Let's Talk Business South Carolina

"Let’s Talk Business South Carolina" is a B2B talk show hosted by long-time South Carolina business publisher Rick Jenkins featuring industry outlooks, discussions on trending business topics and interviews with business executives, community leaders and government officials. This B2B talk show is available as a YouTube video series or a podcast.

The "Let's Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows also includes "Let's Talk Manufacturing South Carolina," "Let's Talk HR," and "Let's Talk Construction, the Carolinas."

In this episode, Bill Campbell, CEO at Hospitality America, delivers the annual Hospitality and Tourism Industry Outlook. The tourism sector attracts millions of visitors each year, who are drawn by our beaches, our mountains, our cities, and yes, even our sports teams. The industry also fuels job creation and local business growth. Hotels, restaurants, resorts, and entertainment venues support countless families and generate substantial tax revenue.

The tourism industry contributes almost $30 billion annually to the state's economy, which ranks 8th in the country. Bill provides plenty of insight on where we are and where we're going.

Each episode also appears on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkbusiness.rickjenkins

If you know of someone qualified to be a guest on the show, send an email to the show's host, Rick Jenkins: [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

The "Let's Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows also includes "Let's Talk Manufacturing South Carolina," "Let's Talk HR," and "Let's Talk Construction, the Carolinas."

Workforce challenges continue to exist for employers throughout South Carolina. Currently, our unemployment rate is higher than the national average and we have more than 115,000 job openings. That means there are more job openings than unemployed people available to fill them. 

One way to fill some of these jobs is through the recruitment of qualified immigrants looking to relocate into this country legally. 

BDV Solutions is a Greenville based company, that specializes in connecting U.S. employers with international talent. They have partnered with about 350 employers to place thousands of workers in 44 different states coming from more than 100 countries. 

Given the current political and business climates in this country, the company’s mission – on the surface – is probably controversial to some. But that should NOT be the case. 

Tom Kilby, director of sales development at BDV Solutions, explains.

Each episode also appears on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkbusiness.rickjenkins

If you know of someone qualified to be a guest on the show, send an email to the show's host, Rick Jenkins: [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

"Let’s Talk Business South Carolina" is a B2B talk show hosted by long-time South Carolina business publisher Rick Jenkins featuring industry outlooks, discussions on trending business topics and interviews with business executives, community leaders and government officials. This B2B talk show is available as a YouTube video series or a podcast.

The "Let's Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows also includes "Let's Talk Manufacturing South Carolina," "Let's Talk HR," and "Let's Talk Construction, the Carolinas."

In recent years, South Carolina has become an emerging technology hub. Increasingly, entrepreneurs are choosing to start their tech business right here in the Palmetto state. 

Bob Quinn, the CEO at SCRA or the South Carolina Research Authority, discusses the growing tech-start-up industry and explains its evolving impact.

Each episode also appears on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkbusiness.rickjenkins

If you know of someone qualified to be a guest on the show, send an email to the show's host, Rick Jenkins: [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

"Let’s Talk Business South Carolina" is a B2B talk show hosted by long-time South Carolina business publisher Rick Jenkins featuring industry outlooks, discussions on trending business topics and interviews with business executives, community leaders and government officials. This B2B talk show is available as a YouTube video series or a podcast.

The "Let's Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows also includes "Let's Talk Manufacturing South Carolina," "Let's Talk HR," and "Let's Talk Construction, the Carolinas."

In this episode, Jason Giulietti, CEO at Central SC Alliance, presents the Economic Outlook for the Midlands. Also, Will Johnson, at attorney and the economic development practice group leader at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, joins the show.

Topics discussed include: 
The impact of the current political and business climate on economic development projects.
The importance of regional industry diversification when pursuing potential future projects.
The pursuit of projects that include US headquartered companies.
Labor shortages and workforce evolution.
Clean energy and climate initiatives.

Artificial intelligence and how it is redefining the workforce.

Each episode also appears on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkbusiness.rickjenkins

If you know of someone qualified to be a guest on the show, send an email to the show's host, Rick Jenkins: [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

"Let's Talk HR" is part of the "Let’s Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows. All episodes are hosted by long-time South Carolina business publisher Rick Jenkins and feature interviews with industry experts about trending topics. All of our B2B talk shows are available as a YouTube video series or a podcast.

The "Let's Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows also includes "Let's Talk Manufacturing South Carolina" and "Let's Talk Construction, the Carolinas."

Guests on today's episode:
Todd Kingsbury, plant manager at Timken Company, is a guest on the monthly segment, "From the Factory Floor." Todd shares what's new at Timken, which has been named to Fortune's list of America's Most Innovative Companies two years in a row. 

Heather Bass, vice president and general manager at Carolina Filters, appears on the segment, "Taking the Lead: Executive Women in Manufacturing." Heather talks about how manufacturers are addressing workforce challenges, and she provides advice to young women looking to climb the ranks in a mostly male-dominated industry.

Each episode also appears on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkbusiness.rickjenkins

If you know of someone qualified to be a guest on the show, send an email to the show's host, Rick Jenkins: [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

"Let's Talk HR" is part of the "Let’s Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows. All episodes are hosted by long-time South Carolina business publisher Rick Jenkins and feature interviews with industry experts about trending topics. All of our B2B talk shows are available as a YouTube video series or a podcast.

The "Let's Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows also includes "Let's Talk Manufacturing South Carolina" and "Let's Talk Construction, the Carolinas."

Guests on this episode include:

Ashley Fortenberry, vice president and general manager at Tindall Corporation, appears on the segment, "Taking the Lead: Executive Women in Manufacturing." The segment is brought to you by AFL. The Duncan-based fiber optic cable manufacturer provides industry-leading solutions, products and services to the energy, service provider, enterprise and industrial markets as well as a number of emerging markets. They manufacture, engineer and install fiber optic products and associated equipment. 

Andy Kurtz, founder and CEO at Kopis, talks about his company's acquisition of Orange Bees, a developer of best-in-class software and consulting services, as well as its proprietary technology solutions including HoneyBrain, an industry-leading AI-powered quality control platform that has the ability to transform manufacturing production lines.

Each episode also appears on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkbusiness.rickjenkins

If you know of someone qualified to be a guest on the show, send an email to the show's host, Rick Jenkins: [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

"Let's Talk HR" is part of the "Let’s Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows. All episodes are hosted by long-time South Carolina business publisher Rick Jenkins and feature interviews with industry experts about trending topics. All of our B2B talk shows are available as a YouTube video series or a podcast.

The "Let's Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows also includes "Let's Talk Manufacturing South Carolina" and "Let's Talk Construction, the Carolinas."

Guests on this episode include:

Courtney Goforth, president, GSHRM
Herb Dew, founder and CEO, HTI (Human Technologies, Inc.)
Ashley Brooks, vice president of workplace strategies, HTI

Topics include:
Gen Zers, and how they differ from prior generations in the workplace
The importance of training for front-line leaders
The impact of tariffs on the labor market
Artificial intelligence and the possibility of it taking your job

Each episode also appears on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkbusiness.rickjenkins

If you know of someone qualified to be a guest on the show, send an email to the show's host, Rick Jenkins: [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

"Let’s Talk Business South Carolina" is a B2B talk show hosted by long-time South Carolina business publisher Rick Jenkins featuring industry outlooks, discussions on trending business topics and interviews with business executives, community leaders and government officials. This B2B talk show is available as a YouTube video series or a podcast.

The "Let's Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows also includes "Let's Talk Manufacturing South Carolina," "Let's Talk HR," and "Let's Talk Construction, the Carolinas."

In this episode, Dawn Dowden, COO at Homes of Hope, talks about the affordable housing problem in South Carolina, or more specifically, the lack of it. The non-profit organization is now the largest developer of single-family affordable housing in South Carolina. 

With the cost of new homes rising and wages remaining stagnant, entry-level homeownership is “increasingly out of reach” for the state’s average wage earners. Affordable apartments are a problem as well, with the average two-bedroom apartment in an urban area starting at about $1,600/month. 

Hear how Dawn and her organization are rising to meet the challenge.

Each episode also appears on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkbusiness.rickjenkins

If you know of someone qualified to be a guest on the show, send an email to the show's host, Rick Jenkins: [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

"Let’s Talk Business South Carolina" is a B2B talk show hosted by long-time South Carolina business publisher Rick Jenkins featuring industry outlooks, discussions on trending business topics and interviews with business executives, community leaders and government officials. This B2B talk show is available as a YouTube video series or a podcast.

The "Let's Talk Business South Carolina" network of B2B talk shows also includes "Let's Talk Manufacturing South Carolina," "Let's Talk HR," and "Let's Talk Construction, the Carolinas."

In this episode, Andy Kurtz, founder and CEO at Kopis, a software development and tech solutions firm, provided the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Outlook. 

Andy answers questions such as: What is generative AI? Will AI take my job? Is AI smarter than humans already? Can I get an AI companion at work?

All Industry Outlooks are presented by Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, one of the premier law firms in the Carolinas.

Each episode also appears on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkbusiness.rickjenkins

If you know of someone qualified to be a guest on the show, send an email to the show's host, Rick Jenkins: [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

"Let’s Talk Business South Carolina" is a B2B talk show hosted by long-time South Carolina business publisher Rick Jenkins featuring industry outlooks, discussions on trending business topics and interviews with business executives, community leaders and government officials. This B2B talk show is available as a YouTube video series or a podcast.

In EP54, Sarah Lyles, executive director at PalmettoPride, shares the latest info about South Carolina's anti-litter organization. Lyles leads the effort to reduce litter across the state. In 2024 alone, her staff and a team of 32,000 volunteers removed 1.5 million pounds of litter. Find out how it works and how you and/or your business can assist.

Each episode also appears on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkbusiness.rickjenkins

If you know of someone qualified to be a guest on the show, send an email to the show's host, Rick Jenkins: [email protected].

Thanks for listening.