Tourism Leadership Council (TLC)

Name

Tourism Leadership Council (TLC)

Legal name

Tourism Leadership Council

Website

https://tourismleadershipcouncil.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Savannah

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Revenue generated from membership fees paid by tourism businesses including lodging properties, restaurants, tour companies, attractions, and other hospitality-related companies.
2. Event Sponsorships: Revenue from sponsorships of Tourism Awards & Scholarship Dinner, Golf Tournament, and connection luncheons. The Tourism Partnership Program provides year-round exposure through banners, event sponsorships, and web presence for higher-tier partners.
3. Publication Sales and Advertising: Revenue from selling and advertising in published materials including Savannah: A Southern Journey coffee table book (placed in 10,000+ hotel rooms) and the Concierge Dining Directory (placed in 75+ hotels and bed & breakfasts). Also includes Pooler: Discover the Charm book.
4. Tourism Partnership Program: Annual investment program where tourism businesses commit to highest-level investment for protection and advancement of the community. Partners receive year-round exposure through banners, event sponsorships, and web presence.
5. Tourism Awards Dinner Reservations: Revenue from ticket and table sales for the annual Tourism Awards & Scholarship Dinner event. Platinum Table ($2,500), Gold Table ($2,250), Silver Table ($1,750), Individual Seats ($250).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Tourism Leadership Council (TLC) is a non-profit membership trade association serving tourism and hospitality businesses in Coastal Georgia. It sells annual memberships that bundle industry advocacy, networking events, marketing exposure, workforce training, and visitor publications (Savannah: A Southern Journey, Pooler: Discover the Charm, and the Concierge Dining Directory). Revenue is generated primarily through membership dues, event sponsorships, publication sales, and partnership programs.

Product overview

Tourism Leadership Council (TLC) is a trade organization for tourism in coastal Georgia, NOT a software product company. TLC offers a portfolio of services including: (1) Publications: Savannah: A Southern Journey (coffee table book in 10,000+ hotel rooms), Pooler: Discover the Charm (new 2024 coffee table book), and Concierge Dining Directory (restaurant guide in 75+ hotels); (2) Certification Programs: Certified Tour Guides of Savannah and Coastal Concierge Association (CCA) with Level One and Level Two courses; (3) Workforce Development: Training seminars, Savannah 101 guide, and partnership with savannahjobs.com; (4) Events: Annual Tourism Awards & Scholarship Dinner, Golf Tournament, and TLC Connection Luncheons; (5) Member Services: Member Directory, Tourism Partnership Program sponsorships, and Coastal Hospitality Emergency Fund (CHEF). These offerings form a unified platform supporting the tourism and hospitality community through advocacy, education, and networking rather than a modular software product architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Savannah: A Southern Journey: Premier coffee table guide book placed in more than 10,000 hotel rooms, reaching over 10 million guests annually. Now in its fifteenth year of publication.
• Pooler: Discover the Charm
• Concierge Dining Directory
• Certified Tour Guides of Savannah
• Coastal Concierge Association (CCA)
• Coastal Hospitality Emergency Fund (CHEF)
• Tourism Partnership Program

Products and services

• TLC Membership Annual membership program for tourism and hospitality businesses in Coastal Georgia, bundling industry advocacy, networking events, marketing exposure, workforce certifications, and access to TLC publications.
• Savannah: A Southern Journey

Quantifiable outcome

• $150,000+ awarded in scholarships to hospitality students
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Savannah Convention CentercoreGTM or Marketing Partner330,000 sq. ft. waterfront complex on the Savannah River featuring 100,000 sq. ft. of divisible exhibit space, 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 13 meeting rooms, four executive board rooms, a 25,000 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom, and 367-seat auditorium. Located on Hutchinson Island with complimentary water ferry access to historic district.
• Visit SavannahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial destination marketing organization for Savannah/Chatham County area committed to supporting 28,000+ area hospitality jobs by increasing visitor spending, economic vitality, and quality of life. Works to build Savannah's image as a world-class destination.
• 200 Club of the Coastal EmpirecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides immediate financial assistance to surviving spouse and children of local law enforcement officers and firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Serves twenty counties in Georgia and South Carolina with over $3.5 Million provided to families.
• City MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric market hub now home to popular restaurants, art galleries and shops in historic storefronts and warehouses surrounding Ellis and Franklin Squares.
• Golden Isles Convention and Visitors BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial destination marketing organization promoting Golden Isles - St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, and Brunswick. Advocates for best quality visitor experience and economic sustainability.
• HOS ManagementcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSecond-generation hospitality and development group with 30+ years managing hotels in Southeast. Manages Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Historic District, Hampton Inn & Suites Savannah Gateway, Cotton Sail Hotel, with four more hotels in development.
• Image HotelscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerManagement and development company with four properties in Savannah area and fifth in development. 30+ years of lodging experience operating hotels throughout Southeast. Partner in advocating for hoteliers' needs.
• Left Lane DevelopmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVertically integrated real estate development company based in New York City acquiring and transforming hotels in high-growth secondary markets with textured histories and progressive cultural landscapes.
• Live Oak Restaurant GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerServing Savannah area for over 30 years with freshest seafood and Low Country cuisine. Consisting of 7 restaurants including Original Spanky's, Fiddler's, Tubby's, Dub's Pub, and Molly McGuire's with 4 locations on River Street.
• Lucky SavannahminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVacation rental company providing first-rate service and access to local hot-spots with diverse range of vacation homes for discerning travelers seeking authentic Southern hospitality.
• Old Town Trolley Tours of SavannahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary of Historic Tours of America, the largest privately-held heritage tour company in the U.S. Original ON/OFF tour in Savannah since 1993 delivering 300,000+ honored guests annually to retail, restaurant, and attraction businesses.
• Pooler Chamber of Commerce & Visit PoolercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization promoting Pooler as a tourist destination and positive business environment through networking, teamwork, and innovative thinking while maximizing economic impact and providing excellent visitor services.
• PMC Parking Management CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounded over 25 years ago providing valet service and expanded into many markets across the United States with 1000's of employees. Partners with hotels, resorts, restaurants, and special events.
• Savannah/Hilton Head International AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter for air travel in Coastal Empire of Georgia, Golden Isles, and South Carolina's Low Country. Executive director Greg Kelly served as chair to TLC board of directors.
• Savannah Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving 4,500+ credit students with nearly 150 instructional programs including Hospitality and Food Industry Management.
• Savannah's WaterfrontminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit organization enhancing guest experience in waterfront area including River Street, Factors Walk, Bay Street, and Hutchinson Island while preserving history and promoting cooperation among restaurants, shops, tours, and hotels.
• Stay In SavannahminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFive Hilton/Marriott properties representing the brand under North Point Hospitality which owns hotels throughout Southeast. Executive Vice President Whip Triplett serves on TLC and Visit Savannah board.
• The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & SpacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSavannah's largest lodging property and only 4-Diamond resort. General Manager Mark Spadoni led TLC Board as Chairman in 2013 and is the only chair to have served two terms. Also heads Savannah Harbor Foundation.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce: Regional chamber and visitor-serving organization for Hilton Head Island area. Comparable destination market to Savannah with similar tourism-dependent economy, hospitality member base, and visitor services orientation. Operates in TLC's broader region.
• Pooler Chamber of Commerce & Visit Pooler: Local chamber and visitor-serving organization for Pooler, GA. Direct strategic partner of TLC (co-publication of Pooler: Discover the Charm). Comparable as a local tourism-serving body with overlapping geographic and member base.
• Georgia Tourism Foundation: State-level tourism industry advocacy and promotion organization in Georgia. Comparable to TLC in tourism industry focus but with statewide scope rather than regional Savannah/Coastal Georgia focus. Both serve as advocates for Georgia tourism.
• Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce: Local chamber of commerce serving Savannah area businesses with overlapping membership base to TLC. TLC's CEO serves on its executive committee. Comparable as a business membership organization but with broader business scope versus TLC's tourism specialization.
• Southeast Tourism Society: Regional tourism trade association covering 12 southeastern U.S. states. Comparable to TLC as a tourism trade body serving a multi-state region, but at a larger geography. Both provide advocacy, marketing, and member services to tourism businesses in the Southeast.
• Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau / Explore Charleston: Destination marketing organization for Charleston, SC — a Southern coastal tourism market comparable to Savannah. Similar role in destination promotion, visitor services, and tourism industry advocacy. Operates in adjacent geography to TLC's footprint.

Direct peers

• Destinations International: Trade association for destination marketing organizations and convention and visitors bureaus. Highly comparable to TLC's role as a tourism trade body, but with a destination-marketing focus rather than TLC's broader member-services-plus-advocacy model. Both serve as umbrella organizations for tourism stakeholders.
• Georgia Restaurant Association: State-level trade association for the restaurant industry in Georgia. Comparable to TLC as a hospitality trade body serving Georgia businesses, but with restaurant-specific focus versus TLC's broader tourism ecosystem. Both provide advocacy and member services.

Broad incumbents

• American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA): National trade association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry, including many of TLC's lodging member properties (Hyatt, Marriott, Westin). Directly comparable as a hospitality trade body, but operating nationally with much larger resources and broader scope.
• U.S. Travel Association: National non-profit trade association representing all components of the U.S. travel industry. Directly comparable to TLC as a tourism trade body, but operates at national scale with broader scope and significantly larger budget. TLC is effectively a regional analog serving Coastal Georgia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tourism Leadership Council (TLC)