MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (MBACVB) has selected Fahlgren Mortine to continue as the CVB’s public relations firm in 2021 following an extensive request for proposal (RFP) process. The Ohio-based company has been the CVB’s public relations agency of record for the previous eight years and successfully defended its contract against eight other well qualified firms.
“We are pleased to continue our relationship with Fahlgren Mortine and building on the successes of the past eight years,” said Karen Riordan, MBACVB president & CEO. “Earned media coverage is required to effectively build and enhance awareness and perception of the destination, particularly beyond the 300-mile drive range of the destination, and Fahlgren Mortine is highly skilled in this area.”
Since 2012, Fahlgren Mortine has been integral in establishing the Myrtle Beach area as more than a “summer beach,” launching a fall shoulder season campaign that has continued – and evolved – over the years to showcase the destination’s off-season attributes. Additionally, the agency has leveraged public relations to help Visit Myrtle Beach lean into other trends and opportunities from Autism-friendly travel to the fluctuating value of the Canadian dollar. These efforts have earned coveted award recognition from the U.S. Travel Association, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), MarCom Awards and more.
“Visit Myrtle Beach is a foundational account for us, and one that really elevated our tourism practice eight years ago,” said Neil Mortine, president and CEO, Fahlgren Mortine. “We are as proud to work with the beloved destination now as we were in the beginning and look forward to continuing to innovate and take Myrtle Beach to the next level.”
In November 2019, the chamber released a national request for proposals for this project and received nine submissions. The proposals were reviewed by a task force made up of local industry experts and key chamber staff. Originally slated to be completed in the spring, this project was delayed due to the pandemic. The task force invited four finalists to present their ideas formally through a virtual platform this fall. Following the presentation phase, the task force presented their recommendation of Fahlgren Mortine to the chamber’s board of directors for final approval.
The public relations RFP is one of 12 RFPs completed since 2018. The chamber uses the RFP process as a standard business practice to ensure greater transparency of the vendors who hold contracts with the chamber and CVB.
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About Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Since 1938, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the MBACC its five-star accreditation--one of only a few chambers in South Carolina to earn this distinction. The MBACC serves Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Little River, Atlantic Beach, Garden City Beach, Loris, Conway, Aynor, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island, Socastee and Carolina Forest. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com.