<b>Chamber offers members </b><b>free networking event</b>

The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce is offering its members a Coffee with Colleagues networking event from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department at 747 Robert Smalls Parkway in Beaufort.

Attendees of this free event are encouraged to bring their business cards.

Contact Carolyn Rennis at Carolyn@beaufortsc.org for more information.

<b>Chamber to help </b><b>poor with housing</b>

The Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce has been approved as a qualified participant in the South Carolina Housing Trust Funds Programs for 2017 and 2018 funding years.

This partnership with South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority allows the BCBCC to offer assistance to very low-income households within Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.

The purpose of the program is to correct life, health and safety issues; provide accessibility for disabled persons; repair or replace major housing systems; and address structural problems.

Call the BCBCC at 843-986-1102 to see if you qualify. This program is designed on a first-come, first-serve basis until the funds run out.

The chamber is located at 801 Bladen St. in Beaufort.

<b>Business After Hours </b><b>to be held Aug. 11</b>

The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly Business After Hours event from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at John Paul II Catholic School at 4211 N. Okatie Highway in Ridgeland.

John Paul II Catholic School is the official sponsor for the networking event and admission is free for members.

To RSVP, contact the chamber at 843-525-8500.

Business After Hours is one of many local events hosted by the chamber that allow area businesses the opportunity to meet fellow businesses and seek out partnerships to grow their own.

For a complete list of all chamber benefits and events, visit www.beaufortchamber.org.

<b>Under-40 professionals </b><b>invited to networking event</b>

The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce is inviting under-40 professionals in Southern Beaufort County to a networking event at Red Fish at 32 Bruin Road in Bluffton.

The event will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Attendees are asked to bring a donation of school supplies to be entered to win special prizes from local businesses.

For more information, email Hannah Horne at hhorne@hiltonheadisland.org.

<b>Beach Bash to celebrate </b><b>Hilton Head Island award</b>

Travel + Leisure readers named Hilton Head Island the No. 1 island in the continental U.S. and No. 8 in the world in the 2016 World's Best Awards.

The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce will celebrate this recognition with a special Conversation &amp; Cocktails Beach Bash from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at the Sonesta Resort Ocean Pavillion at 130 Shipyard Drive on Hilton Head.

There will be live entertainment, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beer and wine.

The cost is $10 for chamber members and $20 for future members.

Additionally, there will be a photo contest.

Tell the chamber why Hilton Head Island is your No. 1 island, and use #HHILoveMyIsland to post pictures of your favorite Hilton Head Island local spots by Monday, Aug. 22.

Voting for the top photos will take place during the Beach Bash. The winner will receive a $75 gift card to SERG Restaurants and will be announced during the Beach Bash.