Exhibitor guide · Savannah, Georgia
Savannah Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
A riverfront hall on its own island, a free ferry that's the fastest way in from downtown, and a $276 million expansion that just doubled the building. What exhibitors need to know about Georgia's coastal convention center.
SICC · 1 International Dr, Hutchinson IslandHero photo: "Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, Savannah, Georgia" by Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0, share-alike, via Flickr. Source
Why this page exists
The Savannah Convention Center sits on Hutchinson Island, across the river from the historic downtown, which means the fastest way in for most exhibitors and attendees is a free ferry rather than a car. A $276 million expansion completed in 2026 just doubled the building's footprint, adding 100,000 sq ft of new exhibit space, a 40,000 sq ft ballroom and a 900-space parking garage, so anyone who worked a show here before the project should expect a substantially different building. This guide covers the halls, Georgia's labor rules, drayage, hotels and the ferry, and the center's expansion history.
The building
The exhibit halls
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibit hall | 200,000 sq ft after the 2026 expansion, up from the original 100,000 sq ft. | Regional and national trade shows | Confirm current hall configuration given the recent expansion. |
| New ballroom | 40,000 sq ft, added in the 2026 project. | Galas, general sessions | Newest space on campus; confirm rigging capacity. |
| Meeting rooms | 23,000 sq ft added in 2026, on top of the original 50,000 sq ft. | Breakouts, association meetings | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
| Parking garage | New 900-space garage added in the expansion. | Attendee and crew parking | Confirm garage-to-hall walking distance. |
Figures from the Savannah Convention Center's published expansion announcement and facility overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Georgia's right-to-work law applies; confirm hand-carry and self-install allowances with the show's official contractor.
Full-time staff, no card required
Confirm your specific show's hand-carry allowance with the official contractor.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Savannah shows.
History
A doubled island campus
The Savannah International Trade & Convention Center opens on Hutchinson Island as a 330,000 sq ft waterfront complex, with 100,000 sq ft of divisible exhibit space and 50,000 sq ft of meeting space, beside what becomes the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa.
A $276 million expansion project breaks ground, designed by TVS, aimed at roughly doubling the building.
The expansion completes: total space passes 660,000 sq ft, exhibit space grows to 200,000 sq ft, and the project adds a 40,000 sq ft ballroom, 23,000 sq ft of meeting rooms and a 900-space parking garage.
The 444-room Signia by Hilton Savannah is expected to open connected directly to the convention center, the first hotel physically attached to the building.
Free tool
Savannah drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, the ferry, crew logistics
- Airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International is about 20 minutes.
- By ferry: the free Savannah Belles Ferry runs every 10 minutes, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., between River Street and the convention center dock on Hutchinson Island.
- By car: a road bridge also connects the island for freight and crew vehicles.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Southeast crews and coastal freight routing for Savannah shows.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa | Walking distance | Directly adjacent to the convention center on Hutchinson Island. |
| Signia by Hilton Savannah | Connected (opening 2028) | Will be the first hotel physically attached to the building. |
| Downtown Savannah hotels (Hyatt Regency, Marriott Riverfront) | Short ferry ride | Historic-district dining and nightlife across the river. |
Questions
Savannah Convention Center FAQ
How do I get to the convention center from downtown?
The free Savannah Belles Ferry runs every 10 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. between the River Street landing and the convention center dock on Hutchinson Island. A road bridge also connects the island for vehicles and freight.
How big is the building now?
More than 660,000 square feet total after a $276 million expansion completed in 2026, including 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, roughly double the original building.
Can I set up my own booth?
Georgia's right-to-work law applies; confirm hand-carry allowances with your show's official contractor.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $150 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
Is there a hotel attached to the convention center?
Not yet. The 444-room Signia by Hilton Savannah is expected to open connected directly to the building in 2028.
How much exhibit space is there?
200,000 square feet of exhibit space within a 660,000+ sq ft building after the 2026 expansion.
How big is the new ballroom?
40,000 square feet, part of the $276 million expansion that doubled the building.
Exhibiting in Savannah?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a labor briefing, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.