Morning Rush Continues!!

gsSCENE had been around for about 8 months and we started hearing that while people liked our big socials, they wanted something smaller. The events committee created a small networking committee and they created Morning Rush...Networking Breakfast. The object was simple...have gsSCENE members there, in a small group and force them to network. Well, it sounded a lot easier than it was.

If you have been to more than one Morning Rush, you might notice they have all been different. That's because gsSCENE has been trying out different techniques that allow everyone in the room to network with everyone, all the while not being TOO cheesy! Well whichever time gsSCENE members came, they must have enjoyed! gsSCENE always asks participants to complete a survey and the response was great!

Croissants Bistro and Bakery will continue to support gsSCENE and host the Morning Rush...Networking Breakfasts in 2010. In fact, we already have two dates set. Check out www.gsSCENE.com to see when they are and register soon, because space is limited!

Kicking off the New Year Right!

gsSCENE is kicking off 2010 with a community service project for Habitat for Humanity. On January 9, gsSCENE members and friends will be helping to give the Habitat for Humanity of Horry County Resale Store a face lift. With paint brushes in hand, (no prior painting experience required), gsSCENE looks forward to starting 2010 with a community service project.

Want to come? Register at www.gsSCENE.com

gsSCENE is Not Alone

This past week I was fortunate to attend the Next Generation Leadership Conference, previously known as the Young Professional Conference, in Cincinnati, OH. Over 250 young professionals gathered for the week to learn about new ideas for their young professional group, share stories and hear from some amazing speakers. One main things I learned was that gsSCENE is not alone in not only our accomplishments, but also in our struggles. Too many times I get the "gsSCENE is a social club" or "gsSCENE is just for singles who drink." The sad part is, gsSCENE does SO MUCH MORE than socialize! Just this past weekend gsSCENE participated in the 21st Annual Beach Sweep with over 26 participants. We have offered numerous professional development classes and are working on new initiatives for our members. At the conference I heard from several groups that had some awesome projects they did in their community. I walked away from the sessions geared up to come back to Myrtle Beach and take gsSCENE to the next level, AND make sure everyone knows about it!

Summer Time in the Grand Strand

There is one thing that is for sure, and that is during the summer there is ALWAYS something going on! Whether it be all the concert series, different fundraising events or restaurants having deals, finding something to do here is not a problem. Or is it?

Sometimes it's hard to keep up with all the events going on. Not to mention during the summer people are taking vacations, day dreaming of vacations or just trying to make it through the work week. So what's an easy way to get the events out there? But of course, posting them on the gsSCENE bulletin area of the members only section.

If you are over an event, or just know of a cool event going on in the area, please take the time and share all the info with your fellow gsSCENE members. We all want to know what we can be doing after work and on the weekends, so please, share the event love!

Kickball is Not for The Weak

Whoever said kickball was for kids apparently never played. gsSCENE had their first Kickin' it for Charity Kickball Tournament on May 2 at Ripken Experience. After the first game played, I knew this was going to hurt. Hurt really isn't the word I would use to describe how I felt the following day. Tortured, pained beyond belief and too sore to walk correctly better described how one's body would feel after playing in a kickball tournament.

It never failed, no matter who I talked to everybody said the same thing, "I am too sore to even walk." And kickball is supposed to be for kids! But other than the days it took to recuperate, the kickball tournament was nothing short of a success!

With 11 teams battling out, Handley's Pub was the champion. And the best part about the day was the $2,500 raised for United Way of Horry County. So even though it took me three days to be able to tie my shoes, I do believe it was all worth it in the end.

Where were you one year ago?

One year ago today, the gsSCENE steering committee anxiously awaited our big "reveal" day, aka gsSCENE kick off party. We were meeting every week trying to finish last minute details on what events we would have on our calendar, how should we publicize our debut, and most importantly, is anyone even going to come?! Then the big day came, and lo and behold there was a thunder storm moving in. But someone was looking out for us and the rain moved by and the day had clear skies. And then an when we thought it couldn't get any better, everybody and their brother showed up (or it felt that way). Folks jammed to Soul Function, ate drank and seemed to be pretty merry.

And from that fateful evening on May 8, gsSCENE grew and grew and now we all dream of those gsSCENE polka dots (yea the ones in the logo). Hopefully kick off part deuce will be just as big! So spread the word on May 7, Boathouse here we come!

Free Money!!

On March 28 gsSCENE has a chance to make money all while just having fun. How you might ask? Beer Fest needs volunteers! Beer Fest are popular events all over, but Myrtle Beach has never had one. But now we do, and it's going to be huge!

So gsSCENE was approached to help work the event and by providing 30 volunteers, gsSCENE will get a check, which we will then donate to a local charity. The volunteer perks are pretty awesome. For working you get a complimentary ticket into the event and a free Beer Fest t-shirt. Originally gsSCENE thought we would get more than enough people to help out, but here we are a few weeks away and we need MORE volunteers! You can register at www.gsSCENE.com and no beer fest experience needed!

It's free money and wouldn't it be a shame to let free money go to waste??!!

Inner Workings of gsSCENE

People ask all the time, "How exactly is gsSCENE run?" So, let me answer the question. gsSCENE is a program of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. You do not have to be a member of the chamber to be a member of gsSCENE. The memberships are done on an individual basis, so being a member of the chamber does not make you a member of gsSCENE. Confused yet?

gsSCENE is run by a steering committee of young professionals who live and work on the Grand Strand. Every year, committee members rotate off and new committee members come on board. The steering committee is limited and those individuals are appointed by the chairman of the chamber board. This committee has the final say in all the events, functions and everything in between of gsSCENE. But most all gsSCENE ideas come from one of our subcommittees. These committees are made up of any gsSCENE members who would like to be involved. They are headed by a gsSCENE steering committee member. Now you must be confused?!

Bottom line, anyone who wants to play a role in what gsSCENE does can do so. We need all the help we can get! I am amazed at the ideas and suggestions we get every time we meet (and gsSCENE in some shape or form is always meeting!). So if you are still wondering how gsSCENE works, then let us know and participate in a committee. You would be amazed at all the people and resources it takes for gsSCENE to run!

Shuckin on the Strand is Success!

After months of planning, gsSCENE's Inaugural Oyster Roast, "Shuckin' on the Strand" proved to be worth all the time and energy. Held at Hot Fish Club on Saturday, Feb. 7 (a warm one I might add) we had over 400 people show up to shuck some oysters! Over 250 of those were nonmembers and we even generated 16 new members from the event.

Several media picked up the event and a recap will be featured in this weeks Myrtle Beach Herald and Carolina Forest Chronicle.

I must give it to Hot Fish Club who totally out did themselves with the buffet food they provided. BBQ sandwiches, crab dip and jambalaya just to get your taste buds going. Local oysters and shrimp by the bucket were sold out by the end of the day.

Stay tuned to check out pictures from the event on www.gsSCENE.com

Oyster Ready

As gsSCENE gears up for their first oyster roast, "Shuckin' on the Strand," the committee realizes that this event has grown into something huge! What originally started as an idea to bring oyster roasts similar to Charleston style, then moved to a gsSCENE exclusive event. Originally the event was going to be for gsSCENE members only. But then we realized how much people on the coast LOVE their oysters, we decided to go full speed and open it up to the community. With over 300 attendees expected, gsSCENE hopes that this event surpasses even our kick off at The Boathouse.

And not only can people enjoy oysters, live music and a bonfire. We are asking for people to bring goods to be donated to Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach. Suggested Items: Pork & Beans, Instant Potatoes, Kool Aid, Mac & Cheese, Cereal, Grits, Oatmeal, Deodorant & Toothpaste. Random? Yes, but hopefully we can have fun all while supporting a great cause.

So let's hold our breath and hope for good weather while we count down the days until Saturday!

Who Loves Community Service? We Do!

A tremendous thank you to everyone that assisted with Angelfood Ministries on Saturday, January 24, 2009. We had a great time together and enjoyed serving others. The morning shift workers endured the elements of rain and unloaded a semi-truck full of food for 150 families in the Grand Strand area. Thanks to the men with "big guns" who did all of the heavy lifting. The truck was unloaded in under one and a half hours, the fastest recorded time at Angelfood Ministries. The second shift arrived just before noon. Heather Gale & Samantha Slapnik braved the continued rain and greeted consumers as they arrived providing all pertinent information, collecting their empty boxes and reciepts for payment. The remainder of volunteers worked in the warehouse and loaded boxes with individual food items for distribution. We enjoyed publicity from WPDE TV-15 and the Myrtle Beach Herald. Everyone had a fantastic time not only bonding with fellow gsSCENE members but making a difference along the Grand Strand!

Participating gsSCENE members: Shannon Camp, Mark Howell, Nicole Aiello, Ryan Hannon, Julie Kopnicky, Kevin Cox, Jeff Marshall, Pryor Tatum, Erin Callihan, Justin Tucker, Samantha Slapnik, Erika Warneck, Kevin Boyce, Scott Ham, Yvonne Koerner, Heather Gale, Tammy Ramsey, David Thomas, Kathleen King. Additional Volunteers: Julie Davenport, Kiel Chapman, Bernie Gridley, Trey & Danielle Kelly, TJ & Beth Goff.

Wine Experts?!

For the first event of 2009, gsSCENE took a different approach and combined a social with an educational aspect. For 60 lucky gsSCENErs we got to experience different types of wine with different types of food. We were hosted by WaterScapes Restaurant in the Marinna Inn. The seminar titled, "Cause & Effect," had us eating foods of different flavors and then tasting red and white wines to see if the food had a good, "active," effect or a bad, "reactive," effect on the wine. While some attendees could indeed taste the diffence, others found their palettes weren't quite as sophisticated. Either way, we enjoyed learning the helpful hints of pairing wine and food and look forward to sharing our knowledge with others as they sip their vino.