Savannah, GA Event Planning

Key Highlights

Hotels	229
Total Sleeping Rooms	22,671
Committable Sleeping Rooms*	350
Committable Meeting Rooms*	20
Largest Exhibit Space	97,750 Sq. Ft.
Largest Ballroom	25,000 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate	USD $95
Average Daily Meal Cost	USD $56
Average Weekly Car Rental	USD $268
*Maximum for a single hotel

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Savannah, GA Meeting Planning Overview

From its manicured downtown district to the awe-inspiring riverfront views, Savannah's air of undeniable elegance makes it a one-of-a-kind destination. One of the South's most popular and unique meeting locales, Savannah is quick to shower guests with classic Southern hospitality from the moment they arrive, whether by car, train, or plane at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Having recently completed a $14 million terminal expansion project, the airport offers passengers an even more comfortable travel experience to and from 15 non-stop, coast-to-coast destinations.

After arrival, guests are greeted by a unique layout of squares, parks and open spaces punctuated with Spanish moss, live oaks, magnolias and azaleas. Among the grandeur of its antebellum homes and historic buildings lays a wealth of modern, contemporary meeting sites. Just a two-minute ferry ride away from the city on Hutchinson Island, the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center offers an impressive 330,000 square feet of space. Four executive boardrooms are equipped to host professional gatherings. The views of Savannah's 19th century waterfront set the stage for an elegant reception or gala at the 10,000-square-foot River Concourse.

Over 900 events also find a home at the Savannah Civic Center each year. From the Martin Luther King Arena to the Johnny Mercer Theatre, one of the largest prosceniums in the Southeast, the center is an ideal location for regional parties, receptions, meetings, concerts, performances and more. With a staff of over 300 members, planners can rest assured that events large and small will run smoothly at the civic center.

Beyond the traditional event facilities, meeting planners are greeted by a number of unique Savannah event venues that provide a welcoming taste of Savannah hospitality. A carriage owned by Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Lowe is one of many artifacts creating a unique backdrop for events at the Savannah History Museum. Serve cocktails to up to 150 guests in the elegant Telfair Academy of the Telfair Museum of Art, or host a corporate meeting of up to 40 people in the Flight Room at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.

Savannah's mild weather and blue skies also beckon guests outside the boardroom. Take advantage of team-building tour opportunities that give groups a chance to bond and have fun. Meeting groups can enjoy scenic views of Savannah's riverfront and watch bottlenose dolphins frolic around Tybee Beach on Dolphin Magic Tours. Get an insider's look at the history and sights of Savannah with Old Town Trolley Tours, or delve into the city's chilling secrets on Cobblestone Tour's Haunted History Tour.

Savannah's major industries include manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and shipping. The city serves as headquarters for corporations such as Georgia Ports Authority, General Dynamics Aviation Services and Gulfstream Aerospace. Higher learning also holds a strong presence in the city, as Savannah is home to Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah State University and South University.

About Savannah, GA / Additional Info

Savannah is the perfect blend of quaint Southern charm and global sophistication thanks to a rich heritage and modern spirit. Tracing its roots back to 1733, Savannah was founded as the first city of the colony of Georgia, established by General James Oglethrope and 120 passengers of the ship Anne. Thanks to its rich soil and mild climate, the city prospered before the Civil War and at the turn of the 20th century in the cultivation of cotton and rice. Though the city suffered from devastating fires, hurricanes and crop infestation throughout its history, it never lost its spirit.

Today, over 320,000 people live in the Savannah and Hinesville-Fort Stewart metropolitan areas. Thanks to the efforts of organizations such as the Historic Savannah Foundation, much of the city's heritage and architecture has been preserved and restored for guests to enjoy today. A National Historic Landmark, Savannah's Historic District is one of the largest historic landmarks in the nation. Here, guests can visit 21 public squares, each filled with monuments and structures that commemorate the city's most important people and events.

The Historic District isn't the only place to enjoy Savannah's beautiful outdoors and rich history. Explore the parade grounds, battle areas and well-weathered halls of Old Fort Jackson, the oldest standing brick fortification in the state. Just 15 miles from downtown, neighboring Tybee Island is a favorite for day trips. Here, guests can also see the impressive Tybee Island Lighthouse, one of just a few 18th century American lighthouses still in operation.

Savannah's 276-year-old history is also preserved in several can't-miss museums. Learn about the struggle for civil rights in Georgia's oldest African American community at the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum. Delve into Savannah's seafaring past at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. To learn about the city's history from A to Z, guests can stop by the Savannah History Museum, home to more than 10,000 artifacts that range from 19th and 20th century women's fashions to weapons and military items.

After a long day of sightseeing, guests who work up an appetite will feel right at home in Savannah. Rapidly becoming a foodie favorite, Savannah has a palate that ranges from low-country favorites of she-crab soup to fine dining offerings of mustard-garlic glazed salmon. Indulge in Southern favorites such as fried chicken, collard greens and peach cobbler at Savannah landmark restaurant The Lady & Sons, opened by celebrity chef Paula Deen. Just like its filling comfort food, the city of Savannah will surely keep guests satisfied long after the trip has ended.

Savannah, GA Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Eastern Time (ET)
Convention Center(s):

Hotel at Convention Center? Yes
Sleeping Rooms 1 Mile from Convention Center: 4,200

Airport(s):

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

Destination Type(s):

Golf Destination
Historic Destination

Special Event Venues
58
Population
347,611
Restaurants
150
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
6.00%
Currency
U.S. Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
10-20%
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Savannah, GA

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Charleston, SC	106 mi	2 hr 3 min	2 hr 54 min	USD $330+
Jacksonville, FL	139 mi	2 hr 14 min	2 hr 59 min	USD $380+
Atlanta, GA	249 mi	3 hr 51 min	59 min	USD $200+
Greenville, SC	256 mi	3 hr 55 min	2 hr 32 min	USD $385+
Raleigh, NC	322 mi	4 hr 55 min	2 hr 41 min	USD $250+

Savannah, GA Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	60	64	70	78	84	89	92	90	86	78	70	62
Avg. Low (°F)	38	41	48	54	62	69	72	72	68	57	47	40
Rec. High (°F)	84	86	91	95	100	104	105	104	98	97	89	83
Rec. Low (°F)	3	14	20	32	39	51	61	57	43	28	15	9
Rainfall (in)	3.5	3.1	3.6	3.2	4.2	5.6	6.8	7.2	5.0	2.9	2.2	2.7

The city of Savannah boasts milder winters and cooler summers than most of the Georgia interior. The city's warmest month is July, with temperatures averaging 72°F to 92°F. Its coldest month is January, with an average high temperature of 60°F and average low temperature of 38°F.

Half of the area's average annual rainfall of 49 inches falls from June to September, which is typical of a monsoon climate. Hurricane season runs from June to late November, but Savannah is the lowest at risk area as compared to such coastal neighbors as Charleston, Jacksonville and Cape Hatteras. The most popular time to visit Savannah is in the early spring or late fall, when guest can enjoy dry, mild days.

Meeting Planning in Savannah, GA

Savannah International Trade & Convention Center

The ultra-modern Savannah International Trade and Convention Center is a world-class facility, home to superior amenities and expansive meeting spaces. Located on the 2,000-acre Hutchinson Island, just a two-minute ferry ride from downtown Savannah, the convention center is twenty minutes away from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. It is also conveniently adjacent to the luxurious 403-room Westin Savannah Harbor Resort and Spa.

Totaling 330,000 square feet, the convention center features 100,000 square feet of divisible exhibit space and 50,000 square feet of meeting space spread among 13 meeting rooms and four executive boardrooms. Its boardrooms can seat up to 55 people each, while its meeting rooms can hold up to 80 attendees.

For elegant receptions, the 25,000-square-foot Chatham Ballroom can host up to 1,134 guests. The convention center's two-story, 10,000-square-foot River Concourse atrium is also a stunning meeting venue with a light-filled ambiance and great views. Presentations are a success at the 367-seat Oglethorpe Auditorium, thanks to technological features such as dimmable incandescent lighting, adjustable accent lighting and full audio-visual services.

The Savannah International Trade and Convention Center is home to state-of-the-art technology, full audio-visual features and telecommunications services. Savor Savannah, the center's exclusive caterer, specializes in delicious Southern fare made with fresh, local foods. The center also features parking for 1,500 vehicles. Guests can also easily reach the center thanks to an on-site dock for the free Savannah Belles Ferry from downtown Savannah.

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Savannah Civic Center

The 25,000-square-foot Savannah Civic Center hosts 900 events annually, including concerts, sporting events and meetings. The center's facilities include the 2,506-seat Johnny Mercer Theatre and the 20,352-square-foot Martin Luther King Arena, which can accommodate up to 9,600 people. The 6,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 400 people, while the East and West Promenades, each measuring 4,500 square feet, can accommodate 400 guests.

The center's second-floor wings are home to the 896-square-foot Cecil Day meeting room, with space for 50 people, and the 1,728-square-foot Lowell Mason meeting room, with space for 125 people. The expansive, versatile center features state-of-the-art audio-visual capability and technology, as well as in-house catering services.

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Savannah, GA Airport Information

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)

Approximate taxi fare: $30-35 USD

The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is located just seven miles northwest of the Savannah Historic District. The airport sees more than 1.5 million passengers per year as they travel on one of an average of 42 daily departures to locations throughout the United States. Despite its name, the airport currently does not offer commercial international flights, but it does have service to 15 non-stop, coast-to-coast destinations.

In 2007, the airport completed a $14 million terminal expansion project. The expansion added 10,000 square feet of concession space and five new gates as well as a four-level garage. Connected to the terminal via covered walkways, the new garage raises the total parking capacity to 3,690 vehicles.

The airy, light-filled Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport features a variety of passenger amenities. The second-level Savannah Square boasts restaurants, a postal center, gift shops and self-service massage chairs. Passengers can also use the airport's terminal-wide wireless Internet at no charge. The airport offers shuttle service to major hotels in the Historic District for approximately $15 one-way and $25 round-trip.

Airline carriers serving Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

American Eagle
Continental Express
Delta

Delta Connection
Northwest Airlink
United Express

US Airways

Savannah, GA Train Information

Savannah Amtrak Station

The Savannah Amtrak station is located on Seaboard Coastline Drive, just outside of the Historic District. Trains run on the Silver Service/Palmetto route, which travels daily from New York City to Miami.

Savannah, GA Public Transportation

Chatham Area Transit (CAT)

Buses

Savannah's Chatham Area Transit (CAT) bus line operates along 19 routes throughout downtown Savannah and Chatham County. Nearly 3.5 million passengers ride CAT's fleet of 55 buses each year. The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is serviced by the West Chatham route.

CAT buses run Monday through Saturday from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM and Sunday from 7 AM to 9 PM. Cash fare is $1 per boarding. Children under 41 inches tall ride free. A week-long bus pass is $12, a month-long pass is $48 and an advance 10-ride pass is $10.

Shuttles

The CAT Shuttle is a free service with more than 30 stops throughout the Savannah Historic District and direct connections to the CAT bus lines. The climate-controlled shuttles run Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 7:30 PM and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM.

Savannah Belles Ferry

The Savannah Belles Ferry is a free alternative to the Talmadge Bridge, which links downtown Savannah and Hutchinson Island, the site of the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. The ferry line's docking locations include River Street at City Hall in downtown Savannah, the Waving Girl Landing at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront, and directly outside of the convention center on Hutchinson Island.

The Savannah Belles Ferry fleet consists of two climate-controlled vessels, the Juliette Gordon Low and the Susie King Taylor. The scenic, two-minute ride is offered daily every 15 to 20 minutes from 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM.

Rental Cars

Several rental car agencies, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz, are represented at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Agency counters are located outside of the baggage claim on the terminal ground floor.

Taxis

Visitors to Savannah can grab a taxi at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport outside of the baggage claim on the ground floor. Visitors should expect to pay $30 to $35 in taxi fare from the airport to downtown Savannah. In the city, taxis can be hailed on the street throughout the downtown region or found at hotel taxi stands.

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Charleston, SC	106 mi	2 hr 3 min	2 hr 54 min	USD $330+
Jacksonville, FL	139 mi	2 hr 14 min	2 hr 59 min	USD $380+
Atlanta, GA	249 mi	3 hr 51 min	59 min	USD $200+
Greenville, SC	256 mi	3 hr 55 min	2 hr 32 min	USD $385+
Raleigh, NC	322 mi	4 hr 55 min	2 hr 41 min	USD $250+