Savannah International Trade & Convention Center Chooses Headquarter Hotel Partner

December 20, 2016

The Georgia International and Maritime Trade Center Authority (GIMTCA), which governs the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center (SITCC), has selected Songy Highroads, LLC., in partnership with Omni Hotels & Resorts, to develop a convention headquarters hotel.

It will be located on Hutchison Island adjacent to the riverfront convention center, which is managed by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA).

The next step of the agreement, which was unanimously approved by the GIMTCA board at its Dec. 14 meeting, is to work through development agreements, said Sherrie Spinks, SITCC’s General Manager.

The hotel project will feature at least 300 guest rooms and serve to complement events at the SITCC and greater Savannah area, according to the Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposal (RFQ/RFP) filed by GWCCA on behalf of GIMTCA.

It is also envisioned that the project will spur additional development in the area and create new demand for bookings at the SITCC, which features 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, 50,000 square feet of meeting space (four executive board rooms and 13 meeting rooms), a 367-seat state-of-the-art Oglethorpe Auditorium and a 25,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom.

GIMTCA also announces today its intention to pursue expansion of the convention facility by creating 100,000 square feet of additional exhibit space, more meeting space and another ballroom (50,000 square feet). Various market studies commissioned by GIMTCA in recent years have supported pursuing a convention hotel to enhance the SITCC and that it is also time to expand the facility.

The intention of both Authorities is to develop the hotel without public financing.

Additionally, the hotel will be designed to operate efficiently and use environmentally-sustainable architecture, construction and technology.

Atlanta-based Songy Highroads is a commercial real estate firm that focuses primarily on urban infill projects with particular emphasis in the office and hotel sectors.

The company’s current hotel projects include Hyatt Place Houston and Hyatt Regency Houston in Texas, Hyatt Regency Fairfax, Va. and Sheraton Metairie Galleria, New Orleans. Past hotel projects include the Marriott Residence Inn in Atlanta, Wyndham Vinings in suburban Atlanta, Dallas Hilton Garden Inn Market Center and Starwood Aloft Galleria, Houston, and Hyatt Place Washington, DC.

Omni Hotels & Resorts Convention Collection features world-class hotels near, or connected to, convention centers or other major venues, some of which include the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center, Omni Dallas Hotel, Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Omni Shoreham Hotel in D.C., and the Omni Providence Hotel in Rhode Island.

Additionally, Omni has two resorts in the southeast region – Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, 130 miles south of Savannah, and Omni Hilton Head which is 30 miles to the northeast.

The GWCCA has managed the SITCC under contract with GIMTCA since April 2014. GIMTCA approved a three-year extension of that agreement at its Aug. 10 board meeting. The partnership connects the state’s top two tourist destinations.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.