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:

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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

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MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD

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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

Welcome to Savannah Chamber Connect from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce!

This episode features multiple exciting Savannah segments like: Lance Wade of Savannah Harley-Davidson discusses receiving the Gulfstream Community Involvement Award, the dealership’s community-focused events, flood-relief supply drives, and an October breast cancer awareness poker run, emphasizing listening for local needs.

In the HOT SEAT - Jared Downs interviews Lt. Col. Derick Taylor, Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander, on the importance of relationships with the business community, Transition Assistance and quarterly career fairs, challenges for military families, and a new $62 million hangar; Taylor is transitioning to a Middle East deployment while his family stays in Savannah.

Host Dee Daniels sits down with Michael and Brian Roberson who share the Savannah Sauce Company origin story, growth to 250+ stores, key products, and Athlete Brand Co. for NIL. Visit Savannah leaders mark 50 years and tourism growth to 13 million visitors and a $4B economy, noting convention expansion and the Signia hotel.

Dr. Joe Buck reflects on Leadership Savannah’s history and June 1 applications, while Joe Marinelli, President & CEO Visit Savannah - and - Kellie Linder, VP Sales, Visit Savannah help celebrate 50 Years!

IMPORTANT LINKS:

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From Bert’s Hot Seat: Lt. Col. Derick Taylor

From the Winners Circle: Lance Wade, Savannah Harley-Davidson (Gulfstream Community Involvement Award)

What’s Up: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce

Superstar Member Spotlight: Savannah Sauce Company

Highlights: Leadership Savannah and Dr. Joe Buck

MEET OUR PRODUCTION TEAM

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FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Winners Circle Intro

00:20 Lance Wade Surprise Win

00:48 Harley Roots and Riding

01:42 Community Giving Culture

02:22 Flood Relief Story

04:11 Advice for Businesses

05:55 Upcoming Charity Rides

07:13 Parting Thanks and Wrap

08:15 Hot Seat Introduction

08:43 Base and Business Ties

09:40 Transitioning Service Members

11:22 Military Family Challenges

12:46 Community Support and Projects

15:16 Savannah Reflections

17:20 Memorial Day Meaning

19:16 Superstar Spotlight Intro

20:16 Sauce Origin Story

23:20 Whole Foods Breakthrough

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

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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

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

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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

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:

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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

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