EXPLORE CHARLESTON chairman of the board
DAN BLUMENSTOCK
On the heels of a record-setting 2022, our region’s travel and hospitality industry continued to thrive. Tourism to the Greater Charleston Area in 2023 generated an economic impact of $13.1 billion and accounted for 24.7% of all sales in the region! Travel and hospitality supported 53,700 jobs, which is more than ever before!
What’s even more impressive is that, again this year, the growth in average visitor expenditure and economic impact outpaced the increase in total number of visitors. This signals continued progress towards our goal of creating higher value for our higher caliber traveler which maximizes the benefits to our community and does not promote mass visitation.
The latest College of Charleston Office of Tourism Analysis industry impact report reinforces that our travel industry is an economic powerhouse that creates jobs, enhances quality of place, supports businesses of all sizes and generates critical non-resident tax revenue in every corner of the Greater Charleston Area. To that end, this Program of Work for fiscal year 20242025 provides an overview of initiatives in destination marketing and management intended to maintain our track record of success and help the community succeed beyond travel and hospitality alone.
The travel industry is more competitive than ever, and our team remains laser focused on ensuring the Charleston region is an inclusive destination that resonates with leisure, business and group travelers genuinely interested in the area’s diverse attributes.
On a parallel path, our commitment to stewardship means we are dedicated to protecting and enhancing what makes this such a special place to live and visit.
My challenge to each of us is to not grow complacent. Thanks to ongoing collaboration between our members, civic leaders and residents I have every confidence we are well positioned to embrace the opportunities ahead and maintain our track record of success.
It is an honor for our organization to represent this iconic destination we call home.
Dan Blumenstock, Chairman
Explore Charleston Board of Governors
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW who we are
The Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, or Explore Charleston, is a destination marketing and management organization (DMMO). DMMOs are organizations charged with representing a specific destination and helping the long-term development of communities through a travel and tourism strategy.
It is the primary purpose of Explore Charleston to market Charleston and the surrounding area as an overnight destination. This focused effort resulted in an economic impact of over $13.1 billion for our region and supported 53,700 local jobs in 2023.
Explore Charleston is also a designated regional organization per the South Carolina Association of Tourism Regions, and represents eleven different local governments within Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties.
Funding for Explore Charleston is provided through membership dues, programs revenue, accommodations taxes, and destination-specific grant monies from the State of South Carolina.
Explore Charleston maintains a full-time staff of dedicated professionals who coordinate marketing, media & communications, sales and visitor relations for our region.
The marketing strategies generated by our team and found in this publication are designed to stimulate demand for travel to our region, specifically seeking the highest yield per visit.
As locals raising our own families here, Explore Charleston team members understand and value quality of life. As such, tourism management is an equally important focus of our work. “Mass tourism” and “over tourism” are not our goals. Rather, we work to find balance between a healthy tourism industry and a wonderful quality of life; we believe deeply that they are connected.
BOARD of GOVERNORS
The Board of Governors sets the policies of the activity of Explore Charleston. Bylaws call for our board to be composed of elected and appointed members, to include representation from funding municipalities:
2023/2024*
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman: Mr. Dan Blumenstock, Lowcountry Hotels
Vice-Chairman: Mr. Dan Battista, Lowe Enterprises
Treasurer: Mr. David Jennings, Rosen & Hagood, LLC
Immediate Past Chairman: Mr. John LaVerne, Bulldog Tours
Executive Committee: Mr. David Tart, Raines Company
Executive Committee: Ms. Michelle Woodhull, Charming Inns of Charleston
MEMBERS AND APPOINTEES
Mr. Matt Barba, Charlestowne Hotels
The Honorable Brad Belt, Town of Kiawah Island
Mr. Jack Bennett, Bennett Hospitality
Mr. Carl Borick, The Charleston Heritage Foundation, The Charleston Museum
The Honorable Reggie Burgess, City of North Charleston
The Honorable Johnny Cribb, Berkeley County
Ms. Jaimie Brown Dewberry, Dewberry Foundation
The Honorable Timothy Goodwin, City of Folly Beach
Mr. Jimmy Hagood, Food for the Southern Soul
Dr. Andrew Hsu, College of Charleston
Mr. John Keener, Crab Pot, LLC
Mr. Jonathan Kish, Lowcountry Hospitality Association, Queen Street Hospitality
The Honorable Bruce Kleinman, Town of Seabrook Island
Mr. Frank Lapsley, City of North Charleston
Mr. Casey Lavin, Beemok Hospitality
Ms. Rhett Outten, Croghan’s Jewel Box
Mr. Femi Oyediran, Graft Wine Shop
The Honorable Phillip Pounds, City of Isle of Palms
Mr. Ed Riggs, Chairman’s Appointee
Mr. Patrick Rogers, Charleston Marriott and North Charleston Marriott
Mr. Oliver Rooskens, Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina
The Honorable Herb Sass, Charleston County Council
Mr. Terry Sedalik, Charleston Golf Course Owners Association
The Honorable Mike Seekings, CARTA, City of Charleston
Ms. Mimi Striplin, Tiny Tassel
Mr. Michael Tall, Chairman’s Appointee
The Honorable Guang Ming Whitley, Town of Mount Pleasant
*The Board of Governors is elected in September of each year.
BUDGET
Where does our revenue come from and how do we spend it?
REVENUE
Explore Charleston’s annual budget is composed of four distinct revenue streams:
1. Member & Business Investment, ie: programs revenue generated from tourism-related businesses that access various services offered by Explore Charleston.
2. Regional funds as a designated SCATR region.
3. Competitive grants through the State of South Carolina’s Destination Specific marketing fund
4. Accommodations tax (state and county - see Appendix)
EXPENSES
Explore Charleston’s annual expenses consist of seven distinct expenditure streams:
1. Executive 1%
2. Finances / HR 3% 3. Operations 3%
Media / PR 4%
Industry leaders visit Washington DC and organizational partners
Members of Travel Council network at the Annual Luncheon.
THE ECONOMICS of tourism
Quality of life for local residents is critical to tourism's success, and the travel and hospitality industries are vital to our region's identity and economy. The mission to foster both livability and responsible economic development is paramount. The industry thrived in 2023, generating a record-high economic impact of $13.1 billion and supporting over 53,700 jobs. Our strategy prioritizes sustainability and maintaining the region's unique charm and character. New airlines and more nonstop destinations enhanced travel accessibility for locals and visitors last year, and a record number of passengers traveled through Charleston International Airport. Nearly one quarter of all sales in the region were attributable to tourism, further highlighting the industry's investment and crucial role in the destination's long-term reputation as a desirable and vibrant community.
CHARLESTON COUNTY HOTEL PERFORMANCE JAN - DEC 2023
Changes in Occupancy from 2022
Changes in ADR from 2022
Source: Smith Travel Research
Chef Marc Collins and Chef Michelle Weaver at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen.
Mt. Pleasant Regional Airport Ribbon Cutting; Paul Thurmond, Helen Hill, Mayor Will Haynie, Ravi Sanjal, Elliott Summey, Charlie Salmonsen and Pat Waters
Femi Oyediran and Rhett Outten representing Explore Charleston at a Garden & Gun event in Austin, Texas.
THE ECONOMICS of tourism
On the heels of a record setting 2022, our region’s travel and hospitality industry continued to thrive, generating record-high economic impact. Even more impressive, again this year, the growth in economic impact (+2.2%) outpaced the increase in total number of visitors (+1.4%). This signals continued progress towards our goal to create the highest yield visit and maximize downstream benefits for the community, not promote mass visitation. Through our commitment to destination stewardship we strive to both protect and enhance what makes this place so special for residents and ensure the sustainability of the tourism industry and its far-reaching benefits for our economy.
Source Data: College of Charleston Office of Tourism Analysis report: Education of Tourism's Economic Impacts in the Greater Charleston Area, 2023.
Estimation
of Tourism’s Economic Impacts in the Greater Charleston Area
MARKETING the Charleston Area
RESEARCH IS AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING WE DO, THEREFORE, WE BASE PLANNING, DECISIONS AND INSIGHTS UPON TRUSTED TOURISM INDUSTRY DATA SOURCES.
Explore Charleston utilizes a research-based approach to develop and implement its annual marketing plan. Every aspect of the plan is the result of decades of real-world experience and insight gained from a variety of research sources, which include the Office of Tourism Analysis at the College of Charleston, Smith Travel Research, Amadeus/TravelClick, Datafy, Knowland, Key Data, Destinations International, the US Travel Association and others.
Every advertising placement is an element of the overall strategy, and its inclusion in the plan is based on its support for one or more of our marketing pillars: History, Family, Culinary, Arts & Culture, Shopping, and Outdoors / Recreation. These pillars are built upon the assets found in our community.
DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE MARKETING SCHEDULE, ACROSS MEDIUMS, TO REACH THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF TRAVELERS WHO WILL HAVE THE GREATEST ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.
Our strategy has layered mediums that are constantly evolving and are intended to work together for maximum exposure and reach. Major media brands provide more than just print as an option to reach their ever evolving audiences. Explore Charleston works with each partner at the highest level to layer all that is offered for the branding, positioning, and accolades that have established the Charleston area as one of the world’s premier destinations. Options now materialize not just in print but also through social media, e-newsletters, live webinars, in-person events, native content and video takeovers.
Explore Charleston is excited to enter another year as a partner of Sinclair Broadcasting, the largest supplier of OTT (over the top) media placement in the country. Sinclair has an office in the Charleston area and is able to work directly with the leadership team to analyze direct fly and drive markets ensuring that just the right geo-targets are captured. In addition, the research team provides additional up to the minute data that allows for instant input to overlay any one of 50,000 key words matching target demographics. These :30 second spots provide an introduction to the destination and some spots promote a specific message (i.e. outdoors or holidays).
DEPLOY STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN WEBSITES, ONLINE, AND DIGITAL TOOLS TO KEEP THE CHARLESTON AREA IN THE MINDS OF TRAVELERS.
Maintaining more than six active websites, each serving a different purpose, is a constant activity for the Marketing department. These websites are powered by a CRM that updates the sites twice daily and is monitored by the team. A constant investment in Google ad words plays a key role in keeping the sites at the top of potential travelers’ online searches. In addition to Google ad words and Google display, the various sites are also promoted through social media and by utilizing opportunities from media partners. Our main response site, ExploreCharleston.com, also features Book Direct. Book Direct provides the booking referral engine that leads back to accommodation partners’ websites without charging either party a commission.
Social media continues to be important to our strategy. Through a carefully crafted social media calendar, developed and based on the industry’s seasonal needs and priorities, the Charleston area is defining itself to a continually evolving audience while maintaining its reputation in a manner consistent with its status as a premier travel destination. Social media also offers flexibility, so we are able to deploy campaigns in real-time when the need arises. While consistently growing our number of followers, we understand that it is even more important to keep our audience engaged as active followers.
CREATE ECONOMIES OF SCALE IN ADVERTISING BUYS, CONTENT CREATION AND CREATIVE ASSETS.
Explore Charleston’s marketing department functions as an in-house advertising agency that provides strategic planning, creative services, media buying, and account management all under one roof. This approach yields negotiating leverage in media buying, and avoids the expense of media commissions typically paid to a traditional advertising agency. Most importantly, the Explore Charleston marketing department serves only one client: the Charleston area.
GENERATE COLLATERAL THAT CAN SERVE AS INTEREST OR RESPONSE PIECES TO THOSE SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT VISITING OUR COMMUNITY.
Annual publications created in-house for promotion include the Official Charleston Area Visitors Guide, Official Charleston Area Golf Guide, Official Charleston Area Wedding Guide and the Official Charleston Area Destination Planning Guide for group travelers. New to our lineup is Explore Black Charleston, a guide intended to lift up Black-owned, visitor-facing businesses. These printed pieces align with companion websites and are distributed at various locations such as our four area visitor centers, and all South Carolina State Welcome Centers. Further, our full-service mail center team distributes these guides at bulk-rates, producing a savings that makes the mail center self-sufficient.
MARKETING our pillars
HISTORY - A Veritable Living Museum
Living history is everywhere in Charleston. The peninsula is a preservationist's muse, and the area's chronology is evident everywhere. Daily life is accompanied by a gentle harmony of church bells, rustling palmetto fronds, and lyrical sea island accents. While the setting is undeniably historic, a palpable vitality flows in and out with the tides.
CUISINE - A Destination to Savor
Want to experience the heart and soul of Charleston? Taste the cuisine. Composed of heirloom recipes proudly passed from one generation to the next, Lowcountry cuisine has evolved over the past 300 years. A modern playground for culinary talent, Charleston is home to a volume of world-class dining normally associated with cities five times its size In fact, dining out is a form of nightly entertainment!
FAMILY - Fun for Every Age
From hands-on history lessons and miles of sand castle ready beaches to museums and sweet treats, there are so many things to do in the Charleston area with kids. With 120 public parks, adventures are around every corner.
OUTDOOR - Soul Stirring Landscapes
With a rare combination of geography, latitude and attitude, the Charleston area - with its 90 miles of coastline - has considerable eco appeal.
Spending time outdoors is a wildly popular option for everyone who enjoys time in the Lowcountry. Head out on a kayak to catch sight of pelicans soaring on thermals and dolphins breaching near the shore. Glide across calm water as dusk settles over the Lowcountry and enjoy a serene view of sunset from atop a stand up paddleboard. Get lost on a quiet tree lined alley way in the historic district, or find yourself along the Battery seawall with the Harbor in the background - a great place to snap a souvenir photo!
SHOPPING - Emporiums of Wonder
Whether you’re browsing the racks at high-fashion boutiques or treating yourself to local designs, you’re sure to find something to treasure Charleston's King Street is lined with shops of chic and one-of-a-kind wares. From Freshfields Village, Tanger Outlets, and Towne Centre to bohemian boutiques on the barrier islands, the destination offers stores to match all shopping styles.
ARTS & CULTURE - A Strong Sense of Place
Creativity is imbued in every part of Charleston’s culture. For more than 300 years, Charleston's evocative beauty has inspired painters, poets, playwrights, and musicians. Standing ovations, one-man shows, historic theaters, high-energy festivals, Gullah crafts and more than 500 live performances annually contribute to the Charleston area’s multi-sensory cultural aura.
Smithsonian social media
Delish social media
Travel + Leisure Travel Advisor FAM
Afar social media
The New Yorker Digital
MEDIA RELATIONS & communications
ENHANCE THE CHARLESTON AREA'S REPUTATION AS A PREMIER DESTINATION THROUGH STRATEGIC EARNED MEDIA EFFORTS.
At Explore Charleston, the Communications and Media Relations department focuses on securing unpaid media coverage, acting as a bridge between the local hospitality industry and the press. The team strives to exceed expectations when managing journalist requests. Whether facilitating editorial boards, hosting journalists, or coordinating on-site shoots, the team proactively provides information to encourage positive coverage of the Greater Charleston Area. In addition to culinary endeavors, priority is placed on the arts and cultural heritage integral to the Charleston experience. A diverse and extensive photo and video library is maintained as a resource for media professionals seeking captivating visuals to accompany their stories.
FOSTER STRONG CONNECTIONS WITH KEY INFLUENCERS AND MEDIA OUTLETS TO MAINTAIN VISIBILITY WITH TRAVEL WRITERS, JOURNALISTS, EDITORS, AND BLOGGERS.
Team members actively engage with prestigious organizations such as the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the US Travel Association, Travel South, and the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW). Participation in these groups provides valuable face-to-face opportunities to pitch stories and engage with media professionals. Collaborating with experts like the Lou Hammond Group aids in attracting new, reputable journalists. Continued engagement with outlets remains crucial, particularly in the New York market. Utilizing clipping services from Burrelles Luce, Meltwater News, and News Exposure enables the team to monitor media coverage, assess ROI, and identify the most impactful writers and journalists.
INNOVATIVELY COMMUNICATE CHARLESTON'S APPEAL TO LOCAL AND EXTERNAL AUDIENCES BY CRAFTING FRESH NARRATIVES AND REVITALIZING EXISTING ONES.
Recognizing journalists' quest for unique angles, the team proactively assembles quarterly a "What's New?" publication to disseminate updates on local events and attractions to media and travel professionals, sparking inspiration for story development. With expertise in curating compelling media itineraries, staff members consistently introduce writers to novel concepts, options, and opportunities. Additionally, the team spearheads various film projects, such as PBS Travels with Darley and Dining with Chef Bob Waggoner, slated for the upcoming fiscal year, to further enhance Charleston's exposure.
DELIVER CONTENT TO LOCAL AUDIENCES ON THE INDUSTRY’S POSITIVE REAL-TIME AND FUTURE COMMUNITY IMPACTS.
Collaborate with regional journalists and digital platforms to strategically highlight the industry’s $13.1 billion annual economic impact and consequential role to create jobs, enhance quality of place, support businesses of all sizes and generate critical non-resident tax revenue throughout the Greater Charleston Area. Additionally, emphasize Explore Charleston’s collaboration with various stakeholders in destination management, livability, arts and culture, and air service development.
SELLING Group Business
ASSERTIVELY SELL THE CHARLESTON AREA AS A MEETING, CONVENTION, GROUP TOUR AND INDIVIDUAL VISITOR DESTINATION.
Explore Charleston places a premium on doing the leg work that is required to sell the Charleston area to convention planners, travel agents and meeting planners, as well as regional, national, or international organizations and associations. Our staff has planned an aggressive tradeshow schedule for FY 24/25 with one purpose in mind…to sell our community as a prime location for group business. We will utilize these efforts to drum up leads for our lodging partners, with the intent of turning those leads into definite business for our community.
The tradeshow list reflects the schedule for varied market segments that are tried and true for producing group business in our community. National, regional and board of directors meetings provide ample opportunities to showcase our area to planners of groups who are the “right fit” for our community
ASSOCIATIONS
CORPORATE
GOVERNMENT
INCENTIVE
INTERNATIONAL
LEISURE TRAVEL
TOUR & TRAVEL
SMERF (Social, Military, Educational, Religious and Fraternal groups) WEDDING
SPORTS
The Charleston area is capable of hosting a multitude of groups and organizations, and attracting these meetings requires skilled and extensive work, many times years in the making. It is our role to build relationships and provide information and connections necessary that result in an organization choosing the Charleston area as host for its event or meeting. Development continues through globally-connected HelmsBriscoe, who has an important role in attracting clients. And our presence in CONNECT and Northstar Meetings is essential. Bottom line: this is a relationship business, and people do business with people they know and trust. Consistent communication is the key to success in this endeavour as is professional and personal relationship with planners who can produce business that is right for the Charleston area.
Keeping our community top-of-mind with top travel advisors, who develop and sell travel itineraries for time-starved travelers is essential to our efforts in group sales, even though these relationships are more leisure in nature. We will continue pursuit of these opportunities through International Luxury Travel Market, Signature Travel, Virtuoso and the Travel & Leisure Advisory Board.
EXPAND THE ECONOMIC REACH OF GROUP BOOKINGS BY CONNECTING PLANNERS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES WHO CAN SERVICE THEIR NEEDS.
Every group, once booked, needs to be serviced in some way. Whether it’s setting up tours for attendees, dine-arounds, transportation, providing collateral, or arranging spousal outings, these needs present significant opportunity for businesses in the host destination. Our team’s goal is to expand the footprint of each piece of group business so that maximum ROI can be achieved.
ACTIVELY SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND OR DEEPEN MARKET SEGMENTS, WITHIN THE BROADER GOALS OF EXPLORE CHARLESTON, WITH A SPECIFIC EYE TOWARDS GROWTH IN GROUP SALES BUSINESS.
In recent years, Explore Charleston worked with partners to aggressively seek new and expanded air service through Charleston International Airport. As a result, CHS is now able to offer competitive airfares and reduced travel time, factors that equate to a more enjoyable experience for visitors and business travelers alike. The presence of providers such as Southwest Airlines and jetBlue in the Charleston market continues to be a game changer for our industry. With over 60 non-stop flights through CHS, our geographic audience has evolved well beyond the drive market and opened so many doors of opportunity.
INITIATIVE 4
PROVIDE QUALITY SERVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL TRAVEL INDUSTRY IN SEEKING AND FACILITATING GROUP BUSINESS.
Services offered by the Group Sales Department include:
Convention Bids
Cooperative Tradeshow Efforts
Destination Planning Guide and Companion Site
Familiarization Tours
Housing Bureau
Lead Generation
Microsite
Promotional Assistance for Groups
Promotional Photography and Video
Requests for Proposal
Site Selection Assistance
Site Visits
Spouse Programs Registration and
Off-Site Activities
Tradeshows
Cooper River Bridge Run Expo
IMEX 2023
Hotel Bennett FAM
In The Kitchen with Chef Bob Waggoner
ILTM
Crabbing with Tia
TRADE SHOW SCHEDULE
AAA THREADS NORTHEAST
AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION MARKETPLACE
AENC ANNUAL TRADE SHOW
ASAE ANNUAL TRADE SHOW
BRAND USA GLOBAL MARKETPLACE
CONNECT DC
CONNECT MARKETPLACE
CONNECT SPRING MARKETPLACE
DESTINATION CELEBRATION
DESTINATION EAST
DESTINATION SHOWCASE
DESTINATION SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA BRIDAL SHOW
GSAE ANNUAL MEETING & TRADE SHOW
HELMSBRISCOE ABC
HOLIDAY SHOWCASE
IMEX AMERICA
INDEPENDENT PLANNER EDUCATION CONFERENCE
IPW ITB
LUXURY MEETINGS SUMMIT
MANN TRAVELS SHOWCASE
MPI CAROLINAS ANNUAL TRADE SHOW
MPI WORLD EDUCATION CONGRESS
MILITARY REUNION NETWORK
NATIONAL TOUR ASSOCIATION (TRAVEL EXCHANGE)
NATIONAL TOUR ASSOCIATION CONTACT
NEW YORK BRIDAL SALON
NORTHSTAR SMALL & BOUTIQUE MEETINGS
PCMA CONVENING LEADERS
SCSAE ANNUAL TRADE SHOW
SGMP NATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE
SIGNATURE TRAVEL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SITE SOUTHEAST x
SPORTS EVENTS TOURISM ASSOCIATION
S.P.O.R.T.S. THE RELATIONSHIP CON
STS DOMESTIC SHOWCASE TEAMS
TRAVEL SOUTH INTERNATIONAL
TNSAE ANNUAL TRADE SHOW x
US SPORTS CONGRESS CONFERENCE
VSAE ANNUAL TRADE SHOW x
VIRTUOSO TRAVEL WEEK
DESTINATION MANAGEMENT
TURNING CHALLENGES Into Opportunities
Those of us at Explore Charleston acknowledge our responsibility and role in managing visitor expectations. We have the greatest opportunity to influence how visitors experience - and therefore impact - our community by being face-toface with them. Through five area centers, our Visitor Services team uses these personal engagements to educate people about how to explore the area in a way that compliments the quality of life for those living here.
Workforce development, transportation, and parking are other challenges facing the industry we serve. Our Workforce development
initiatives focus on providing resources that can assist employers with recruiting, retaining, and training employees in every sector of the tourism industry, from restaurants to attractions and lodging. Transportation and infrastructure is twofold: we need to find better and more affordable ways for our employees to get to work, and to address the time and costs associated with commuting. Expanding public transportation is one element that will play a vital role and is particularly important for hourly workers.
Finally, as our area’s economy grows we often hear that we have “too many”
construction projects underway...in tourism’s case, this comment is primarily aimed at hotels. Explore Charleston will play a role in working with our elected officials to determine what types of development make sense depending on location and market demand drivers. We intend to help residents and local leaders understand that every hotel is not created equally, and a project that is bad for one area may in fact be a huge benefit for another!
We welcomed the return of the Mounted Horse Patrol Unit to the streets of Charleston this last year. Trained officers are with Holmes and Watson, who easily engage visitors.
Helen Hill and North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess in a fireside chat discuss community issues at a Board of Governors meeting.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT & OPERATIONS TEAM
PLAN,
IMPLEMENT AND OVERSEE THE CURRENT AND FUTURE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OF EXPLORE
CHARLESTON.
These departments serve as the coordinating centers for Explore Charleston. Long-range strategic planning and leadership are at the core, however, execution of cross-departmental initiatives comes into play in day-to-day oversight and management. Production of the Program of Work and the Annual Report are examples of the needed 30,000 foot view, while nailing down details of the audit and tax return reflects the importance of “getting the details right”. These teams must “keep an eye on the ball” while juggling many of them!
Coordinating regular meetings of the Board of Governors, ensuring accurate and regular financial reporting, as well as weekly communication to this oversight group are important functions. Ensuring regular communication with hospitality and tourism businesses is essential to understanding the needs of the industry, as is our response to those needs.
BUILD
AND MAINTAIN STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES.
Regularly communicate with our governments, their elected officials, and key staff members. Stay abreast of information within each government, and incorporate visitor elements into Explore Charleston’s activities. Develop and facilitate plans to maintain relationships via a network of staff leaders at Explore Charleston who are charged with this important responsibility. Communicate needs of the hospitality and tourism industry at the local, state and federal levels.
Participate at every level within the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. Ensure accurate and strong representation of the Charleston area within state promotions and when applying for grant funding. Connect with other state agencies such as SC Department of Employment and Workforce, SC Department of Revenue, SC Treasurer’s Office, and SC Department of Agriculture as needed to advance initiatives.
IN COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENTS, CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER ENTITIES, ASSESS OPPORTUNITIES AND ADDRESS ISSUES AFFECTING LIVABILITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND RESPONSIBLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
Hospitality and tourism are vital to the success of the Charleston area, as evidenced by the 53,700 local residents who support their families through this industry. A successful tourism economy creates ripple effects that make our communities more vibrant, dynamic, diverse, and enjoyable places to live, work, and visit. The Charleston region is renowned for its quality of life and thriving, diverse economy. Woven into our work is a deep sense of responsibility to protect what makes our home so special while ensuring the viability of the tourism industry and its far-reaching benefits for our region. Explore Charleston champions economic diversification and firmly believes it creates a more resilient community. Growth and preservation are not mutually exclusive, and balance is paramount. In partnership with various stakeholders, we will continue to engage in efforts to promote tourism management, enhance quality of life, protect sense of place, and support cultural and environmental sustainability.
ENSURE THAT FUNDING IS IN PLACE FOR INITIATIVES ACROSS EXPLORE CHARLESTON. MONITOR AND PROVIDE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES THAT ARE NEEDED FOR DEPARTMENTS ACROSS EXPLORE CHARLESTON IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION.
These departments must ensure that the organization and its team members have what is needed to fulfill the mission of Explore Charleston. This includes, and it is not limited to, funding and day-to-day financial needs, office space and equipment, utilities, technology services, insurance, and supplies. Our organization’s business relationships rest with this department to include insurance, legal, banking, audit and tax needs.
NURTURE AND GROW OUR NUMBER ONE RESOURCE, OUR TEAM OF DEDICATED STAFF MEMBERS.
Explore Charleston’s Human Resources Team is the heart of our organization. There is no question that our staff members are our greatest attribute and our culture celebrates and honors their contributions. The health of our team members, their long-term financial stability, and time with family are all essential and therefore insurance, 401(k) and planned leave are all part of our compensation package. Education is valued at Explore Charleston; taking advantage of professional development opportunities is encouraged and leads to growth for individuals. The average length of service for Explore Charleston employees is currently 13.1 years! This speaks to the commitment our team members have to our mission and it also speaks to the commitment we have to our staff.
VISITOR SERVICES
PROVIDE AN OUTSTANDING, INCLUSIVE WELCOME AND ACCURATE INFORMATION TO ALL PEOPLE. WITH A HEART OF SERVICE, SET EXPECTATIONS FOR GUESTS, REMINDING THEM THAT THE CHARLESTON AREA IS A LIVING, BREATHING COMMUNITY.
While our mission is to promote the Charleston area, it is also our responsibility to manage the flow of visitors. Working through our visitor centers allows us to address issues central to tourism management efforts, which are important to the quality of life for area residents. Visitors need to understand how best to visit our community. (eg: limited restroom facilities; parking challenges; respecting private homes and gardens; education about wildlife, the natural environment, and ecology of our area; encouraging visitation throughout the community; sharing the abundance of things to do off the peninsula.)
The staff members who work in this department serve thousands of walkin guests who step through the doors of our Visitor Centers annually. They also address phone inquiries and online chats through our call center, helping people plan their visit well before arriving. This first impression is vitally important to our collective industry and the region.
ENCOURAGE VISITORS TO EXPLORE THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
Operating visitor centers in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Kiawah Island, and Berkeley County, our dedicated staff members excel at meeting our customers’ varied needs and expectations.
Services in all visitor centers range from distributing maps, visitor guides, and brochures, to assisting with sameday hotel reservations and selling tickets for tours and attractions. Our geographic footprint allows us to spread visitors throughout the community, recommending diverse itineraries, based on the travelers’ interest.
PROVIDE OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR PEOPLE CONSIDERING A TRIP TO THE CHARLESTON AREA, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT PLANNING. SERVE AS THE FRONT LINE FOR THE CHARLESTON AREA VISITOR INDUSTRY DURING TIMES OF CRISIS.
One of the most important duties of the Visitor Services department is our Visitor Inquiry Service (VIS). These dedicated operators answer myriad inquiries each month via phone, e-mail, and web-based live chat. From general questions about what to see and do, to serving as fact checkers, our staff relishes helping our visitors plan their trip.
“Hospitality is not just a job; it’s a calling. It’s a chance to touch people’s lives and make a positive difference.”
Will Guidara, author, Unreasonable Hospitality
However, where VIS truly shines is during an emergency by providing real-time updates on travel conditions and business closures. Whether the crisis is a hurricane, or more recently, a pandemic, VIS operators play a critically important role by gathering and disseminating the most current information to potential travelers to our community. This is an invaluable service for many, including our government partners who don’t have the time or staff to answer constant inquiries of this nature, especially in the time of crisis.
A cooking demonstaration at the Gather Festival featuring Chef Kevin Johnson Chef Mike Lata.
A Birds of Prey demonstration at the downtown Visitor Center.
VISITOR SERVICES
Explore Charleston Now is a series of events to invite visitors and locals in the Charleston area to experience and learn about the community. Giving people more reasons - and repeated reasons - to come to our Visitor Centers keeps them engaged; it also gives us more faceto-face opportunities to help people understand HOW to visit our area. Programming events will take place at various locations on our Visitor Center sites. Events include but are not limited to educational experiences, cooking demos, live music, artist performances, and other speakers. Events are free and open to the public but may include reservations due to limited space.
A Délices à L'orange cooking demonstration with Chef Linda Gillette and Elizabeth Gay of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina.
The Charleston Santa greeting children at the Best Friend Train Museum.
The Crabbing, Cooking, Culture & Conservation cooking demonstration with Tia Clark.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Recruitment, Retention, Education & Training
“A
company's employees are its greatest asset and your people are your product.” Sir Richard Branson
ASSESS AND MONITOR WORKFORCE NEEDS OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOB CONNECTIONS. INSPIRE CAREER CHOICES IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM TO INCREASE WORKFORCE SUPPLY.
Explore Charleston’s Workforce Development team remains in constant contact with the local tourism industry and their staffing needs. A Human Resources Roundtable has been established to have regular dialogue with area HR professionals to brainstorm solutions and best practices for employee issues and opportunities. Relationships are established at area and regional colleges so as to tap into graduates who may consider building their careers and their lives in the Charleston area.
Innovative connections have come through this team to include “Turnaround Tuesday,” a job placement program created by our recruiter and tailored to the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. With over 350 employee placements in the tourism industry since the program’s inception, Turnaround Tuesday has received multiple national awards through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
PROVIDE MEANINGFUL WORKFORCE DATA FOR EMPLOYERS TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS.
Building a toolkit for tourism industry employers is an important piece of this team’s puzzle. Need wage data in order to see if you’re competitive? Call us; we can get real-time data from the IRS so that our industry is working with legitimate sources in making such important decisions.
And the go-to resource for all things workforce related can be found at lowcountryhospitalityassociation.com/for-members
Whether it’s recruiting new employees, finding transportation solutions for team members, or training opportunities, we have a community partner lined up to help.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Recruitment, Retention, Education & Training
CONTINUALLY IDENTIFY INDUSTRY NEEDS AND DEVELOP A ROBUST CURRICULUM TO ADDRESS EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDS FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE CHARLESTON AREA HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.
Explore Charleston has been training our industry for over 25 years! We started with customer service training and have continued to expand our curriculum as industry needs have evolved. Our Hospitality Academy classes are a member benefit and offer a wide range of topics throughout the year. We have over 50 classes scheduled for FY 24/25, and the list is ever-evolving.
Our Hospitality Academy offers classes in three areas: Customer Service, Group Sales and Leadership. Classes are a Travel Council membership benefit and are open to all employees of our member companies. Offerings are designed for attractions, restaurants, hotels, retail, wedding and destination management companies, event planners and vendors or any hospitality industry partner that is looking to increase staff satisfaction, productivity and revenue.
Our schedule of upcoming classes is always available at cvbclasses.com.
Louis Yuhasz speaking at the VA’s monthly Lunch & Learn session.
Lamont Ferrebee, 82 Queen, recruiting with our workforce team. Lamont himself was recruited from Atlanta Technical College through the ICEP program.
Sarah Morgan, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, speaks at the VA about opportunities in hospitality.
INCLUSION
“Inclusion works to the advantage of everyone. We all have things to learn and we all have something to teach.”
Helen Henderson, disability rights activist and journalist
Discrimination is an undeniable legacy of our country’s painful history. Racial disparities and implicit and explicit bias persist, and we acknowledge the toll that systemic racism has had on marginalized groups, particularly Black communities. Explore Charleston is steadfast in our desire to create a more informed and equitable community, and we are committed to sharing our region’s complete and unvarnished story.
We at Explore Charleston will not attempt to rewrite the past, nor can we unwrite the past. Instead, we will write the truth as best we can know it. We will tell the story in full, and not hide those parts of our history that are ugly and painful. We will attempt to learn from the past, seeking inspiration for ourselves and future generations to live our lives with a true commitment to the worthy goal of equality for all people.
We have made strides over the past several years and are proud of our organization and industry’s efforts to ensure tourism is an inclusive, honest, and economically beneficial contributor to the greater Charleston area and our state. We recognize opportunities always exist to listen, learn, and enhance Explore Charleston’s work.
There is no perfect blueprint for work of this magnitude, and we will stumble at times in our endeavors. Nevertheless, we will remain sincere, intentional, transparent, and action-oriented. Inclusion is a continuous process - a shared journey, a shared responsibility, and a shared opportunity.
Our overarching vision to achieve
equality for all people is guided by seven objectives. Working with our Board of Governors, Heart for Hospitality Steering Committee, and other stakeholders, we commit to expanding, or where necessary, developing new tactics that will comprise our inclusion plan and contribute to a tourism industry that benefits our residents and visitors today and for generations to come.
We will:
1. Promote the region as an inviting, inclusive destination.
2. Inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of the contributions - from the 17th century to the present day - of Africans and African Americans to Charleston‘s cultural heritage, including the pain and prosperity, heartbreak, and hope.
3. Enrich marketing efforts to connect most effectively and authentically with visitors.
4. Support minority-led businesses that can benefit from tourism.
5. Build the cultural competence of internal and external audiences with the goal of cultural proficiency.
6. Evaluate opportunities to recruit and develop individuals from diverse backgrounds for
staff, leadership, and governance opportunities.
7. Lead workforce development programs to ensure the Greater Charleston community is more fully represented in the industry at all levels.
The need for our comprehensive workforce development program
remains crucial. Recruiting and retaining qualified candidates and providing the training and mentoring they need to build a successful career is not new work for Explore Charleston. However, it has taken on an even greater level of importance for minority populations.
Our Heart for Hospitality initiative, created in August 2018, has focused on building awareness
about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our industry, and developing opportunities and pathways for underrepresented populations in our industry. The steering committee is composed of hospitality and local DEI professionals. Early initiatives addressed inclusion in the local tourism workforce through a series of unconscious bias training sessions, adding a staff position whose sole responsibility is to address and create minority business opportunities, and conducting listening sessions to determine how we could better serve our minorityled members. Our “Code of Business Ethics” for members of Explore Charleston’s
Travel Council was updated to encourage inclusionary practices for businesses associated with us. We also put pen to paper to solidify Explore Charleston’s DEI position and commitment.
Explore Charleston - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment:
As the region’s destination marketing and management organization, Explore Charleston is steadfast in our desire to create a more
informed, just and equitable community. Explore Charleston’s work in the tourism industry is rooted in hospitality, and hospitality, at its core, demands a spirit of inclusivity. We have long believed there is no place in our society for racism, prejudice, or any violence or hatred associated with such beliefs. Sustainable and equitable communities can only be achieved through economic and social opportunity for all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, level of ability, religious belief or cultural background. Empathy, respect and integrity are vital to our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Every organization and individual plays a role. A commitment to DEI requires all of us to display empathy, respect, and integrity.
More recently, we worked to produce the Explore Black Charleston guide, which promotes Black-owned businesses in the tourism industry. This guide ties to our Explore Black Charleston website, which brings together the authentic history and stories of local African Americans, and connects those stories to economic opportunities for our community. Other initiatives include expanded conversations around South Carolina’s role in Civil Rights, including an exhibit at the Charleston Visitor Center focusing on the landmark Briggs vs. Elliott case, the case that ultimately led to school desegregation. And we created a unique internship initiative, the Intern Cultural Enrichment Program (ICEP), which is specifically designed to recruit minority students into hospitality leadership
Rachel Mackall, a 2023 ICEP Student Alumni, attended the 2023 Pinning Ceremony with her family.
Marc Gibson, Explore Charleston; US Representative James Clyburn, South Carolina; Lamont Ferrebee, 2022 ICEP Student Leader Alumni
Louis Yuhasz, Explore Charleston; Albert Plasencio, ICEP Student; Brittney Espitia, ICEP Student; Abby D'Haiti, ICEP Student; Rachel Mackall, ICEP Student; Nel Brown, ICEP Student; Richlyn Jackson, ICEP Student; Kayla Harrison, ICEP Student; Darryll Moss, ICEP Student; Daniel Donaldson, ICEP Student; Bianca Grimsley, ICEP Student; Marc Gibson, Explore Charleston
MEMBERSHIP
INITIATIVE 1
PROVIDING THE INDUSTRY WITH BUSINESS TO BUSINESS CONNECTIONS THROUGH MEANINGFUL NETWORKING EVENTS, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND ASSISTING WITH BUSINESS BEST PRACTICES.
Opportunities through sales training, leadership and customer service programs to members are available year round and the schedule is updated in real time on CVBClasses.com
Camaraderie is important in our industry; most truly believe that a rising tide floats all boats! Networking opportunities are available year round for those who earn their living through hospitality and tourism.
Tentative Travel Council meetings and Travel Council Connect dates scheduled for FY 24/25* include:
August 22
September 10
October 24
January 14
February 27
March 11
April 24
May 13
June TBD
* Location varies by month
INITIATIVE 2
HELPING THE INDUSTRY GET IN FRONT OF VISITORS AND INCREASE THEIR BUSINESS PRESENCE THROUGH VARIOUS EXPLORE CHARLESTON SALES AND MARKETING PROMOTIONS AVAILABLE TO OUR MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Our area Visitor Centers have brochure racks where members can display information about their business. Our staff replenishes the brochures on a regular basis. Tour companies are also able to sell tickets at our four area Visitor Centers and hotels are able to sell last minute rooms through our Lowcountry Reservation Service program.
ExploreCharleston.com, MeetCharleston.com and CharlestonWeddingGuide.com provide our members with a place to give a description of their business digitally while their listings in our printed guides - Visitor Guide, Destination Planning Guide and the Wedding Guide - allow visitors to have a resource and complete picture of all the Charleston area has to offer.
ExploreCharleston.com also offers a place for members to promote their own packages and coupons and the events calendar promotes the industry's events.
Hospitality Day at the South Carolina State House 2024
HOW BUSINESSES can plug in
TRAVEL COUNCIL
It is often said that a rising tide floats all boats. Our marketing campaigns are what is known as the “top half of the sales funnel” in that they’re designed to boost awareness of, interest in and desire for travel to the Charleston area. Our group sales initiatives create demand generation and lead generation. It is then up to individual businesses to convert those opportunities into sales.
Travel Council is the membership division of Explore Charleston and over 850 area businesses participate. Local tourism-related businesses can apply for membership in order to access various services offered that are above and beyond destination marketing. These opportunities include:
• Bi-monthly tourism industry meetings
• Robust education and training programs (see page 23)
• Online listing at ExploreCharleston.com
• Printed listing in the Official Charleston Area Visitors Guide
• Opportunity to purchase various forms of print and digital advertising
• Opportunity to display brochures at local area visitor centers and sell tour and event tickets
• Business referrals from both Group Sales and Visitor Inquiry Services teams
• Qualified social media opportunities
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT FOR TRAVEL COUNCIL MEMBERS
Explore Charleston and its members are committed to seeing that visitors to the Charleston area are treated in a professional and client-focused manner. Members are expected to represent the hospitality industry in a manner that promotes the preservation and sustainability of the natural and manmade resources that make this such a special place to live and to visit. In order to participate, businesses must agree to our Code of Business Practices, which includes:
ACCOUNTABILITY
• Complying with all local, state and federal regulations.
EXCELLENCE
• Providing value to our visitors through quality products and exceptional service.
INCLUSION
• Purposely including and welcoming all people, whether guests, clients or employees.
PROFESSIONALISM
• Consistently honoring all commitments and ensuring customer satisfaction through courteous practices that treat our visitors with dignity and respect.
RESPONSIVENESS
• Resolving complaints fairly and quickly.
RESPECT
• Preserving the quality of life for residents, private property and public spaces.
The Code of Business Practices assures that membership into Explore Charleston is protected and enhanced so that all members may regard their membership with pride. Explore Charleston reserves the right to reject or discontinue membership due to unbecoming conduct by a member, non-payment of monies owed for dues or other services provided by the organization, or for reasons that may be deemed detrimental to Explore Charleston’s goodwill, reputation, and / or goals of the organization.
Golden Pineapple Award winners | June 29, 2023 | Explore Charleston Annual Luncheon
Pictured above L to R: John LaVerne, Bulldog Tours, Rhett Outten, Croghan’s Jewel Box, Nancy Weber, Meredith Publishing, Randy Capps, Explore Charleston, Robbin Knight, Robbin Knight Photography, Kathy Crawford, Office of Tim Scott, Mariana Hay, Croghan’s Jewel Box, Jenny Peppler, Explore Charleston
DESTINATION FEE PROGRAM
In December 2007, Wild Dunes Resort signed on as the first Destination Fee Program participant and began voluntary contributions of this fee from each room night sold to Explore Charleston’s regional marketing budget. Thanks to the state’s Destination Specific Tourism Marketing Grant Program (which matches $0.50 for every private sector dollar raised by Explore Charleston), our ability to bolster the industry’s success has grown. It is these combined efforts that allow the Charleston area to compete successfully with other well-funded destinations
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE PROGRAM’S CURRENT PARTICIPANTS (as of May 2024)
Andell Inn
Andrew Pinckney Inn
Ansonborough Inn
The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina
Best Western Charleston Inn
Cambria Charleston Riverview
Cambria Hotel & Suites Mt. Pleasant
Cambria Hotel & Suites Summerville
Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina
Charleston Marriott
The Charleston Place
Comfort Inn Downtown Charleston
Courtyard by Marriott Charleston-North Charleston
Courtyard Charleston Historic District
Courtyard Charleston Mt. Pleasant
Courtyard Charleston Waterfront
Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport - Convention Center
The Dewberry Charleston
DoubleTree by Hilton Charleston Mount Pleasant
DoubleTree by Hilton North Charleston Convention Center
Elliott House Inn
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Harbor Mount Pleasant
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Historic District
Emeline
Fairfield Inn & Suites Charleston Airport/Convention Center
Fairfield Inn & Suites Charleston University/Trident Area
Fairfield Inn by Marriott Charleston North/Ashley Phosphate
Francis Marion Hotel
French Quarter Inn
Fulton Lane Inn
Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston
Hampton Inn & Suites Charleston Airport
Hampton Inn & Suites Charleston University Blvd.
Hampton Inn & Suites Charleston-West Ashley
Hampton Inn & Suites Mt. Pleasant - Isle of Palms
Hampton Inn Charleston - Historic District
Hampton Inn Daniel Island
Hampton Inn Mt Pleasant Patriots Point
HarbourView Inn
Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport
Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront/Downtown
Hilton Garden Inn Charleston/Mt.Pleasant
Hilton Garden Inn Summerville
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston - Mount Pleasant
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charleston Airport - Convention Center
Holiday Inn Express Savannah Highway
Home2 Suites by Hilton Charleston Daniel Island
Homewood Suites by Hilton Charleston - Mt. Pleasant
Homewood Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport / Convention Center
Homewood Suites by Hilton Charleston Historic District
Homewood Suites Summerville
Hotel Bella Grace
Hotel Bennett
Hyatt House Charleston - Historic District
Hyatt House Charleston/Mount Pleasant
Hyatt Place - Mt. Pleasant/Towne Centre
Hyatt Place Charleston - Historic District
Hyatt Place Charleston Airport/Convention Center
Indigo Inn
Jasmine House
John Rutledge House Inn®
Kings Courtyard Inn
Limited Hotel
The Loutrel
Market Pavilion Hotel
Meeting Street Inn
The Mills House
Moxy Charleston Downtown
North Charleston Marriott
The Palmetto Hotel
The Palms Oceanfront Hotel
The Pinch
Residence Inn by Marriott Airport
Residence Inn by Marriott Charleston Mt. Pleasant
Residence Inn by Marriott Riverview
Residence Inn Charleston North/Ashley Phosphate
The Restoration Hotel
The Ryder Hotel
Seaside Inn
Shem Creek Inn
Sleep Inn Charleston
Sleep Inn Mt. Pleasant
The Spectator Hotel
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Charleston Downtown / Riverview
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Mt. Pleasant
SpringHill Suites Charleston Airport & Convention Center
Staybridge Suites Mt. Pleasant/Charleston
The Lindy Renaissance Charleston Hotel
The Tides at Folly Beach
TownePlace Suites Charleston Airport/Convention Center
TownePlace Suites Charleston Mt. Pleasant
The Vendue Hotel
Wentworth Mansion®
Wild Dunes Resort
Zero George
OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS
OFFICIAL CHARLESTON AREA VISITOR GUIDE
Print and digital versions of this guide are highly requested. This piece is the go-to guide for planning a trip to the Charleston area.
EXPLORE BLACK CHARLESTON
This guide honors contributions of Black people to the Lowcountry and celebrates the Gullah culture. Local Black owned businesses that would be of interest to visitors are highlighted.
OFFICIAL CHARLESTON AREA GOLF GUIDE
Charleston was the birthplace of golf in America, laying claim to the nation’s first course. Today, golfers can use this handy publication to plan group outings at the area’s 19 courses as well as an extended stay in the Charleston area.
OFFICIAL CHARLESTON AREA DESTINATION PLANNING GUIDE
This piece packs an impressive punch with step-by-step instructions on planning a gathering of any kind that includes 10 or more people. With venue information and hotel space layouts, the book sets the bar for meeting and event planning.
OFFICIAL CHARLESTON AREA WEDDING GUIDE
Luxurious paper stock, curated editorial, and a sophisticated design. It’s a must have for couples planning to tie the knot in the Charleston area.
APPENDIX
MUNICIPALITIES
BERKELEY COUNTY
The Honorable Johnny Cribb
The Honorable Steve Davis
The Honorable Tommy Newell
The Honorable Phillip Obie II
The Honorable Dan Owens
The Honorable Caldwell Pinckney, Jr.
The Honorable Amy Stern
The Honorable Marshall West
The Honorable Josh Whitley
CHARLESTON COUNTY
The Honorable Herb Sass
The Honorable Joe Boykin
The Honorable Henry Darby
The Honorable Jenny Honeycutt
The Honorable Larry Kobrovsky
The Honorable Kylon Middleton
The Honorable C. Brantley Moody
The Honorable Teddie Pryor
The Honorable Rob Wehrman
CITY OF CHARLESTON
The Honorable William Cogswell, Jr., Mayor
The Honorable Ross Appel
The Honorable Stephen Bowden
The Honorable Karl Brady
The Honorable Boyd Gregg
The Honorable William Dudley Gregorie
The Honorable Jim McBride
The Honorable Robert Mitchell
The Honorable Caroline Parker
The Honorable Mike Seekings
The Honorable Kevin Shealy
The Honorable William Tinkler
The Honorable P. Keith Waring
CITY OF FOLLY BEACH
The Honorable Tim Goodwin, Mayor
The Honorable Chris Bizzell
The Honorable William Farley
The Honorable Skip Fink
The Honorable Billy Grooms
The Honorable Katherine Houghton
The Honorable DJ Rich
CITY OF GOOSE CREEK
The Honorable Gregory Habib, Mayor
The Honorable Debra Green-Fletcher
The Honorable Jerry Tekac
The Honorable Christopher Harmon
The Honorable Gayla McSwain
The Honorable Hannah Cox
The Honorable Melissa Enos-Sims
CITY OF ISLE OF PALMS
The Honorable Phillip Pounds, Mayor
The Honorable Jan Anderson
The Honorable John Bogosian
The Honorable Elizabeth Campsen
The Honorable Ashley Carroll
The Honorable Blair Hahn
The Honorable Katie Miars
The Honorable Scott Pierce
The Honorable Jimmy Ward
TOWN OF KIAWAH ISLAND
The Honorable Brad Belt, Mayor
The Honorable Russell Berner
The Honorable Luke Farrell
The Honorable Michael Heidingsfelder
The Honorable Madeleine Kaye
TOWN OF MT. PLEASANT
The Honorable Will Haynie, Mayor
The Honorable Daniel Brownstein
The Honorable Howard Chapman
The Honorable Laura Hyatt
The Honorable John Iacofano
The Honorable Jake Rambo
The Honorable Carl Ritchie
The Honorable Gary Santos
The Honorable G.M. Whitley
CITY OF NORTH CHARLESTON
The Honorable Reggie Burgess, Mayor
The Honorable Michael Brown
The Honorable Mike A. Brown
The Honorable Michael Brown, Jr.
The Honorable Nefertiti Brown
The Honorable Jerome Heyward
The Honorable Brandon Hudson
The Honorable Rhonda Jerome
The Honorable Sandino Moses
The Honorable Charmaine Palmer-Roberts
The Honorable Kenny Skipper
TOWN OF SEABROOK ISLAND
The Honorable Bruce Kleinman, Mayor
The Honorable Ray Hamilton
The Honorable Dan Kortvelesy
The Honorable Darryl May
The Honorable Gordon Weis
TOWN OF SULLIVAN'S ISLAND
The Honorable Patrick O’Neil, Mayor
The Honorable Ned Higgins
The Honorable Carl Hubbard
The Honorable Jody Latham
The Honorable Scott Millimet
The Honorable Justin Novak
The Honorable Gary Visser
STATE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
The Honorable Gary Brewer, Jr.
The Honorable Joseph Bustos
The Honorable Gil Gatch
The Honorable Wendell Gilliard
The Honorable Tom Hartnett
The Honorable Lee Hewitt
The Honorable Kathy Landing
The Honorable Matt Leber
The Honorable JA Moore
The Honorable Marvin Pendarvis
The Honorable Tiffany Spann-Wilder
The Honorable Leon Stavrinakis
The Honorable Spencer Wetmore
The Honorable Brian Adams
The Honorable Sean Bennett
The Honorable George E. Campsen
The Honorable Stephen Goldfinch
The Honorable Larry Grooms
The Honorable Margie Matthews
The Honorable Sandy Senn
The Honorable Deon Tedder
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
A state-wide tax is imposed upon the gross proceeds from the rentals or charges for accommodations furnished at any place in which rooms, lodgings, or sleeping accommodations of any kind are furnished, including but not limited to hotels, motels, inns, condominiums or residences.
TAXES ON LODGING
6% State Sales Tax (only 5% applies to lodging)
3% Local Option Sales Tax
(includes 1% school capital projects tax and .5% transportation improvement tax)
2% State Accommodations Tax
2% Charleston County Accommodations Tax
+ 1 - 2% Local Accommodations Tax (depending upon municipality)
13-14% Taxes paid on local lodging establishments
AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS
The Charleston Area Sports Commission, Charleston Heritage Federation, Charleston & Resort Islands Golf, Charleston Restaurant Foundation, and Lowcountry Hospitality Association each operate under the umbrella of Explore Charleston with independent nonprofit status, boards, committees and/or task forces and budgets. Each has a niche focus in tourism and hospitality
CASC is a 501c6 organization that works to generate interest in the area through sporting events. Sports, whether through individual or team competition, is big business!
CHF is a 501c3 that serves as the collective voice for the area’s non-profit cultural and heritage organizations, and oversees the Essential Charleston Passport.
This group is a 501c6, and a collaboration between Explore Charleston and the Charleston Golf Course Owners Association. These groups work closely in order to leverage the area’s spectacular golf courses to generate new and increased visitation from the leisure and meetings markets.
The CRF, a 501c3, presents the annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival, one of the area’s most popular events and a long-time contributor to local charities.
Remaining one of the top destinations in the world is dependent on the opportunity for hospitality-related businesses to function at top form. LHA, a 501c6 entity, presents a unified voice in governmental affairs and provides resources to address the workforce needs of the industry.
explorecharleston.com
charlestonareabeaches.com
meetcharleston.com
charlestonweddingguide.com exploreblackcharleston.com
christmasincharleston.com
charlestongolfguide.com
Follow us on Facebook:
@ExploreCharleston @CHSWeddingGuide
@LowcountryParkVenues
@LowcountryHospitalityAssociation
@InsightsByExploreCharleston
Follow us on Instagram: @ExploreCharleston
@CharlestonWeddingGuide
@LowcountryOysterFestival
Follow us on TikTok @ExploreCharleston_SC
Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ explore-charleston
