Hospitality & Tourism

NEWS - Hospitality & Tourism

SBJ Staff Report

Jan 30, 2012 - The Savannah Area Tourism Leadership Council will host their 14^th Annual Tourism Awards & Scholarship Dinner on Thurs., Feb. 16 at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. 

 “Savannah’s tourism and hospitality industry provides excellent career paths for individuals seeking an opportunity for ongoing growth and development throughout their careers,” said Marti Barrow, executive director of the Savannah Area Tourism Leadership Council.  “We are very proud of the accomplishments of not only the evening’s award recipients, but of the industry as a whole.”

Community leaders are honored each year for their impact on the local tourism and hospitality industry with several top awards, which will be presented at the event.  This year’s Herb & Franklin Traub Visionary Award and John P. Rousakis Community Champion Award recipients are Dr. Walter O. Evans, retired general surgeon and art collector, and Fran Powell Harold, director, Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace.

In addition, the recipients of the Service Star and Service Leader Awards for exemplary job performance in the hospitality industry will be announced as well as the Tourism Leadership Council Member of the Year.  Six scholarships will also be presented from the Sheldon Fox Scholarship Program to students pursuing culinary, tourism and hospitality careers. 

The Tourism Awards & Scholarship Dinner is not only a celebration of local tourism industry accomplishments, but it is also an annual fundraiser that supports the programs of the Savannah Area Tourism Leadership Council, including scholarships for college students pursuing hospitality careers, workforce development initiatives, networking opportunities for industry professionals, educational seminars for industry employees and an emergency fund available for members in times of crisis, explains Barrow.

Approximately 250 people are expected to attend the event this year. The TLC would like to thank our Platinum Sponsor for the event-Old Savannah Tours! Sonny Dixon, news anchor for WTOC-TV, will serve as emcee for the evening.  The cocktail reception will begin at 5:30pm and conclude just before dinner, which begins at 7 p.m.  Tickets for dinner are $55, and table sponsorships are still available. 

The event will also feature a fabulous RAFFLE this year.  Tickets are currently available for purchase at the TLC office or online at www.tourismleadershipcouncil.com (select calendar – February 16).  You do not need to be present to win.  A list of prizes is attached. 

For more information about the Tourism Awards & Scholarship Dinner or to purchase tickets, please visit the online calendar at www.tourismleadershipcouncil.com (select February 16) or call the Tourism Leadership Council office at 912-232-1223.  Reservations are due by Friday, January 10^th.  

NEWS - Hospitality & Tourism

By Lou Phelps, SBJ Staff

Dec. 20, 2011—The Jekyll Island Authority’s development partner has chosen the Westin hotel chain for the island’s second major hotel  - completing the Authority's new convention center complex plans. 

At the Authority’s December board meeting on Monday, Dave Curtis of The Jekyll Landmark Associates of Delaware, one of three development companies the Authority is working with for the redevelopment project, announced that Westin would be the flag hotel, and an investor in the new 200-room hotel that the development company will be building and operating.

The Jekyll Landmark group signed an agreement last Friday with the Westin hotel group, according to Curtis.

The total hotel investment for the new Westin is projected to be $32.8 million, and is being funded 100% privately, including a portion by Westin, according to Jones Hooks, executive director of the Authority.  Construction is set start next summer, he said, in an interview the Savannah Business Journal today.

“We are very excited about the Westin, and the announcement. Certainly, in this economy, we are glad to hear the news…to see it move forward,” he explained.  Jekyll Landmark Associates had told the Authority board last year that they hoped to have a hotel commitment by the end of summer 2011, and they have been in negotiations with Weston, Hilton and Marriott, all of which had been willing to invest, the developer had told the board on several occasions.

The new full-service Westin will be adjacent to the Authority’s new 128,000 sq ft. convention center, now under construction, which will feature a 45,000 sq. ft. ballroom. The Authority voted Monday to call the ballroom Atlantic Hall and the convention center Jekyll Island Convention Center. The names had been under discussion for a period of time. 

“To have one of the world's top hotels in the Glynn County area, is big news.  This will bring opportunities to our community that we have never had before,” Jones added.  “The Westin will attract both business and leisure travelers because of the Westin's international frequent traveler awards program.”

In all, the Authority is working with three development companies for the complex, one building the new Hyatt Place hotel, one developing the retail complex and The Jekyll Landmark Associates for the full-service Westin.  The Hyatt and retail center are also being built entirely through private investment.  The State of Georgia is underwriting the bonds for the convention center. 

The new hotels are both beachfront, with connecting walkways, explains Jones. “To us, this is the newest concept around the U.S., and in Georgia, where hotels and convention centers are not necessarily connected, but adjacent. It’s more of a ‘free scape’ where people can walk outside and enjoy the environment.  You see this in malls, too. Something analogous would be the St. John Center mall in Jacksonville. Nothing is under cover – it is a free scape, with walkways and awnings,” Hooks explained.

NEWS - Hospitality & Tourism

By Lou Phelps, SBJ Staff

Dec 19, 2011 - A contingent of Savannah business leaders met with the Chatham County Commissioners Friday morning to provide an update on the negotiations and financial analysis to build a new hotel on Hutchinson Island, slated to be a public/private partnership.

The Commissioners were being asked to grant another extension to an agreement with a hotel development company, Journeyman Austin Holdings, that is the chosen developer. In attendance in support of the project were David Paddison, Eric Johnston and Art Dana, and others.

Supporters contend that more hotel rooms adjacent to the convention are necessary to improve the sales success of the Savannah International Maritime Trade and Convention Center. They want to see a project developed using public and private funds, a concept that has been used by a number of cities to fund major tourism and economic development initiatives.

But detractors do not want public funds committed to guarantee bonds that would be issued for the local, county and state’s portion of the project. They argue that if the project fails, and there is a default on the bonds by the consortium of owners, public funds will be used to pay off the bonds.

And, they don't think public money or obligations should be used to develop a business that will compete with existing hotels.  Additionally, they argue that if there is a viable business model for a new hotel on Hutchinson Island, then private hotel development companies would be stepping up to invest.

The discussion was dominated by Commissioner Helen Stone who argued against another extension to the ‘Memo of Understanding’ (MOU) with the developer – this time for 120 more days.  

Stone contended that the Commissioners voted on August 12, 2011 for a 90-day extension to the MOU that was set to expire on Sept. 13, 2011. “The 90 days have passed,” said Stone. “Why are we being asked to extend something that has expired?”  She argued that the project should be put back out to bid.

Attorney Russ Ross, in the audience, and also speaking against the extension, insisted on being heard as part of a public comment period. Commissioner Harris Odell attempted to 'call the question' and not allow public comment, but after the audience reacted negatively, Chairman Pete Liakskis allowed Ross to speak.

Ross represents hotels in the Savannah historic district that oppose building the hotel with government support, and agreed with Stone that the MOU had expired.

County Attorney Jon Hart said that the last extension did not get signed until Sept. 22 because Chairman Pete Liakakis had wanted some changes made to the document, and therefore the Sept. 22 date started the clock on the 90 days...not the Sept. 13 date.

But Ross said “You can’t have it both ways,” arguing that either the MOU expired on Sept. 13,  by the failure to not sign it until Sept. 22, or the Sept. 13 date was valid.

The vote barely passed – 5 to 4 – with Pat Farrell, David Gellatly and Dean Kicklighter voting ‘No’ in support of Stone’s position.

This second extension is needed to allow the County’s staff more time to analyze the financial presentations of the developer. And, the county and developer are awaiting a decision by Governor Deal and State officials on whether the public/private hotel will qualify for a tourism project sales tax refund that improves the financial picture of the project.

Both Odell and Dr. Priscilla Thomas made statements in support of the hotel project.

NEWS - Hospitality & Tourism

By Lou Phelps, SBJ Staff

Dec 19. 2011 – Local media in Jackson, Mississippi is reporting that the Jackson Redevelopment Authority has voted against two proposals to build a hotel across from the Jackson Convention Complex that would have provided more hotel rooms closer to the center.

Instead, the Authority will “seek new proposals for a new downtown hotel,” according to The Clarion-Ledger. Public bonds that could have been used for the public/private hotel project are expiring in two week.s The project has been under study for a long period of time.

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority was being asked to support $ 96 million in bonds.

One of the developers that was bidding to build the hotel in Jackson is the same company that proponents of the Savannah hotel have been in discussions with for a new hotel on Hutchinson Island. The Trade Center needs more hotel rooms close to the convention center to help improve the success of the International Maritime Trade & Convention Center, in general.

”Journeyman Austin Holdings of Austin, Texas, proposed a 300-room hotel with a parking garage and neighboring retail. Bob Gallup, a vice president with Journeyman, said his company intends to offer a new proposal,” reports the Associated Press, covering the meeting.

“Transcontinental Realty Investors of Dallas, Texas, proposed a 309-room hotel with surface parking, along with an unspecified amount of retail space around the facility. TCI owns the land to be used for the planned development. Al Crozier, TCI executive vice president, declined to say whether his company plans to re-apply to develop the hotel,” the AP also reports.

The complete story can be found at http://msbusiness.com/2011/12/jra-turns-down-two-proposals-for-downtown-hotel/