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March 15, 2024
Dear Valued Tourism Partners,
As we usher in the 52nd Annual Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend which starts today and runs through Sunday, we’re excited to be hosting an expected 20,000 runners to our city for another epic race weekend. That doesn’t count the supporting “cheer squads” and the scores of spectators found along the race routes. We appreciate all you do to help make the Virginia Beach experience memorable for all our guests and wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Speaking of cheer squads, the CVB team was delighted to be at the Convention Center earlier today to celebrate the opening of the Shamrock Sports & Fitness Expo, signaling the official beginning of the Shamrock race weekend. Don’t forget the party continues after the race at the post-race celebration on the beach at the finish line. Click here for all the weekend details.
As a reminder, there will be temporary traffic impacts in the Resort area; see the Road Closure Notification posted here for all the details. Please share this information with staff and guests who may be affected.
CVB Sales Activity and News: The CVB team supports the bureau’s strategic pillars of Engagement, Growth, Brand Development, Culture, and Accountability.
Below are examples of recent media coverage we received:
- Parade Magazine included Virginia Beach attractions in “115 Best Destinations for a Quick Weekend Getaway”
- Southern Living highlighted Virginia Beach in “The Best Waterfront Town In Every Southern State 2024”
- Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience Opens at Virginia Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 5, 2024, reported by Associated Press
- Get to Know Virginia Beach - UK-based Charitable Travel magazine highlights sustainable tourism in Virginia Beach
It has been another busy week of sales, service, and engagement with partners for the Meetings & Convention Sales and Services team. Jamie Rawls conducted a site visit with the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, our Services Team assisted the Virginia Association of Museums who were in town for their annual meeting, and Sally Noona headed to DC for the American Society of Association Executives’ Meetings & Event Committee’s spring meeting. Earlier this week, the team attended an appreciation luncheon at the Delta Marriott Waterfront.
This weekend, the Virginia Beach Sports Center is set to host the 2024 Adidas Indoor Nationals, a prestigious track & field meet attracting over 4,000 athletes from across the country. This event is a cornerstone for aspiring athletes, offering a national platform for competition and recognition. In addition, the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex will be bustling with the VB Spring Classic, anticipated to bring together around 4,500 athletes and coaches, with a large crowd of 9,000 spectators eager to witness the high-energy matches.
But the sporting excellence doesn't stop there. Virginia Wesleyan University will be the site of the 2024 Spring Break Invitational, bringing over 800 athletes to compete in another thrilling track and field meet. The Virginia Beach Field House will welcome 1,250 athletes for the Interstate 64 Final 4 Spring Classic and Interstate 64 Duals wrestling meet, highlighting the strength and dedication of wrestlers from various regions. Lastly, the USA Regional Field Hockey Training Center will host the 2024 Adult Regional Club Championship, a testament to the skill and competitive spirit of the field hockey community.
Together, these events not only display the diversity of athletic talent but also Virginia Beach's commitment to host large-scale, multi-sport competitions. They contribute significantly to the local economy, enhance the City's reputation as a sports destination, and provide athletes of all ages and levels with invaluable opportunities to compete, learn, and grow.
The Convention Center hosted 1,200 for lunch on Wednesday for the annual Virginia Beach State of the City address. Mayor Bobby Dyer and City Manager Patrick Duhaney shared successes from the past year and plans for Virginia Beach’s future. Earlier this week, Stella Salyer represented the International Association of Venue Managers Safety & Security Committee at the Commercial Facilities Summit in Arlington, VA. Members of CISA and Homeland Security provided briefings on current threats, weather events, and cybersecurity issues.
A new beach cleanup station has been placed at the end of Chesapeake Bay Center (CBC) boardwalk area in First Landing State Park. Signs on the front of the station with instructions encourage visitors to use the buckets to pick up beach trash, separate it and take photos for submission to the CBC office’s Park Desk in exchange for a free one-day parking pass or a Ranger Badge. For additional information, contact a Park Ranger at 757-412-2300.
Don’t Miss the VB Flea Market Tomorrow in the ViBe Creative District - The weather is going to be perfect tomorrow (Saturday, March 16) for the VB Flea Market, a curated vintage & antique market hosted by the amazing shops of The Alley, located at 606-609 19th Street, in the ViBe Creative District. The market, which occurs every third Saturday of the month from 8 am to 2 pm, is an inclusive community experience with entertainment, food, drinks, and best of all, shopping. The VB Flea Market is full of vintage decor, furniture, records, motorcycle parts, a bike and board swap, lighting, clothing, and other great finds. There will also be several artisan vendors on site offering ceramics, jewelry, plants, woodworking, sign painting, bag making, coffee, and more. For more info, find VB Flea on Instagram at @vbflea
Are You Networking Effectively? The Virginia Beach Hotel Association, in partnership with Troy University and Family Fun Xperience Theater, is offering a professional development opportunity titled, “Are You Networking Effectively?” on Thursday, March 28, from 3:30 - 5:00 pm at Family Fun Xperience Theatre, 206 16th St. in Virginia Beach. Troy University’s Enrollment Coordinator Michael Camden will offer an informal learning session providing helpful strategies needed to grow your professional network. This complimentary session will help you identify everyday activities and interactions that can become an opportunity to brand yourself. Discover new ways of engaging with others to maximize your potential and enhance your networking skills. For more information and to register for this limited seating opportunity, click here.
The Easter Bunny Is Coming To Virginia Beach Town Center - The thrill and excitement of spring is popping up at Town Center and there is no better way to celebrate than with an Easter egg hunt, family, and fun. Get ready to hop on down to the Fountain Plaza to celebrate with the Town Center Easter Bunny at the first ever Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 30 from 11 am – 2 pm. This free, family-friendly event is for children ages 7 and under only. Get your free photos with the Town Center Easter Bunny, too! Plan to enter the Bunny Hop dance contest with DJ Ponfetti to win prizes from Apex Entertainment, The Royal Chocolate, and others. There will be a best Easter bonnet/hat contest, games, face painting, and more. For all the details, click here.
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
Click here to view the 2024 CVB Events Calendar. To view the Resort area entertainment schedule, click here and for easy access the Town Center of Virginia Beach events and activities listing, click here.
My team and I are committed to you and our industry and are here to help any way that we can. Please let me know how we can assist you.
Sincerely,
Nancy Helman
CVB Director
CVB Strategic Pillars:
Engagement|Growth|Brand Development|Culture|Accountability
Hotel Occupancy Data for the Week of February 25 - March 2: Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the week of February 25 – March 2 was up 7.3% at 57.8% occupancy and up 0.7% for the running 28-day trend. ADR was up 0.7% at $118.07 and up 2.1% for the running 28-day trend. RevPAR was up 8.1% at $68.24 and up 2.9% for the running 28-day trend.
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