SAVANNAH, Ga.—Jeff Hewitt, chief sales officer for Visit Savannah, is retiring after more than 40 years of service in the tourism and hospitality industry. He will officially retire on December 31, 2025.
Since joining Visit Savannah in 2010, Hewitt has expanded the organization’s national and international sales reach, built relationships with industry partners, and played a big role in projects like the development and recent opening of the expanded Savannah Convention Center.
Under Hewitt’s leadership, room-night production grew from 80,000 in 2010 to more than 315,000 in 2024. Savannah also experienced a doubling of its total hotel room inventory, alongside the convention center’s expansion, which also doubled in size during this period.
“Jeff’s impact on Savannah’s success as a meetings and tourism destination cannot be overstated,” says Joseph Marinelli, president and CEO of Visit Savannah. “His deep industry knowledge, relationship development, and passion for this city has helped shape not only how the world sees Savannah—but also how we tell our story. While we will certainly miss his leadership, we are extremely grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.”
Hewitt has also played an active role in many other national industry associations, including ASAE, PCMA, and Destinations International. He has served as a board member of the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia and as a reviewer for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs committee. Hewitt is presently the chairman of the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus.
“After 40 years in the tourism and hospitality industry, I look back with tremendous gratitude to the people who believed in me and allowed me to try new and innovative things,” Hewitt says. “I have been fortunate to work with a talented and passionate team that has accomplished great things, and I will leave knowing that Savannah’s future is secure in their hands. I appreciate the support my family has provided over the years—and their understanding when I missed the occasional birthday. But most of all, I will cherish the lifelong friendships that have come through from the amazing journeys this industry has provided. I look forward to the next chapter and all the people and places that will be part of that story.
With Hewitt’s retirement, Kellie Linder has been named vice president of sales and services for Visit Savannah. Linder currently serves as Midwest and Western sales director for Visit Savannah and will begin leading the organization’s sales team in January 2026.
