Hospitality Association annual meeting set for Freestyle Park

MYRTLE BEACH - The Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association will host its 2009 annual meeting, elections and awards presentation this afternoon beginning at 3:30 p.m. Freestyle Music Park.

According to a news release, after the annual meeting, new MBAHA members will have the opportunity to promote their products and services through a tabletop expo from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

As part of the business meeting, the new board of directors will be presented.

Recently elected members of the board are:

Lodging directors: Scott Martin, Hampton Inn – Broadway at the Beach; Derek Nelson, Staybridge Suites; Jim Powalie, Marina Inn at Grande Dunes; and Michelle Sutton, Burroughs & Chapin, Inc.

Restaurant director: Leon Williams, Max & Erma’s

Entertainment directors: John Stine, Freestyle Music Park, and Todd Parnell, Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Ex-officio: Ericka Hill, NAACP

In addition, the MBAHA will recognize the many companies and individuals who define the hospitality industry in the Myrtle Beach area. The 2008 awards will be presented in the Friend of the Industry category.

The 2008 winners are:

Horry County Legislative Delegation:
Sen. Raymond E. Cleary III
Sen. Dick Elliott
Sen. J. Yancey McGill
Sen. Luke A. Rankin
Rep. Liston D. Barfield
Rep. Alan D. Clemmons
Rep. Tracy R. Edge
Rep. Nelson L. Hardwick
Rep. Jackie E. Hayes
Rep. George M. Hearn
Rep. Thad T. Viers

For their collaborative effort and hard work to expedite the passage of the state bill allowing municipalities to enact the Local Option Tourism Development Fee.

Lt. Amy Prock, Myrtle Beach Police Department

For her ongoing and successful efforts in assisting with the chronic problem of pizza shops’ trespassing and distributing pizza flyers to hotel rooms, on vehicles and in nonlodging business parking lots. Prock updated the nuisance laws, which are used in the pursuit of the illegal actions of these businesses, and provide additional protection and assistance to the hospitality industry.

Chapin Memorial Library

For staff’s ongoing and much-needed support of international student programs. Due to Chapin Memorial Library’s location and offerings, students visiting the Grand Strand in the summer are frequent visitors, and their computer use creates long lines and inconveniences Myrtle Beach citizens. Library employees have successfully managed this service while balancing citizens’ needs. Throughout the summer, staff helps many students and visitors in a most professional and welcoming manner, showcasing a good dose of Southern hospitality. The library also plays host to welcome sessions for the MBAHA and the international students on Thursdays throughout their stay. This gives the MBAHA, city, community organizations and businesses an opportunity to assist the students while they are on the Grand Strand.

Jay Rowe, former professor and program coordinator, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Students, Hospitality and Tourism Management

For their commitment to the MBAHA through the years. Spring 2009 was the last semester of the program, which will now be included in the business program. The students, led by Jay Rowe and assisted by adjunct professor Robin Harvey, are student members of the MBAHA and the Hospitality Adventure Student Organization, volunteering countless hours for the association’s golf tournament, Trio Dinner, Job Expo and monthly meetings as well as working in the association’s office.

For the past six years, the students have worked with the South Carolina Hospitality Association to coordinate and produce the State ProStart Culinary Competition and the State Lodging Management Program Competition for high school culinary and hospitality students who travel to Myrtle Beach to compete. The students also set up and staff the HGTC recruitment booth for the three-day Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Supply Show of the Southeast.

Gold Star of Excellence Awards, sponsored by Genco Inc., will be presented to all member accommodations and restaurant businesses who achieved 100 percent cleanliness compliance in 2008, a standard set by the MBAHA. In 2008 more than 392 accommodations and restaurants earned that distinction. To be recognized, the Joint Ethics Committee must not have received any complaints regarding cleanliness. The committee, operating in cooperation with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the MBAHA, serves as an industry watchdog, receiving and monitoring visitor complaints.