They’re back — 1,500 strong and representing all 159 counties. And, while they have a full schedule of meetings, continuing education and forums that started Friday and run through Tuesday, they’re also here to celebrate.
The Association of County Commissioners of Georgia is marking the organization’s centennial with its biggest convention yet. And Savannah is determined to make it one they won’t soon forget.
“The Savannah hospitality and tourism industry is stepping up to make ACCG’s 100th anniversary its best convention experience ever,” said Joseph Marinelli, Visit Savannah president. “It’s a great thrill to host such an event in our city, and we look forward to welcoming representatives from all over Georgia.”
To accommodate the largest conference in the group’s history, events have relocated from the Savannah Civic Center to the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center.
“ACCG, Georgia’s county association, looks forward to proudly celebrating its centennial anniversary at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center with representatives from each of Georgia’s counties,” said association executive director Ross King.
“This year’s special conference will be highlighted with a keynote address from Pulitzer-prize winning presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and participation by other special guests, including Gov. Nathan Deal and Georgia Power President Paul Bowers.”
Sharon Collins, Emmy award-winning host of Georgia Public Broadcasting’s “Georgia Outdoors,” presided over the awards celebration Friday night, while the opening general session on Saturday featured Roger Moss and the Savannah Children’s Choir, the Chatham Youth Commission, the Southeast Georgia Honor Guard and tributes and welcomes from Chatham County Commission Chairman Al Scott and Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson.
Kearns Goodwin delivered the keynote address.
The event will utilize more than 2,000 hotel rooms and generate approximately $2.2 million in overall spending, according to Visit Savannah estimates.
“This year’s ACCG convention is special for two reasons,” Marinelli said.
First, the fact that they chose to come to Savannah to celebrate their 100th anniversary is quite a compliment. Having representatives from all of Georgia’s 159 counties is an opportunity to show off all that our community has to offer to folks from all around the state,” he said, adding that moving the convention into the Trade Center is also significant.
“By doing so, their convention can grow into the larger space, fill more hotel rooms and use venues like Rousakis Plaza and the Esplanade at the Trade Center for their special events.”
The convention is confirmed at the Trade center for 2015 and 2016, according to Bob Coffey, Trade Center executive director, and negotiations for 2017 and beyond set to begin later this month.
That brings Marinelli to his second reason.
“Having associations from around Georgia hold their conventions in our city is extremely important to Savannah,” he said. “We have more people visit from our own state than any other and the exposure that these groups provide is invaluable for repeat visitors throughout the year.”