Chamber Biz Your Monthy eMagazine April 2012

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www.VisitGeorge.com

Table of Con-Page 2 Chamber Team 2011 - 2012 Board of Directors Page 3 About Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce Page 4-5 Economic Overview 2011 Page 6 Featured Event: Little Black Dress Page 7 Did you know?... Page 8 Georgetown County Tourism Management Commission Update Page 9 Member News Page 10 Member Benefits Page 11 Member News What’s Up Next Page 12 Chamber Calendar Page 13 Coastal Brew Fest

Chamber Team Annette Medlin President/ CEO 843-546-8436 ext 25 Bill Crowther Membership Director 843-546-8436 ext 23 Meredith Hart Tourism Marketing Director 843-546-8436 ext 22 Sally Hogan Tourism Manager 843-546-8436 ext 26 Donna Mims Director for Programs and Events 843-546-8436 ext 28 Gwendolyn Polite Executive Assistant 843-546-8436 ext 24

2011 - 2012 Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Will Howard, Chairman First Citizens Sean Phelan, Vice-Chairman Elliot-Phelan Law Jenna Jordan, Secretary/Treasurer USI Payroll Lori Lowell, Immediate Past Chairwoman First Federal

DIRECTORS Laura Stroman Crowther Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS Joe Rincione Palmetto Financial Investments, Inc. Brenda England SC Employment Security Commission Todd Welden Caledonia Golf & Fish Club Perry Collins Liberty Terminals

J. Ralph Byington Dean E. Craig Wall, Sr. College Business Administration, CCU Perry Peace Debordieu Colony Real Estate Larry A. Mercado Mercom Corporation Jay Nelson Georgetown Hospital Systems Jim Westerhold Horry Georgetown Technical College

CHAMBER BIZ

Our Business is Your Busi-

Our Mission Our Vi- Our Core Val-The Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce stands as the voice of business and provides resources that promote member success resulting in a more dynamic and sustainable community.

The Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce is the visionary leader for advancing a cooperative, productive and prosperous community.

Integrity Knowledge

Professionalism Collaborative

Supportive Fun!

The Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce was founded July 24, 1917 for

the promotion of the general welfare of Georgetown and Georgetown

County. The GCCC has a membership of 700 and covers the entire George-

Contact Us! 531 Front Street

Georgetown, SC 29440 843-546-8436

Follow Us!

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www.VisitGeorge.com

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MEMBERS... If you would like to guest write submit your articles to ??? by the 10th of each month. Articles being submitted may or may not make the next publication depending on the focus of that issue.

Advocacy Senate Finance Committee Passes Bond for Port Dredging This week, the Senate Finance Committee passed S.1431, legislation by Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman (Florence) that would au-

thorize a $138.5 million bond for the federal government’s share of dredging the Port of Charleston ($120 million) and the Port of Georgetown

($18.5 million). The legislation serves as a placeholder for the state of South Carolina should federal funding fall through in future years.

While many state leaders would rather write the entire $300 million check for the harbor deepening project, there could be significant unintended

consequences from a federal perspective. With the harbor deepening study and the authorization of the dredging project still yet to be finalized,

setting aside the entire portion could jeopardize cost-sharing responsibilities between federal and state government. Bonding the money would

simply be a placeholder if the time comes, and the federal government does not live up to its responsibilities. No new debt would be incurred if

the federal government funds its share of the project.

S.C. Chamber of Commerce Prevails in Lawsuit Against NLRB Last week, a federal district court judge in Charleston ruled in favor of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Com-

merce and held that employers do not have to post a notice informing their employees of certain rights to unionize. The case is the result of a law-

suit filed by the South Carolina Chamber and others against the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) challenging the NLRB’s proposed rule

to require employers to post a notice informing their employees of certain selected rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

The court held that the NLRB “exceeded its authority in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act.” This ruling comes on the heels of a

March ruling by a federal district court in Washington, D.C. that upheld the NLRB’s authority to issue the notice posting rule but limited the

remedies available to the board under the rule for a failure to post. The associations involved in the lawsuit and the NLRB have both appealed that

decision.

In part based on the South Carolina decision, the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has now enjoined enforcement of the rule until the appeal

in that case is complete. This action means that no employer is required to post the notice of NLRA rights at this time.

The South Carolina Chamber thanks its members who supported this important effort and recognizes the efforts of partners at the U.S. Chamber

of Commerce and Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart who helped bring the Chamber to this point in the litigation. This ruling is an excel-

lent example of the importance of the unified voice of business in standing up for rights against government encroachment.

Senate Should Act on Smith Land Fix Last week, the Senate Medical Affairs Committee unanimously passed legislation to restore more than 60 years of balance and precedent to the

law after a shocking South Carolina Supreme Court ruling last summer in the Smith Land Company case. H.4654, now on the contested Senate

calendar, would correct that egregious ruling, and the state’s business community urges the Senate to set H.4654 for Special Order at the first

available opportunity. Sens. Phil Leventis (Sumter), Brad Hutto (Orangeburg), Greg Gregory (Lancaster) and John Scott (Richland) are currently

objecting to the legislation being considered.

As a result of the Supreme Court ruling, any emission or discharge into the environment now requires a permit, even if one does not exist. Addi-

tionally, the ruling creates a private right of action for any citizens or citizens group to sue anyone deemed in “violation” of the Pollution Control

Act (PCA). In the Smith Land Company case, less than 2/10 of an acre of an isolated wetland was filled after a landowner contacted the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Neither agency required a permit to

fill the isolated wetland, so the landowner did not acquire one. The Supreme Court held that a permit from DHEC was required, not because a

regulatory program covered it, but because the PCA contains what the court interpreted as an absolute prohibition of any discharge into the envi-

ronment without a permit. The Supreme Court’s decision has opened the door for a tidal wave of lawsuits.

H.4654 was amended by the Senate Medical Affairs Committee last week to allow individuals to petition DHEC if they believe someone is oper-

ating without a permit and one is required. The amendment also changes the process of appeals from the circuit court to the administrative law

court. Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (Cherokee) and Sens. Brad Hutto (Orangeburg) and Wes Hayes (York) have played a critical role in

advancing the legislation. At a time when South Carolina is still recovering from the economic downturn, correcting the ruling is paramount to

restoring regulatory stability and fostering a pro-job creating climate. H.4654 would restore that much needed balance. The South Carolina Cham-

ber of Commerce and its allies are preparing a letter for the Senate outlining the need to move this legislation forward this session, specifically to

set H.4654 for Special Order, bypassing those senators objecting to consideration. Numerous business groups are calling for this reform as the key

economic development issue of the legislative session.

Updates on the Competitiveness Agenda; SC Chamber of Commerce – April 20, 2012

CHAMBER BIZ

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MEMBERS... If you would like to guest write submit your articles to ??? by the 10th of each month. Articles being submitted may or may not make the next publication depending on the focus of that issue.

Perry Collins, Chairman Liberty Terminals

Joe Young Lowcountry Forest Products

Paul Boughasian Best Blinds

Suzie Dosher Georgetown Hospital Systems

Linda Mock Georgetown County Auditor

Nancy Cave Coastal Conservation League

Lynn Mueller Consultant

Steven Neeves Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors

Chase McGill McNair Law Firm

GCCC 2011 - 2012 Public Policy Committee

Description Bill No. Position Status

Angel Investment Act H.3779 Support Passed House; In Senate Finance

Committee

Business License Fees H.3472 Support In House Ways and Means

Charter Schools H.3241 Support Conference Report Adopted by

House; Conference Report Pending

in Senate

Department of Administration H.3066 Support Passed House; Passed Senate

Gov. Restructuring – Jointly Electing

Gov./Lieut. Gov.

H.3152 Support Passed House; Set for Special Order

in Senate

Gov. Restructuring – Superintendent

of Education

H.3070 Support Passed House; In Senate Judiciary

Committee

Highway Funding S.37/S.101 Support In Senate Finance Committee

Pollution Control Act H.4654/ S.1126 Support Passed House; On Senate Floor

Port Deepening Funding ($180 million) H.4813 Support Passed House; In Senate Finance

Committee

Retirement System Reform H.4967 Support Passed House; In Senate Finance

Committee

Spending Limits H.3368 Support Passed House; In Senate Finance

Committee

Unemployment Insurance - Drug Test-

ing

H.4043 Support Passed House

Unemployment Insurance – Full Dis-

qualification for Misconduct

S.1125 Support Passed Senate; In House Labor,

Commerce and Industry Committee

Unemployment Insurance Tax Relief

($77 million)

H.4814 Support Passed House; In Senate Finance

Committee

www.VisitGeorge.com

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Human Resources Tools

Interviewing Applicants: 5 Do's and Don'ts Conducting effective interviews helps to ensure you are hiring the best-qualified candidate for the job. An interview should provide as much information as possible about an applicant's potential to perform the duties of a particular position. As an employer, it is also important to understand the types of questions and topics that should be avoided in an interview to prevent potential claims of discrimination. The most valuable interview is objective and permits the interviewer to determine the knowledge, skills, and all other qualifications of a prospective employee relevant to the position.

The following do's and don'ts can help you make the most of your interviews and stay in compliance with the law:

DO create a comfortable environment for interviewing. Whether you conduct the interview in an office or conference

room, make sure the area is neat and quiet. When the interview begins, be sure not to take any calls or respond to emails. Offer-ing the candidate something to drink - water or coffee - is a small courtesy that demonstrates consideration and thoughtfulness.

DON'T ask personal questions. Be especially careful of this at the beginning of the interview. Although it is important to

have a friendly demeanor when you meet the candidate to help put him or her at ease, engaging in too much small talk may lead you to inadvertently ask a question that can border on areas that may potentially be considered discriminatory (such as questions relating to the applicant's marital status, political beliefs, etc.).

DON'T ask discriminatory questions. Any questions regarding race, religion, age, ethnic group, national origin or ancestry,

political affiliations, military service, disability or other sensitive topics may be discriminatory and should be avoided. Also be care-ful not to ask any questions that could elicit such information (for example, questioning an applicant about the origin of an unusual surname). If an applicant volunteers irrelevant or inappropriate information during an interview, disregard the information and do not write it down.

DO keep the conversation focused on job-related information. In reviewing your interview questions, ask yourself if the

information you are seeking is really needed to evaluate the candidate's qualifications, skills, and ability to meet the challenges of the job. Ask only for information you intend to use in making a hiring decision and know how you will use the information to make that decision. You should also be prepared to discuss the responsibilities and functions of the job opening and your company. Avoid asking questions that are not relevant to the performance of the essential functions and responsibilities of the position. DO provide the candidate with information regarding next steps. After you have finished asking all of your questions, be sure to give the candidate an opportunity to ask any final questions. To close the interview, provide a general timeframe for getting back in touch with the candidate regarding any next steps and decisions. Be sure to also thank the candidate for his or her inter-est in the job and your company.

If you have specific questions regarding illegal interview questions or how to conduct a lawful interview, please consult with a knowledgeable employment law attorney.

Human Resources updates and tools are provided by :

Jenna A. Jordan

Vice President USI Payroll

(843) 546-6991

(888) 220-9684 toll free

(843) 455-0889 mobile

www.usipayroll.com

The human resources provider for the Georgetown County

Chamber of Commerce.

CHAMBER BIZ

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Did you know that your Georgetown County Chamber Membership Opens the Door to Online Benefits and Free

Online Advertising Opportunities? People on our website have already made an important decision; they are looking for a business

right here in our area.

Your Benefits Include: -Receive a personal login and password allowing access to add and update your benefits

from any computer that has an active connection to the internet – anytime – day or night

-Free Listing on the Chamber's Online Business Directory and Member Page Also appears on the Web

-Free Advertising - Hot Deals, Job Postings, And Event Submission

-Even More Opportunities to get Noticed with Upgraded and Enhanced Listings

and Highlighted Banners.

Interested In Learning More?

New Member Orientation

Bill Crowther, Membership Director for the Chamber will be hosting a new member orientation on May 16, 2012

5:30 to 6:30 pm

This is a great way to learn more about what your chamber membership can do for you. Even if you are an “old” member and just want a brush up on

benefits and options, please feel free to attend.

Register online at www.visitgeorge.com or call Bill Crowther at 843-546-8436 ext. 23 for more information.

Did you know...

www.VisitGeorge.com

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Your Georgetown County Chamber hosted a membership event on April 10-12. It was a great suc-cess and LOADS of people volunteered AND joined!! I can’t say thanks enough to those of you who manned the phones and brought in all these new members…...you were AMAZING!!

Welcome New Members!!!

105 New Members Join the Chamber in April!!!!!!!!!!!!

A ProCure Insurance, LLC Georgetown Tire and Auto Center Pillar to Post Home Inspections

AFLAC - Timothy Harlow Green Wave Contracting Premier Travel

Amerigas Habenero's Quigley's Pint & Plate

Bay Orthopaedic Associates Highland Machine Works R. H. Moore

Beef O'Brady's Hillsouth Remax Beach & Golf - Chris Bird

Ben Cox Company iCore Consultants Louis at Sanford's

Bovines Indigo Choral Society Sharon and Bill Shirer

Browntown Forest Products, LLC Inlet Affairs Shoez in Motion

C.A.S.E. Solutions, LLC Inlet Cardiopulmonary & Associates Spann Roofing

Carolina Human Reinvestment Inlet Pediatrics Stage Presence

City of Georgetowh Electric Utility Dept. Island Floors & Rugs, Ltd. Statewide Security Systems

Coast Futbol Alliance, Inc. Jenny Parker Accounting Services, inc. Surf the Earth

Coastal Builders Justice Construction Suz!

Coastal Carolina Soccer Camp Justice Works Behaviorial Care Swamp Fox Agency, Inc.

Cohn Construction Services, LLC KA and MH Properties Swatzel Strategies

Crime Stoppers of Georgetown County Kentucky Fried Chicken The Apple Store

Crosby Law Firm Litchfield Plantation Giardino Law Firm LLC

Cunningham Land Surveyiing Little Ceasar's Pizza Three D Metal Works

D. Dwayne Vernon Architects Lowcountry Low Voltage TLC Carwash, LLC

DeBordieu Colony Real Estate, Inc. - Troi Kaz Methods Development, Inc Tony's Famous Pizza, Georgetown

Dependable Service Plumbing Morris Farms Treffer Appraisal & Advisory Group, LLC

Derek Taylor's Garage Nation Law Firm United Rentals

DHSP Ventures Natural Energy, S.C. Universal Blastco

Doodlebugs Neil Law Firm VAR Law Firm, LLC

Dr. Tire Omni / Mr. Sparky Winn, Virgil,CPA

Drunken Jack's Restaurant Palmetto Environment Solutions W. Jack Singleton Construction

East Bay Booster Club Palmetto Infusion Waccamaw Gastroenterology

Empressions Dance Pawleys Island Tavern Williams Law Firm

FSI Office Pawleys Wine & Spirits Wynne Peace Interior Design

Georgetown Orthopaedics Pelican Title Agency Young Veterinary Hospital

Georgetown Police Department Pet Galley Your Chamber Connection

CHAMBER BIZ

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Submit Member News to

info@visitgeorge.com by the 13th of each

month

Member News ... Mercom Corporation has received a $500 Million, five (5) year, Multiple Award Contract (MAC) from Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic (SPAWARSYSCEN), Charleston. Mercom is one (1) of thirteen (13) awardees for this Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ), Firm Fixed Price type contract for the procurement/lease of Commer-cial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Network and Communications Equipment (COMMS) and Incidental Support Services. The purpose of this procurement is to provide SPAWAR Atlantic with rapid access to turnkey solutions to the warfighter with the objective of fostering improvement initiatives that include mission effectiveness, efficient utilization of re-sources, and volume discounts.

The 2012 Dixie Softball Darlings & Angels World Series and the 2012 Dixie Youth “O” Zone State Tournaments are coming to Georgetown and we need your help! Will you consider becoming a sponsor or volunteer for this special event tournament? A few of the areas that need volunteers are host families for the visiting teams, opening ceremo-nies, players banquet, preparations of players souvenir bags, parking, gate attendants, public address announcers, scoreboard operators and hospitality room attendants. Be part of the most exciting event in Georgetown. For more information please call Paul at 843-545-3319.

The Georgetown County Auditor, Linda Mock, is reminding all businesses that they need to file a Business Personal Property Return by April 30th of this year. If the return is not received by April 30th, an estimate plus a penalty will be charged. This form is to declare the value of furniture, equipment and electronics used by the business. Most service sector businesses will file a 322 return while businesses in retail, incorporated and those that normally file with the state Department of Revenue will file a PT-100 form. All businesses are required to file these forms. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Harrelson in the auditor’s office, 843-545-3513.

Thursday April 26, 2012 - The Long Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert. Join us for the last concert of the season at Myrtle Beach High School Music and Arts Center at 7:30. This concert will be featuring the winners of the 2012 LBSYO Concerto Competition: 1st Place- Zhongliang Chen, piano 2nd Place- Rachel Evans, cello 3rd Place- Michelle Siembida, soprano 4th Place – Eliza Edge, horn Three of the four winners this year are Georgetown County students!! The concert is free.

65 AMAZING volunteers helped us hit a home run with our membership event on April 10

-12!!! AND had a blast doing it!!!!!!

www.VisitGeorge.com

Member Benefit

Georgetown County Business Institute Are you less than satisfied with your business’s current performance? Has the current economy im-

pacted your business negatively? Is your original business idea no longer working? Join us to discuss rebooting your business.

Take advantage of our FREE weekly business webinars!

May Is Money Month Our May webinars will concentrate on how to forecast and control the finances of your revitalized business.

For a list of the eight webinars offered in May through your Chamber go to :

http://gcchamberbusinessinstitute.com/

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Dental & Vision Insurance for Chamber Members Only!

~ Dental Highlights ~

For Preferred-Provider Organization: No Deductable - No Out-of-Pockets

costs: 100% paid for preventative and basic services including cleaning every

six months, oral exam, e-rays, anesthesia, fillings, repair and maintenance

of crowns, bridges and dentures and simple extractions - Major services paid

at 60% - rollover benefits to the next year - local and national network of

more than 70,000 dentist locations

~ Single Employee is $5.71 a week ~

~ Vision Benefits ~

Rich, full-feature plan accepted at your participating Wal-Mart, JCPenney,

Sears, Target and many other private eye care providers: $10 copay for annual

exam - $10 copay for annual materials (single vision, bifocal and trifocal

lenses plus contact lenses) - Frames from special selection to $120

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CHAMBER BIZ

New Members ... Agru America, Georgetown

Agru America, Andrews Grand Strand Bicycles

Curtis Group Architects Prevention and Well Being

Pastaria 811 South Carolina Maritime Museum

Better Homes & Gardens Real estate/ Elliott Coastal Living

BI-LO Store #461

AFLAC-Murrells Inlet Paul L. Yarborough Construction

Thirty One Honor Flight Myrtle Beach

Just Sew U Know Hot Fish Club

Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council Sea Shell Productions

Aerotek Coastal Chevrolet Cadillac

The Jackson Companies Paul K. Moore and Associates

Coastal Montessori Charter School Betsy Boyle Gallery

Jerry Oakley Island Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Cooper Property Management

Get Carried Away Ocean Lakes RV Center

Ocean Lakes Family Campground Prestwick Country Club

Ocean Lakes Golf Car Sales & Service Ocean Lakes Properties

General Landscape Maintenance Ad Art Signs by the Sea

East Coast Honda-Volkswagen Oxner and Stacy PA

Leadership Georgetown County

“Get Connected”

Volunteer Fair

The current Leadership Georgetown County Class XXI, under

the auspices of the Georgetown County Chamber of Com-

merce, will partner with the Chamber, Georgetown County

United Way, Francis P. Bunnelle Foundation, and other leading

organizations and companies in Georgetown County to host a

Volunteer Fair.

The goal of the Volunteer Fair is to highlight opportunities for prospective volunteers in the Waccamaw Neck communities and

throughout the county to “Get Connected” with opportunities to volunteer at Georgetown County’s many nonprofit organizations.

It will feature Georgetown County United Way’s new “Get Connected” webpage, which enables prospective volunteers to register

their interests and availability and matches them to nonprofits seeking volunteers.

The Volunteer Fair will take place on Thursday, May 24, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It will be hosted by the NBSC

Bank located at 3796 Highway 17 Bypass in Murrells Inlet, SC.

The “Get Connected” Volunteer Fair offers an important occasion to heighten awareness of the needs of Georgetown County’s

residents and the opportunities for residents to help neighbors improve their quality of life by volunteering at one or more of

Georgetown County’s many nonprofit organizations serving the needs of our community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wendy Belzer, 843-235-6047

Chamber Calendar of For a full list of events, go to OUR WEBSITE!

www.VisitGeorge.com

Discover Tuscany October 4-13, 2012 This is a travel opportunity you can’t afford to miss!!!

10 days , All inclusive for only , $3,349

Donna Mims 843-546-8436 ext 28/ dmims@visitgeorge.com

Traveling to:

•Rome•Assisi•Basilica of St. Francis•Montecatini Terme•Siena•San

Gimignano•Winery Tour•Florence•Tuscan Feast

www.VisitGeorge.com

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Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

April/May 27

Coastal Brew Fest

6-10 pm

30 May 1

Applications available for

Leadership Georgetown

County 2012-2013

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Webinar: 3-4

#1 Financial Document

To grow your business

3 Ribbon Cutting 5:00

Helping Hands

Business After Hours

5:30-7:00pm

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7

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Webinar: 3-4 The 2 Financial Docs

You need to run your Business

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Webinar: 2-3

Pinterest for Business

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Chamber Biz Content

Deadline 5:00 pm

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16

Leadership Georgetown

County 8:30-4 pm

Webinar: 3-4

Funding Sources

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Webinar: 2-3

Facebook Timeline for

Business

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Coffee and Contacts

8:00-9:00 am

21

Public Policy Committee

3:30-5:00 pm

22

Leadership Georgetown

County Graduation

6-8 pm

23

Webinar: 3-4

Reduce Financial Risk

24

Get Connected 11-2

Volunteer Fair

Webinar: 2-3

Outsource Online Marketing

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28 29

30 31

Webinar: 2-3 Working from Home Mindset & Management

CHAMBER BIZ

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An amazing event offering tastings of unusual and unique beers from regional brewers, great live music and AWESOME networking

For more information visit: www.VisitGeorge.com or contact Gwendolyn Polite at 843-546-8436 ext 24 or gpolite@vistgeorge.com

Tickets: $25.00 in advance or $30.00 at the door

Available at the following locations:

Georgetown County Chamber office

Applewood’s Restaurant

Litchfield Wine & Liquors

Island Bar & Grill South

Georgetown Kraft Credit Unions in Georgetown or PI

Featuring the musical talents of:

The Foreclosures

And

TJ Walsh Fin City Duo

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

Presenting

AGAPE SENIOR/AGAPE HOSPICE

Stout Sponsors: WPDE, First Federal

Ale Sponsors: eLow Country, The Kitchen, Island Bar & Grill, Applewood’s Restaurant, Barnhill’s

Rentals

Brew Vendors: Brooklyn Brew, Piggly Wiggly-Pig Swig, New South, Foothills, Woodchuck, Yahnis

T-shirts will be available, you will receive a souvenir pilsner glass at the door for your tastings.

Other beverages will be available (wine, water and soft drinks). Food will be available for a sepa-

rate cost.