Special to the Herald
SPRINGFIELD — The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce has opened select sessions and experiences from its upcoming Catalyst Business Summit to the public as standalone ticket options. This initiative is part of a growing partnership with the Port Wentworth Chamber of Commerce to support the greater 21 Business Corridor, creating accessible, regional opportunities for professional development and connection.
These offerings give professionals and community members across the region the flexibility to engage with some of Catalyst’s most dynamic content, even if they can’t commit to the full-day event.
The “Business Bites” networking lunch and each hour-long breakout session will be offered in Downtown Springfield on May 21. Sessions are individually priced, with added value for select options that include complimentary books for early registrants.
Available Breakout Sessions:
Work is Fun: How Culture, Curiosity, and Popsicles Built a Beloved Brand— $40 | Presented by Steve Carse, Co-Founder of King of Pops
Learn how a pushcart, a popsicle, and a values-first mindset built one of the South’s most beloved brands. This session explores purpose-driven culture, leadership, and how to create brands people believe in. Includes a complimentary copy of Steve’s book, Work Is Fun, for the first 20 registrants.
Start Where You Stand: A Vision for Place, Purpose & Community— $40 | Presented by Steve Nygren, Founder of the Nationally Recognized Serenbe Community
Discover how community-centered innovation and local vision can create lasting change. This session offers insight into place-based development, sustainability, and leadership from one of Georgia’s most forward-thinking entrepreneurs. Includes a complimentary copy of Steve’s forthcoming book, Start in Your Own Backyard, for the first 20 registrants (Fall 2025 release).
Smarter, Not Harder – Practical AI for People Who Don’t Speak Tech— $35 | Presented by Susan Kraut, President & CEO, Effingham County Chamber
No jargon, no tech overwhelm—just practical, real-world ways to use AI to save time, streamline work, plan better (yes, even vacations), and make everyday life a little easier.
Edge of Innovation – Building Bold, People-First Cultures— $35 | Presented by Cally D’Angelo, Founder of Collective Edge
Culture is your competitive advantage. This session unpacks generational leadership, people-first workplaces, and bold strategies to help teams—and their leaders—thrive.
Business Bites Networking Lunch — $20
From noon–1:15 p.m. at 13 Stars in Downtown Springfield, this open-air lunch features curated small bites from local culinary standouts—including a King of Pops pushcart—and is designed for meaningful, relaxed networking across industries and communities.
“We’re thrilled to open these sessions to the public and to collaborate with our partners in Port Wentworth,” said Kraut. “This creates greater access and regional momentum for the kinds of conversations and connections Catalyst was built to spark.”
All offerings are part of the Catalyst Business Summit, the Effingham Chamber’s flagship event for business leadership, innovation, and economic connection.
Participants may register for any of the breakout sessions or Business Bites individually—or take advantage of newly added opportunities to attend the entire Catalyst Business Summit. For those interested in the full experience, including morning Think Talks, the Retail Crawl, Business Bites lunch, and breakout sessions, the Chamber is now offering a “Bring a Friend” incentive: attendees who register with a colleague can each receive $25 off full-day registration at checkout.
“Whether you’re popping in for a single session or staying for the full day, Catalyst is designed to move people forward—professionally, creatively, and collaboratively,” said Kraut. “And by opening up these offerings and partnering with Port Wentworth, we’re extending that momentum to businesses and leaders all along the 21 Corridor and beyond.”
Registration for all experiences is now open at https://www.effinghamcounty.com/events/calendar.
