Small Business Council
Staff Liaison: Brianne M. Yontz
Vice President, Member Services
912.644.6407 / byontz@savannahchamber.com
GOAL: To provide our small businesses with resources they can utilize to help their businesses grow. Our membership is 80 percent small business, and the top request we receive is networking opportunities. In addition to providing monthly member luncheons and 10 business connections annually, the Chamber strives to provide a voice and venue for those members through our Small Business Council.
PARTICIPANTS: The Small Business Council is 200+ members strong, and over 80 attend the meetings the first Tuesday of each month in the auditorium at the Savannah Morning News, 1375 Chatham Parkway (except June, September and may be subject to change). Meetings include introductions for each attendee, Chamber News You Can Use; a 15-20 minute program focusing on topics which affect the small business person.
BENEFITS/WHERE TO GET INVOLVED: Come to Small Business Council meetings! The council has subcommittees where you can get first-hand information or expand your networking reach:
- Programs: Assists the Small Business chairman and staff with arranging speaker topics for the next year.
- Special Projects: Helps with special events such as selling booths for the Small Business Trade Show and arranging for restaurants to participate in business connections, especially Taste of the Southside. Assist with selecting topics/programs and presenters for upcoming year’s Small Business Council SMART Lunch Series.
- Campaign Small Business Team: Small business members from different companies come together to receive sales and Chamber training, then sell new memberships, renewals and sponsorships during the Chamber’s annual membership campaign.
- Leadership: The chair of this committee benefits by getting in front of hundreds of numbers throughout the year, via council meetings, the Small Business Banquet & Trade Show, television appearances & more.
- Small Business Banquet and Trade Show: The Small Business Council hosts this annual award ceremony and trade show. It is very economical for small businesses to exhibit and get in front of many decision- makers at this event for 400. The Chamber honors Small Business of the Year, Hospitality Small Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Small Business Advocate of the Year.
- Selections Committee: Reviews nominations for annual small business awards and selects winners.
