Visit Savannah Welcomes New Sports Sales Director Karissa Pendleton

SAVANNAH, Ga. – [October 6, 2025] - Visit Savannah and the Savannah Sports Council welcome new Sports Sales Director Karissa Pendleton. Pendleton will focus on bringing new sporting events to Savannah, increasing hotel bookings tied to sports tourism, and researching and strategizing conference and trade show opportunities to introduce sports event organizers to the destination.


Pendleton joins the team with nearly a decade of experience in sports tourism, sales, and event management. Most recently, she served as sports sales manager for Visit Galveston, where she led national sales efforts targeting amateur, collegiate, and professional sports event organizers. Prior to her time in Texas, she spent more than five years with the Florida Sports Foundation, managing sports development and grant writing. In her role, she oversaw industry partnerships, management of large-scale amateur sporting events, and grant procurement.


“Visit Savannah and the Savannah Sports Council are pleased to welcome Karissa to our team,” said Joseph Marinelli, President & CEO of Visit Savannah. “Her education and extensive background in sports event sales and management align well with how we will manage the numerous events we already host in Savannah and Chatham County, while identifying new opportunities for the future. Karissa’s enthusiasm, energy, and leadership will be a nice addition to our team.” 

Throughout her career, Pendleton has worked closely with sports governing bodies, destination marketing organizations, and local partners to create competitive bids and deliver high-quality event experiences. Her ability to build relationships with national event organizers positions her to make an immediate impact in Savannah.

“I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Visit Savannah team as the new director of sports sales!” Pendleton said. “Savannah has so much potential in the sports market, and I’m eager to help grow that presence by highlighting the city’s unique blend of Southern charm, rich history, and vibrant energy that make it an unforgettable destination for athletes and their families.”
 
Karissa will be based in Savannah and will collaborate closely with local hospitality, facility, and community partners to continue elevating the region as a premier sports destination.
 

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About Visit Savannah
Visit Savannah serves as the official destination marketing organization for the Savannah / Chatham County area, and is committed to driving increased visitor spending, economic vitality, and quality of life for the region, while continually building upon Savannah’s image as a world-class destination. For more information, visit www.visitsavannah.com