Diane Charno, EVP of marketing and communications for the Greater Myrtle Beach Collaborative and Visit Myrtle Beach, spoke with WBTW News13 about how Visit Myrtle Beach is using social platforms to promote The Beach.

Star power will once again take center stage at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, led by Academy Award–winning actor Kurt Russell and tennis legend John McEnroe, who are both confirmed to participate in the Wednesday Pro‑Am during tournament week at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.

Myrtle Beach is leading U.S. summer travel demand, topping Tripadvisor’s list of most-searched destinations and ranking No. 1 for Fourth of July travel—signaling a strong season ahead for the Grand Strand.

National media coverage in February reinforced Myrtle Beach’s visibility as a high-demand, experience-driven coastal destination, supported by strong entertainment momentum, expanding access via direct flights, and continued recognition for value and family-friendly appeal.

The Greater Myrtle Beach Collaborative has officially launched as the new enterprise identity established to enhance the efforts of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) and Visit Myrtle Beach, along with Partnership Grand Strand, Collaborate2031, Leadership Grand Strand, Grand Strand Young Professionals and additional initiatives. Through “The Collaborative,” these organizations will serve under a single platform dedicated to driving economic prosperity and improving quality of life throughout the greater Myrtle Beach area.

Picking up the winner’s check certainly will be easier than lifting the seascape trophy at this year’s ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, which will conclude May 10 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.

The winner’s hardware is a 21-pound bronze plate, sculpted for the event by Bryan Rapp, 52, the director of the Master Sculpture Program at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet since 2019.

The ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic will again host a Horry County Schools (HCS) Day from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on April 13, where more than 250 high school students majoring in marketing, culinary services, hospitality and turf management will receive a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at what’s involved in running a PGA TOUR event. The professional golf event will be contested May 7-10 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.

With April marking National Autism Acceptance Month, communities across the Grand Strand are honoring the region’s long-standing commitment to inclusivity and accessibility through a series of special occasions.