Steve Mays, whose career marketing tourism destinations, golf and special events spans more than 16 years, has joined Myrtle Beach’s Lesnik, Himmelsbach, Wilson, Hearl Advertising and Public Relations (LHWH) as vice president of new business development.
Prior to joining LHWH, Mays was director of travel and tourism sales for Golf Channel. He was responsible for managing existing accounts and developing new business, working with travel and tourism boards and companies throughout the southeastern and central United States before his position was eliminated.
For 13 years before joining Golf Channel, Mays worked for marketing cooperative Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. He began as promotions manager before becoming tournament director for the Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship and later director of the organization's events division. As senior director of marketing, Mays oversaw all aspects of marketing the destination and managed relationships with state and local government agencies.
Mays is a native of suburban Washington, D.C., and graduate of Coastal Carolina University. He started his marketing career in Trumbull, Conn., as a project coordinator in the sports marketing department of Golf Digest. He returned to Myrtle Beach as part of the opening team for the Myrtle Beach Hard Rock Cafe, developing group sales, special events and marketing programs for the restaurant which soon became one of the top two revenue-producing stores in the world-wide chain.
