Savannah Convention Business is Booming

Savannah has been ranked as one of the "Top 10" cities in America to visit by USA Weekend Magazine, and the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center is hosting record numbers of events and trade shows in 2013.

The facility anticipates having the largest number of booked hotel rooms this year beating the previous record in 2004, the year of the G-8 Summit, as stated by Mark V. Smith, the board chairman in a report by Business in Savannah.

“It’s gratifying to see the center performing as advertised,” Smith said, noting that events at the facility have generated well over 800,000 new hotel-room nights in the area, equal to some $200 million in direct spending by event attendees.

“This performance, coupled with the community’s decision to fund trade center development up front and then to support its activities through a share of the hotel-motel tax, has enabled us to take a very active approach to attracting high-value convention and trade show groups to Savannah.”

It’s also the result of an ongoing partnership with Visit Savannah — which is charged with marketing the city to convention groups — and downtown group-oriented hotels, including the adjacent Westin Savannah Harbor.

“We’ve long had a solid business relationship with the Westin” says Bob Coffey, trade center general manager. “Along with serving frequently as city-wide convention headquarters, they also place a good number of smaller meetings here.”

Smith also states that events at the facility have generated well over 800,000 new hotel-room nights in the area, equal to some $200 million in direct spending by event attendees.

According to the Convention South Media Group, Savannah Internation Trade & Convention Center has received the Readers’ Choice Award 4 years in a row because of the high level of customer service and the quality of the facilities.

For more information on the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center click HERE