Last week, during the South Carolina Governor’s Conference on Tourism, the South Carolina Travel and Tourism Coalition presented the 2018 Fred P. Brinkman Award to Brad Dean, president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC). The award recognizes individuals who made exemplary leadership contributions to the travel and tourism industry in South Carolina throughout their professional careers. Brad was honored for making a lasting and favorable contribution not only to Myrtle Beach, but to the entire state of South Carolina and to the US tourism industry overall.

Brad has served as president and CEO of the MBACC since 2003, and under his leadership the Chamber was named “Small Business Ally” in 2014 and “Chamber of Year” in 2015. In 2017, the Chamber received a regional “Chamber of the Year” award. Brad serves as president of the I-73, 74, 75 Association, and he’s on the board of directors for the US Travel Association. He also has two federal appointments--on the National Advisory Committee on Travel and Tourism Infrastructure and on the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

Roger Dow, President and CEO of US Travel Association said that Brad Dean "is the gold standard in destination leadership. In addition to all he does for Myrtle Beach, he is highly engaged on the national level, leading our industry's efforts to increase leisure travel and being a strong Congressional advocate for our industry."

The award is named for Fred P. Brinkman, former president of the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce who went on to serve as director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for 18 years, at the height of tourism expansion in the state.

Following is the video shared during this surprise presentation.

Congrats Brad! Well deserved!