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Savannah's Intellectual Capital

High intelligence & hospitality: Add value to your meeting or convention with Savannah's intellectual capital, from economic sectors to industry leaders.

You know about Savannah’s historic charm. Its Southern hospitality. Its expanded convention center, unique venues and walkable top-name and boutique hotels.

But do you know about the coastal Georgia city’s booming business sectors and leaders throughout industries like manufacturing, aerospace, and logistics and distribution?

If you’re wondering what those mean for your meeting plans, they mean extensive intellectual capital. What exactly is the importance of intellectual capital for your Savannah meeting, convention or conference? Not only does it enhance attendance appeal — it also gives your group a takeaway that’s more meaningful than a welcome bag. It leaves lasting value. It provides a direct connection to local culture. It creates human connections with entrepreneurs, researchers and other experts who provide valuable knowledge and spark innovation.

You can tap into the destination’s economic value, creative and cultural connections and human knowledge with the Visit Savannah team, your go-to expert on incorporating experiences your attendees can only have during your event in Savannah.

Learn how to harness Savannah’s local assets, from key industries to educational institutions, and explore our directory of speakers to enrich your attendees’ meeting experience.

Savannah Industries

Savannah’s thriving industries include one of the most respected aerospace companies in the world and manufacturing giants bolstered by its superior infrastructure and community resources.

CNBC ranked Georgia the best in the U.S. for infrastucture in America's Top States for Business in 2023.

Advanced Manufacturing

Savannah’s broad advanced manufacturing base includes 297 manufacturers, employing more than 19,000 and creating $3.8 billion in output in 2022. It represents nearly 10% of the workforce in the Savannah area.

Industry leaders in the Savannah area include JCB, the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of construction, agricultural and defense equipment. JCB moved its North American headquarters to Savannah because of the city’s economic opportunities. Mitsubishi Power, a manufacturer of advanced-class gas turbines and steam turbines, is located in the region, as well as Gulfstream Aerospace, a producer of jet aircraft.

Aerospace

Savannah is the aerospace corridor of the Southeast, with six times the national average of aerospace engineers and more than 30 additional aerospace-related companies. In addition to manufacturing jet aircraft, Gulfstream, the largest aerospace manufacturer in the Southeast, produces aerospace equipment and employs 10,000 workers locally.

Electric Vehicle Manufacturing

Soon, more than 300,000 electric vehicles (EVs) will be built in the Savannah region each year. Hyundai Motor Group is opening the first fully dedicated electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility in the U.S. in the Savannah region.

Logistics & Distribution

Georgia Ports Authority operates the Port of Savannah’s Garden City and Ocean terminals. The Port of Savannah, the single largest and fastest-growing container terminal and fourth-busiest container port in the nation, fuels the coastal city’s distribution sector. The Home Depot, IKEA, Dollar Tree, Target, Floor and Decor, Wayfair and others have facilities in this hot spot for logistics and distribution.

Area Development has ranked Georgia as the Top State to Do Business for 11 straight years.

gulfstream G500 jet flying through the sky — Gulfstream Aerospace

Hyundai Metaplant Rendering — Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant North America

JCB excavator digging in a construction site — JCB North America

Georgia Ports Authority Savannah yard — Georgia Ports Authority

Savannah Educational Institutions

Savannah’s higher learning institutions produce graduates who contribute to the region and advanced learning created by the area’s vibrant and growing economy.

Savannah College of Art and Design

Known as SCAD, Savannah College of Art and Design has earned top rankings for degree programs in interior design, architecture, film, fashion, digital media, and more.

SCAD’s top-ranked industrial design program’s students have worked with some of the most recognizable brands in the world — including Coca-Cola, Hewlett-Packard, AT&T, Dell, Mattel, Microsoft, Reebok and Fisher-Price — to invent practical solutions to real-world challenges.

Students in SCAD’s renowned interactive design and game development program moved the needle at high-profile tech companies, including Apple, Adobe, Electronic Arts, Microsoft and more.

Savannah State University

The oldest public Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in Georgia, Savannah State University (SSU) is committed to global education and cultural exchange.

SSU is comprised of four colleges: Business Administration, Sciences and Technology, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and Education.

SCAD 2023 Spring Sidewalk Arts Festival — SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival

Exterior of Savannah State University — Savannah State University

filming inside Savannah State studios — Savannah State University

Speaker Directory

Jesse Cole

Owner, The Savannah Bananas

Expertise: Entrepreneurship

[email protected]

912.712.2482

Lauren Cleland

Vice President, Strategic Marketing

Expertise: Strategic Marketing

[email protected]

912.644.6412

Anna Chafin

President & CEO, RISE Savannah

Expertise: Workforce Organization & Economic Development

[email protected]

912.644.7501

Ted Dennard

Founder & Beekeeper, Savannah Bee Company

Expertise: Entrepreneurship

[email protected]

912.234.0688

Aileen Gabby

President, Aileen Gabby Productive Nonprofits

Expertise: Nonprofits

[email protected]

410.274.3027

If you're interested in sharing your expertise with Savannah's business event attendees and would like to be added to Visit Savannah's Speaker Directory, reach out to us.