Rich history, mild weather and diverse venues, combine to make Savannah, Georgia, the perfect spot to host our 2022 conference (September 19-21, 2022). The city overflows with unique attractions, historic sites, and some of the best food in the South. Here are the top 10 reasons to host our event in Savannah.
- The Location
No matter where you’re coming from or how you arrive, you will find it’s easy to get to Savannah. The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is only 15 miles from the city center and served by many major airlines, including Delta, Jet Blue, United Airlines, Southwest and Air Canada. Frontier Airlines just introduced new routes from Denver and Philadelphia. And if NATSA members are traveling from South Florida, they can hop on one of American Airlines’ daily flights from Miami. The city is also easily accessible via major highways, like I-95 and I-16, and has direct daily rail connections to New York and Miami. Once you arrive, you’ll find Savannah easy to navigate by foot and local transportation. Of course, the Visit Savannah team is also happy to help arrange bus and car transfers to restaurants and off-site activities for you.
- Venues
Savannah’s unique venues are ready to accommodate events of all sizes. With our base hotel located in the historic district, along with of Savannah’s restaurants and off-site offerings, the whole city will be NATSA’s playground. All of the venues and meeting spaces, from the riverside terraces to the rooftop ballrooms, feature the technology we need to have a remarkable event including Wi-Fi and audio/visual capabilities.
- Hotels
A good night’s sleep is essential to having a productive event. Our base hotel offers a wide array of amenities, including breakfast and an evening reception. If you want to break out and stay on your own, Savannah offers a variety of hotels and motels, historic inns, and even a few haunted hotels to suit any budget. Many of Savannah’s hotels feature amenities that go above and beyond continental breakfasts and free Wi-Fi. Check out Savannah’s hotels herefor hotels-motels.
- Savannah Safe
The Savannah community has come together to create the Savannah Safe Initiative, a commitment to help stop the spread of COVID-19 with cleaning and disinfecting protocols to help ensure the health and safety of everyone in our places of business. Over 600+ Savannah area businesses, including the Savannah Convention Center, have taken the pledge and are enforcing new cleanliness and safety measures to keep visitors and staff safe. Click herefor savannah-safe-information to learn more about the Savannah Safe initiative.
- Off-Site Activities
When it’s time for teambuilding, Savannah is ready to help you with a conference and activities you will never forget. The possibilities are endless, from a planned themed party in any of the historic squares, a riverboat cruise, or a day at the ballpark. You can also visit the historic planes and aircraft engines at The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, the city has an array of activities for you to enjoy in the fresh Savannah air. Host a fishing or kayaking excursion, or treat your yourself to some of the finest golf in the state. Your will never run out of things to do in Savannah.
- The Team
Visit Savannah is ready to welcome you with open arms. Once you pick your favorite venues, our experienced team is here to help you plan every detail of your event, from providing visitor guides and arranging activities to assisting with group reservations. Savannah’s unique “Show Us Your Badge” program empowers you to save big while exploring the shops, sites, and restaurants in the Historic District. NATSA will provide this information available to attendees at registration to help you enjoy a memorable visit to Savannah.
- The Weather
Thanks to the mild temperatures and the city’s southern orientation, Savannah enjoys great weather year-round. While the rest of the country is shivering and shoveling snow, Savannah averages winter highs in the 60s and 70s, and nighttime lows rarely drop below freezing. And while other Southern cities suffer from humidity, Savannah’s coastal breeze is refreshing during the summer.
- The History
Savannah is considered America’s first planned city. After General James Oglethorpe arrived in 1733, he designed the city around a series of grids allowing for wide streets and public squares. Of Savannah’s 24 original squares, 22 squares still exist today and are ready for exploring and people-watching. Other historic sites include Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous by John Berendt’s novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and the Clint Eastwood-directed film that followed it. Arrange a tour of this centuries-old cemetery, or visit the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, where the founder of Girl Scouts was born. Other fascinating historic sites include Congregation Mickve Israel, the third-oldest Jewish congregation in America, and The Pirates’ House, which is said to have inspired the Robert Louis Stevenson classic Treasure Island.
- The Culture
All that history makes Savannah a unique city in the South, creating an environment ripe for artists, performers, and musicians. Treat your group to a night of jazz, classical, or alt-rock music at one of the live music venues in the Downtown Design District. Check out local events such as the Savannah Film Festival in the fall or the Savannah Music Festival in early spring. There is always something new to see at Jepson Center for the Arts and at the fine art galleries of City Market.
- The Hospitality
No matter where you go, what you see, or who you meet, you’ll be treated to the Southern charm that has made this city a destination for travelers from around the world. From the moment you arrive to the closing night festivities, you will be the city’s honored guests. Count on Visit Savannah to make this conference educational, fun, and overall a huge success!
