What language do they speak in Madagascar? This week, we all might learn the answer to that question.

If you hear a few different languages this week on the Island there’s a good reason for it.  I mentioned in last week’s briefing that we are hosting The International Ecotourism Society Conference on the Island, but when I read the list of just where attendees were coming from outside the U.S., it really hit home just how international it truly is.

The Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Peru, South Africa and the United Kingdom in addition to the good old U.S. of A.  It’s an impressive list and a great opportunity to put Hilton Head Island center stage with our global visitors.

When you’re out and about this week and hear a language other than your own, take a moment to simply say welcome to the Lowcountry.  It’s the first time this conference has ever been held in the Southeast and it’s our chance to show the world what hospitality is all about.

I don’t know about you, but I’m enjoying watching the thermometer begin to dip slightly with cooler days ahead.  We’re heading into fall so mark your calendars for a great chamber event that will remind you why you love living in the Lowcountry.  This Thursday evening, we’ll be hosting an event you won’t want to miss outdoors at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn

It’s called Prime Time and it’s a chance to enjoy a great buffet from Carrabba’s Italian Grill, complimentary beer and wine and get to know some of your newest chamber member partners who joined the chamber during this year’s membership event which added just over 200 new businesses to the chamber’s membership roster.

There’s something energizing about the business community coming together.  It strengthens our relationships and it can also build the bottom line of any business.  Come connect at Prime Time.  It will be a great crowd so I encourage you to RSVP today by clicking here.

Thursday the business community comes together, and next week, the world comes together on Hilton Head Island for The International Ecotourism Society’s annual conference.  It’s an effort spearheaded by your chamber and something we want you to be part of.  Get your reservation in now for another great outdoor function as visitors from around the world get a little taste of the Lowcountry at the event’s Culinary Showcase on the 20th.  You are invited to enjoy great cuisine from twelve of our local restaurants including Old Fort Pub, Roast Fish and Cornbread and others.  Come experience a little International flavor and show your southern hospitality to our visitors from around the country and around the globe.

The Labor Day holiday weekend was the last hurrah of summer and for Hilton Head Island, in addition to an Island full of visitors, that meant  Celebrity Golf.  It’s been a Labor Day tradition since 1979 and this year’s Celebrity Golf Tournament was once again a resounding success.  In its 31 year history it’s raised millions of dollars for local children’s charities.  It was a great weekend of golf and entertainment and if you weren’t able to attend this year, I encourage you to put it on your calendar for next year…it’s truly an Island tradition.

In February 2004 a Harvard student launched what we now know as Facebook from his college dorm room.  What began that day in Boston has become a phenomenon with one in every 13 people on the planet logged onto Facebook at any given time and 500 million users around the globe.   Researchers have noted that 57% of people talk to people more online than they do in their everyday lives.

It’s a great connection tool, it’s a great marketing tool for business and  a great way to stay connected.  The chamber has a well-established Facebook page with thousands of users connecting on all things Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, but we’ve recently launched a Facebook chamber page for our business community as well.

In addition to communicating with you via outlets such as the Monday Morning Briefing, our website and our Chamber Business Monthly newsletter, Facebook will serve as a great way to find out what’s happening at your chamber, check out photos from our chamber events, connect with other members and more.  As an added incentive to get things rolling, one lucky member who “Likes” our chamber Facebook page will receive a $100 Visa giftcard, so click here to get connected!