
Through December 31, 2024 compared
@visithiltonhead
Facebook Followers: 246,741 (+2.3% YoY)
@visithiltonhead
Instagram Followers: 77,566(+6.1% YoY)
Media
compared to the same time last year
@hiltonheadsc
X (Twitter) Followers: 23,355 (+0.4% YoY)
@visithiltonheadsc
TikTok Followers: 1,441 (+8.8% YoY)
Community Partners
Hilton Head Island Vacation Planner & Fulfillment
Hilton Head Island’s Vacation Planner named #1 in the country at the U.S. Travel Association’s ESTO Awards.
The Vacation Planner showcases the best of what Hilton Head Island has to offer.
58,549 Vacation Planners and 1,207 Golf Vacation Planners mailed to potential visitors and distributed to community partners.
Through December 31, 2024.
America’s Favorite Escapes Partnership:
The chamber is partnered with Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport to promote Fall Island Escapes, which aims to increase fall tourism.
Hilton Head Island 2024 Lodging
Hilton Head Island 2-Source - Hotel and Home & Villa Combined
Villa
Source: Keydata, YTD through December 2024 compared to the same time last year.
Hilton Head Island Home &
Hilton Head Island Hotels
Hilton Head Island Lodging
2023 Tourism Economic Report
486,912 (+13%)
$208 Million Economic Impact of Bluffton Tourism in Beaufort County in 2023
jobs which represented1.9 of all jobs in Beaufort County.
For every $1 ATA X dollar invested in marketing, $26.25 is returned to the local economy in net local government revenue. 6.25 returned to local economy
For every $1 of ATax dollar invested in marketing, $26.25 is returned to the local economy in net local government.
DMO Efforts
Bluffton Website Performance
As a stand-alone website, VisitBluffton.org has been finely tuned with imagery and a new video series as well as the addition of local advertisers to increase partner referrals and conversions.
Universal Analytics
January 1 - December 31, 2024
• 212,032 Visits to VisitBluffton.org
• 10% Website Conversion Rate
• 38,329 Link Clicks to Partners
Source: Google Analytics
Social
Through December 31, 2024 compared
@exploreblufftonsc
Facebook Followers: 40,758 (+17.5% YoY)
@exploreblufftonsc
Instagram Followers: 12,408 (+21.8% YoY)
Media
compared to the same time last year
@visitblufftonsc
X (Twitter) Followers: 795 (+2.2% YoY)
@explore_blufftonsc
TikTok Followers: 2,339 (+8.6% YoY)
Bluffton 2024 Lodging
Source: Keydata. YTD through December 2024 compared to the same time last year.
Bluffton Hotels
Bluffton Lodging
Bluffton Vacation Planner
The Vacation Planner showcases the best of what Bluffton has to offer.
25,980 Vacation Planners mailed to potential visitors and distributed to community partners.
The Cottage owner, Leslie Rohland, center, was named a 2024 S.C. Chef ambassador. The Chamber nominated her.
HGTV Dream Home 2025
HGTV built its 2025 Dream Home in Berkeley Hall. As the DMO, we are proud to partner with HGTV as a sponsor of this project, which offers an unparalleled opportunity to further enhance the brand reputation and awareness of Bluffton on a national stage. With over 100 million sweepstakes entries to win the home last year, the HGTV Dream Home has a devoted national audience. Last year’s Dream Home garnered 161 million social media impressions, and a live audience of 4.9 million tuned in to watch the unveiling. We’re excited about the opportunity to continue to position Bluffton in such a positive way.
Events & Partnerships
Along with our partners at Kingdom Cup Magazine and the Savannah/ Hilton Head International Airport, we welcomed over 80 golfers and guests from 20 states to the second annual Kingdom Cup in September at The Sea Pines Resort golf courses. The event welcomed golf legend Tom Watson along with Annika Sörenstam
Destination Public Relations
Relations
They Are Talking
Hilton Head Island & Bluffton
Stories & Mentions: 2,914
Awards & Accolades
• Hilton Head Island named #1 Island for the 8th year in Condé Nast
Traveler’s Readers Choice + Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport named the top domestic airport
• The Points Guy: Where to go in 2025: The 29 best places to travel
• Travel + Leisure: 10 of the Best U.S. Road Trips for Families
• Tripadvisor: Traveler’s Choice Top 25 Beaches in the U.S.
• Southern Living’s South’s Best: Best Island, Best Waterfront Tow, Best Beaches
• Travel + Leisure’s “Best Beach Towns on the East Coast”
• Bluffton named the site of the HGTV Dream Home
• Hilton Head Island’s Vacation Planner named #1 in the country at the U.S. Travel Association ESTO Awards
Talking About Us:
Source: Cision
Noteable Media Highlights
Hosted media for the 2024 Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival which sourced New York Times coverage of Hudson’s owner, Andrew Carmines.
Print Circulation: 366,783
UVPM: 143,406,885
Cooking Section UVPM: 10,310,462
Reach for NYT Cooking on social: Instagram: 4.1M followers
Facebook: 825K followers
TikTok: 403.4K followers
YouTube: 847K subscribers
Forbes included Hudson’s Lowcountry Martini as one of the 20 delicious ways to honor National Oyster Day.
Vogue featured an article “An Endless Summer in the South Carolina’s Lowcountry” with an emphasis on Hilton Head and Bluffton.
The Today Show included Hilton Head Island as their final stop for the ‘Start TODAY’ walking challenge. Al Roker gave weather updates live from Coligny Beach, and finished the walking challenge strongly with audience members.
Communications
Keeping You Informed
The chamber continues to keep you informed of what’s happening in the business community and the chamber through its popular Monday Briefing, 3 Things To Know, and Lowcountry Lowdown e-newsletters. We have a 48% open rate, which is above the industry standard of 25-30%.
Published 25 podcast episodes, including conversations with Okàn Chef Bernard Bennett, S.C. Chef Ambassador and The Cottage owner Leslie Rohland, AI expert Zach Giglio, Outside Brands CEO Mike Overton, Gregg Russell, and more.
Showcased over 50 small businesses in our award-winning Faces of Small Business series.
Deployed the 4th annual Resident Sentiment Survey, which resulted in the highest response rate since the survey began.
Unveiled a new logo, designed in partnership with SCADPro.
Social Media
Total Followers:35,300+
@HHIBChamber
17,111 Followers (+16%)
261,926 Engagements (+43%)
@HHIBChamber
7,848 Followers (+18%)
4.7% Engagement Rate (+18%)
Media Growth Followers:35,300+
@HHIBChamber
6,170 Followers (+1%)
@HHIBChamber
1,170 Followers (+86%)
@HHIBChamber
2,465 Followers (+27%)
23,721 Engagements (+123%)
Financials
Fiscal Year 2023-2024
Independent Audit Report
The accounting firm Holland, Bromley, Barnhill & Brett, LLP (HBBB) performed the chamber’s annual independent audit in August 2024 and presented the results of the fiscal year 2023-2024 findings at the September 24, 2024 board of directors meeting. The chamber again received an unqualified (clean) opinion from HBBB, which reported that the audit complied with generally accepted accounting principles and revealed no material misstatements, no reportable conditions, no disagreements with management and no management letter.
Total Revenue: $12,515,214
FY 2023-2024 Financial Recap
Expenses: 12,512,525
Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget
Budgeted for fiscal year 2025, revenues are $11,897,553 and expenses are $11,898,076, representing a change in unrestricted net assets of $1,477.
Financial Stability
Total cash slightly decreased from $2,883,832 to 2,518,098 during the fiscal year. The chamber’s long-term debt remained at $0 since the mortgage for the building was paid off in June 2018.
Transparency
Your chamber is committed to continuing to provide information about its mission, operations, revenue generation, plans and accomplishments in a completely transparent manner. This information, including independent financial audits for the past 10 years, is posted on our website, thinkhiltonheadisland.org.
Financial information is provided to town, county and state officials on an annual basis. Marketing plans are submitted for review and results are reported annually.
Detail as to how accommodations tax dollars are spent is provided each year to elected officials, thus further demonstrating our longterm track record of accountability.
Thank You to Our Members
Members & Community!
