The Savannah Convention Center is a modern waterfront exhibition and meeting venue on Hutchinson Island, directly across the Savannah River from the city’s Historic District. It hosts conventions, trade shows, sporting competitions, corporate meetings, banquets and public events. Complimentary ferry access and an adjoining resort make it convenient for both business and leisure visitors.
A major expansion completed in February 2025 doubled the facility to approximately 660,000 square feet. The enlarged center now offers 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, two large ballrooms, 27 meeting rooms, five executive boardrooms and a fixed-seat auditorium. Visitors should check their event confirmation for the correct hall and arrival instructions.
Savannah Convention Center Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
| Official name | Savannah Convention Center |
| Address | 1 International Drive, Savannah, GA 31421 |
| Location | Hutchinson Island on the Savannah River |
| Manager | Georgia World Congress Center Authority |
| Total facility area | Approximately 660,000 square feet |
| Exhibit space | 200,000 square feet |
| Main exhibit sections | Halls A, B, C and D |
| Meeting rooms | 27 |
| Executive boardrooms | 5 |
| Largest ballroom | Governor’s Ballroom, 40,000 square feet |
| Second ballroom | Chatham Ballroom, 25,000 square feet |
| Auditorium | Oglethorpe Auditorium, 367 fixed seats |
| On-site parking | Approximately 1,500 spaces |
| Current parking rates | $10 surface lot; $20 parking garage, plus transaction fee |
| Water transport | Complimentary Savannah Belles Ferry |
| Nearest airport | Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, about 11 miles |
Address and Location
The physical address is 1 International Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31421. The center occupies a riverfront site on Hutchinson Island, north of downtown Savannah. It sits beside The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and looks across the water toward River Street, City Hall and the Historic District.
Drivers reach the island by road, while many downtown hotel guests use the Savannah Belles Ferry from River Street. Event entrances, loading areas and parking zones differ, so visitors should follow the route shown in their event material.
Facilities at the Convention Center
The expanded Savannah Convention Center provides 200,000 square feet of divisible exhibition space and a broad range of conference, ballroom and pre-function areas. Its 27 meeting rooms and five executive boardrooms support smaller sessions.
Facilities include registration areas, river-facing concourses, loading docks, show offices, mobile charging stations and an event-schedule-dependent business center. Three Zoom rooms support hybrid meetings. Encore provides audiovisual services, while the center supplies exhibitor utilities.
The cashless building also holds LEED Gold certification and uses daylighting, efficient systems and recycling programmes.
Hall Capacity and Layout
1. Exhibit Halls A, B, C and D
The full exhibit floor covers 200,000 square feet and can be used as one large hall or divided into four sections. Published figures include 17,642 theatre-style attendees, 6,732 classroom seats, 12,396 banquet guests, 24,073 reception guests or 974 standard ten-by-ten-foot booths.
Exhibit Hall A offers 53,887 square feet and can hold approximately 7,320 theatre-style attendees or 280 standard booths. Hall B covers 42,223 square feet, with capacity for about 5,598 theatre-style guests or 208 booths.
Hall C provides 51,693 square feet and has published capacity for around 4,226 theatre-style attendees, 2,856 banquet guests or 262 booths. Hall D covers 46,017 square feet and can accommodate approximately 3,704 theatre-style guests, 2,592 banquet guests or 224 booths.
The exhibit floor has utility boxes, rigging points, plumbing connections and oversized loading access. Final capacity depends on staging, equipment, aisles and the approved safety plan.
2. Governor’s Ballroom
The Governor’s Ballroom is the center’s newest and largest ballroom. It covers 40,000 square feet and divides into three principal sections. Published capacities include approximately 3,326 theatre-style attendees, 1,479 classroom seats, 2,688 banquet guests and 5,692 people for a reception.
With 30-foot ceilings and river-facing pre-function space, it suits keynote sessions, award programmes, meals and receptions.
3. Chatham Ballroom
The Chatham Ballroom provides 25,000 square feet and can divide into three sections. It can accommodate approximately 2,604 theatre-style attendees, 864 classroom seats, 1,512 banquet guests or 2,580 reception guests.
The adjoining Georgia International Gallery covers just over 9,000 square feet and can host approximately 948 standing guests. Floor-to-ceiling windows and river views make this area useful for registration, cocktails and pre-function gatherings.
4. Meeting Rooms and Oglethorpe Auditorium
Meeting rooms occupy the first and second levels and can be used individually or combined for workshops and conference tracks.
Oglethorpe Auditorium is a 3,820-square-foot fixed-seat theatre with 367 seats. It includes a stage, projection systems, interpreter booths and built-in audiovisual features, making it useful for presentations, lectures and screenings.
5. Outdoor and Specialty Spaces
The 58,000-square-foot waterfront Esplanade supports receptions and outdoor displays. Riverview Plaza, Savannah Terrace, the River Concourse and Tondee’s provide further function space.
Parking at Savannah Convention Center
The campus has approximately 1,500 on-site parking spaces, including a newer 900-space garage and surface parking. Current standard rates are $10 for the surface lot and $20 for the garage. A $0.99 transaction fee is added, and special-event pricing may differ.
Parking uses a pay-by-phone, license-plate system. First-time visitors scan a posted QR code and enter their plate and payment details. There are no standard in-and-out privileges, but a 30-minute grace period allows a no-charge exit.
Accessible spaces are available, and overflow parking with shuttle service may be used on high-attendance days. Advance parking reservations are not currently offered. Exhibitors with trailers, box trucks or oversized vehicles should arrange access separately rather than using ordinary attendee spaces.
Reaching the Convention Center
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is about 11 miles away. Taxis, rideshares and rental cars provide airport connections, while Amtrak passengers need a road transfer from Savannah station.
The complimentary Savannah Belles Ferry links the Trade Center Landing with downtown riverfront stops. Current venue information lists service between the convention center and River Street seven days a week, although schedules can change. Savannah’s free downtown shuttle connects ferry landings with selected Historic District stops.
Popular Hotels Near Savannah Convention Center
The adjoining resort and Historic District provide several hotel choices.
- The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa: Adjacent to the convention center and the easiest choice for guests who want to remain on Hutchinson Island.
- Hyatt Regency Savannah: Located on River Street near a ferry landing, making it convenient for attendees using water transport.
- JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District: A luxury riverfront hotel with restaurants and entertainment near the western end of River Street.
- Savannah Marriott Riverfront: A large waterfront hotel near the eastern Historic District and another practical choice for convention groups.
- Thompson Savannah: A modern riverfront hotel east of the Historic District, useful for guests seeking an upscale property outside the busiest central blocks.
Downtown guests should compare their hotel with the nearest ferry landing and check operating hours.
Dining at and Near the Convention Center
Iron & Oak Hospitality is the exclusive food and beverage provider, handling breaks, meals, receptions, banquets and exhibitor catering.
Public-area concepts include Savannah Bean at The Brick for coffee and pastries, The Port wine bar, and The Hangar, a flexible lounge-style gathering space. These outlets are activated according to client requests and event schedules, so they may not operate during every programme.
The adjoining Westin has restaurants and bars, while River Street and the Historic District offer seafood, Southern cooking and group dining. Reservations are sensible during large conventions.
Accessibility
The center provides accessible parking, curb cuts, entrance ramps, elevators, restrooms and passenger drop-off areas. The ferry and downtown shuttle also provide accessible service.
Trained service animals are permitted. Visitors who need mobility equipment, sign-language interpretation or another event-specific accommodation should contact the organiser before arrival so suitable arrangements can be confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Savannah Belles Ferry free for convention attendees?
A: Yes. The passenger ferry between Hutchinson Island and downtown riverfront stops is complimentary. Attendees should still check the current operating schedule before relying on it for an early or late session.
Q: Can parking be reserved before an event?
A: No. The center currently does not offer advance reservations for ordinary attendee parking. Spaces are used according to availability.
Q: Does the parking fee include re-entry?
A: No. Standard parking has no in-and-out privileges. A vehicle that leaves and returns is treated as a new parking visit.
Q: Can exhibitors bring large displays or vehicles into the hall?
A: Yes, subject to organiser and venue approval. The exhibit area has oversized access, loading facilities and utility connections, but delivery times and routes must be arranged in advance.
Q: Is the Savannah Convention Center cashless?
A: Yes. Venue-operated transactions generally require a credit card or mobile payment. Individual event vendors may set their own accepted payment methods.
Q: Is luggage storage available?
A: The venue is not a general luggage-storage facility. Travellers should ask their hotel or event organiser whether supervised bag holding has been arranged.
Q: Are outside food and drinks allowed?
A: Food and beverage service is controlled by the center’s exclusive provider. Guests with medical or special dietary needs should contact the organiser before attending.