Wednesday afternoon, hospitality officials from the Grand Strand took part in the hospitality day at the State House in Columbia.
The annual luncheon allows tourism officials to network with lawmakers, but they did more lobbying than networking. They want lawmakers to reverse massive state budget cuts for tourism advertising and promotion.
In Columbia, crowds of people gathered on the State House lawn for the annual Hospitality Luncheon.
The event was more than just a social gathering - it gave tourism officials an opportunity to convince lawmakers to find money for tourism advertising. Because of a tight budget year, there's no money in the state budget for advertising.
"We are the solution to their financial problem cause we're the industry that brings funds," said Fran Willis, with Pee Dee Tourism.
The Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association took more than 100 people to Columbia to make their point.
"If you're the economic engine that drives the tax revenue that funds everything in the state you need to invest in that," said Pauline Levesque, the CEO of Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association.
They made their way to just about every lawmaker they could find. At least two lawmakers are optimistic the industry's efforts will pay off.
"The legislature has proved time and time again they get the idea of tourism in South Carolina. I'm very hopeful that the General Assembly is again going to step up to the plate for tourism advertising," said Representative Alan Clemmons, of Horry County.
"We gone continue to work hard to find tourism dollars to promote tourism here in the state," said Senator Kent Williams, a Pee Dee Representative.
Several more law makers feel the same way - but said they don't know how they'll find the money.
Tourism is the number one industry in South Carolina.
