New Jekyll Island Convention Center is Prime Example of Modern Green Facility
Contact: Anna Hall
912.635.4046
ahall@jekyllisland.com
The newly constructed Jekyll Island Convention Center is the not only the premier oceanfront
convention facility on the east coast, it too promotes the Jekyll Island philosophy of being
environmentally-friendly and in balance with the natural world.
Green is more than the main color of the facility. It, too, was a major design element when creating the
building. Officially opening May 20, the new 128,000-square-foot center features of green technology
throughout the space in an effort to leave the pristine coastal ecosystem unaffected by its construction.
This impressive facility has been built using green design standards and is expected to achieve a silverlevel LEED certification. Designers were extremely conscious of the fragile coastal eco-system in which
they were working, making sure that details such as solar panels, low impact lighting throughout 90
percent of the building, a reflective roof and an 80,000-gallon cistern for storing rain water were all
included in the blueprints.
“We designed and built this facility to the highest of standards,” said Mike Chatham, lead architect with
HHCP design firm. “The magnitude to detail put into the entire structure was above and beyond
anything people have seen before. We strove for greatness and succeeded.”
Reusing locally-sourced materials for the building was a key component of planning. Shells and sea glass
from Georgia shores were ground into the smooth hallway flooring and exterior sidewalks. Reclaimed
pine from South Georgia was also used to create the flooring in the Ben Porter Salon event room.
Thoughtful detail was likewise given to parking for the facility. Premium, front row parking spots were
designated specifically to electric automobiles, with the parking spaces complete with car chargers.
“We worked hard for several years to ensure we built the premier conference center in the nation,” said
Bob Krueger, chair of the Jekyll Island Authority. “Immaculate thought and care was put into all the
details of creating this impressive structure. This venue is efficient, effective and utterly state-of-the-art.
The diligence taken to plan out this facility is evident in every square foot. We are extremely proud of
this end product.”
After years of careful planning, it’s refreshing for the Jekyll Island Authority Board and Authority staff to
see the end vision of the center cement the original goal of producing the best convention center space
in the nation while having little impact on the Island’s balanced ecosystem.
Already, the Jekyll Island Convention Center is gaining attention on a state-wide and national scale.
More than 200 conventions have already been book for the center through 2016, which will generate
more than $40 million in economic impact for the State of Georgia. Historic levels of meetings and
conventions are projected to be achieved in 2013 and beyond.
The positive impact the center will have on tourism is already being seen in an uptick in revenues by
hotels in the area, as businesses across the Southeast become more aware of all that Jekyll Island offers.
This trend is expected to continue and even accelerate after the center opens this month.
“With this facility, we did more than create the premier convention center in the nation,” said Jones
Hooks, executive director of the Jekyll Island Authority. “We’ve created a destination. The new Jekyll
Island Convention Center a well-planned, environmentally-sound and highly impressive venue. It will be
a shining star for the State of Georgia.”
Additional features of the Jekyll Island Convention Center include:
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128,000-square feet, with the Atlantic Ballroom and two sections of Meeting Rooms
o Marsh-side section, with 5 meeting rooms
o Ocean-side section, with 5 meeting rooms and the Ben Porter Salon
7,800-square feet of ocean-front meeting space
Atlantic Hall, main ballroom, can be used as one 45,000-sqaure foot room or divided two, three
or four smaller rooms
o As one room, can hold 6,900 people for standing reception; 6,800 theater capacity;
2,800 roundtable reception
Individual low-lighting in 90 percent of the building
Reclaimed South Georgia pine wood for Ben Porter Salon meeting area
Beach shells used as material for interior and exterior floor surfaces
Beach hues of green, blue and sand used to reflect oceanic atmosphere
Electric outlets hidden under carpet panel for wireless-feel
Wireless internet throughout the building
Silver LEED Certification
o A reflective roof
o Solar panel overhangs
o Parking space for electric cars, complete with recharger
o 80,000-gallon cistern for rainwater storage
o Water-efficient landscape
Two adjacent hotels, giving the island 1,000 hotel rooms
o Hyatt Place, a limited-service, 135-bed hotel, to open summer 2013
o Westin, a full-service, 200-bed hotel, to open 2014
Construction took less than 2 years, starting in 2010 and finishing Spring 2012, totaling $50
million
Georgia Rural Water Association will be the first convention in the center
Center is contracted with SMG for management
Allyson Jackson serves as manager, with 15 to 20 full-time employees and an estimated 100
part-time employees will be hired, based on convention bookings
More than 200 conventions booked through 2016, with estimated $40 million impact to local
economy
Jekyll Island Convention Center replaces the former center built in 1961
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