The Chamber held a Salute to the Military reception to honor the men and women in our Armed Forces, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. Active-duty and reservists from each branch of the military were recognized for the contributions they make to family, community, and country. There was also recognition of civilians and local businesses that show exemplary support for the military presence in Charleston.

The winners of each category include:

Enlisted Service Person of the Year: Staff Sergeant Jessica A. Taglieber, U.S. Army. Sergeant Taglieber is administrative assistant to the Charleston Naval Consolidated Brig’s Technical Director and Accreditation Manager. In the past year, she has volunteered more than 1,425 hours as an in-home mentor and companion to a mentally challenged 15-year old girl; teaching training courses for new advocates and volunteers for People Against Rape; raised funds for Hollings Cancer Center; volunteered at Ladson Elementary, the Veterans for Foreign Wars; gives blood to the Red Cross and helped organize 13 staff to volunteer in the “Take Back the Night” event. 

Reservist of the Year of the Year: Technical Sergeant Tony L. Winstead, U.S. Air Force. Sergeant Winstead is an Electro-Environmental Craftsman for the 315th Airlift Wing at the Charleston Air Force Base. He is also a full-time police officer for the Town of Mt. Pleasant. Sergeant Winstead has volunteered more than 220 hours of his time while helping raise funds for his unit’s association for a summer picnic for reserve members and families. He also spearheaded his Squadron’s Combined Federal Campaign drive and exceeded its goal. Sergeant Winstead served as a den leader for the Cub Scouts, mentor for at risk teen program and coached for Charleston City Recreation Department.

Outstanding Civilian Employee of the Year: Lonnie Cowart is public affairs and congressional liaison officer for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic. He is actively involved in the Chamber and local business groups, military relations groups and school and community programs and events. Last year, Cowart volunteered more than 100 hours through the Lunch Buddy program, Principal for a Day and organized SPAWAR’s annual Patriotic Essay Contest.

Military Support Business of the Year: Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union – Heritage Trust sponsors numerous monthly, quarterly and annual events at Charleston Air Force Base, including annual award ceremonies, air show, base picnic, civic leaders tours, National Prayer Breakfast, Tops in Blue, Air Force Ball and various sports programs. Representatives serve on the Base’s Advisory Council as Honorary Commanders. They also educate newcomers to the Base on budgeting, first time home buying, identifying theft and sponsor numerous events for children.

The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce held a strategy session on South Carolina climate change which includes energy production, reducing emissions and protecting our state’s economy Thursday, May 14. Click here to read more.

The Chamber honored 12 dynamic businesses and industries that make up the Charleston region’s economy and best reflect the vision, mission and core values of the Chamber through the 1773 Chamber Awards. The winners were announced at a luncheon on May 13. 

The 1773 Awards is named for the year of the Chamber’s establishment and awards were given to organizations that best reflect the core values of the Chamber; Leadership, Relevance, Integrity, Diversity and Innovation. Winners of each category will be vying for the 1773 Chamber of the Year Award being presented at the Annual Meeting on June 26.

Winners from the 12 categories include:

Communications: Comcast Cable - Their values define them as a company and lay the foundation for their future success. Their touchstone values are Ethics, Respect, Quality, Flexibility, Diversity, and Employee Flexibility. In particular, their commitment to innovation by developing new approaches and services as well as their commitment to diversity with a corporate focus on reflecting the customers, communities, and cultures they serve are noteworthy and reflective of the Chamber’s core values.

Construction/Real Estate: The Beach Company - A cornerstone of the real estate community in Charleston since 1945, their goal is to sustain balanced growth and maximize value. The Company has added new capabilities, explored new markets, and taken on new challenges-all while successfully completing numerous projects. Their completed projects include many of the most recognizable in the region such as Kiawah Island, Charleston Regional Business Center, and Majestic Square. 

Educational Services: Drayton Hall - Education has always been at the core of Drayton Hall’s mission. Every year Drayton Hall educates over 50,000 visitors as they take part in one or more relevant and diverse programs. These programs include tours of the main house, an interactive program on African-American history entitled Connections: From Africa to America, and 10 separate student education programs. Drayton Hall takes great pride in their leadership role educating the community on the Region’s rich history.

Finance/Insurance: Blue Cross/Blue Shield of SC – They recently earned honors as a top employer in the state as well as being a statewide leader of entrepreneurship through their sponsorship of the FastTrac program. BCBS has grown to rank as one of the top government contractors in the nation through the TRICARE program with over 12,000 employees in South Carolina, Virginia, and Texas while maintaining high quality service and support. Their support of innovative new businesses in the state is exemplary.

Healthcare: Roper St. Francis Healthcare – Roper St. Francis is ranked #26 among the Top 100 Integrated Health Networks in the nation and recently earned 62 National Awards recognizing high levels of patient, physician and employee satisfaction. As evidence of their commitment to innovation, they were named among the nation’s Top 25 Most-Connected health care facilities for the second consecutive year in 2008. As evidence of their leadership in the community, in 2008 they volunteered more than 61,227 hours of staff time and contributed $33.5 million to benefit the community.

Hospitality/Tourism: Holiday Inn Express – As a member of a rapidly growing hotel brand, the Holiday Inn-North Charleston has been a leader in supporting the local military community. Their participation in planning military appreciation events and championing the local military’s role in economic development is second to none in the hospitality sector. 

Manufacturing/Processing: Low Country Case and Millwork Inc. – Low Country Case and Millwork (LCCM) is a leader by example in all aspects of their business by maintaining the core values of integrity, ethics, and giving. Their contractors and suppliers know that LCCM is committed to integrity in all business situations. As a 2008 and 2009 winner of the Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, LCCM is an innovator and leader in the manufacturing category. 

Professional: Dunhill Staffing Systems of Charleston - Since opening in 2001, Dunhill’s Charleston franchise has been a leader in their industry. Honors include being the No.1 new office, No.1 producing owner, ranked the No. 1 perm placement office four times, and recognized as a Roaring 20’s winner twice. Their temp staffing division was started in 2005. It became the fastest growing temp operation in the country and within two years achieved No. 2 volume ranking nationally. Dunhill Staffing continues to be a relevant leader in the community through staff volunteer time and effort.

Public/Non-Profit: Center for Women - For almost twenty years, the Center for Women has been a leader in serving the needs of women in the Charleston community. From empowerment groups to growing a small business, they help women succeed personally and professionally every day. In 2008, The Center for Women produced 80 different programs and events and reached more than 6,000 women. The Center for Women is constantly innovating new programs like the Job Counseling program started this year as a reaction to our country’s economic situation and selecting workshop topics that are relevant for women today. Their program attendance and membership continues to grow in diversity as well as numbers.  

Retail/Wholesale Trade: Pierre Deux – Pierre Deux is a luxury furniture and home décor retailer that selected Charleston as the best city in which to open its first store in the state of South Carolina. Pierre Deux is a shining example of a retail company setting up a brand new shop in Charleston and immediately participating in all that the business community has to offer. By supporting the Chamber, the Junior League, and numerous Charleston events and activities, Pierre Deux has demonstrated its relevance and involvement in our community.

Scientific/Technical Services: Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center Atlantic – Known primarily as one of our region’s major employers, SPAWAR Systems Atlantic is on the cutting edge of innovation in information security and a number of other key projects vital to our nation’s security. They are constantly improving processes and are looking for better solutions to meet the Navy’s mission and future objectives. Their leadership actively supports diversity initiatives and affirms its commitment to equal opportunity through reasonable decision making. 

Transportation/Warehousing: Mediterranean Shipping Company – MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company of Geneva, Switzerland is a privately owned shipping line, founded in 1970, which has rapidly grown from a small conventional ship operator to become one of the leading global shipping lines of the world. Such spectacular growth has been achieved internally through organic growth rather than through acquisition or merger. They are a leading advocate of our local port, and have made significant investments in our region to accommodate future growth. Their industry leadership in a challenging economic environment is commendable.
   

The Chamber is seeking auction items from its member firms. The products/services will be used for the Chamber’s 2009 Annual Meeting Gala scheduled for Friday, June 26 at Charleston Area Convention Center. Example target items: Escapes and getaways, corporate retreats, art, jewelry, hunting or fishing trips, private dinners, exclusive tickets, business services, gift certificates, etc.

This event is seen among members as the culminating celebration of the fiscal year. The black tie reception is the largest group of membership gathered at one time and features the passing of the gavel to the new Chairman of the Board and Board of Directors, other special awards, presentations and entertainment. This event usually draws between 600-850 attendees who attend to celebrate the efforts of your Chamber. Your sponsorship participation can gain the attention of a strong cross-section of CEOs, executives and other business people in a social networking environment.

Please include the following items in your proposal: 
*Product and description
*Value

The Chamber will provide:
Benefits may include company name included in program, recognition on event webpage, and (for LIVE) company name included in evening’s presentation.

Please submit all written proposals NO LATER than May 20 to: 
Laura Kate Whitney
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce 
2750 Speissegger Drive, Suite 100 
North Charleston, SC 29405
Fax: 843.723.4853 

Please contact Laura Kate Whitney at 843.805.3113 should you have any questions regarding this proposal. The Chamber reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals. 

Each spring, the Chamber asks for member’s input in what should be our priorities for the coming program year. Instead of the usual questions, we would like to know how you are doing, what you have done and are doing to weather the economic downturn and what you need from the Chamber. The survey should take you less than five minutes to complete. Please take a few minutes to tell us how we can better meet your needs. All results are completely confidential. The survey is open until May 8. Thank you for your time and investment in the Chamber! Click here for the survey.