This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect features sponsor David Paddison of Sterling Seacrest Pritchard discussing why SSP invests in community involvement to better understand and serve Savannah, his book “Keeping it Light” (also on Audible) built from “Dave-isms,” and takeaways from the U.S. Army War College National Security Seminar, including confidence in military leadership and an update on his son’s overseas service.

The Superstar Spotlight visits the Tybee Island Marine Science Center with Executive Director Chantal Audran and Communications and Marketing Director Jessica Leigh Lebos, highlighting the center’s 36-year evolution, exhibits, community partnerships, and a record-breaking turtle nesting season with public beach stewardship tips.

The episode also previews the Savannah Chamber Business Expo with exhibitor advice from Ad Specialty founder Diana Morrison and chamber manager Samantha Wilkins, including a July 23 “More Bang for Your Booth” workshop, lead-generation tactics, and sponsorship benefits.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce

Explore upcoming events

From Bert’s Hot Seat: Sterling Seacrest Pritchard

Get the Latest Events: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce

Savannah Chamber's Superstar Member Spotlight: Tybee Marine Science Center

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 Intro

00:36 Serving the Community

03:23 Writing Keeping It Light

06:32 Army War College Takeaways

10:16 Savannah’s Economic Evolution

13:45 SSP Growth Story

17:47 Superstar Spotlight Begins

18:35 Marine Center Origins

20:25 Turtle Season Tips

23:39 Inside the Exhibits

27:07 Marsh Mural Magic

28:09 Nature Still Surprises

28:27 Loggerhead Rescue Story

30:12 Coffee Chats Preview

32:07 Community Partnerships

35:06 Turtle Friendly Businesses

36:40 Wrap Tybee Segment

37:52 Expo Guests Introduced

38:49 Common Expo Mistakes

39:45 Workshop Details

41:06 Booth Marketing Tips

42:37 Lead Capture Nuggets

43:57 Expo Value For Attendees

45:23 Strategy To Avoid Overwhelm

48:18 Sponsor Benefits Breakdown

50:53 Final Thanks And Sponsors

This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce features Chamber CEO Bert Brantley’s Hot Seat interview with Union Mission leader Mike Traynor on the organization’s housing and support services across southeast Georgia, the opening of a $5 million resource center repurposing a former Family Dollar with partners like Emmaus House, and ways the business community can help through donations, volunteers, and needed men’s clothing.

The episode recaps the 2026 legislative session with VP of Government Affairs Jared Downes, highlighting state investments including $42.8 million for Savannah State, operations funding for the Gateway Children & Adolescents Crisis Stabilization Unit, funding for Savannah Tech’s aviation expansion, a fourth state court judge, and the Georgia Early Literacy Act, plus vetoed tax credit items.

It spotlights the Chamber’s 50-member Ambassador Council and upcoming events including Business on the Move, Intern SAV networking, Tybee Coffee Chats, Expo sponsorships and workshops, and an Enrich Tuesday on avoiding burnout.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce

Explore upcoming events

From Bert’s Hot Seat: Michael Traynor President/CEO Union Mission

Get the Latest Events: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce

Savannah Chamber's Ambassador Spotlight:

Matt Ambrosy - Ambassador Chair AVP, Commercial Relationship Manager at Fifth Third Bank

Mahogany Bowers - Ambassador Co - Chair Founder Blessings in A Book Bag

Tara Reese - Member Relations Manager

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 Opening

01:18 Hot Seat Union Mission

02:16 Union Mission Impact

05:08 New Resource Center

09:12 Dignity And Clients

10:46 Raising Hope Gala

13:27 How To Support

17:44 Legislative Session Recap

18:06 Budget Wins And Bills

20:24 Vetoes And Tax Credits

22:28 Special Session Update

25:16 Ambassador Council Spotlight

25:48 What Ambassadors Do

27:51 First Connection Stories

28:20 Parking Lot Connection

30:10 Ambassador Meetings Outreach

32:10 Volunteer Days Recognition

34:58 Mahogany Ambassador Benefits

40:48 Mentorship Confidence Building

44:47 First Steps For Members

47:40 Summer Events Calendar

50:38 Expo Sponsorship Workshop

52:48 Enrich Tuesday Burnout

54:48 Sponsors Closing Message

This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce features Dee Daniels interviewing Marley Davis of Southern Cross Hospitality, named 2026 Hospitality Business of the Year, discussing its restaurant portfolio, hospitality-first culture, international influences, and an upcoming Italian concept, Laveta, planned for end of June on Broughton Street.

In the Hot Seat, Savannah Bananas and Fans First Entertainment CFO Tim Naddy shares his accounting and theater background, mentoring focus, and how the Bananas’ national expansion still drives economic impact in Savannah while offering partnership opportunities with players and coaches.

Dee spotlights Jan and Todd Womble of Savannah Logistics Group, founded in 2017 with four trucks and now nearing 100, including Big Rig University to help drivers become owner-operators. Jennifer Davenport provides a community update on homelessness policy, PIT Count results showing major reductions in encampments and unsheltered homelessness since 2023, and the need for prevention dollars. Visit Savannah CEO Joe Marinelli reviews the 2025 tourism impact study, noting normalization after record post-pandemic years and efforts to develop new demand-generating events.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce

Explore upcoming events

From Bert’s Hot Seat: Tim Naddy, Vice President of Finance - The Savannah Bananas

From the Winners Circle: Marley Davis, Marketing Coordinator Southern Cross Hospitality (Hospitality Business of the Year Award) ​

Get the Latest Events: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce

Superstar Member Spotlight: Todd Womble - CEO AND Jan Womble - CPO Savannah Logistics Group

Highlights: Jennifer Davenport Vice President, Community Affairs & In-House Counsel - Head of Leadership Savannah, Savannah Chamber

Highlights: Joe Marinelli, President & CEO Visit Savannah

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 Opening

01:01 Hospitality Award Spotlight

02:12 Restaurants Under The Brand

04:00 Global Flavors Local Heart

06:05 Team Culture And Growth

07:56 Favorite Dishes Fast Picks

09:15 Bananas CFO Hot Seat

12:22 Mentoring Through Finance

17:02 Savannah Impact Of Banana Ball

19:46 Partnering With Players

24:25 Podcast Plug And Wrap

25:20 Next Guest Tease Logistics

25:59 Starting With Four Trucks

26:40 Early Grind And Reflection

27:48 Culture Built On Faith

29:46 Scaling And Driver Opportunity

30:45 Big Rig University Explained

33:22 Mentoring And Team Development

34:12 Advice For Logistics Careers

37:03 Homeless Authority Origins

38:08 Interagency Council Role

39:11 PIT Count And Progress

40:56 What Drove The Improvements

42:19 Priorities Prevention And Housing

44:17 Tourism Impact Study Overview

45:43 2025 Takeaways And Trends

47:41 New Demand Generators

49:27 Joe Marinelli Quick Wrap

50:56 Sponsor Thanks And Closing