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Savannah Chamber Connect

Savannah Chamber Connect

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

    Savannah's Business Landscape: A Governor's Hot Seat, Entrepreneurs of the Year & Intern SAV
    May 12 2026

    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
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    1 hr
  • 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
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
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