Savannah Chamber Connect

Savannah's Business Landscape: A Governor's Hot Seat, Entrepreneurs of the Year & Intern SAV

This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect features a "Hot Seat" interview with Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp on why Savannah has been a priority for state investment, including the Convention Center expansion, port growth, and the Hyundai plant and its suppliers, emphasizing workforce opportunity and economic development across southeast Georgia.
 
The show also celebrates Dee Daniels and Megan Mason of Dee Daniels Media as the Chamber’s 2026 Entrepreneurs of the Year, discussing their podcast production approach, client work, mobile studio recordings, podcast advertising, and expansion into audiobook production.
 
Conni Reynolds, Director of Executive Events & Strategic Project, explains InternSAV, a free Chamber program connecting interns through networking and community experiences to encourage them to return to Savannah after graduation.
 
Connor Buchanan, Small Business Programs Chair, shares results from the Chamber’s first small business survey, highlighting business longevity, common challenges like sales, costs, cash flow, and AI adoption, and member needs for networking and resources. Upcoming events include a small business job fair, Member Services Day, and a Mega Chamber mixer before the first Savannah Steel game.
 
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce
Explore upcoming events
From Bert’s Hot Seat: Governor Brian Kemp
From the Winners Circle: Dee Daniels Media, 2026 Entrepreneurs of the Year
What’s Up: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce
INTERN SAV
MEET OUR PRODUCTION TEAM
MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD
Follow for updates:
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
 
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Show Opens
01:16 Governor In Hot Seat
03:16 Convention Center Boom
06:01 Ports Growth Strategy
08:41 Hyundai Jobs Impact
10:51 Leadership Focus Advice
15:41 Entrepreneurs Of Year
18:20 Podcast Craft Process
21:48 Mobile Studio Highlights
24:23 Advertising And Future
30:16 Favorite Podcast Moments
31:15 Editing Audio Magic
33:04 Nonprofit Stories Impact
34:20 Entrepreneur Award Thanks
35:10 Intern SAV Overview
37:56 Kickoff Events Networking
39:25 Intern Success Stories
40:18 How to Join InternSAV
41:21 Networking Survival Skills
42:55 Small Business Survey Insights
45:13 Challenges Sales AI
46:19 What Works Team Culture
48:09 Chamber Support Expectations
51:34 Savannah Business Diversity
53:40 Making Events More Meaningful
55:56 Calendar Job Fair Events
57:18 Mega Chamber Mixer Steel
59:16 Sponsor Mission Closing
 

A Scoop of Savannah Legacy, SSU Momentum, Small Business Advocate & Workforce Insights

This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect features 2026 Chamber Business Awards Small Business Advocate of the Year -  George Freeman of Kombative Academy of Traditional Martial Arts, who shares his Army background, networking advice, and leadership of the Chamber’s Ribbon Cutting Council, which helped increase ribbon cuttings from 85 in 2024 to 112 in 2025, along with his volunteer work and goal to train 100 women for free in self-defense and promote a June 6 Crimson Cocktail Block Party.
 
In the Hot Seat, Savannah State University President Dr. Jermaine Whirl discusses his first-year priorities, strategic planning, executive team hiring, community engagement, and securing $42.8 million in state funding for campus facility projects, plus raising $400,000 at his gala and joining the Chamber board.
 
Industry Council spotlights SEDA and RISE’s regional workforce efforts following the Hyundai Meta Plant project, addressing retention challenges and initiatives like Succeed in Savannah and Industry Insiders.
 
Superstar Spotlight highlights film veteran and Leopold’s Ice Cream owner Stratton Leopold on filmmaking, community preservation, and maintaining original recipes.
 
Events include Small Business Week (May 4 ribbon cutting, Eastern Wharf mixer), a May 13 small business job fair, May 28 federal contracting workshops, and a May 22 Savannah Steel game networking event.
 
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce
Explore upcoming events
From Bert’s Hot Seat: Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President of Savannah State University
From the Winners Circle: George Freeman Kombative Academy of Traditional Martial Arts Small Business Advocate of the Year
What’s Up: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce
Superstar Member Spotlight: Stratton Leopold, owner and operator of Leopold’s Ice Cream - producer, director and actor
Industry Council Update: Zachary Ott, Director of Existing Industry, SEDA and Maria Whitfield Director of Employer Engagement, RISE
MEET OUR PRODUCTION TEAM
MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD
Follow for updates:
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Savannah Chamber Connect Intro
01:16 Small Business Advocate Spotlight
02:19 George Freeman Origin Story
04:47 Ribbon Cutting Council Impact
08:04 Community Giving And Referrals
10:30 Advice For Small Businesses
11:59 Hot Seat With SSU President
16:00 First Year Priorities At SSU
17:39 Winning State Funding For Campus
19:55 Investiture Weekend And Gala
23:29 Industry Council Workforce Focus
24:21 How Rise Was Launched
27:13 Employer Engagement Backgrounds
30:11 Retention Challenges And Regional Strategy
31:49 How Industry Can Get Involved
32:05 Rise Working Groups
32:40 Succeed in Savannah Brand
33:07 Industry Insiders Outreach
33:29 Magic Wand Fix
35:14 Superstar Spotlight Intro
36:31 Film Career Origins
40:08 Leopold’s Legacy
43:38 Quality Over Profit
44:49 Preserving Savannah
47:30 Favorite Films Stories
50:57 Breaking Into Film
53:25 Ice Cream Favorites
54:38 Legacy Business Advice
55:47 Small Business Week
57:19 Job Fair and Contracts
58:55 Savannah Steel Networking
01:00:01 Sponsor and Wrap Up
 

Small Business of the Year, Summer 500 Youth Jobs Return & Savannah Steel Tip-Off

This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce - hosted by Dee Daniels, features 2026 Chamber Business Award winner Adam Finns of Friedman’s Framing, named Small Business of the Year, discussing the company’s 124-year, five-generation evolution, its focus on customer service and quality control, new custom framing innovations, and upcoming happy hours and meet-the-artist events at its Eisenhower and Waters location.
 
In the Hot Seat, Chamber President/CEO Bert Brantley interviews Alderwoman Carol Bell about reviving the Summer 500 youth summer jobs program, including school-system partnership, a four-week commitment, soft-skills training, employer matching, and sponsorship options for students to work in nonprofits.
 
Superstar Spotlight highlights Savannah Steel Head Coach Coretta Brown previewing the new professional women’s basketball team’s May 15 season opener and May 22/24 home openers at Enmarket Arena.
 
The What’s Up segment covers the May 21 clay shoot funding military affairs advocacy, the Chamber relocation guide updates and advertising, a April 21 podcast launch party, and Small Business Week events including a May 5 mixer, reverse trade show, May 13 job fair, and May 28 military contracting workshop.
 
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce
Explore upcoming events
From Bert’s Hot Seat: Carol Bell 
From the Winners Circle: Adam Fins, Friedman’s Framing
Small Business of the Year 
What’s Up: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce
Erica Backus, Director, Communications & Social Inclusion, Visit Savannah 
Jared Downs, Vice President, Governmental Affairs, Savannah Chamber of Commerce 
Superstar Member Spotlight: Coretta Brown, Head Coach, Savannah Steel
MEET OUR PRODUCTION TEAM
MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD
Follow for updates:
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 
00:00 Savannah Chamber Connect Intro
01:09 Small Business Winner Interview
01:58 Friedmans Framing Legacy
03:30 Customer Service Secrets
04:40 Quality Control Process
06:04 Innovation And Advice
09:24 Hot Seat Summer 500
10:51 Program Impact And Data
12:35 Relaunch Partners And Plan
18:24 How Employers Can Join
20:18 Superstar Spotlight Savannah Steele
21:32 League Details And Growth
22:11 Open House And Players Arrival
22:54 Hometown Hoops Roots
24:10 Savannah Steel City Love
25:00 Coaching Beyond The Court
27:29 Players Who Come Back
28:36 Home Opener Hype
30:44 Clay Shoot For Military
33:35 Relocation Guide Insider
40:19 Launch Party And Small Biz Week
46:45 Sponsor Thanks And Next Steps

Connecting Savannah: St. Patrick's Day Operations, Tharros Place, and Emily McCarthy

The first episode of Savannah Chamber Connect - from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce - hosted by Dee Daniels, introduces the podcast’s focus on Savannah’s business community through conversations with civic, nonprofit, and business leaders.
 
In “The Hot Seat,” Chamber President and CEO Bert Brantley interviews City Manager Jay Melder about year-round planning for St. Patrick’s Day, including public safety coordination, sanitation cleanup, and city service impacts.
 
The episode also spotlights 2026 Chamber Business Awards Cornerstone winner Julie Wade, executive director of Tharros Place, a residential program for human trafficking survivors ages 12–17, discussing awareness, trauma-informed care, staffing, and community support needs.
 
An advocacy update with Jared Downs covers state legislative priorities and funding, including Riverwalk repairs, a robotics academy at Georgia Tech Savannah, and tax credit and arts exemption bills.
 
Superstar Member Spotlight features Emily McCarthy, who shares the growth of her design and retail brand and new Victory Drive headquarters, including the Joy Club wine bar.
 
The “What’s Up” segment previews Chamber events such as speed networking, coffee chats, member benefits bootcamp, and a Chamber Connect launch party.
 
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce
Explore upcoming events
MEET EMILY MCCARTHY
MEET THARROS PLACE
MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM
MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD
Follow for updates:
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Welcome to Chamber Connect
00:30 Episode Roadmap
01:48 Hot Seat Begins
02:16 St Patrick's Day Planning
04:23 Cleanup and Public Safety
06:09 Sanitation Ride Along
08:03 Why Savannah Matters
09:28 Chamber City Partnership
11:37 Cornerstone Winner Spotlight
12:27 What Is Tharros Place
14:03 Trafficking Awareness Reality
16:25 Trauma Informed Care
18:09 Staffing and Small Wins
20:42 Programs and Community Support
24:17 Advocacy Update Starts
24:58 Budget Wins for Savannah
26:49 Bills to Watch Next
27:04 Historic Tax Credits Update
27:22 Hub Council Statewide Push
28:20 Fine Arts Ticket Exemption
29:01 Capitol Check-In and Wrap
29:39 Emily McCarthy Spotlight
30:38 From Stationery to Storefront
33:22 Clothing Line and Pandemic Pivot
35:24 New HQ and Joy Club Bar
39:32 Customer Led Design Lessons
41:25 Creativity Balance and Inspiration
44:04 Hot Items and Signature Style
46:26 Chamber Events Speed Networking
47:53 Coffee Chats at SCAD Cafe
50:05 Member Benefits Bootcamp
52:13 Launch Party and Small Biz Month
53:42 Sponsor Thanks and Closing

Savannah Chamber Connect Trailer | Presented by the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce

Savannah Chamber Connect, a podcast from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, brings you inside the conversations shaping Savannah’s business community.
From candid conversations with local leaders and entrepreneurs to insights on economic growth, advocacy, and innovation, each episode connects you to the people and ideas driving the region forward. Featuring segments like The Hot Seat, The Winner’s Circle, Advocacy Update, Superstar Member Spotlight, and What’s Up, you’ll hear directly from those making an impact across Savannah.
Whether you're a business owner, professional, or community leader, this podcast keeps you informed, inspired, and connected.
Subscribe or follow now and be part of the conversation shaping Savannah’s future.
Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce
Explore upcoming events
Follow for updates:
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK