ATLANTA – (August 17, 2016) – The Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) contract to manage the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center (SITCC) has been extended for three years, continuing a partnership that connects the state’s top two tourist destinations.
The Georgia International & Maritime Trade Center Authority (GIMTCA), which governs the SITCC, approved the extension at its board meeting on August 10.
The original agreement was approved in February 2014, and the GWCCA began operating and managing the 330,000-square-foot riverfront facility on April 1, 2014, in addition to collaborating with the Visit Savannah team to market the convention center as a prime business destination.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with the Georgia International Maritime & Trade Center Authority,” said Sherrie Spinks, the former GWCCA Chief Financial Officer who took over as General Manager of the SITCC on Jan. 13. “We are pleased with the vote of confidence instilled by the GIMTCA board to continue our strategic relationship.”
In addition, GWCCA is assisting GIMTCA in developing a convention hotel on Hutchison Island adjacent to the SITCC. GIMTCA is also studying possible expansion of the trade and convention center, which features 100,000-square-feet of exhibit space, a 367-seat state-of-the-art auditorium, 50,000-square-feet of prime meeting space, including 13 meeting rooms, a 25,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and four executive board rooms.
“The hospitality business in Savannah is at an all-time high and we don’t see a slowdown in sight,” said Spinks. “Chatham County is bustling with new development projects at this time and we are thrilled to be a part of the new opportunities.”
About the Georgia World Congress Center Authority
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority
(GWCCA) now includes Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the 3.9 million- square-foot convention center, the 71,250-seat Georgia Dome, and 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park. Additionally, GWCCA manages operations of the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. These public facilities represent the largest combined convention, sports, and entertainment destination in the world. This past year, the GWCCA hosted 555 events and welcomed more than 2.4 million visitors who generated $1.33 billion in economic impact to the State of Georgia.