Jekyll Island Progress Report 2022

PROGRESS REPORT 2022

STATE OF GEORGIA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR ATLANTA 30334-0900

Greetings:

The tourism industry saw a significant resurgence in 2022 and without a doubt, many of those travelers had Georgia on their minds. Jekyll Island, like many of the state’s tourism attractions, began to surpass pre-pandemic levels of visitation for the first time. Georgia experienced record numbers of tourists, and this couldn’t have come at a better time for valued state assets like Jekyll Island.

The Jekyll Island Authority’s thoughtful management of its operations, dedication of its workforce, and strong commitment to stewardship have established the island as a hallmark destination, welcoming visitors from across our great state and far beyond.

Like many Georgians, Marty, our three daughters, and I have enjoyed the relaxation and recreation Jekyll Island offers. It’s a place we’re always fond of visiting with experiences we will always remember. Our most recent trip to the island included a stop at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center where we saw first-hand the commitments to conservation and preservation on our coast. It is special places like Jekyll Island that make our state attractive to both visitors and residents alike.

As we look throughout and beyond 2023, there has never been a better time to be a Georgian or to visit the Peach State. We’re prepared to continue meeting and surpassing pre-pandemic levels of economic activity in the No. 1 state for business. Jekyll’s emerging recognition as one of the southeast’s most treasured state parks ensures it will remain a destination for families, business travelers, and tourists from across our nation for years to come.

Sincerely,

Governor Brian P. Kemp

JEKYLL ISLAND THROUGH THE YEARS

The State of Georgia purchased the island for $675,000, or about $6.7 million today.

Jekyll Island Authority was established as a self-supporting state agency to steward the new state park’s natural and cultural resources and protect it from overdevelopment.

The Dolphin Club opened at St. Andrews Beach, the first and only section of Georgia coast accessible to African Americans, and hosted Blues legends including Otis Redding and B.B. King.

The original Clubhouse of the Jekyll Island Club was renovated and opened as a hotel, later receiving a Historic Hotel of America designation.

A pinnacle year for revitalization, the new shopping center, Beach Village, and hotels open. The Jekyll Island Foundation also completes their Horton Pond and Skeet House projects.

With the addition of new residential communities and several new hotel properties, the island attracts more than three million annual visitors.

A drawbridge to the island was completed and opened, and Tallu Fish founded the Jekyll Island Museum, operating out of Indian Mound Cottage.

The region’s first indoor heated pool, the Aquarama, opened in 1961 at nearly Olympic-size length.

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center opened in the renovated power plant of the Jekyll Island Club.

The reimagined Jekyll Island Museum opened its doors with new interactive exhibits building upon the stories once told by the museum’s first curator, Tallu Fish.

Jekyll Island opened to the public as a state park on March 5, 1948.

What a momentous year it has been on Jekyll Island! In my three years of serving on the board, I have witnessed the incredible dedication the JIA staff has to the island and the visitor’s experience and that has been ever so evident this anniversary year. The successes and milestones achieved, and celebrated, this past year are a direct result of their ingenuity, skill, and enthusiasm. They are a significant part of what makes this island such a special place to visit, and I am truly grateful for their daily stewardship to retain its character.

There’s no question 2022 was one for the history books. It was an exciting year of festivities and commemorations of the important 75th year of the State’s ownership of Jekyll Island. Furthermore, the year provided an opportunity for us to reflect not only on the State’s initial vision for Jekyll Island, but also the special destination it has become today. While Jekyll’s natural assets continue to be protected and relished through significant private and public partnerships and investments, the island has become a place for families to vacation, conferences to convene, travelers to unwind and businesses to thrive. This celebration should continue!

Director

C. Jones Hooks, Executive

Jekyll Island Authority

Dale Atkins, Chairman Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors

JIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

George Ruel Joyner, Jr. Savannah, GA

Dr. L.C. “Buster” Evans Bolingbroke, GA

Joseph B. Wilkinson, Jr. St. Simons Island, GA

Glen Willard Richmond Hill, GA

William “Bill” H. Gross Secretary/Treasurer Kingsland, GA

Robert “Bob” W. Krueger Vice Chairman Hawkinsville, GA

Joy Burch-Meeks Screven, GA

Mark Williams Commissioner, GA Dept. of Natural Resources Atlanta, GA

2022 AT A GLANCE

REVENUE SOURCES

ISLAND VISITATION

3.5 MILLION VISITORS

*This data is based on the number of cars through the entry gate us ing a standard multiplier of 2.5 peop le per car.

Selig Center for Eco nomic Growth, UGA

ISLAND REVITALIZATION BREAKDOWN

79% 21%

PRIVATE FUNDING $285,050 ,000 PUBLIC FUN DI NG $82,690, 00 0 $367,740,000

ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE STATE

$639M IN SALES

$218M IN INCOME

5,489 JOBS $18M IN TAX REVENUE

Selig Center for Eco nomic Growth, UGA

December 2022 Economic Impact St udy of Jekyll Island

A YEAR OF CELEBRATION

There was a time when Jekyll Island was famous for its exclusivity. A place where only those with significant means stepped ashore. However, after the State of Georgia’s purchase in 1947, Jekyll became a destination like no other, bringing forward its equally fascinating Stateera history. In 2022, the Jekyll Island Authority marked 75 years of Jekyll Island State Park to commemorate its evolution and to recognize its shining future. The Authority acknowledged this historic milestone by re-branding many of its public-facing assets like its iconic entrance billboard and incorporating this commemorative branding throughout its communication channels, historic programming, retail merchandise and island-wide events. The year kicked off with the Seventy-Fifth Soirée hosting state officials to replicate the nostalgia of the first public opening, complete with a synchronized swimming performance and a spectacular fireworks display. Later in the year, community members enjoyed the Seventy-Fifth Street Party with a vintage car show, stateera entertainment, and the unveiling of the island’s first mural art display. In addition to a collection of museum exhibits and tours, the year closed out with a ceremony honoring Governor M.E. Thompson with a commemorative time capsule dedication with State officials. More than 3.5 million visitors crossed the island’s causeway last year to enjoy its beauty and recreation, take in its rich history, and celebrate the State of Georgia’s profound vision for Jekyll Island all those years ago.

Middle Left: Blake Tillery, Senator, District 12, Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee, and Vice Chair of the Jekyll Island Oversight Committee remarks at the Seventy-Fifth Soirée. Middle Right: Buddy DeLoach, House of Representatives, District 167 and former Authority Board member spoke at a Time Capsule Dedication Ceremony.

GOLF IMPROVEMENTS

After several years of consultant-led assessments including by the National Golf Foundation, the Jekyll Island Authority adopted a 2022 Golf Improvement Plan to serve as a guideline for ongoing, phased golf course improvements over the next several years. Recommendations include necessary improvements to course greens, renovation of the Clubhouse, restoration of the historic Walter J. Travis-designed Great Dunes course, as well as many others. The recommendation also includes converting former golf course acreage towards conservationfocused initiatives like the enhancement of a wildlife corridor and the adoption of a “first of its kind for Jekyll Island” Greenspace Ordinance. The ordinance includes the establishment of a Greenspace Preservation District to provide for the creation, preservation, and maintenance of certain open spaces, including golf courses and related facilities, and other unimproved areas on Jekyll Island. This ordinance is a significant point of progress for conservation initiatives by further clarifying the protection of Jekyll Island’s natural resources and character.

A RECORD YEAR FOR MOSAIC

In operation for less than 5 years, Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum celebrated several milestones in 2022 including surpassing $1 million in admission and retail revenue, a record for the JIA’s historic resources department. As the historical and cultural hub for the island, the museum welcomed more than 50,000 visitors through its doors, a record last reached in 1987. With a return to full capacity after two years of reduced programming, the facility also introduced several new programs highlighting lesser-known historical landmarks around the island, and opportunities to meet historical characters through behind-the-scenes experiences. Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum also joined the celebration of the State Era anniversary with two rotating lobby exhibits recognizing the State of Georgia’s purchase and what became of the island in the decades to follow, now a destination for everyone.

GEORGIA SEA TURTLE CENTER

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center celebrated 15 years of education, rehabilitation, and research in 2022, emphasizing the importance of its mission since opening its doors in 2007. The milestone year for the Center also included the release of its 1,000th sea turtle patient, patrol teams recording the State of Georgia’s first sea turtle nest and hatchling of the season, and surpassing prior nest records from the early 2000’s. As Georgia’s only sea turtle rehabilitation and education facility, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center has remained an integral part of not only Jekyll Island’s conservation efforts but also Georgia’s and beyond.

SUMMER WAVES

In May of 2022, Summer Waves Water Park commemorated its 35th season of operation with the opening of its newest attraction, Man o’ War, a four-slide addition to the family-friendly park experience. Now the tallest and fastest attraction at the park, its two tube slides and two body slides can move more than 700 riders per hour, helping to spread out park goers and reduce wait times. The water park also welcomed a new splash pad experience and additional private cabana rentals, many of which were sold out daily through the season. The 35th season also marked the highest annual revenue for the first time since opening in 1987, exceeding more than $3.5 million.

CONVENTION CENTER

Since its opening in May 2012, the Jekyll Island Convention Center has been a driving force of the significant economic impact Jekyll Island provides to Glynn County. 2022 marked not only the 10-year anniversary for the facility, but also the most successful year on record for convention group business since the new facility opened its doors. This past year, the island welcomed 93 groups with more than 50,000 attendees, many of which are State associations that also celebrated decades of returning to Jekyll Island for their annual conferences. Hotel partners generated more than $13 million in revenue from these groups, a 37% increase over pre-pandemic bookings in fiscal year 2019. Sales and marketing efforts have continued to produce new leads year-over-year and the facility experienced a 38% increase in website-generated leads over 2021. In partnership with ASM Global, the Convention Center continues to focus on providing exceptional experiences to attendees, building and retaining relationships with meeting planners and coordinating custom experiences that set it apart as a group business and meetings destination. The facility remains positioned to surpass current group business records as it moves into 2023.

28% INCREASE IN NUMBER OF MEMBERSHIPS OVER 3 YEARS

JEKYLL ISLAND FOU NDATION

OFFICERS

Hollis Linginfelter, Chair – Atlanta, GA

Russell C. Jacobs III, Immediate Past Chair –St. Simons Island, GA

Ember Bishop Bentley, Vice Chair – Macon, GA

Gary N. Wadsten, Secretary – Myrtle Beach, SC

Thomas S. Lines, Treasurer – Tiger, GA

C. Jones Hooks, JIA Executive Director –Jekyll Island, GA (Ex Officio)

MEMBERS

Kyle Chard – Jacksonville, FL

Guyton Cochran – Carrollton, GA

Melissa Furman – Evans, GA

John Gross – Jekyll Island, GA

Sean Hennessy – Atlanta, GA

Lee Hughes – Savannah, GA

Lee Jarboe – Alpharetta, GA

Casey Cox Kerr – Camilla, GA

Christie Kinsey – Jekyll Island, GA

Teresa MacCartney – Atlanta, GA

Sean McGinnis – Alpharetta, GA

Matthew D. “Matt” Reed – Albany, GA

Johnathan Roberts – St. Simons Island, GA

PROJECT FUNDING TO JIA

$13,443 IN 2021 $85,892 IN 2022 539% YEAR OVER YEAR

Del Ross – Sandy Springs, GA

Nancy Seymour – Elberton, GA

JJ Singh – Brambleton, VA

Dale Atkins, JIA Board Chair –Baxley, GA (Ex Officio)

ADVISORY BOARD

Boog Candler – Atlanta, GA

C.H. “Buff” Leavy IV – Brunswick, GA

Hank Linginfelter – St. Simons Island, GA

Daniel D. Ross – Dunwoody, GA

Ken Wright – Dunwoody, GA

Martha Zoller – Gainesville, GA

STAFF

Dion Davis, JIF Executive Director

Jekyll Island Authority

Jekyll Island Authority

CONSOLIDATED BUDGET COMPARISON

FINANCIAL RESULTS

CONSOLIDATED BUDGET COMPARISON

For the Twelve Months Ending June 30, 2022

For the Twelve Months Ending June 30, 2022

FISCAL YEAR 2022*

Expenses

**Amounts are on a budget basis format. Board Designated Fund Contributions and Capital Projects and Equipment are funded from current year revenues. These amounts are designated (set aside) from current year funds for equipment or projects and if not spent in the current fiscal year, will be spent in subsequent fiscal years, depending on the timeline of the project. *The financial information in this self-published Jekyll Island Authority Annual Report contains unaudited figures and is presented in a budget basis format which is used for operational management and oversight. Jekyll Island Authority’s financial information is reviewed annually by the State Department of Audits and Accounts and is included in the State of Georgia’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Financial stewardship is a high priority and the Jekyll Island Authority has a history of clean reports from the Georgia Department of Audits. All financial information contained in this self-published report is believed to be accurate and error-free but should only be used for informational purposes. The Jekyll Island Authority shall not be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential or other damages related to unintentional typographical or other errors, omissions or inaccuracies of the information contained in this document.

“Jekyll Island, like the rest of Georgia, was left to us as a heritage in trust for our children and their children’s children. It is never to be finished, but always to be improved.”

- Governor M. E. Thompson, 1947

2022 JEKYLL ISLAND LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

Jon Burns, Chair

Representative Newington, GA

Blake Tillery, Vice Chair

Senator

Vidalia, GA

Clint Dixon

Senator Buford, GA

Matt Hatchett

Representative Dublin, GA

Billy Hickman

Senator Statesboro, GA

Don Hogan

Representative St. Simons Island, GA