News Summary
The Hotel Development Committee for the Savannah-Chatham Convention Center Authority will conduct a teleconference to provide updates on a new 400-room hotel adjacent to the convention center. The meeting includes presentations from hotel project representatives and discussions on financing. It aims to keep stakeholders informed about local hospitality developments and enhance Savannah’s capacity to host major events. Construction of the expanded convention center nears completion, and the hotel is expected to open by March 2028, marking a significant boost for local accommodations and events.
Savannah, GA – The Hotel Development Committee for the Savannah-Chatham Convention Center Authority will host a teleconference next week on Thursday at 10:00 AM to provide important updates on the new 400-room hotel being developed adjacent to the convention center. The meeting will feature presentations from representatives of Songy Highroads, the Atlanta-based firm responsible for overseeing the hotel project, along with discussions on hotel financing led by Frank Poe from the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCC).
The public is invited to attend the teleconference, which will be accessible through a designated link and meeting ID. This session aims to keep stakeholders and residents informed about ongoing developments related to local hospitality projects, particularly the hotel that is anticipated to boost the convention center’s ability to host larger national events.
The Savannah-Chatham Convention Center Authority was created by the Georgia General Assembly in the 2018/2019 sessions, taking operational control from local entities. Mark Smith currently chairs the Authority. In April 2014, the Authority engaged the Georgia World Congress Center Authority for the management of its facilities. This collaborative effort has been crucial in advancing local hospitality initiatives.
Construction on the expanded Savannah Convention Center has faced various delays; however, it is now nearing completion. Once finalized, the facility is set to become the 71st-largest convention center in the United States, with its first event—a 300-team youth volleyball tournament—scheduled for February 15.
The planned Signia by Hilton Savannah hotel, which is expected to open its doors in March 2028, will complement the newly expanded convention center. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority is also managing this hotel project and is preparing for a bond sale to finance the $300 million cost. The bonds for the hotel development are anticipated to be available by June 2025.
Previous attempts to establish a hotel at the convention center site have been unsuccessful since 2010, primarily due to financing challenges. The completion of this hotel project is now viewed as vital to providing more accommodations for convention-goers, thereby improving Savannah’s appeal as a destination for large-scale events.
Demand for convention space in Savannah has been substantial, with 146 events already booked at the expanded venue through the end of the decade. Local hotel owners acknowledge the significance of this new hotel, even as there are some concerns regarding competition among existing establishments. The new project aims to enhance the overall hospitality landscape in the city, ensuring that Savannah can adequately serve an increasing number of visitors and events.
This upcoming teleconference is part of ongoing efforts by the Savannah-Chatham Convention Center Authority to maintain transparency and uphold communication with the community regarding major developments in the local hospitality sector.
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Additional Resources
- Savannah Business Journal
- Wikipedia: Savannah, Georgia
- Hotel Dive
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- Google Scholar: Savannah hotel development
- Savannah Now
- Encyclopedia Britannica: hotel development
- WJCL News
- Google News: hotel boom in Savannah
