MBACC Accomplishments

What began as a typical year soon turned atypical. An unwelcomed guest came knocking on the door. Let’s start at the beginning.

2020 was brought in as any new year – goodbye 2019, hello New Year’s resolutions, and Myrtle Beach Area Chamber rolled out its 2020 game plan.

The 2020 chamber business expo was held with more than 400 investors stopping by the booths of nearly 130 exhibitors. It was an evening for traveling around the world (this year’s theme) and making valuable new contacts.

The chamber continued its five-year tradition of recognizing a leading business of the month and introduced a nonprofit of the month into its investor playbook.

As always, the Grand Strand Legislative Reception in Columbia was a huge success with more than 200 Grand Strand business leaders meeting with members of the S.C. General Assembly.

The chamber rolled out an updated website with easier navigation, vibrant photos and a focus on promoting investors.

Chamber Academy continued to promote weekly education classes taught by investors with topics ranging from marketing your business to teambuilding.

Along with the popular Business After Hours and B2B Connects, the chamber introduced Touring Tuesdays, a networking event that combines making contacts, having fun and touring chamber investor businesses along the Grand Strand. And we heard that investors wanted a women’s only networking event so the chamber launched Women & Wine Wednesdays. Partnering with Duplin Winery and Total Wine & More, these get-togethers provided opportunities to share ideas, discuss trending topics and build business networks with other professional women.

Ribbon-cuttings continued to be a weekly event enjoyed by investors and the chamber’s ambassadors who were always there to show support.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau endlessly promoted the area, welcomed visitors, hosted group meetings, attended trade shows, hosted travel shows and inspire millions to come enjoy the beach every year.

In March, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce was awarded 5-star Accreditation from the accrediting board of the United States Chamber of Commerce for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community. Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a prestigious honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise, and strong leadership displayed by Accredited state and local chambers of commerce.

It was just a few months into 2020 when an unwelcomed player stepped on the playing field in the Myrtle Beach area – the coronavirus. 

The playbook changed rapidly. Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency. Schools were closed. Public gatherings were canceled. Restaurants shut their doors. Social distancing became the new buzz word. Nonessential businesses were closed. A Home or Work order was put in place by the governor. Residents stayed home. Visitors stayed away.

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber went into overdrive monitoring the pandemic closely and providing important information to investors as it became available.

MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, VisitMyrtleBeach.com and MyrtleBeachAreaCVB.com created COVID-19 websites with emergency orders, financial assistance information, HR updates, community news and more. MBACC/CVB social media posts were ongoing. Networking events turned virtual. Business webinars became the norm with topics ranging from CARES Act Overview to Self-Care in a Crisis to Marketing Trends During COVID-19. Emails were sent out daily to investors with emergency orders, financial resources for businesses, HR updates, and more. 

Karen Riordan, president and CEO of MBACC, videotaped messages to investors reminding them that MBACC is here as a resource for our business and hospitality partners.

It was an unprecedented time. We missed our local businesses. We missed our visitors. There was some light though, during the times when people are unable to travel, Visit Myrtle Beach social media shared some sunshine to brighten their day. It was a simple reminder that the beach is here waiting.

View 2019 Accomplishments