Joseph Marinelli, President, Visit Savannah

JOSEPH MARINELLI

PRESIDENT, VISIT SAVANNAH BY GEORGE SELI

With an expanded convention center debuting in 2023 and group business beginning to gather momentum, the team at Visit Savannah is preparing to reintroduce many attendees to the quintessential Southern city. In the following discussion, the CVB’s leader, Joseph Marinelli, overviews the recovery and enhancement of Savannah’s meetings industry, as well as its timeless cultural assets.

Q

What is the outlook for Savannah’s meetings business?

AMany of our annual convention and meetings groups that were originally booked in 2020 or the first part of 2021 have rescheduled for after Labor Day this year and into 2022. Because Georgia Governor Brian Kemp was one of the first governors to open the state, and now that City of Savannah Mayor Van Johnson has lifted the mask mandate, groups planned for the rest of the year are much more confident about attending meetings in Savannah. In fact, several groups are forecasting to have record-breaking attendance.

Q

What are the current COVID-related safety protocols in Savannah related to meetings?

A

Of course, we all recognize that items like this are fluid and ever changing. As of this writing, the Savannah Convention Center and all of our hotels are open for business and not requiring masks. We are currently working with our customers to ensure that we are doing all that we can to meet the requirements set by their leadership to ensure the safety of their attendees.

Q

In your view, what are the standout features of the Savannah Convention Center expansion?

AThere are many answers to this question, but doubling the size of our exhibit hall to 200,000 sq. ft., adding a new 45,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and a 900-space parking garage are just a few of the highlights of the expansion project. The new space will also include a large, covered outdoor patio overlooking the Savannah River that will be ideal for luncheons and receptions.

Q

Have you received any feedback on the project from your convention and tradeshow clients?

AWe are working hard to keep our current customers and business prospects informed of the expansion progress and answer their questions along the way. We have installed a live-cam video feed at the Savannah Convention Center so interested parties can stay up to date on construction. Also, VisitSavannah.com now features a downloadable Savannah Convention Center Expansion Tool Kit that details all the new features of the facility.

Q

What are the convention center’s capabilities to host hybrid meetings?

AThe Savannah Convention Center has been doing blended or hybrid meetings with groups since before the pandemic and is fully equipped to handle all requests and requirements of our customers.

“The Savannah Convention Center has been doing blended or hybrid meetings with groups since before the pandemic and is fully equipped to handle all requests and requirements of our customers.”

Q

Which offsite venues or activities would you recommend to planners seeking to express Savannah’s culture through their event?

AIn addition to having a state-of-the-art, modernday convention center and a hotel package to meet every need and price point, Savannah is also one of America’s most beautiful cities. Our version of true “Southern hospitality” is apparent through the 25,000+ associates that support the local tourism and hospitality industry. As it relates to our culture, from our storied Black heritage to some of the South’s finest architecture, Savannah will always delight visitors to our city.