The Place Where History Happened

Above: President George W. Bush at the Summit’s final press conference at the International Media Center. (Image provided by George W. Bush Presidential Library)

Southern Hospitality. That’s the term President George W. Bush cited when explaining why he chose Sea Island as the site for the 2004 G8 Summit. He understood that the meeting’s location would be crucial in showcasing America to the world. The people of Sea Island, with their kindness, generosity and hospitality, embodied the best of the American spirit. If there was one region of the United States he was proud to showcase to the world, it was the South. Thus, in 2003, a delegation was sent to Sea Island, Georgia, to extend the privilege of hosting the 30th annual G8 Summit the following spring—the only resort in the United States to boast such an achievement.

The G8 Summit, an annual forum for the world’s most powerful industrialized nations, was established in 1975. Originally known as the Group of Six (G6), it included France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Canada joined the following year, making it the G7, and Russia was added in 1998, forming the G8. These summits provided a platform for leaders to discuss and coordinate economic policy, address global issues and foster cooperation on matters of international concern.

In the days leading up to the Summit in 2004, the atmosphere around Sea Island was electric and bustling with many high-ranking government officials as a common sight. “During the Summit,” said the late Carl Alexander, former Director of Security at Sea Island, “Sea Island was the most secure place in the world.” Anchored 15 miles offshore, the aircraft carrier USS Iwo Jima, flanked by its battle fleet, waited at a minute’s notice.

Encounters with foreign diplomats brought unique experiences. Blair Webb, General Manager of The Lodge, recalled, “President Bush came to Sea Island to show Southern Hospitality to all the world leaders, and that’s exactly what we did.” Each visitor had distinct cultural needs. The Japanese ambassadors, for instance, requested rooms arranged according to proper feng shui, requiring the removal of standard beds and the provision of mats on the floor. Brannen Veal, Director of Golf at Sea Island, taught the President of Yemen to play golf. Despite his unfamiliarity with the sport, the President quickly caught on and enjoyed driving golf balls down the range. Mike Kennedy, Director of Recreation at Sea Island, took President Bush on a fishing trip—despite an initial mix-up with the Coast Guard, which led to Kennedy’s temporary detention.

Beyond these interactions, the G8 Summit addressed critical global issues. One primary issue was providing aid to Africa, the Middle East and other struggling nations. The Summit resulted in an initiative to train 75,000 new peacekeepers to suppress conflict in the global south. Additionally, billions of dollars were allocated to combat famine in the Horn of Africa and fund medical research to curb disease spread. For one day in 2004, global leaders worked harmoniously to achieve tangible progress.

Despite three new U.S. Presidents since then and the transformation of the G8 into the G7, the 2004 Summit remains one of Georgia’s most significant events. The discussions at this meeting influenced global governance for the following decade and beyond. In late spring 2024, Sea Island celebrated the 20th anniversary of the G8 Summit with festivities. A roundtable discussion, hosted by current President and CEO Scott Steilen, featured familiar faces like Bill Jones III, Blair Webb and Mike Kennedy. Joe Hagin, the Deputy Chief of Staff during the Bush administration, provided insights from the White House perspective. The evening culminated in a dinner at Georgian Rooms, with menus inspired by the Summit’s original meals.

The history of the G8 Summit is still alive at Sea Island. Visitors can take tours with Sea Island Historian Wheeler Bryan, Jr. to learn fascinating details about the event and hear remarkable stories of presidential visits. From the runway where Marine One first landed to the Summit Table where world leaders deliberated, the sense of monumental history is palpable throughout the resort. On June 8, 2004, history was made at Sea Island, Georgia, and twenty years later, the memories remain as vivid as ever.