In ancient Rome, the consumption of oysters was thought to imbue great power and influence, so it is little wonder that this humble mollusk features prominently at the Savannah-Chatham Day seafood fest in Atlanta.
The annual event attracts more than 500 of the Peach State’s most influential power brokers, including the governor, state legislators and a cross section of Savannah’s elected officials and business, nonprofit, military and religious community.
Attendees network and talk pending legislation and pet projects, all while shucking oysters, sipping domestic beer and dipping into chocolate or butter pecan ice cream, courtesy of Savannah’s own Leopold’s.
“This is the most sought after ticket,” said Michael Owens, president and CEO of the Tourism Leadership Council, a regular attendee. “More deals will be brokered tonight than any other time of the year.”
Topics overheard at Thursday’s soiree included the stalled Savannah harbor deepening, Chatham Area Transit expansion, DeRenne Avenue and, yes, even pending reality TV show star Jamie Casino. No cause too small or too trivial.
Being an election year, several candidates made the rounds, eager to make new friends and shore up connections.
Typically, a legislative meeting precedes the seafood fest but was canceled this year due to a shorter state session and bad weather, pushing Savannah Chatham Day by about a month.
Several legislators came out
“In this setting you’re going to get more of our Georgia legislators in one place, other than when they’re formally in assembly,” said Shirley James, a member of the Savannah-Hilton Head Airport Commission.
“It gives you another opportunity, especially with the legislators, to have more informal meetings,” said James. “You get a little more of a listening ear when you’re having a meal.”
Ernie Tafoya, deputy garrison commander at Hunter Army Airfield, was part of a group from Leadership Savannah, the Chamber of Commerce’s leadership training program.
“It’s just an opportunity to see outside,” said Tafoya. “For most of these people, they do it on a yearly basis, but for us it’s the experience of just talking with representatives of the city and county commissioners.”
“We got to learn a little more about the state and about economic development as it relates to our state, not just our county,” said Beth Desloges, executive director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Coastal Georgia, also a first-time attendee with Leadership Savannah.
Although most talk with close friends or confidantes, there are a few spontaneous encounters.
A democratic lobbyist approached U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Savannah, toward the end of the evening.
“I’m a straight Democrat who worked on the Obama campaign, but I’m going to give you credit — you ran the best damn ad,” said the lobbyist, handing Kingston his business card.
“I’m glad you liked it,” said Kingston.
“I probably won’t vote for you, but if you become senator, you’re my senator, too,” the lobbyist added, prompting laughter from Kingston’s group.
Many who had attended the event said the biggest change is the size. Mayor Edna Jackson said the event had grown bigger over the years, though the oysters seemed smaller. She said she’d been to about 15 of them.
“This is my 18th,” said Chuck Sims, a state representative from Coffee County.
“The atmosphere is really good,” said Sims of the event’s popularity. “Savannah folks are just so much more open. It’s almost like the whole city comes up here.”
He paused to crack open another oyster.
“This will be my last one,” he announced. “I’m retiring this year — 18 years is enough.”