EVENT DETAILS
The Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum is a two-day event that brings together nearly 400 leaders representing non-profits, civic groups, government, businesses, universities, and up-and-comers.Organized by Metro Market Media and Connect Savannah, the forum will take place on March 3 & 4, 2025, at Trustees Garden in Savannah, Georgia. To help our communities succeed in an ever-changing and fast-paced society, the forum focuses on achieving our greatest potential. We are discovering our collective potential to be greater by committing to new ideas, supporting the growth of our emerging and established leaders, and being purposeful in building collaboration across all segments of our communities.Working together, we can make our communities stronger and better.Having trouble purchasing a ticket? Please contact Jamie Johnson at (912) 443-3264.
The Tour
Learning about our region is an important part of your leadership development. With a menu of tours available for our attendees, the Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum will provide an engaging and informative opportunity for leaders to choose an area of interest and dig deeper – all while networking with your fellow attendees.
Affordable Housing and Homelessness
Housing is in crisis across the country and in our area, it is no different with thousands of new homes needed to meet current and future projections. So, what are we doing to help our neighbors to meet their housing needs? This multi-stop tour will look at our local housing challenges and will highlight services working with individuals and families to overcome homelessness and to establish safe, stable housing.
Ports and Logistics
The Port of Savannah is home to the second busiest container port on the US East Coast. With its annual rapid growth, the Georgia Ports has become a vital economic engine to our state and nation, with an ecosystem of logistics companies and suppliers calling our area home. This tour will take you on a visit to the port and others in the supply chain of our economy.
Savannah College of Art and Design
In 2023, the Savannah College of Art Design (SCAD) provided more than $1.3 billion in economic impact for the state of Georgia, with more than $1 billion for the Savannah area. Started in 1979 with 71 students, SCAD now has 17,500 students across its three campuses in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia and Lacoste, France. Its students come from more than 120 countries and SCAD offers more than 100 academic degree programs. This multi-stop tour will take you on a visit to some of the inspiring and creative learning spaces that SCAD offers its students as the preeminent source of knowledge in the disciples it teaches.
Tourism and Hospitality
With annual visitor spending exceeding $4.7 billion with more than 30,000 employed in the tourism and hospitality sector of our local economy, Savannah continues to receive accolades for its charm, history and hospitality. With 69% of Savannah’s visitors being repeat travelers, the tourism and hospitality community continues to evolve with new and improved options for business and leisure guests alike. This multi-stop tour will explore the visitor economy in Savannah, including a visit to the newly expanded Savannah International Trade and Convention Center and other new options for those visiting our beautiful city.
Workforce Development
A 2023 study performed for the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) recommended a new workforce development organization focused on meeting opportunities and challenges as Hyundai and its suppliers ramped up its construction. The Regional Industry Support Enterprise, known as RISE, was born in 2024. While new, RISE has been busy working on six focus areas to broaden opportunities for the regional workforce, including the military, underrepresented communities, housing, education, transportation, and marketing. This multi-stop tour will bring you to up to speed on the latest efforts being made by this important new regional initiative.
