As a capstone to the 51 ^st Annual South Carolina Governor's Conference of Tourism & Travel, the PR Department, led by Kim Jamieson, hosted its first ever in-state media mission for statewide tourism partners. The event, held at picturesque Charles Towne Landing in Charleston, SC, was a two-part affair, complete with a traditional media marketplace followed by a dinner reception. For the marketplace, tourism partners, who financially contributed to participate, mixed and mingled with invited media from across the state, including some from bordering states and target drive

Sonja Burriss of Rock Hill/York County CVB(left) talks to Renata Parker of TALK Greenville.

markets. Writers from Garden & Gun Magazine, The State Newspaper, The Local Palate Magazine, Charleston Magazine, Thrillist, Midlands Biz, The Charlotte Observer and more spent time with partners learning about new and noteworthy happenings and events taking place, or on the horizon, in the Palmetto state.

 

During the reception, guests were treated to a delicious dinner prepared by the 2016 South Carolina Chef Ambassadors - Chef Ramone Dickerson, Chef Orchid Paulmeier, Chef Forrest Parker and Chef Teryi Youngblood. Cooking up culinary creations like pimento cheese creamed collards, traditional dirty rice with red pepper gravy, buttermilk panna cotta with fresh strawberries and mini sweet potato pies with bourbon-infused whipped cream, they stole the show with their delights. The chefs, hailing from Columbia, Hilton Head Island, Mt. Pleasant and Greenville respectfully, are the second class of culinary ambassadors for the state, chosen by Governor Nikki Haley in December of 2015. Before their one year term comes to an end, the chefs will participate in a number of other media missions, the Charleston Wine & Food Festival, Euphoria 2016, the South Carolina State Fair and the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, taking place in June.

Chef Ambassadors stole the show!

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of SCPRT's latest initiative, The Satisfy Your Thirst Tour. Addressing the crowd, Duane Parrish, SCPRT's Executive Director, spoke about the creative South Carolina makers who are included and celebrated on the tour. Focusing on the many liquid locations found throughout the state - including breweries, distilleries, wineries, farms, etc. - the tour mimics the wildly successful SC BBQ Trail that launched back in 2013. For the tour, visitors and locals alike are encouraged to download the Satisfy Your Thirst app - found on both Apple and Android mobile devices - and visit both adult and family friendly purveyors. The event wouldn't be complete without a signature beverage featuring a Charleston distilled liquor. (Follow along and participate in the Satisfy Your Thirst social conversation by tagging and viewing images with the hashtag, #SatisfyYourThirstSC).

 

From start to finish this event proved to be beneficial for partners, media and the SCPRT team. The PR department looks forward to hosting more in-state media mission in the future, providing an avenue for statewide tourism partners to tout the many fantastic things found in their regions. The saying is so true... There's always something new to diSCover in South Carolina. 

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley recognized o utstanding achievements in tourism at the annual Governor's Conference on Tourism & Travel at the Belmond Charleston Place in Charleston. The annual awards honor projects and people who have excelled in tourism development, marketing and customer service.

The industry's highest honor - the Governor's Cup-was given to the South Carolina State Museum's "Windows to New Worlds" expansion for extraordinary achievements in growing tourism and promoting South Carolina as a great place to visit.

 

When it opened in August 2014, the newly expanded State Museum became the only attraction in the country to house a planetarium, 4-D theater, observatory and multi-disciplinary museum under one roof.  Media coverage about its grand opening included more than 900 news stories with more than 15 million impressions. In its first year of operation, the new museum grew its revenue by 84 percent, increased attendance by 44 percent and placed an estimated economic impact on South Carolina of $22 million after driving new business to local hotels and restaurants.

 

Its success was rooted in creative and strategic marketing as well as innovative business practices. One of its most successful efforts was a "Brighter Than Ever" public awareness campaign that launched a full year before the renovation was complete and built anticipation for the new attraction. The museum's marketing team also partnered with BI-LO grocery stores around the state to sell season passes.

 

Tourism's Charles A. Bundy Award, which recognizes tourism success in rural parts of South Carolina, was awarded to the new Colleton Museum and Farmers Market in Walterboro.  About five years ago, the community moved its treasured museum into a renovated 1950s grocery store in the downtown area and added a farmer's market in the attached pavilion. What transpired was a unique blend of culture and agriculture that illustrated this small town's authentic appeal and enhanced the visitor experience. The museum continued to promote Colleton's heritage, and the farmer's market provided retail space for up to 50 local farmers who brought fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants for sale.

 

In its former location, the Colleton Museum welcomed 4,908 visitors, most of whom were local. Visitation has steadily climbed since the museum was moved to its new location, and in 2015, the museum saw 18,350 visitors. The museum continues to draw visitors with special programming and events.

 

The Hospitality Employee of the Year Award was given to Sharon "P.J." Howell, a restaurant supervisor for Embassy Suites Columbia. She has been an employee of the hotel for more than 20 years, and rose up in the ranks to her current position five years ago. Managers at Embassy Suites Columbia call Howell the most dependable and hardworking employee they know, who often fills in where needed and leads by example. They also describe her as fun-loving and enjoyable, and said that some previous guests who are driving through Columbia stop by the hotel just to say hello to P.J.  She is chairman of the hotel's CARE Committee, a group that seeks to improve employee morale and guest relations, and to provide contributions to the local community. Howell was Embassy Suites Columbia's Employee of the Month for October 2015 and November 2015, and was Employee of the Year for 2013.