Visit Savannah Tabs Karissa Pendleton as New Sports Sales Director

Visit Savannah and the Savannah Sports Council have announced the hiring of Karissa Pendleton as the new sports sales director.

Pendleton will focus on bringing new sporting events to the Georgia destination, increasing hotel bookings tied to sports tourism and researching and strategizing conference and trade show opportunities to introduce sports event organizers to the destination.

Pendleton joins the Visit Savannah team with nearly a decade of experience in sports tourism, sales and event management. Most recently, she served as sports sales manager for Visit Galveston, where she led national sales efforts targeting amateur, collegiate and professional sports event organizers. Prior to her time in Texas, she spent more than five years with the Florida Sports Foundation, managing sports development and grant writing.

“Visit Savannah and the Savannah Sports Council are pleased to welcome Karissa to our team,” said Joseph Marinelli, president and CEO of Visit Savannah. “Her education and extensive background in sports event sales and management align well with how we will manage the numerous events we already host in Savannah and Chatham County, while identifying new opportunities for the future. Karissa’s enthusiasm, energy, and leadership will be a nice addition to our team.”

Throughout her career, Pendleton has worked closely with sports governing bodies, destination marketing organizations and local partners to create competitive bids and deliver event experiences.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Visit Savannah team as the new director of sports sales,” Pendleton said. “Savannah has so much potential in the sports market, and I’m eager to help grow that presence by highlighting the city’s unique blend of Southern charm, rich history and vibrant energy that make it an unforgettable destination for athletes and their families.”

Pendleton will be based in Savannah and collaborate closely with local hospitality, facility and community partners, aiming to further elevate the region as a premier sports destination.