Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization supported by more than 2,400 businesses and nonprofit organizations. The organizations, and the individuals representing them, join together for the purpose of promoting the civic and economic progress of our community. The area’s economic success and quality of life is directly impacted by the work the chamber performs. Because of this, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will have a major impact on the future of the Grand Strand.
Our mission is to promote, protect and improve business in the Myrtle Beach area. The chamber serves Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Little River, Atlantic Beach, Garden City Beach, Loris, Conway, Aynor, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island, Socastee and Carolina Forest.
VISION
We will be a world-class organization that thrives on continuous improvement, providing exceptional results through service, innovation, community leadership and collaboration.
PURPOSE
There are three primary functions performed by the chamber:
1. Promote business: The chamber serves as the primary destination marketing organization and promotes the tourism industry out-of-market. The chamber also provides numerous opportunities for local businesses to promote themselves to visitors, residents and other businesses.
2. Protect business: The chamber seeks to influence legislation and regulation by local, state and federal governments in a proactive manner, supporting legislation that benefits businesses and the communities they reside in and, where necessary, opposing legislation that unnecessarily inhibits businesses.
3. Improve business: The chamber offers a multitude of programs and services that assist businesses and/or individuals.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is to provide community leadership in the promotion of economic development, including tourism. Accordingly, the chamber will effectively involve itself in the governmental and political arena and the coordinating of efforts to advance business development in order to improve the quality of life and to encourage unity in the region.
About the Myrtle Beach Area
The Grand Strand, as the Myrtle Beach area is commonly called, stretches for 60 miles along the South Carolina coast and includes a collection of communities within two counties – Horry County and Georgetown County. Each community has its own identity and unique qualities.
UP AND DOWN THE GRAND STRAND
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce works with our local city officials to serve as a voice of progress and improvement in the region, uniting business and community, to maintain a strong economy and quality of life.
Myrtle Beach – The City of Myrtle Beach is a residential and vacation community at the heart of South Carolina’s Grand Strand coast. The name “Myrtle Beach” comes from the wax myrtle, an abundant local shrub, and was chosen in a name-the-town contest in 1900.
Atlantic Beach – Atlantic Beach is a small town nestled between North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach. Nicknamed “The Black Pearl,” the rich culture of the town of Atlantic Beach was formed of mostly Gullah/Geechee people, descendants of slaves who lived for 300 years on the Sea Islands from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida.
Aynor – Affectionately called “The Little Golden Town,” Aynor is located in the western part of Horry County. Aynor got its start in the mid-1800s by a man named John Eyenner.
Conway – The old live oak trees and the beautiful Waccamaw River provide the perfect setting for Conway, South Carolina’s Historic River Town. One of the oldest towns in South Carolina, Conway has all the charm of a historic Southern community.
Little River – Known for its fresh seafood, fishing charters, annual blue crab festival, and historic centuries-old live oak trees, Little River is the oldest town along the Grand Strand.
Loris – Loris is well known for its annual Bog Off festival which is held on the third weekend in October. Chicken Bog is the dish of delight which includes chicken, rice, sausage and spices.
North Myrtle Beach – North Myrtle Beach is the birthplace of the Shag dance, which became the official state dance of South Carolina in 1984. Strains of beach music can be heard in the Ocean Drive section nearly every night as those who love the Shag dance the night away.
Surfside Beach – Staying true to their “Family Beach” motto, Surfside Beach officially became the first autism-friendly travel destination in the world in January 2016. Surfside Beach maintains a laid-back, friendly environment. Their top priority is putting the resident’s first while maintaining a quality of life for everyone to enjoy.
Garden City Beach – Lying just south of Surfside Beach and straddling the county line between Horry and Georgetown counties, Garden City Beach offers a unique location to explore as it offers access to both the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and the inlet.
Murrells Inlet – Welcome to the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet, a quaint, little town full of history, beauty and colorful characters. Murrells Inlet was once the lair of the infamous pirate Blackbeard.
Litchfield Beach – Litchfield Beach, named for a rice plantation once operating there in the 1700s, is a sophisticated, upscale community. Think of well-manicured landscapes, ancient live oak trees, boutique shops and fine-dining.
Pawleys Island – Pawleys Island is known for its shoeless, carefree, laid-back lifestyle, which includes crabbing in the adjacent creeks, the stories of ghosts, the rope hammocks and the unspoiled stretch of wide beach.
Socastee – Historic Socastee is home to one of only 10 swing bridges in the state. Built in 1935, the bridge swings on a regular schedule.
Carolina Forest – Carolina Forest area, located north of U.S. 501 between Myrtle Beach and Conway along the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway. Primarily a residential area, this master-planned community offers some great dining and shopping opportunities.
Join the Chamber
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce strives to provide the necessary tools and resources to help investors on their journey to business success. Engaging in chamber programs and initiatives helps you make your mark on the business landscape.
Our vision is to be a world-class organization that thrives on continuous improvement, providing exceptional results through service, innovation, community leadership and collaboration.
Our goal is to help our investors to succeed. Join Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and open the door to opportunity. View our Investment and Sponsorship Program to see all the benefits that come with your chamber investment.
MEMBERSHIP+
Chamber membership is now easier than ever with Membership+, which officially launched July 1, 2022. The new membership structure is simpler, more affordable and more effective for businesses and organizations across the Grand Strand. With Membership+ you join the chamber and CVB at one low cost and all tourism-related investors receive a basic listing on VisitMyrtleBeach.com at no extra charge when joining the chamber providing access to the more than 20 million visitors who come to The Beach each year.
Hospitality-based investors also can enroll in our Amplified Marketing Program (AMP) for enhanced marketing services on an à la carte basis.
CONTACT MYRTLE BEACH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
VISITOR CENTERS
Our visitor centers have friendly staff members who greet visitors, answer questions, offer directions, and distribute brochures, event listings, coupons and more. As an added service, each office is equipped with a Text Telephone (TTY) system, which makes calls possible to and from people who are hearing impaired.
For the hearing impaired call 843-626-7444 Voice/TTY.
Main Office and Myrtle Beach Welcome Center
1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
P.O. Box 2115, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578
Phone: 843-626-7444, Toll-Free: 800-356-3016, Fax: 843-448-3010
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Info@VisitMyrtleBeach.com
Airport Welcome Center, Myrtle Beach International Airport
1100 Jetport Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Phone: 843-626-7444, Toll-Free: 800-356-3016
Hours: Varies by season. Scheduling at the airport will be based on flight arrivals and not a set time each day.
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has represented the Grand Strand’s business community for since 1938. The chamber serves Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Little River, Atlantic Beach, Garden City Beach, Loris, Conway, Aynor, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island, Socastee and Carolina Forest.
