|
March 31, 2023
Dear Valued Tourism Partners,
Wow, time sure is flying - tomorrow is April 1 already! Yesterday we had our official season kick-off meeting at the Family Fun Experience located on 16th St. CVB Director Nancy Helman introduced City Manager Patrick Duhaney who welcomed the group of city and contracted staff to a half day of celebration and education of the upcoming 2023 season. Councilman Remick and leaders of the Resort Advisory Commission, VBHA, VBRA, and AAA shared remarks of appreciation for the hard work and care exhibited by the Resort Team who provide a clean, welcoming and entertaining environment for guests. Thanks to everyone who attended and for supporting this dedicated team.
Want to Know What the Traffic, Safety Plans are for Something In the Water? A Community Meeting on April 6 Will Give All the Details You Need - In less than a month, a festival packed season at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront kicks off with one of the biggest events - Something in the Water (SITW). Thousands of music lovers are expected to hit the boardwalk from April 28-30. In anticipation, City staff from public safety, transportation, facilities, and Resort Beach operations have been finalizing plans with SITW organizers to ensure the festival runs smoothly. Organizers will share those plans at a community meeting on Thursday, April 6, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center from 6-8 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend, especially neighborhood associations and residents living in or near the Oceanfront, to learn about access, transportation plans, shuttle service, safety concerns and more. Get all the details about the meeting here.
New Resort Area Webpage Provides Ongoing City Communications - In an effort to minimize inconveniences caused by construction and parking changes in the Resort Area, a new City webpage will offer up-to-date information about project timelines, important parking dates and more. Beginning early spring and continuing into 2024, numerous Public Works projects in the Resort Area will be underway. The City wants to ensure visitors to the area know that despite the dust and debris due to construction, businesses at the Oceanfront are still open and ready to welcome patrons. You may see signs at the Resort Area with messages such as “Pardon the mess as we build our future,” and “Building our VB Future.” Parking rates have also been updated to simplify the parking experience; please see the rate chart here. All City-owned parking in the Resort Area is now $2/hour. Additionally, Parking Management is introducing dynamic pricing for resort garages and lots during special events and weekends. During peak parking demand times on the weekends and special events, the City will charge a daily flat rate at the garages and lots.
As a reminder, free parking available during the shoulder season will conclude today. Beginning tomorrow (4/1/23), meters for street parking will be activated and municipal parking lots fees will resume. Please note that beginning April 3, free on-street parking along Atlantic Avenue will also conclude. The apps VBGo and ParkMobile can help visitors to the Resort Area find parking in real time, and easily pay for their parking space. These apps are available to download for iOS and Android. To learn more about parking, construction and to download parking apps, visit virginiabeach.gov/VBFuture
Celebrate Community Day with Virginia MOCA - Don’t miss the fun tomorrow (4/1/23) at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art as they partner with the Virginia African American Cultural Center for Community Day, a day of art, performances, workshops, community resources, food and more. Join in on a museum-wide activation encouraging intergenerational conversation! Community Day is free and open to everyone. The first 400 guests to arrive on-site will receive a food voucher to be used toward food purchases. To find out more, click here.
CVB Hosts Special April Director of Sales (DOS) Meeting - With April almost here and many new and returning meetings & events on the books, it is a great time for a DOS meeting. Please plan to meet for a special DOS meeting on Wednesday, April 5 at 4:30 pm at 501 Kitchen & Bar located at 501 N. Birdneck Road in Virginia Beach. Team CVB will offer some last minute pointers about April events followed by a presentation by Virginia Beach Restaurant Association Director Martha Davenport. She will share her organization’s latest marketing opportunity specifically created to add value to our visitors’ experience. We hope to see many of you there.
Naval Air Station Oceana Announces 2023 Air Show Dates - Mark your calendars, partners! We were excited to learn that the NAS Oceana Air Show is back for 2023 and is scheduled for the weekend of September 16 - 17. Find out the details in the announcement made Tuesday morning here.
Virginia Aquarium Earns Fourth Consecutive Accreditation from Prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums - Congratulations to our partners and colleagues at the Virginia Aquarium for earning their fourth consecutive accreditation from the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Accreditation by AZA indicates that the Virginia Aquarium is meeting high standards for animal welfare, care, and management. The Virginia Aquarium is also accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums, a licensed USDA exhibitor, and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Locals Guide to Town Center - Step away from our sandy shores and explore our beautiful downtown district, Town Center of Virginia Beach - a hub for dining, spectacular shopping, a vibrant nightlife and arts scene. Home to local gems and nationally-recognized brands, Town Center is beloved by residents and visitors alike. Get a glimpse of the ultimate itinerary with our Locals Guide to Town Center.
CVB Sales Activity and News - Scott Warren is in Louisville at ConferenceDirect’s Annual Partner Meeting for their appointment show. Jamie Mitchell is in Richmond for the Virginia Society of Association Executives’ Association Leadership Virginia program. Sally Noona is in DC for the American Society of Association Executives’ spring Meetings & Events committee meeting. Site visits this week included Amy Overstreet and an FBI group and Sally Noona and the Virginia Municipal Clerks.
Did you know that in 2023, 33 cruise ships will have a port of call in Norfolk with excursions to Virginia Beach? We had our first excursion visitors of 2023 this past weekend from the American Constitution, part of American Cruise Lines. American Cruise Line isn’t our only line coming into port this season. Other ships scheduled to visit this year are Amera, Caribbean Princess, Viking Octantis, Silverseas, Holland America, Europa 2, and Mein Schiff from TUI Cruises.
Convention Center Activity - Today, the VBCC welcomes the North Landing River/Albemarle Sound Estuarine Symposium. This weekend is Cheer & Dance Extreme “The One Final” competition which is estimated to bring 2,000 athletes and their families to Virginia Beach.
The VBCC is proud to announce that last year the facility recycled or composted over 26 tons of waste and donated over 2 tons of food to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Without the support and commitment of everyone involved, the VBCC would not be able to maintain our sustainability efforts nor continue to give back to the community on such an impressive level. Thanks to all our partners who help keep Virginia Beach green!
Sports Tourism Activity - The 2023 Senior Softball Tidewater Classic kicked off their event on Wednesday with more than 900 athletes. This group is here for five days of competition. The 2023 BIG Money Spring Fling Volleyball Tournament is expected to bring over 1,000 athletes to the Virginia Beach Sports Center over this weekend.
NTTW Update - As we gear up for the start of several of the larger events and festivals of the year, I’d like to share a quick update on the status of this year’s National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) planning. Yesterday, the judging panel met and reviewed the almost 100 award submissions and after much deliberation, we have a slate of winners! The names will remain under seal until we meet to celebrate during our May 11th luncheon and awards ceremony. Thanks to all our partners who submitted nominations and a huge thank you to our distinguished judges: Sinclair Communications Promotions Director Jeanette Robinson; VBRA Executive Director Martha Davenport; and VBHA Executive Director Teri Wiley. Stay tuned for award luncheon registration info coming soon.
Events & Happenings
Our current Calendar of Events is available here. Take a look and see more of what’s on the horizon.
My team and I are committed to you and our industry and are here to help. Please let me know how we can assist. Sincerely,
Nancy Helman
CVB Director
Hotel Performance for the week of March 12 - 18 According to Smith Travel Research, Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the week of March 12 – March 18 was down -2.3% at 54.4% occupancy but was up 2.6% for the running 28-day trend. ADR was up 2.1% at $132.98 for the week and up 5.0% for the running 28-day trend. RevPAR was down -0.2% at $72.34 but up 7.7% for the running 28-day trend. In comparison to the month of March 2019, we have a decrease in occupancy of -11.4% but counter this with an increase in ADR and RevPAR of 39.84% and 24.12% respectively.
| 
