Click here to view this message in a browser window.
Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

August 5, 2022

Dear Valued Tourism Industry Partners, 

The City is buzzing with the usual August excitement as we begin the countdown to one of our most beloved hometown events, the East Coast Surfing Championship sponsored by Coastal Edge, and presented by Vans. ECSC, as locals and long-timers call it, is celebrating its 60th year in 2022 and this year’s lineup is sure to please. 

 

The 60th Annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championship Presented by Vans- In a bit over two weeks, several hundred surfers from Menehunes to Masters compete for East Coast surfing titles, prizes, history and the sheer love of surfing. Other beach-oriented sports and recreation include Action Sports: The Vans Pro World Surf League (WSL) 3000 Qualifier, the Quicksilver Roxy Supergrom Presented by Wes Lane, Vans Pro Autograph Signings, the Coastal Edge Thrash Skate Bash. Art and Fashion: The Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championship Featured Artist Onie Tonie, the Vans International Artist Live Painting, the Coastal Edge Rock the Block Fashion Show. Sustainability: Surfrider Foundation Virginia Chapter Beach Cleanups, Coastal Edge Hydration Stations, The Coastal Edge Sustainability Village. Music: The Audacy Oceanfront Concerts (use QR code below to purchase tickets). Check their website regularly for updates. All the fun starts on 8/21.  Join us in the countdown!

Applications Now Open for Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program Grants - VTC is offering a reimbursable grant program to assist small tourism-related businesses and to bolster non-peak seasonal visitation. The grant application period opened yesterday,  Aug. 4, 2022, with applications due by Sept. 20, 2022. Eligible applicants should be tourism-related businesses that have 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees and can include, but are not limited to: boutique retail shops, food trucks, attractions, craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, boutique lodging and Bed & Breakfasts, outfitters, and events and festivals focused on attracting visitors during low visitation times. Examples of marketing expenses that are eligible include, but are not limited to: digital advertising, social media boosts and sponsored ads, print advertising, hiring photographers and videographers, rack card printing and placement costs at Virginia Welcome Centers and Safety Rest Areas, display and promotional materials for trade shows and events. 

Components of the grant program include:

  • Who is eligible: Small tourism-related business with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees that can include but are not limited to boutique retail, restaurants, food trucks, small attractions, craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, boutique lodging, and B & Bs, outfitters, and events/festivals focused on non-peak seasonal visitation.
  • Additional eligibility: Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and groups such as Planning District Commissions, Economic Development Authorities (EDA’s), and Main Street organizations.
  • Application Requirements: A targeted and research-based marketing plan that demonstrates how applicants will use the grant money for marketing and promotions to fulfill the purposes of the grant program.
  • Match Requirement: 1:1 cash or in-kind marketing match.
  • Maximum Award: $5,000
  • Application Period: Opens: August 4, 2022.  Closes September 20, 2022.

Apply here

Town Center Plaza SummerFest Continues  -  Click here to see the lineup for this free concert series on the Town Center Fountain Plaza, courtesy of the Central Business District Association. The entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. nightly throughout summer.   

 

As always, my team and I remain committed to you and our industry. Please let me know how we can assist. 

Sincerely,
Nancy Helman 
CVB Director
 
 

Hotel Performance for the Week of July 17 - 23 - According to STR, Virginia Beach was within the top 25 performing DMO’s for the week of July 17-23. Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for this week was up 0.8% year-over-year to 82.1%, up from 77.7% and the -2.3% decline for the running 28 days. ADR was also up 1.3% to $168.10, where we saw a similar increase of 1.4% for the running 28 days.  RevPAR was up 2.2% to $138, stronger than the running 28-day trend of -0.9%. In comparison to 2019, we are only slightly down on occupancy with a decline of -0.9% but counter this with an ADR and RevPAR increase of 22.6% and 21.5% respectively.

To view previous Friday updates, log in to the Partner Pipeline.

Copyright © 2022 Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
Our address is 600 22nd Street, 2nd Floor, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
 
If you do not wish to receive future email, click here.
(You can also send your request to Customer Care at the street address above.)