Board of Directors

Jim Creel, Jr., Creel Corporation, Chairman of the Board by Brad

Dic
Ted Fortenberry, Raycom Media, Immediate Past Chairman Myrtle B kerson, media co
each Are m
Helen Benso, Brookgreen Gardens
a Chamb munications m
Charlie Bradshaw, Alabama Theatre er of Com an
Tony Cox, Burroughs & Chapin Co. merce ager
Sabena Dayton, Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort and
Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort
Brooke Doswell, Inlet Square Mall
Marilyn Fore, Horry Georgetown Technical College

From Novice to Expert

Radha Herring, Watermark Real Estate Group
Mike Hill
Billy Huggins, Creek Ratz
Hugh Huggins, Huggins Allstate Insurance Agency Inc.
Yvette Jefferson, Jefferson & Associates, Consulting Group LLC A small business owner’s question at a recent Q & A took me by
Bryan Lewis, Santee Cooper
Ross Martin, Coral Beach Resort
surprise.
Steve Mays, National Golf Management
O’Neil McCoy, BB&T Puckett, Scheetz & Hogan The question was, “How do I become an expert?”
Bill McGonigal, Best Western Ocean Sands Resort
Wayne Morris, The Printing Port
Monty Morrow, Brittain Resort Management Thankfully, a member of the local press stepped in and assisted. The
Carla Schuessler, Habitat for Humanity of Horry County person was curious as to how they could wind up on the media’s call
Todd Setzer, A&I Fire & Water Restoration
Julia Singleton, Island Vista Resort
list if a reporter was seeking comment on a particular topic.
Phil Vassar, Surfside Beach Ocean Resort
Need feedback on an April 15 tax story? What does an area CPA
Grand Strander Credits need to do to become the unequivocal expert on tips for filing those
returns?
Kori Hippe, Editor
Membership Marketing Manager, Kori.Hippe@VisitMyrtleBeach.com
Colleen Balzotti This particular person was not an accountant, but the local media rep
Graphic Designer Manager, Colleen.Balzotti@VisitMyrtleBeach.com gave the same answer I would have; it’s really just a flip of the coin.
Diana Greene, IOM
Executive Vice President of Membership Programs & Services
Seriously, it is. Most reporters don’t start a new job and get a
Grand Strander Issue 747 September 2015 (ISSN 124-490) is published spreadsheet with local experts. In my time as a reporter, if I was
12 times a year by Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce,
1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Periodical postage paid working on a story about, say for instance, proper plant care and
at Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. POSTMASTER: Send address changes I wanted to speak to a florist, I’d peruse the Yellow Pages or use
to Membership Division, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Google and speak to the first person who answered the phone and
P.O. Box 2115, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578-2115
was willing to go on the record.
Check us out on the Web
For more information about member benefits, upcoming events
and business updates, visit us at MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com. Now, if a florist or other business professional was particularly helpful,
I would make a note of them for later stories. Or, I’d pass their
Advertising Inquiries information off to a colleague who might need to speak to them.
Reach more than 2,700 business leaders
by advertising in the Grand Strander.
Scott Head, advertising sales manager But why aren’t you already an expert? And what could you do to
843-916-7277 or Scott.Head@VisitMyrtleBeach.com
become one? I pondered that following the Q & A, and the answer
Member Services was actually simple.
Area Code: 843
General Information: 626-7444
Membership Sales: 916-7220 or 7234 As a business owner, keep tabs on the stories you see in the
Advertising Sales: 916-7277 newspaper, on television or on the Web. If you come across a story
Public Relations: 916-7218
Marketing: 916-7262 that coincides with your profession, write down the name and contact
Research: 916-7217 information of the reporter who wrote it.
Executive: 916-7296
CVB-Group Sales: 916-7260
gsSCENE: 916-7276 Then, reach out to them a day or two later, tell them their story
Leadership Grand Strand: 916-7222 caught your attention and discuss your credentials and experience.
Hospitality Partnership: 626-9668
Leave no doubt in that reporter’s mind that you could offer future
Grand Strander is printed by Inlet Printing Co. insights and tips. Before hanging up, pass along your contact
information.

Chances are good that they’ll remember you the next time they want
a different perspective on your area of expertise. And you will have
®

become an expert.

2 Grand Strander