The Savannah Reporter asked Mary Ingersoll to list the main tasks she has completed during her six-year tenure as executive director of the Savannah Chamber of Commerce.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve our community and lead in these exciting ways. I’m really proud of my work with the Chamber and hope to see many of these programs grow and continue in the future.
- Established monthly lunch meeting sponsors to eliminate billing each attendee. Every meeting has been sponsored for six years.
- Held a Leap Day Visioning Session in 2016.
- Implemented new entertainment for the annual banquet — the reverse raffle. Has been very popular.This idea came from Jason Sarsany.
- Helped to establish and grow Fair on the Square, Fall Festival and Sparkle in Savannah.
- Helped to plan the 175th Anniversary of Andrew County celebration, including dinner theatre performance of “The Old Northside Café” at Savannah High School.
- Organized ticketing for the reprise Christmas show at St Joseph Country Club in 2021, which benefitted the Andrew County Community Foundation.
- Established and hosted candidate forums.
- Promoted many member businesses with Takeover Tuesdays.
- Established Legislative Connection Events.
- Graduated with the inaugural class of Leadership Savannah.
- Provided lunch and welcome for new Savannah R-3 staff. Provided breakfast and “Shop Local” talk to all R-3 staff at convocation.
- Held Community Connection Event with State of the City, County and R-3.
- Supported the Community Swap with Cameron via Extension.
- Chamber Chance shop local campaign.
- Held Empty Buildings Tours, which was copied by St. Joe Downtown.
- Supported NCMC site selection process and encouraged their location inside Savannah.
- Held educational sessions, including Business Bootcamp, with NWMEF and became a Grow with Google partner.
- Created and published two editions of the Savannah Visitor’s Guide and Chamber Directory — 40+ page magazines.
- In 2020, supported Adopt-A-Family. Then, collected $12,000+ in donations from more than 150 donors to send flowers to 140 nursing home residents from member flower shops, and then gave nearly 400 restaurant gift certificates from member businesses to Andrew County teachers.
- Created the Savannah and Andrew County Community Group on Facebook. Now nearly 5,000 members and a wonderful community resource.
- Joined and attended NWMO Economic Development Roundtable monthly meetings.
- Served as county coordinator for Great Northwest Day.
- Supported an event every month in 2022 with the hiring of Alyson (Fisher). New events included Sweetheart Soiree, Concerts in the Park and photos with the Easter Bunny.