Reservations might just be the best thing to order up for dinner this week. Chamber Restaurant Week is off to a great start with 71 restaurants participating this year. Restaurants have embraced the week as the perfect opportunity to remind locals of all the wonderful dining options available in the Lowcountry. You have until Saturday, February 2nd to enjoy special prix-fixe value menus created especially for Chamber Restaurant Week. Check out the menus and vote for your favorite dining spot at www.chamberrestaurantweek.com.

It’s not only awards season in Hollywood, it’s awards season in the Lowcountry as well. Reservations are going quickly for the Chamber Ball this Saturday night, so save your spot as we honor our own community award recipients with a night of dinner, dancing and entertainment by Deaz Guys. It’s truly the Oscars of the Lowcountry complete with lights, cameras and action. If you haven’t already made your reservation, you can do so by contacting Connie Killmar at ckillmar@hiltonheadisland.org.

I’m looking forward to a great week ahead. Make yours a productive one

It’s a busy time of year in the Lowcountry.  If you feel your email in-box is overflowing and there just aren’t enough hours in the day, you’re not alone.  A study done by Princeton University found that almost half of all employees felt that their jobs were very stressful or extremely stressful and left them feeling a little overwhelmed at times.

It’s frustrating to reach the end of a busy day with not much to show for it except a task list without enough check marks in the “done” column.  I read a great article recently about the difference between busyness and productivity and how we often tend to confuse them.  The article described the difference between busy and productive:

“Are your days frantic and rushed? Do you frequently feel overwhelmed?  Do you spend your days reacting to events?  Do you feel as if you’re constantly in motion but that you never seem to get anything accomplished? Then, you are busy.”

And on the flipside…

“Are you calm and focused throughout the day?  Do you feel as if you have your day and its many demands under control?  Are you able to be proactive in dealing with situations and events? Are you making progress on mission-critical tasks and projects? Then, you are productive.”

Eye-opening isn’t it?  I thought it offered a great example of what it feels like to be in the productivity zone vs. that harried, rushed busyness we all sometimes experience. Over the years, I’ve come across some great advice on productivity:

1.    Focus on the task. If morning is your best time, then use that time to focus without distraction on what needs to get done.  You’d think technology would make it easier, but often it doesn’t.  Technology serves as a distraction and many of us simply need to spend a few hours each day without interruption to accomplish what needs to get done.

2.    Trim the to-do list. This one sounds counter-intuitive, but by putting less on the list rather than more, we tend to do what matters.  Ask yourself the question “What can I do today that will have the greatest impact?”   Studies have shown that a short to-do list is a common trait among those who are successful in business–they focus on those core items that make a big difference.

3.    Step away from the email. Email may be one of the biggest culprits of distraction, yet it’s also one of the most useful business tools ever invented if you manage it well.  Some experts recommend you check in with your email at set times during the day and avoid responding each time a new email hits your in-box.  Find what works for you and stick

with it.

I hope your busy week ahead is a productive one!

Advocacy is a big part of what we do as an organization.  I’d bet you’d be surprised to know that in the last month alone, your chamber attended more than 20 government meetings on behalf of our members.  We don’t go because we enjoy attending yet another meeting, we go because what happens in those meetings can directly impact you and your business.  We want to not only be aware of what’s happening, but when appropriate, to help influence what’s happening for the betterment of business.

What takes place in government has an impact on your business, yet most of us are so busy in our day-to-day schedule that we don’t have time to get involved and stay informed on what’s happening in government.  Public/private partnership is crucial to the overall health of our economy.

Not only do we attend various governmental meetings on your behalf, we meet one-on-one on a regular basis with your elected officials at the local, state and federal level.  Our goal is to ensure they understand what’s happening in the Lowcountry business community and enlist their help in passing legislation that doesn’t hinder business, but that helps foster growth and success.  We also have a very active government affairs committee that meets each month.  If it’s a topic that interests you, I encourage you to get involved with this group and help us be a strong advocate for business in the Lowcountry.

Last week we launched a new section of the Monday Morning Briefing to let you know what governmental meetings your chamber will be participating in on your behalf.  It’s one of those quiet, behind the scenes efforts that we undertake for your benefit and it’s one that has a very positive impact for our 1,600 members.

The race is on.  Your Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce has been selected as a finalist for the National Chamber of the Year award.  The chamber is one of only three finalists in the nation for the chamber industry’s most coveted honor.

There are over 6,000 chambers across the country and as cliché as it sounds, just to be among the final nominees is an incredible honor.  The award is given by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives association, the chamber industry’s leading governing body.  Chambers must meet stringent financial management criteria to even be invited to apply for the accolade.  The chamber must also submit an exhaustive written application that delves into major aspects of chamber operations from programming and strategic planning to communications and sound financial management.  In their evaluation, the judges noted your chamber’s strong 91% member retention rate, “progressive leadership” and focus on meeting the needs of our members.  The top three finalists will undergo personal interviews by a separate panel that selects the National Chamber of the Year. The winner will be announced in August.

As many of you know, your chamber is one of very few chambers in the country to have been chosen twice before as the National Chamber of the Year in 2000 and 2006. The chamber was also a top three finalist in 2010.  To be chosen for a third time as the nation’s best would be an extremely rare honor in the chamber industry.

Your chamber has also received 4 star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, another rarity among chambers, as well as accreditation by Destination Marketing Association International, DMAI.   This evaluation and recognition is so much more than a plaque on the wall, it’s a testament to a consistent commitment to excellence that’s recognized at the highest levels of the chamber industry.

This is as much your award as it is the chamber’s. The chamber is a membership-driven organization and we are a “team” that is 1,600 members strong.  It’s an award that reflects not just the chamber’s overall excellence, but the true partnership and commitment of the entire business community.  I’m proud to be among the best of the best and to be part of an organization that sets the standard for chambers across the country.

To be a successful entrepreneur there are a few things you can’t do without: courage, passion, a great idea, tenacity, a personality that handles risk well, the ability to work incredibly hard and a host of other attributes needed for lasting success.

Last Thursday at Buckwalter Place was the grand opening of the Don Ryan Center for Innovation in Bluffton.  It’s a game changer for the Lowcountry that will serve as a successful launching pad for a number of innovative technology start-up companies.  It’s a true public/private partnership that’s going to mean great things for our region and provide promising entrepreneurs the tools and support they need to be successful.  It’s a collaborative effort between the Town of Bluffton, Clemson University, and CareCore National, the company founded by the late Don Ryan who was an integral force in launching the partnership. Don’s son Kevin Ryan of CareCore National is extremely involved in the center as are a number of other businesses that most start-ups only dream of having as a part of their support team.

Entrepreneurs serve as an example not only for others in business but for our children as well.  Seventy-eight percent of students with an entrepreneurial family member say they’d like to launch their own business.  With risk also comes reward.  On average, entrepreneurs earn at least 25% more than the general population.

Entrepreneurship is something to be celebrated which is exactly what your chamber will be doing next Wednesday during Small Business Week when we will announce the winner of the chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award.

It’s a daunting endeavor to run your own small business, but most entrepreneurs wouldn’t have it any other way.  Over 27 million small businesses in this country account for 60-80 percent of all new jobs.  Your chamber works each day to support the Lowcountry business community and we’re excited to honor those businesses who have not only survived, but thrived in a challenging economy and come out on top.

I’m pleased that so many of you have already made your reservations for the Small Business of the Year luncheon and other events scheduled throughout the week.  If you haven’t already done so, click here to reserve your spot.

Don Ryan was an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word and would be proud of what’s happening in the center aptly named in his honor.  Each and every day in Bluffton, on Hilton Head Island and throughout the region, businesses are moving forward and supporting our economy and our quality of life.  We’re proud to play a role in the success of our business community.

When you’re looking for a plumber, an electrician, an accountant or that store with just the right gift, does geography matter?  If you’re looking for the best business for the service you need, does it make a difference if you find them on Hilton Head Island or in Bluffton?

Business doesn’t stop at the bridge.  Over a decade ago, we officially became the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce because we realized that while both communities are unique, there are basics that apply to success in business regardless of your location on the map.  We knew that together we could accomplish more with one strong collective voice.

Our networking events, programs and services are inclusive of both communities because not only does business not stop at the bridge, in today’s world, the individual you meet at a Bluffton quarterly luncheon, or a networking event held on the Island, could be the contact you need to reach new clients not just locally, but throughout the region, state and elsewhere.

Small businesses matter to us and supporting them is our mission. Showcase events like Business Expo, Small Business Week, State of the Region, educational seminars on marketing, business capital and other topics and incredible website resources like our small business toolkit are just a few of our initiatives. Those who participate do so because it helps them succeed in a way that matters to their business, no matter where

it is.

We all understand that there are unique aspects to both communities.  The Lowcountry is not a “one size fits all” locale and we relish the uniqueness of Bluffton as well as the Island’s offerings.  While we market them both from a tourism perspective, we do so with a keen focus on what makes each community special.  Tens of thousands of travelers have discovered the charm of Bluffton because they’ve chosen to visit Hilton Head Island and want to discover their surroundings.  We actively market to make that happen.

Next time you’re tempted to think in terms of “us” and “them,” north of the Broad, or south of the Broad; Bluffton or Hilton Head Island, think again.  We have more in common today when it comes to business than ever before.

The redevelopment momentum for our destination continues. Sonesta International has announced that the Island’s Crowne Plaza Resort will now become a Sonesta property-the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island.  It’s additional private investment in our destination that will pay dividends for both Sonesta as well as our Hilton Head Island brand.

Do you think some airfares are a little high these days?  We do, which is why we’ve taken action on this issue.  In cooperation with the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and the Savannah Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau, we’ve contacted Delta executives to relay our concerns with the growing disparity between Delta fares and rates for neighboring airports.  We’ve been successful in the past with this approach and prompted Delta to adjust fares in and out of Savannah in 2008 and we’re hoping to do so again.  Meetings are taking place with Delta officials at the end of this month and we will keep you posted on the outcome.

We’re all beginning to see the out-of-state plates along our roadways that mean our visitor season has begun, and it’s starting off with a bang. I’m pleased to report that according to Smith Travel Research, Hilton Head Island’s year-to-date hotel occupancy increase is outpacing our competitors such as Kiawah Island, Napa, Orlando, Myrtle Beach and 14 other destinations.  We’re hoping it’s a trend that continues.  Another trend we’re seeing that bodes well for our visitor season is reservations “on the books” for our home and villa properties are up a healthy 58% over last year according to VTRIP research.  Both research firms help us get the big picture view of what’s happening in the tourism industry.

I will continue to push forward the mantra that we’re all in the tourism business in the Lowcountry.  There’s not a single business that isn’t impacted by our number one industry.  That’s why information like the trends I’ve talked about above are important barometers of our business community.

Enjoy the Spring weather and the week ahead!

You’ve got to love an election year. They’re filled with endless polls and surveys to tell us who’s winning the race and what the hot button issues are with voters.  Have you ever noticed that some polls say one thing and another poll can come to an entirely different conclusion?  We all know there’s good research and bad research, the trick is to determine which is which…often a tough task whether it’s an election year or not.

Surveys and polls when done right are incredibly powerful tools. Our organization partners with USCB and others who specialize in research to provide critical data and input that guides us on a variety of fronts. We do Visitor Profile Studies to find out who comes to our destination, what makes them tick and more importantly, what makes them come back. In partnership with USCB’s research experts, we are currently surveying visitors to find out how they like to get their information while on vacation and taking a closer look at our day visitors and how we can turn them into overnight guests.  We survey our members on a regular basis to find out how we’re doing and how we can improve on our programs and offerings to meet their needs.

It’s not research that sits on a shelf, it’s information that’s put into action to serve our members and market our destination. What’s important to one member or to one traveler might be entirely different to another, that’s why we take the time to look at the big picture of what the group as a whole deems important.  Our chamber is a membership-driven organization and your needs “drive the bus” of what we do.  The travel industry is a consumer-driven industry and they help us determine where to market and how to market to best reach our target audience.

As consumers and in an election year, we’ve all taken surveys and polls.  Next time you see survey results, be discerning. Ask questions. Is the source credible?  Are the questions leading me to a certain bias?  Was the survey given to a random sample? If the survey used the entire population,  did enough respond to make the results valid?  Survey results are meaningless unless done right. Take a closer look at survey results you read that are presented as research. You might be surprised at the real conclusions when you ask the questions above.

In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s award season in Hollywood. Golden Globes, Oscars and Red Carpet coverage is front and center in the media.

This week on Hilton Head Island we host our equivalent of the Oscars where we honor stars of a different kind. There are those in our community who wake up each and every day and make the Lowcountry a better place. Each of us receives the same 24 hours in a day, yet these individuals and organizations have chosen to positively impact the lives of others with the hours they’ve been given. They’ve each touched countless individuals with their good works and they move our community forward with a vision of not what is, but what can be.

At this Saturday’s Chamber Ball we will honor the community’s top teacher, the Zonta Woman of the Year and the Organization of the Year winner. We’ll also recognize Bluffton’s advocates with the Bluffton Regional Business Council Member of the Year and the top award that exemplifies what it truly means to go above and beyond for your community…the Alice Glenn Doughtie Good Citizenship Award.

Join us as we surprise the winners with recognition well-deserved. Hundreds of you will also enjoy dinner and dancing and coming together for a night to remember. If you haven’t already reserved your seat at the gala, do it today. It’s a great evening for a great cause…celebrating the Lowcountry and those who make it great.

Can you feel the momentum?  It’s happening.

Thirty million dollars is a big investment.  But the owners of the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa understand that the near 30 million dollars they’re investing in their Hilton Head Island property is money well spent that will pay far greater dividends in the future.  When completed it will be the largest investment made to the Westin since it was originally built.

They’re not alone in their investment in our community and the momentum is building.

• The Town of Hilton Head Island is investing $13 million in south-end improvements to the Coligny area and Bluffton’s Buckwalter Place continues to be a success story with its diversified growth.
• The Hilton Oceanfront Resort officially becomes an Omni property next week and with that change comes millions of dollars in reinvestment in the property.
• The Holiday Inn Oceanfront is spending millions to renovate its entire property.
• Planned changes for the Inn at Harbour Town are moving forward and will turn this area into a showpiece property that competes with the finest resorts in the nation.
• The booming downtown and promenade area of Bluffton continues to thrive and the ambitious plans for the redevelopment of the Mall at Shelter Cove will continue to spur more investment.
• The vote of confidence by RBC Bank and Boeing shown by their multi-million dollar investment in our landmark PGA TOUR event also speaks to the momentum that’s happening on Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and the Lowcountry.

We’ve never been a community that is shy about big goals and about making them happen. These projects aren’t just great investments for the companies that are making them, they’re good for all of us.  We all benefit when investment is made in our community that spurs renewal and growth.