Online Soiree Lures Businesses

A virtual beach bash that skipped out on bathing suits and sandy feet attracted more than 1,700 people to a Myrtle Beach lodging Web site last week.

Trying out a new way to lure business, Mount Pleasant public relations company Step Ahead Inc. held the “party” Tuesday night by serving up tiny, online blurbs through the social networking service Twitter.

While logged on to the feed for MyrtleBeach Hotels.com, hundreds of people learned about 11 resorts’ offerings this spring and summer, according to Step Ahead president Lyn Mettler. Myrtle Beach Hotels includes Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort, The Breakers Resort and Dunes Village Resort.

The company gave away prizes throughout the night to participants answering Myrtle Beach resort trivia. The night wrapped up with a $1,000 gift certificate to use at the properties.

Mettler’s next stop on the online party bus: her clients in Charleston. Step Ahead will offer a Twitter soiree May 14 and give away prizes from local hotels, restaurants and attractions.