Our Impact

Making a Difference

Through our partner organizations, committees, and task forces

Working together with our members, partners, government, and stakeholders, we develop impactful initiatives that drive economic growth, enhance visitor experience, and support the sustainable development of our tourism community. By leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we tackle key challenges and advocate for policies that benefit both the local community and visitors.

We focus on creating a thriving tourism environment that balances growth with preservation, ensuring that our community remains a vibrant and attractive destination for years to come.

• Secured $271 million in funding for the expansion of the Savannah Convention Center, the largest single project financial appropriation in Georgia History.
• Secured $175 million in funding for the new I-16/I-95 interchange to enhance transportation logistics entering and leaving the region.
• Secured $7.1 million in funding to establish a culinary institute for our partner, the Savannah Technical College.
• Convened residential organizations, government leaders, and business owners to craft a STVR Ordinance and Management Policy for Savannah that has become a gold standard policy emulated in other communities across the country.
• Led industry discussions on the possible establishment of a cruise ship terminal in Savannah and the creation of a casino resort on Hutchinson Island and determined neither proposal was compatible to our community’s vision for responsible and sustainable growth.
• Conducted a full review of Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival operations and formulated a new management approach for 2022 that resulted in the most successful festival in recent memory.
• Established the TLC Scholarship Fund, which, to date, has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to coastal Georgia students entering the hospitality sector, with several former recipients now owning and operating their own tourism businesss.
• Founded the Savannah Food and Wine Festival, a premier event celebrating the region’s culinary diversity and excellence.
• Succeeded in advocating to the involved in the discussions to amend the city’s hotel overlay that initially proposed too many restrictions against new hotel development. The TLC’s involvement helped usher in an improved overlay plan that removed certain restrictions against new development, which garnered support of hotel owners and ensured manageable growth and development in the city.
• Worked extensively with the local government to develop and implement a Tourism Management Plan, with the goal of designing a comprehensive, living document that balances residence needs with community interests. The TMP was put into effect and serves as a strategic roadmap to guide city, residential, preservation, and tourism community efforts in managing tourism-related dynamics, challenges, and opportunities.
• Established the Tour Guide Certification Program to enhance industry standards and professionalism, and to ensure tour guides have expert-level knowledge of Savannah’s extensive and diverse history. The TLC’s Certification Program is looked upon very favorably among all tour guide company members after certification through the City became no longer required. Most tour guide companies in our community require new hires to pass our certification program.
• Created the Coastal Concierge Association (CCA) to promote collaboration and elevate the expertise of local concierge professionals. Launched the Concierge Certification Program through the CCA to help educate and equip front line lodging property professionals with the advanced resources and tools to succeed in hospitality. Joining the CCA and registering for the certification program is free for TLC members.