The events business seems to be back in full swing three years after the COVID-19 pandemic shut the industry down.
May meetings, conventions and events in Augusta are expected to draw in an estimated 3,545 people and generate at least $1.4 million in estimated economic impact, according to Destination Augusta, a not-for-profit organization that promotes tourism for the metro area.
Details for some of the May meetings and conventions contributing to the economic impact are below.
These events help support the leisure and hospitality industry, which is the fourth-largest employment sector for Augusta with about 26,000 jobs, according to the tourism promotion organization.
That’s still about 4% behind the total jobs the industry had back in 2019 before the pandemic. The industry dropped to the fifth largest employment sector for the metro area during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, visitor spending in Augusta generated a total of more than $700 million, including $211 million on food and beverage, $102 million on transportation and $150 million on lodging, according to estimates from Destination Augusta.
So far, in 2023, lodging revenue in Augusta is on a tear, seeing an increase of about 12% compared to 2022, more than double the tourism organization’s expectations for a 5% increase.
Destination Augusta has a two-year strategic plan running through 2025 to help the city stand out as a unique visitor experience in a competitive travel region. It aims to focus on downtown’s offerings and on activities that will encourage visitors to extend their stay.
