Articles of Interest
Good counsel for an incoming board chair is "read to lead." While the advice is sound, it deserves explanation
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Be sure to save the dates for our remaining 2017 CACCE program:
Annual Management Conference
October 11-13, 2017
for registration information.
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President & CEO
Beaufort Regional (SC) Chamber of Commerce
Blakelyw@BeaufortSC.org
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How long have you been in Chamber work?
10 years!
How long have you been in your current position?
6 years
What do you love most about your job?
I love that I believe in what "we" do. At work, we believe in education - we believe in education at home, too. Our Chamber believes that what happens at our three military installations is not only good for our local economy, but it's good for our national defense. At work, we believe we live in paradise and I love that there are parallels in our personal and professional lives that not all occupations get to experience. What a tremendous responsibility we have as Chamber executives.
Tell us about your most embarrassing Chamber moment.
I was "unveiling" a new promotional video at a Town of Port Royal Council meeting. The internet was so inconsistent that the video only advanced in two second increments - making for a very long and uncomfortable viewing party. Also, there was another time when we created a special video to introduce our annual meeting keynote speaker, Pat Conroy - and the screen went dark and only the sound played. Maybe I should stay away from video?
Which Chamber Executive has had the biggest impact on your career and how?
I've made some great friends over the years. I'm grateful for Rita Berry, Otis Rawl, Lindsay Keisler, Anissa Starnes, Carlotta Ungaro, Bill Miles, Liz Horton, Angelle LaBorde - and so many others that have given me this opportunity and influenced my professional career.
What is your Chamber's signature event? Tell us about how it is run and what time of year it is held...
We produce some really outstanding events but my favorite would have to be the Beaufort Shrimp Festival held the first weekend in October each year. The festival drives awareness to the abundance of local seafood, creates a tourism draw for our destination and provides a lot of free family fun for the community. 20 local restaurants will be featuring their best shrimp dishes and competing for the Silver Cup Award. The festival attendees vote for their favorite restaurant in the People's Choice Award, compete in the Shrimp Heading or Shrimp Peeling (for children) competition, and run the route that Forrest Gump ran in the movie filmed in Beaufort in the 5K race.
What is your favorite Carolina destination outside of the one you represent and why?
I love Clinton, SC - my hometown. For vacation, Flat Rock and Asheville, NC are so special. I love Charleston's beach and food scene and always have a fun time in Greenville & Columbia, where so many of my friends and family live.
What is your favorite hobby?
Hobbies? Ha! I've got three precious babies - my darling girl, Quinn is 7, and my little boys Brice (4) and Harvey (3) are so cool and so fun. At this phase in my life, these are the special family days. We like to be together whenever we can.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Camp counselor & a grocery store "check out girl."
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