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April 7, 2023
Dear Valued Tourism Partners,
It was great to see so many of you at the stakeholder input meeting for Something In The Water yesterday. The engaging conversation led to some great questions and further conversation. Thanks to our colleagues at City Communications, Emergency Operations and VBPD, as well as Robbie Wells from Mr. Williams’ team. It was a productive meeting, with lots of great info sharing. I hope everyone got the answers to their questions. If not, you may direct festival questions to SITW@vbgov.com. For a great resource for special event updates, visit www.virginiabeach.gov/eventinfo. Here is the SITW presentation from the meeting if you were unable to attend: SITW 23 .pptx
This week we are very proud to share the following media hits:
Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Announces New Video Series- Launched just this week and available on their YouTube channel, My Home Virginia is a narrative-driven video series that follows prominent Virginia-based personalities to the beautiful places they love and are inspired to call home, no matter how far across the world their travels may take them. Each episode captures an individual’s passion through beautiful visuals that inspire, uplift, and evoke feelings of awe. Season 1 of My Home Virginia features photographer and filmmaker Trevor Frost as he travels through some of his favorite Virginia destinations including Great Dismal Swamp, False Cape State Park, Grayson Highlands State Park, and the James River. It opens with a terrific shot of campers at False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach. My Home Virginia is a part of VTC’s overall marketing efforts to promote the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination. For more information on My Home Virginia, visit virginia.org/MyHomeVirginia.
ViBe District Crosswalk Paintings - Due to expected inclement weather conditions this weekend, the ViBe Creative Crosswalk Painting on Parks Avenue scheduled for tomorrow, Sat., Apr. 8th is postponed. The rain date for this event is Sunday, April 16th. The Visitor Center will be open this Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
CVB Sales Activity and News - Kelli Norman represented Virginia Beach at the 2023 Montreal Outdoor Show held in Montreal Quebec, Canada. This was a consumer show with over 15,000 in attendance. Consumer confidence was very positive as they searched for new outdoor ideas. Jim Coggin attended the Select Travel Conference last week in Branson, MO. Which included 25 deskside appointments and other networking activities. The M&C Sales & Services Team is making local connections this week and cultivating new relationships along the way. Sally Noona has a site visit with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation who will be hosting their first-ever annual event in Virginia Beach this year the week following Thanksgiving! Also, Sally and Lisa Bleakley participated in the Central Business District Association Internship Day on April 6 and showcased our destination and the industry to four excited students from Princess Anne High!
Convention Center Activity - Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses held a large gathering on Tuesday and there will be two Easter services held this Sunday. The public meetings for Something in the Water were also held this week to share the plans for the City’s first large festival of the year with interested residents and stakeholders. Looking ahead, the VBCC will be welcoming dance, cheer, FCCLA, and the Submarine Birthday Ball in the coming week.
Sports Tourism Activity - With winter sports behind us, spring in full effect, and summer approaching, the Sports Tourism team is gearing up for an eventful season of thrilling sporting events here in Virginia Beach! With events such as the US Lacrosse WCLA National Championships, NHSCA National Duals, Jackalope Festival, the North American Sand Soccer Championship, and many more great events taking place here in Virginia Beach. Our city will be a hub for some of the most exciting sporting events in the country!
NTTW Update - Be on the lookout for the drop of the luncheon registration announcement early next week!
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 19 - 25 According to Smith Travel Research, Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the week of March 19 – March 25 was down -0.2% at 59.7% occupancy but was up 0.9% for the running 28-day trend. ADR was up 3.2% at $129.14 for the week and up 5.0% for the running 28-day trend. RevPAR was up 2.9% at $77.10 and up 6.0% for the running 28-day trend. In comparison to the month of March 2019, we have a decrease in occupancy of -2.76% but counter this with an increase in ADR and RevPAR of 35.8% and 32.29% respectively.
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