GEDA 2026 Spring Workshop
Register & Book You Hotel Room Today!
Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
1 Resort DriveSavannah, GA 31421
United States
REGISTER TODAY
The 2026 Spring Workshop will take place at The Westin Harbor Golf Resort & Spa from April 29 - May 1.
Click on Our Agenda Tab to See Details!
More Speakers will be Released Soon.
Registration & Pricing
Early Bird Pricing ends Tuesday, April 7th, 2026.
Member
| Early | Regular | |
|
Full Conference |
$380 | $470 |
Non-Member:
| Early | Regular | |
|
Full Conference |
$500 | $590 |
Hotel Information
Westin Nightly Rate: $299 (plus applicable fees and taxes)
Group Booking Link: https://book.passkey.com/event/51070231/owner/3958/home
Group Cutoff Date: Tuesday, April 7
Hotel Address: 1 Resort Drive, Savannah, GA 31421
Optional Thursday Afternoon Activities
Be sure to add these ticket options to your selections when registering.
Golf Tournament
Cost: $150 | Time: 12:00 PM Shotgun Start
Location: The Club at Savannah Harbor
Mahjong Open Play (with Instructor)
Cost: $75 | Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: The Westin Savannah
Educational Activity: SCAD Tour
Cost: $25 | Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: Bus Pickup at The Westin Hotel
Additional Information:
This guided tour offers an inside look at the innovative vision and global impact of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Guests will begin with an introduction to the SCAD story—how the university grew from a small art school in historic Savannah into a globally recognized institution for creative careers across design, film, entertainment, technology, business innovation, and the arts.
Participants will enjoy a behind-the-scenes visit to SCAD’s remarkable Savannah Film Studios, an 11-acre teaching and learning resource that includes a virtual production stage, scenic shop, and film backlot. These facilities are used by SCAD students to produce real-world projects, shaping the next generation of storytellers and demonstrating why SCAD has been recognized as the top film school in North America.
GEDA Champions Circle Sponsors
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Questions?
Please contact the GEDA Office at gedasupport@georgia.org.
| Price | |
|---|---|
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Early Member Registration - Full Conference
Registration Ended 4/7/26 at 11:59 PM EDT
|
$380.00 |
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Early Non-Member Registration - Full Conference
Registration Ended 4/7/26 at 11:59 PM EDT
|
$500.00 |
|
Member Registration - Full Conference
Registration Ends 4/28/26 at 12:00 PM EDT
|
$470.00 |
|
Non-Member Registration - Full Conference
Registration Ends 4/28/26 at 12:00 PM EDT
|
$590.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Golf Tournament
|
$150.00 |
|
Mahjong
|
$75.00 |
|
SCAD Tour
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$25.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
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Presenting Spnsorship
View the Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities Flyer for a full list of the benefits included with this sponsorship. |
$7,500.00 |
|
Host Community Sponsorship
View the Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities Flyer for a full list of the benefits included with this sponsorship. |
$5,000.00 |
|
Platinum Sponsorship
View the Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities Flyer for a full list of the benefits included with this sponsorship. |
$4,000.00 |
|
Gold Sponsorship
View the Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities Flyer for a full list of the benefits included with this sponsorship. |
$2,500.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Silver Sponsorship
Includes exhibit space, and logo promotion on website, e-blasts, event presentation, and more. View the Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities Flyer for a full list of the benefits included with this sponsorship. |
$1,500.00 |
|
Bronze Sponsorship
- Logo Recognition on Presentation throughout the Event - Verbal Recognition during Event - Acknowledgement in Post-Event Mailing to Members |
$750.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Spring Workshop Golf Tournament Sponsorship
- Logo Displayed on Golf Screens during Tournament - Opportunity to Distribute Promotional Materials during Tournament - Pre- and Post-Tournament Recognition - Opportunity to Present Winners on Wednesday of Conference - (1) Free Registration for Golf Tournament |
$2,000.00 |
|
Spring Workshop Golf Beverage Cart Sponsorship
- Logo Displayed on Beverage Cart during Tournament - Opportunity to Distribute Promotional Materials during Tournament - Pre- and Post-Tournament Recognition |
$1,000.00 |
|
Spring Workshop Mahjong Sponsorship
- Signage Displayed During Activity - Pre- and post-Tournament Recognition - Opportunity to Present Winners on Wednesday of Conference - (1) Free Activity Registration for Event Sponsored |
$1,000.00 |
|
Spring Workshop Break Sponsor
- Verbal Recognition Prior to Break - Logo on Screen in Main Room During the Break - Signage on Snack Tables |
$1,000.00 |
|
Spring Workshop Breakfast Sponsor
- Recognition at Breakfast with Opportunity for Podium Time - Verbal Recognition during Event - Acknowlegement in Post-Event Mailing to Members |
$2,000.00 |
|
Spring Workshop New Member Lunch Sponsor
- Recognition at New Member Lunch with Opportunity to Introduce - Logo Recognition on Presentations throughout Event - Verbal Recognition during Event - (2) Free Attendances at the New Member Lunch |
$2,000.00 |
|
Spring Workshop Conference Program
- Company logo displayed on back cover / bottom corners of program pages |
$2,000.00 |
|
Spring Workshop Lanyard Sponsorship
- Logo displayed on conference lanyards |
$2,000.00 |
Agenda
| April 29 | |
| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Board Meeting |
| 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM | Welcome & Opening Remarks |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM | Special Sessions Session Speakers to be Announced Soon! |
| 2:35 PM - 3:15 PM |
General Session 1
Wisdom, Justice, Moderation, & Courage Colonel Matthew J. McKinney, United States Marine Corps *This speaker's participation does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Navy or the Department of War. |
| 3:20 PM - 4:05 PM |
General Session 2
An Outlook on Georgia's Wood Products' Industry Tim Lowrimore, President, Georgia Forestry Association |
| 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM | Welcome Reception |
| April 30 | |
| 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:15 AM - 8:30 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks |
| 8:35 AM - 9:25 AM |
General Session 3
The Art of Negotiation Lenny Gunther, Chief of Police, Savannah Police Department Hostage Negotiation Team |
| 9:25 AM - 9:45 AM | Break |
| 9:30 AM - 10:20 AM |
General Session 4
Building Trust as Economic Professionals Amy Holloway, CEO, Aha! |
| 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM |
Breakout Session 1 - A
Session A: Gen Z Leads Dylan Horne, Project Manager, Metro Atlanta Chamber |
| 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM |
Breakout Session 1 - B
Session B: To Be Announced Soon! |
| 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM |
Breakout Session 1 - C
Session C: Retail Incentives Panel Facilitator: Sunny Anderson, Director of Economic Development, Decide DeKalb Speakers: to be announced soon! |
| 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM |
Breakout Session 2 - C
Session C: Retail Incentives Panel Facilitator: Sunny Anderson, Director of Economic Development, Decide DeKalb Speakers: to be announced soon! |
| 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM |
Breakout Session 2 - A
Session A: Workforce Development Moderator: Mickey Daniell, Southeast Region, Area Manager, Georgia Power Speakers: Anna Chafin, President & CEO, RISE Savannah Bill Kelso, Chief External Affairs Officer, Goodwill Southeast Georgia Zach Ott, Director of Existing Industry, Savannah Economic Development Authority |
| 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM |
Breakout Session 2 - B
Session B: Let Substance Lead Your Story Heather Worthan, Marketing Director, Metro Atlanta Chamber |
| 11:55 AM - 1:00 PM |
Lunch On Your Own
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| 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Optional Activity
Golf Tournament Cost: $150 | Time: 12:00 PM Shotgun Start Location: The Club at Savannah Harbor |
| 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Optional Activity
Mahjong Open Play (with Instructor) Cost: $75 | Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM Location: The Westin Savannah |
| 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Optional Activity
Educational Activity: SCAD Tour Cost: $25 | Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM Location: Bus Pickup at The Westin Hotel |
| 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Cocktails & Conversations
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| May 1 | |
| 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:30 AM - 8:45 PM |
Welcome & Opening Remarks
|
| 8:45 AM - 9:45 AM |
General Session 5
Leadership Lessons- From One to a Million Greg Parker, Founder & CEO, Parker's Kitchen |
| 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM |
General Session 6
Cyber Security Special Agent Michael Kight, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Cyber Crime Center |
| 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM |
Break
|
| 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM |
General Session 7
Hosting Successful International Site Visits Facilitator: Antwone Mohammed, World Trade Center Savannah Panelists: Jacob Lee, Georgia Department of Economic Development Mellissa Takeuchi, Georgia Department of Economic Development Fernanda Kirchner, City of Dunwoody Virginia Sengewald, Georgia Department of Economic Development |
| 11:45 AM - 12:00 PM |
Closing Remarks & Adjourn
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Sponsorship Information
Click the link below to access information on sponsorship opportunities for this year's workshop. Contact Cecilia Arango, Sponsorship Chair at arango.c@tandh.com for more information!
If you are already registered for the conference but would like to add an activity to your registration, click the "Register Now" button and type your name into the "Add Attendee" line.
SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES HERE
Exhibitor Setup is Wednesday, April 29th, time 9am-12pm.
Deadline to have logo printed on signage is Monday April 13th, 2026. Any sponsor purchases beyond this date will only be on digital promotions.
A GEDA Website Account is Required to Register for GEDA Events
- New Guests & Members - Initial account setup may require email verification according to our digital security protocols. Please check your spam/junk folder for this e-mail
- If your account needs admin approval, you will not be able to register until this approval is completed. Please allow 1 business day for this approval, if needed.
LOOKING TO BECOME A MEMBER?
Click HERE to Join GEDA
NOT READY TO BECOME A MEMBER?
Click HERE to Create a Non-Member / Guest Account Before Registering
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
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The Legal Stuff:
Consent to Use of Photographic Images
Registration and attendance at, or participation in, GEDA meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to GEDA's use and distribution (now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee's image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities.
Liability Waiver
Waiver and Release of Liability – Please Read Carefully
I acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating in an optional activity that has inherent risks, dangers and hazards, and my participation in such activities and/or use of equipment is voluntary.
I, on behalf of myself, my personal representatives and my heirs, hereby voluntarily agree to release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) officers, board of directors, committee chairs, members, and employees from any and all claims, actions or losses for bodily injury, property damage, or wrongful death.
I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE, AND BY SIGNING IT AGREE IT IS MY INTENTION TO EXEMPT THE GEORGIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION (GEDA) OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEE CHAIRS, MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES FROM LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR WRONGFUL DEATH.
Please check the box as part of your registration.
Cancellation, Refund, & No-Show Policy
A registrant who does not submit a written cancellation, or attend the Spring Workshop, is considered a "No-Show.” No-Shows are not eligible for refunds or credits, and are still liable for outstanding balances. Those who are ill and have a doctor’s excuse or a death in the family will be excused.
Substitutions will be accepted at any time.
There will be no refunds or credits for cancellations after the close of business (5:00 pm) seven days prior the event.
All cancellation requests must be received in writing (email or hard copy) and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline.
Refund requests must include the name of the attendee.
When possible, refunds will be credited back to the original credit card used for payment.
For those who have registered and choose the bill me or pay by check option, you are still subject to the refund policy.