Chamber Legislative Agenda – The Chamber hosted its annual Legislative Reception November 20 at the South Carolina Aquarium with more than 300 legislators and business leaders. This was a great opportunity to meet new elected officials and other legislators from the local, state and federal level. The Chamber also release its Legislative Agenda for the 2009 term.


Click here for the Chamber's 2009 Federal Legislative Agenda

Click here for the Chamber's 2009 State Legislative Agenda

Want to Reach New Residents Moving to Charleston?- If you are trying to market to new residents moving to Charleston, the Chamber Newcomer Leads Program can provide you with qualified leads each month!  One of the first places people look for information before moving to a community is on the Chamber’s website.  We collect information on those potential newcomers if they want to purchase a new home, when they expect to move and what other community information they need – from healthcare facilities to banks to a job for their spouse. 

On average, we receive 1,000 leads per year and they are available to you through two annual subscription options.

1)     I- Instant emailed contacts $2,500 per year
Receive qualified leads via email the instant newcomers send information to the Chamber.

2)     -- Monthly leads report - $650

Receive a monthly electronic report with every lead submitted to the Chamber during the month. To subscribe or for more information, contact Graham Drayton at 805.3034 or gdrayton@charlestonchamber.org.

The Business Advocate is Going Green – The Chamber’s monthly printed newsletter is going green. As a part of the Chamber’s new green initiative, beginning in September, each Chamber member will be sent one copy of the Business Advocate. As of January, it will only be sent electronically and posted on the Chamber’s new website for easy Chamber member access. With the new site you will be able to log in and get the latest news on programs, initiatives and accomplishments of the Chamber. In an effort to consider more sustainable practices, we have listened to you and are making this change. If you have any concerns or want to give us your feedback, contact us at marketing@charlestonchamber.org.

THIS WEEK

Joint ABC - Get Informed on Regional Issues Through State of the Counties Address - In an effort to inform and engage members, the Chamber presents this month the Chamber a State of the Counties Address with Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester County Chairmen, Wednesday, December 10, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. at the Charleston Area Convention Center

Special guests:
Daniel Davis, Chairman Berkeley County Council
Joe McKeown, Vice Chairman, Charleston County Council
Larry Hargett, Chairman Dorchester County Council

Come find out the latest projects, laws and news that has been happening in your area and what to expect in the coming year. The cost is $20 per person, $15 Chamber member discount price before December 9. Click here to register.
 

Environmental Committee - This month the Chamber's Environmental Committee will have Chris Fisher, “Eco”preneur, President, Fisher Recycling  talking about his new and innovative Green Campus. The committee meets Thursday, December 11, 8 a.m. at the Chamber. This is free to attend for Chamber members. To register contact Graham Drayton at gdrayton@charlestonchamber.org.

Holiday Business After Hours – Come enjoy the holidays at the Chamber’s Business After Hours, Thursday, December 11, 5:30 – 7 p.m. There will be some great food and spirits while networking in the beautiful showroom of Bauer International, Island House. For just $15, expanding your network couldn’t get any better. The cost is $20 or $15 Chamber member discount price before December 9. To register click here.

Mayors Month – January is Mayor’s Month where local mayors and city representatives from City of Charleston, City of North Charleston and Town of Mt. Pleasant present the State of the City Address. Find out the latest projects, laws and news that’s been happening in your area and what to expect for the coming year.

North Area Business Council
State of the City Address – City of North Charleston with Mayor Keith Summey
Wednesday, January 14
Time:   7:30 – 9 a.m.
Place: Charleston Area Convention Center
Cost:   $15 Chamber member discount price before Jan. 12, $20 non-member
Click here to register

East Cooper Area Business Council
State of the City Address – Town of Mt. Pleasant with Mac Burdette, Town Administrator
Wednesday, January 21
Time:   7:30 – 9 a.m.
Place:  Holiday Inn, Mt. Pleasant
Cost:   $15 Chamber member discount price before Jan. 19, $20 non-member
Click here to register

Charleston Area Business Council
State of the City Address – City of Charleston, Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.
Wednesday, January 28
Time:   7:30 – 9 a.m.
Place:  Charleston Place, 205 Meeting St.
Cost:   $15 Chamber member discount price before Jan. 26, $20 non-member
Click here to register
 

PST - PST specializes in providing comprehensive training and consulting services. From end-user courses to network administration courses, PST offers a large selection of courses tailored to enhance employee performance. PST is affiliated with Microsoft as a Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions. We also provide industry certification testing as a Prometric and MOS testing facility and Web-Based learning solutions. www.trainwithpst.com.

Do you want to reach more than 4,000 Chamber members? Advertising in eUpdate reaches over 4,000 members weekly who consist of some of the most influential business leaders and entrepreneurs in the region. For advertising opportunities, please contact Emily Watts at ewatts@charelstonchamber.org.

R L Schipani Business Development Support - Small business owner, experienced business executive, providing assistance with Business Development activities for local firms and individuals. Broad experience across various types of businesses and markets. Call 471.2968 or email rlsbds@homesc.com.

For more information or to contact any of these companies, please visit our Chamber Membership Directory.

Slightly North of Broad Announces Fifteenth Anniversary Celebration - Slightly North of Broad is celebrating their fifteen-year anniversary, December 9 with offerings and festivities for dining guests during lunch and dinner services including special prix fixe dinner menu for just $35 per person, complimentary bottle of house wine for every dinner reservation, complimentary birthday cake during lunch, half price champagne and sparkling wines by the glass or bottle all day, half price Maverick private label wines by the glass or bottle all day, $5 Espresso Martinis all day, raffle drawings for prizes during dinner. For more information visit www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com.

Greenbax Enterprises, Inc. Launched New Sister Company - The new company, Greenbax Merchant Services, LLC will l provide local businesses with a means to help combat ever increasing fees for business expenses. The company has partnered with RBS Worldplay, the second-largest processor in the world for debit, credit and gift cards, for preferred rates. Greenbax Merchant Services, LLC is now able to offer these preferred rates for merchant and gift card processing to businesses in South Carolina and southern Georgia. Businesses do not have to be a member of the Greenbax Partner Merchant Network in order to participate in this program. It is open to all businesses utilizing credit, debit and gift card services operating in the region. Greenbax Merchant Services is using the purchasing power of a network in an effort to strengthen our community partnerships and bring local businesses together to help each other be more successful. For more information contact Bret Hammons at 554.9880, ext. 2759 or BretHammons@thepig.net.

Millie Lewis Models and Talent Celebrating 30 Years – For their 30th Anniversary on Jan. 01, Millie Lewis Models and Talent is offering for the first time a 30% discount on our classes for the month of December. Only a deposit is needed to reserve your spot and take advantage of this first time special. Classes begin Jan 17. Gift certificates available. visit www.millielewischarleston.com or call 571.7781 for more information.

Margaret Seidler Announced Publication of First Book - Just released by Human Resource Development Press of Amherst, MA, Power Surge is an illuminating tale of four senior staff facing a crisis, which is filled with practice exercises for the reader’s personal and professional enlightenment. Utilizing Polarity Management® methodology, the book provides readers a straightforward set of principles and tools to document their own wisdom while accessing a new and deeper awareness of what it takes to achieve and sustain leadership greatness in today’s complex world. To continue their evolution, readers have the opportunity to join a unique online community at MyPowerSurge.com to discuss issues and solutions with others across the globe as we all work together to become enlightened leaders in our own local communities. Margaret Seidler is an organization development consultant, master trainer and author.

Soil Consultants, Inc. - Alvin Talbot “Tab” Henderson, III has joined Soil Consultants, Inc. as a Staff Engineer in Training. Henderson graduated from the University of South Carolina with Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering and Business. In addition, he completed his Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of South Carolina.

Woodlands Inn Retains AAA Five Diamond Ratings for Lodging and Dining - The American Automobile Association has again bestowed upon Woodlands Inn its Five Diamond Award for both accommodations and dining. It is the 12th consecutive year that Woodlands has been awarded both coveted hospitality ratings. According to AAA, only 103 hotels nationwide will hold the Five Diamond distinction for 2009, while 59 restaurants will enjoy the same rating. It is the 12th year that Woodlands has earned the rating for lodging and the 13th for dining.
 

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