Feb. 13–The Georgia World Congress Center Authority has been selected to manage the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center.
The board of the Georgia International Maritime and Trade Center Authority adopted a resolution Wednesday to enter into exclusive negotiations with GWCCA. This will allow the GWCCA to work collaboratively with Visit Savannah in marketing the convention center as a premier business destination.
Simultaneously, the board adopted another measure for the GWCCA to negotiate with SMG, the venue’s former manager, to continue providing the facility’s food and beverage services through its SAVOR subsidiary.
SMG, the nation’s largest venue management, marketing and development company, has held the management contract since the convention center opened its doors on Hutchinson Island in 2000.
Trade Center board chairman Mark Smith, earlier this month, praised SMG’s performance but said the board felt it was time to look at alternatives.
“With GWCCA, we see the opportunity to build additional convention business synergies between Savannah and Atlanta through our sales and marketing programs and commonality of interests with our respective legislative delegations,” Smith said.
SMG will continue to manage the center until March 31, with GWCCA taking over on April 1. Smith said the GWCCA is working to retain the Savannah staff and ensure a smooth transition for the center’s customers.
“GWCCA has the ability to take a high performing asset to the next level and compete on a global scale,” said Smith.
Frank Poe, GWCCA’s executive director, issued a statement saying his organization is honored to have been selected to manage the trade center.
Poe said earlier the arrangement presents a strategic partnership between two important convention, tradeshow and tourist destinations in the state.
ABOUT THE TRADE CENTER
Overlooking the Savannah riverfront and the city’s historic district, the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center features 100,000 square feet of divisible exhibit space, 50,000 square feet of prime meeting space, four executive board rooms, a 25,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and a 367-seat auditorium.
ABOUT THE WORLD CONGRESS CENTER
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority includes a 3.9 million-square-foot convention center, the 71,250-seat Georgia Dome and the 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park and ranks among the top five largest convention destinations in the country.
