August 19, 2022

Dear Valued Tourism Industry Partners,

I hope you’ve been enjoying the recent milder temperatures after a blistering July. Mother Nature will continue to rule as we gear up for an assortment of annual end-of-summer events, like ECSC. I have exciting news about returning and new events, too.

60th Annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championship By Vans - Starting this Sunday, 8/21, surfers from beginner to pro will compete for surfing titles, prizes, a place in history, and for the sheer love of the sport. Here is the lineup and a ticket purchase QR code:

Check out the ECSC website for more info and updates.

Fifth Annual ViBe Mural Festival - Today kicks off the Fifth Annual Mural Festival in the ViBe Creative District. Ten new murals will be painted by 10 different national and local artists at private properties through the arts district during the same 10 day period. Featured artists and the locations are: Sam Welty at Rite Aid; Hanna Kirby at Atlantic Park containers; Mia Guile at Esoteric; Tessa Duquette at 17th St Marketplace; Paul Santoleri at North End Bag Co; Erek Jones at WRV’s The Alley; Summer Paradiso at Organic Beginnings in partnership with LRNOW; TEEN Muralist Leani Thurton at Organic Beginnings; Hamilton Glass at DWELL and Nico Cathcart at Ambassador Inn & Suites in partnership with VAACC. Want to get a glimpse at one of these artists at work? Click here for the art installation location map. For more festival information, click here.

Virginia Beach Funk Fest Beach Party Returns Aug. 26 & 27 -  For 13 years, the Virginia Beach Funk Fest Beach Party has brought the “funk” to the Oceanfront for two days of electrifying music, great food, and unique vendors. This popular music genre draws influence from R&B, jazz, gospel, and blues. Funk artists like James Brown and George Clinton (the leader of Parliament-Funkadelic) inspired many musicians and helped spawn other genres like disco and hip hop. General admission to the Virginia Beach Funk Fest Beach Party is FREE, but capacity is limited. For our guests desiring a closer, more comfortable viewing experience, we offer a ticketed Preferred Viewing section. The Preferred Viewing ticket is a two-day pass providing a closer viewing area (patrons bring their own beach chairs), dedicated portable restrooms, and a cash bar. Preferred Viewing admission is guaranteed, while general admission is limited and strictly first-come, first-served. Click here to find out and purchase tickets.

New Dining Event Kicks Off Labor Day Weekend - Enjoy an evening on the sand with the Culinary Institute of Virginia’s Sunset Beach Boil on Fri., 9/2 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Oceanfront on 24th Street. Celebrate the end of summer with family and friends in authentic beach boil style, featuring North Carolina shrimp and Eastern Shore clams. All guests will enjoy an individual charcuterie appetizer, family-style seafood boil, and individual dessert. Each ticket includes two free drink vouchers. Enjoy delicious local fare, drinks, live music, and ocean breezes. Limited space is available so reserve your seat today! Find out more, including how to get tickets, here. 

Hat’s Off to Beachevents & RMO - The August Beachevents Steering Committee met earlier this week and from the feedback received, the season has gone very well. With a robust lineup waiting to round out the summer, there’s also an exciting Fall season lineup that is sure to please. A huge shout out to everyone involved, especially the Beachevents and RMO teams, who ensure our entertainment offerings are top-notch and delivered professionally. Your efforts show on the faces in the crowds!  

M & C Sales & Services Team Leaves No Stone Unturned - The later part of August will continue to be a whirlwind of activity as the M & C Sales & Services team keeps the pressure on to “Bring It To The Beach.” Dee Mittman just returned from Detroit attending Connect Marketplace where she conducted 20+ appointments with national associations. Jamie Mitchell virtually attended the Virginia Society  of Association’s Executives SIG-a-palooza ( SIG = Special Interest Group) event and made connections during that unique event. Amy Overstreet organized and oversaw two site visits this week for potential state and national business. This weekend, Sally Noona will travel with Amy to Nashville to attend the American Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting & Tradeshow. Along with the Visit Virginia Beach  booth and a bike giveaway, Sally will be a speaker on a national panel during this show which expects to draw approximately 5,000 attendees! Finally, at the end of August, the entire sales team will be heading up to DC for a special sales mission while our Services team is gearing up for the Mid-Atlantic Shriners Association right after Labor Day. 

SummerFest at Town Center Offers Free Nightly Entertainment - The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. every night on the Plaza at Town Center. Enjoy this free concert series throughout the summer, courtesy of the Central Business District Association. Click here for the entertainment lineup.

My team and I stay committed to you and our industry.  Please let us know if we can assist you in any way.

Sincerely,

Nancy Helman

CVB Director

nhelman@visitvirginiabeach.com