In the News - New zip line ride and ropes course opening this spring

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (March 5, 2010) – Broadway at the Beach will have a ropes course and zip line ride that will go back and forth over the 23-acre Lake Broadway. The zip line ride scheduled to open in April will fly riders 500 feet back and forth across the lake 50 feet in the air. The ropes course will be a three-story rope climb encountering 20 different obstacles and activities. For more about Broadway at the Beach visit online at www.broadwayatthebeach.com.

A Special Request to Student/Youth Operators

The Myrtle Beach area is in the preliminary stages of developing a major high school band festival featuring adjudication in both field and parade competition.  Your help and direction would be most appreciated.  If you are involved in the student/youth performance segment, please take a few minutes to respond to the following questions.  Direct your response via e-mail to tourplanner@discoverinfuzion.com. Thank you very much for your input.
In your experience –

1. What is the best month to hold a major new band festival?
2. What are the best arrival/departure days?
3. What meals should be included?
4. What materials will you need to sell the festival?

Again, thank you for your time and direction.  E-mail your responses to tourplanner@discoverinfuzion.com.

Tour Options - You take the yellow ball. I want the green one.

For over 20 years the Myrtle Beach area has been known as the “seaside golf capital of the world.” Being home to almost 100 golf courses that is a well earned and deserving title! Be assured we’ll talk more about golf in future issues, but for right now we’re focusing on miniature golf.

You have it right! Today we’re talking about golf with pirates and lost treasure, shipwrecks and plane wrecks, dragons and jungles.

If the Myrtle Beach area is truly the “seaside golf capital of the world,” it certainly must also be the “miniature golf capital of the world.” By most accounts the area is home to more than 50 mini golf courses. Most are carefully landscaped and decorated with seasonal plants and flowers. However, what sets these jewels apart from your standard putt-putt course are the themes.

Cannon balls from pirate ships explode in lagoons, while man-eating dinosaurs appear in another venue.  All the while volcanoes are erupting just down the road. These architectural beauties are guaranteed fun for ages from 7 to 70. It’s a sure thing the laughs will come just as quickly as the strokes of the putter.

Miniature golf in the Myrtle Beach area is a great activity for any group and so easy to add to an itinerary. For a variety of courses just go to www.VisitMyrtleBeach.com or www.northmyrtlebeachchamber.com and search miniature golf. However, for the course that’s closest to your lodging, just ask the group sales contact at your accommodations. Many venues are open year around, but do double check, if you’re planning a winter tour to the area.

From arrival at a mini course to departure allow about 1 ½ to 2 hours for the activity. This is a great morning option. The courses require some walking with most having steps that will need to be navigated. If your group includes physically challenged clients, you may consider having them function as the tournament director(s).

Their important contribution will be to collect the scorecards and verify each player’s score. Yes, some of us are mathematically challenged! Of course no tournament is complete without the awards banquet. Your tournament director will award prizes and/or trophies to both the ladies and men’s low score and of course the high score of the morning’s fun! You did remember to get the trophies I hope!

Tour Options - More fabulous fall festivals

In a previous issue we introduced a variety of fall festivals that are group friendly and add value to any September or October Myrtle Beach area tour. Unfortunately, space did not allow us to list every festival. To give you even more to think about, here are a few of our favorites.

Huntington Beach State Park near Murrells Inlet is home to the 35^th Annual Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival, September 24-26, 2010. Over 100 of the finest artisans provide aesthetic beauty against a background of natural beauty. Fine art and crafts along with great Lowcountry food and music await your group. Daily festival admission is only $6 for adults, while admission to the park is free. For further details call Huntington Beach State Park at 843-237-4440.

Friday, September 24 through October 3, 2010 is the 20^th Annual Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art. This year’s event kicks off on September 24^th with the 11^th Annual Pawleys Island Wine Gala featuring 60 wineries, great food and music. All 2010 events will be held at Litchfield Plantation. More information is online at www.pawleysmusic.com, info@pawleysmusic.com or 843-626-8911.

The 21^st Annual Wooden Boat Show will be on the waterfront and Front Street in Historic Downtown Georgetown. The event features one of the nation’s premier wooden boat exhibits, a wooden boatbuilding competition, children’s model boatbuilding, knot tying, maritime arts & crafts and food and music. Admission is free. For more information call 877-285-3888 or go online to www.woodenboatshow.com.  

Supplier Spotlight - The Carolina Opry

The Carolina Opry – A seamless visit from start to finish
 "We feel like we glow when we come out of the theater.” Mrs. F.M. Pottstown, PA

The most successful live variety show in the South, The Carolina Opry, will reach an unprecedented milestone when it begins its 25th season on May 2, 2010 in Myrtle Beach, SC.

24 years ago Calvin Gilmore entered the scene with the opening of The Carolina Opry and forever changed the entertainment landscape of Myrtle Beach. Today, The Carolina Opry boasts over 6,900 performances and has been running longer than any show in Broadway history.  

More importantly, in those 24 years The Carolina Opry has entertained tens of thousands of motorcoaches and millions of group patrons. With years of practice, the group staff at The Carolina Opry knows just how to make you feel at home. From the customized planning advice to the ample coach parking to the personal greeting upon arrival to the cast greetings after the show – The Carolina Opry group sales team will make your visit seamless from start to finish.

In addition to standard group bookings, The Carolina Opry also has numerous options for student groups. At LIGHT, the stunning new laser show at The Carolina Opry, students attend a 45-minute laser light show followed by an educational session explaining the technology behind the show. Inside The Carolina Opry is a moderated interview with a cast member coupled with a student question and answer period. All educational sessions are complimentary with student group bookings and meet several state educational standards.

Above all, The Carolina Opry is known for stellar production quality. The Carolina Opry has successfully maintained its place at the top of the polls and remains a standard in entertainment in the South. The Carolina Opry is the only show to be named Most Outstanding Attraction, the only show to win the Governor’s cup, the only show to be voted best of the beach year after year and the only show to receive countless accolades from national media.

Call The Carolina Opry group services team at 800-633-1508 to book your seats now for this historic anniversary season. For show information visit www.TheCarolinaOpry.com.    

In the News - Allegiant Air Announces new Myrtle Beach Service

Allegiant Air announces new Myrtle Beach service

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (February 25, 2010) – Allegiant Air has announced non-stop flights between Myrtle Beach and three new markets - Youngtown-Warren, OH, Fort Wayne, IN and Knoxville, TN. The Youngstown Thursday and Sunday and Knoxville flights will begin April 22^nd and the Monday and Friday Ft. Wayne flights begin April 30^th. For reservations and additional information visit online at www.allegiantair.com or call 702-505-8888. Groups of 10 or more may email groups@allegiantair.com NOTE: Both the airline and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will be promoting these flights and the destination in each new market during the next few months. Now is the perfect time to introduce your Myrtle Beach tour when awareness is high. 

Tour Options - Fabulous Fall Festivals

Many locals and visitors alike will tell you that fall is a special time in the Myrtle Beach area. More couples begin arriving after Labor Day. Soon the fall golf season begins. Daytime temperatures are comfortable. The nights begin to cool off ever so slightly. For the tour planner looking to offer their clients something fresh, the Myrtle Beach area has so much to offer.

The area’s main draws will always be wide sandy beaches, live entertainment theatres, fun filled attractions, great dining and accommodations to fit any budget. However, with the fall months great festivals arrive. Many are absolutely free, while others require just a small fee. Here are a few to get you started.

The 5^th Annual Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival scheduled for September 3 & 4, 2010 wraps-up the Sun Fun Celebration of Summer and kicks-off the fall festivals. Live entertainment, great food and cooking competitions and a really neat car show will highlight the activities held at Grand Park, across from The Market Common. Visit www.BeachBoogieBarbequeFestival.com for updates on events and activities.

September 9 through 12, 2010 marks the 2^nd Annual Grand Strand Freedom Fest. The event will be held in honor and memory of the victims, families and first responders of September 11th, 2001 – and of the brave women and men of America’s Armed Forces who have been protecting us ever since. Proceeds raised by this not-for-profit event will be directed to Operation First Response, an organization that has been supporting wounded soldiers and their families since 2001. A free concert by the Long Bay Symphony and a concert by LeAnn Rimes the following evening highlighted the 2009 events. For more information visit http://www.grandstrandfreedomfest.com/index.cfm

The Society of Stranders (SOS) Fall Migration, September 17-27, 2010, is the Granddaddy of the SOS Shag dance (South Carolina State Dance) parties and is highlighted by Fun Sunday and Fun Monday, free street parties with live music throughout the day. Visit www.shagdance.com/migration.htm or call 888-767-3113 for details.

From Little River, a South Carolina coastal fishing community, the Little River Shrimp & Jazz Festival is scheduled for October 9 & 10, 2010. Arts, crafts, great food and wonderful entertainment are the recipe for fun at this two-day festival. A $3 admission fee is required. For more information call 866-817-8082, or visit online at www.LittleRiverChamber.org.

Brookgreen Garden’s annual fall festival, Harvest Home Weekend, October 16 & 17, 2010 fills two days with live entertainment and outdoor activities. The popular scarecrow-building contest, hayrides, pumpkin painting patch, and face painting are just a few of the events. Group rates to Brookgreen Gardens include all festival activities and events.  Visit www.brookgreen.org, or call 800-849-1931 for information.