Tuesday Talk: Savannah Convention Center’s Action Star

Tuesday Talk rounds up the latest Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) news you might have missed and also points forward to upcoming events on our campus.

Lidija Ahmetovic, Atlanta-based sales manager for the GWCCA-managed Savannah Convention Center (SCC), has been named as a member of Connect Corporate magazine’s 2020 40 Under 40 class recognizing young professionals in the meetings and events industry.

The program has a superhero/action movie theme this year and describes Ahmetovic and her fellow honorees as “action stars” who “work behind-the-scenes and are ahead of the curve,” according to Connect Corporate, a national B2B magazine geared toward meetings and events professionals and planners.

Nominations for the 40 Under 40 program were received from across the country, and Ahmetovic was nominated by her peers in the events industry. The Connect Corporate staff reviewed and evaluated the nominations based on industry involvement, references and other resources.

“In all honesty, this was the toughest 40 Under 40 class to choose since I have been editorial director because of the number of high-quality nominations,” said Matt Swenson, Connect Corporate’s Editorial Director. “You are truly one of the best and the best, and in good company.”

Ahmetovic is honored to be considered an action star.

“I am so grateful to be part of this year’s 2020 Connect Corporate 40 Under 40. Thank you to all my peers that have nominated me, it is such an honor to be part of this amazing industry and be a part of this group with all these amazing honorees,” Ahmetovic told unConventional.

Lidija Ahmetovic, GWCCA Sales Manager for Savannah Convention Center.

Ahmetovic, 29, has been with the Authority for almost four years and is working toward her CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) credential.

She splits time between Atlanta and Savannah.

“I am a remote-based sales manager out of Atlanta for the Savannah Convention Center,” she tells Connect Corporate. “I handle the Southeast Market and focus on bringing corporate and association business to Savannah.”

For a full description of her accomplishments, click here

CAMPUS PROJECT UPDATES

While the COVID-19 pandemic sent shockwaves throughout the hospitality industry, the Authority has moved forward on several construction-related projects on its 220-plus acre downtown Atlanta campus.

Photo courtesy of GWCCA Department of Project & Program Management.

These include upgrades to the inclement weather pedestrian bridge that connects the Red Deck parking garage to Georgia World Congress Center’s (GWCC) Building B and installation of Georgia-made, Georgia-themed carpet in Building C to replace faulty terrazzo tiling (see picture above). The new carpet matches the Georgia mountains-themed motif throughout the rest of Building C.

Also, work continues on the six-level Orange Deck parking facility adjacent to GWCC, The Home Depot Backyard, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.