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Savannah Chamber Connect

Savannah Chamber Connect

By: Dee Daniels Media Podcast Network
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Savannah Chamber Connect, a podcast from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, takes you inside the stories and conversations shaping Savannah’s business landscape. From local leaders and entrepreneurs to innovative ideas and economic trends, it connects you to the people and insights driving the region forward.

Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Economics Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • A Scoop of Savannah Legacy, SSU Momentum, Small Business Advocate & Workforce Insights

    A Scoop of Savannah Legacy, SSU Momentum, Small Business Advocate & Workforce Insights
    Apr 28 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Small Business of the Year, Summer 500 Youth Jobs Return & Savannah Steel Tip-Off

    Small Business of the Year, Summer 500 Youth Jobs Return & Savannah Steel Tip-Off
    Apr 14 2026

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

    Connecting Savannah: St. Patrick's Day Operations, Tharros Place, and Emily McCarthy
    Mar 31 2026

    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
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
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