State of Tourism Highlights Augusta on the Rise
Augusta had big numbers and a dessert table to match at the 2026 State of Tourism event, held at Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center. Rickey Jones emceed as Mayor Garnett Johnson, Bennish Brown (President and CEO of Destination Augusta), and Michelle Naval Pippin (CEO of the Augusta Sports Council) laid out what’s bringing people to town and what’ll bring them back.
According to figures reported, visitor spending rose 2.5%, topping $900 million. And when a convention comes to town, it brings more than a roomful of name badges. Destination Augusta’s 2025 annual report says its Meetings Accelerator program secured 2,410 hotel room nights and more than $400,000 in room revenue. Every packed meeting room is a chance for someone to find a new favorite dinner spot.
From the IRONMAN to the Peach Jam
Some visitors pack a swimsuit, a bike, and running shoes. Others bring their high-tops. The Augusta Sports Council estimates IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta has generated more than $76 million in local economic impact since 2009, and the race is booked through 2030. For July 2026 alone, the council and Destination Augusta projected 20,890 visitors and nearly $12 million in regional economic impact from meetings, reunions, and events, including the 30th annual Nike Peach Jam in North Augusta.
Papa’s Got a Brand-New Arena
The steel is up, and the Augusta Lynx are coming back. At September’s topping-out ceremony, the Coliseum Authority reported about 215 workers on site each day at the $250 million, 10,500-seat Augusta Arena. Over 30 years, the authority projects $1.6 billion in spending from the arena and entertainment complex, along with 600 new jobs. On game night, that could mean a few more full tables before the puck drops.
Get Up Off Of That Curb
The $42 million Broad Street improvement project is making more room to move. The Augusta Metro Chamber highlighted wider sidewalks, safer bike lanes, and a redesigned James Brown Linear Park. Augusta Tomorrow’s 2035 vision goes a step further with a proposed six-mile Green Ribbon connecting Augusta and North Augusta. The payoff for local businesses could be as simple as giving people an easy walk from a show to a late bite.
Augusta’s Cyber Excellence
The Augusta Economic Development Authority had another number to cheer. Augusta landed at No. 1 on LinkedIn’s 2026 Cities on the Rise list for job-market momentum and new talent. The CSRA also earned a 2026 Great American Defense Community of Excellence designation for its support of military families and its partnership with Fort Gordon, home to Army Cyber Command. You can see where defense and tourism meet every August, when more than 6,000 TechNet attendees fill the Marriott Convention Center as Augusta’s fastest-growing annual conference.
I Feel Good (I Knew That Dessert Would)
The Augusta Marriott’s catering team brought the hors d’oeuvres, with a generous spread of cheeses, meats, and appetizers to enjoy among conversations. Not to be overshadowed, the dessert display featured amazing slices of cakes, pies, and brownie sundae confections. Like the latest addition to the downtown skyline, Augusta is a city on the rise. Yet in the true nature of this blog, it was the good chews and great news that connected friends together for a fun evening to celebrate the amazing transformations happening downtown.
