Visit Myrtle Beach recently recognized four Destination Tourism Champions for their contributions to attracting, hosting, and enhancing meetings, conferences, and events throughout the Myrtle Beach area.
The annual recognition celebrates individuals and organizations whose efforts help strengthen Myrtle Beach's meetings and conventions industry—a key driver of visitor spending, hotel occupancy, and economic impact across the Grand Strand.
This year's honorees include:
Nick Blake, RipTydz Oceanfront Grille & Rooftop Bar
Kathryn Hedgepath, Myrtle Beach History Trolleys & Step-On Tours Presented by Carolina Limousine and Coach
Ken Ivey, Municipal Association of South Carolina
Toronda Webb, Alore Meetings & Events
"Meetings and conventions generate significant economic impact for our community while showcasing everything Myrtle Beach has to offer," said Bob Harris, Executive Vice President of Sales for Visit Myrtle Beach. "These award recipients have each played an important role in helping us attract, host and enhance events that bring visitors to our destination and create lasting impressions."
Supporting Economic Impact Through Meetings & Conventions
Visit Myrtle Beach's meetings and conventions team works year-round to attract conferences, meetings, sporting events, and group travel opportunities that generate business for local hotels, restaurants, attractions, transportation providers, and other tourism-related businesses.
This year's honorees have helped advance those efforts in a variety of ways:
Nick Blake
As a partner at RipTydz Oceanfront Grille & Rooftop Bar, Blake was recognized for supporting key industry events hosted in collaboration with Visit Myrtle Beach, including the opening receptions for Rendezvous South 2026 and the South Carolina Governor's Conference on Tourism and Travel. These events showcased Myrtle Beach to meeting planners, tourism professionals, and hospitality leaders from across the Southeast.
Kathryn Hedgepath
Hedgepath was honored for helping enhance the attendee experience through educational tours that highlight the area's history, culture, and community. Her contributions helped meeting professionals gain a deeper understanding of the destination and the experiences available to future conference attendees.
Ken Ivey
Through the Municipal Association of South Carolina, Ivey helped bring the organization's 2027 annual meeting to Myrtle Beach, generating more than 2,000 room nights. The event marks the first time the conference will be hosted in Myrtle Beach after historically taking place on Hilton Head Island.
Toronda Webb
Webb was recognized for bringing the Southeastern Employment and Training Association (SETA) conference to Myrtle Beach in 2025. The event generated more than 1,300 room nights and is expected to return to the destination in the future. She also continues to plan and manage multiple meetings and events throughout the Myrtle Beach area each year.
The Power of Partnership
The success of Myrtle Beach's meetings and conventions industry depends on strong collaboration among hospitality partners, venues, attractions, event planners, and community stakeholders. Destination Tourism Champions exemplify how individual efforts can help attract new business, elevate attendee experiences, and strengthen the region's visitor economy.
To learn more about meetings and conventions opportunities in Myrtle Beach, visit VisitMyrtleBeach.com/Meetings.