Myrtle Beach Area Chamber Hosts Legislative Reception in Columbia

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Myrtle Beach hosted its annual Legislative Reception in Columbia in February. More than 400 people attended the event to network with state lawmakers and their staff and discuss issues important to businesses in the Myrtle Beach area.

The annual event provides a chance to bring a little bit of The Beach to the capital city. To match our under-the-sea theme this year, the chamber partnered with Ripley’s Aquarium, bringing a mermaid for special photo opportunities.

Sponsors Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College also had booths to share information about their respective initiatives. Additional sponsors were Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors, Golf Tourism Solutions and Play Golf Myrtle Beach. Live entertainment was provided by Paul Grimshaw Band.

Attendees who traveled on the chamber and Leadership Grand Strand buses were briefed on key issues before the trip to help amplify our advocacy messages.

The chamber’s 2026 advocacy agenda focuses on supporting a competitive business climate, investing in transportation and utility infrastructure, protecting the coastline, improving quality of life through healthcare, childcare, housing, and education, and unifying communities in the greater Myrtle Beach area to pursue state and federal support.