May 3, 2024

Dear Valued Tourism Partners,

Thanks to all who came out to support our industry’s finest at our annual awards luncheon yesterday. It was a great day for tourism in Virginia Beach!

Congratulations to the recipients of our 2024 National Travel & Tourism Awards:

• Saoussan Afrit, Doubletree by Hilton Virginia Beach
• Sade Allsbrook, Homewood Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach/Norfolk Airport
• Beverly Arbogast, Tides Coastal Kitchen, Delta Virginia Beach Waterfront
• Rita Addico Cohen, Tidewater African Cultural Alliance
• Julie Bernheisel, The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
• James Farrell, The Stockpot Virginia Beach
• Bernard Fon, Fairfield Inn & Suites
• John Lesko, BeachEvents/IMGoing
• Michael Moore, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
• Jerome Owens, Navy Lodge Oceana Dam Neck Annex
• Alex Parness, The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
• Christopher Tomicich, Cavalier Resort
• Luke Rhodes, Hyatt Place Virginia Beach Oceanfront
• Laura Wood, ViBe Creative District
• Mia Wroten, Hemingway’s/Holiday Inn Oceanside

A huge shout out to the amazing staff at Sodexo Live! for yet another outstanding event and special thanks to our sponsors Onyx Audio Visual, Sinclair Communications and Smart City Networks.

CVB Sales Activity and News: The CVB team supports the bureau’s strategic pillars of Engagement, Growth, Brand Development, Culture, and Accountability.  

Marie-Eve Blanchard from Le Journal de Montreal published an article about Virginia Beach, “Discovering the Northeast USA: Virginia Beach, beyond the beaches in spring!” found here. Le Journal de Montreal reports a UVM (Unique Visitors per Month) of 19.2M. 

In other media news, we are pleased to share that we received incredible trade pick-up from the “Loonie Savers Promotion” press release that was distributed earlier this month. Canadian journalist Rochelle Lash's consumer travel story has been syndicated in 14 of the most-read national and daily newspapers across Canada. The Loonie Savers coverage to date has unique visitors per month of 8.6M.

• National Post
• Montreal Gazette
• Ottawa Sun
• Vancouver Province
• Calgary Sun
• Edmonton Journal
• Winnipeg Sun
• Windsor Star
• Saskatoon Star Phoenix
• Regina Leader Post
• The London Free Press
• Canada.com
• Vancouver Sun
• Edmonton Sun

Virginia Beach Sports Tourism is set to host a thrilling lineup of sporting events this weekend. The action begins with the 2024 Spring Shockwave swim meet at the Princess Anne Family YMCA, where 600 swimmers will dive into competition. Simultaneously, the Virginia Beach Sports Center will be alive with the energy of the 2024 Coastal Clash volleyball tournament, expecting 1,265 participants to battle it out on the courts.  

The excitement doesn't stop there. The Virginia Beach Oceanfront will be the stage for the 2024 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS U.S. Trophy and Rookie Championship, where top lumberjacks from around the country will compete for honors in front of an estimated 1,000 fans. To round out a spectacular weekend, the U.S. Finals Cheer and Dance competition will bring over 2,800 competitors to the Virginia Beach Convention Center, making it a must see event for cheer and dance enthusiasts. These events highlight Virginia Beach's vibrant sports culture and our appeal as a premier destination for sports tourism! 

The Tourism Team is on the road in Germany. Numerous tourism professionals followed the culinary invitation from Knecht Reisen and the Capital Region USA. In the Merker area in Baden, a group cooked for each other with the active support of their American colleagues from Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC.

The M&C Sales & Service Team had a busy end of April and is gearing up for a very busy May. This week, Scott Warren led a site visit with the USS Truckee Military Reunion. Amy Overstreet is on her way to DC for the Professional Conference Managers Association’s Capital Chapters Sparkler event for meeting professionals in the region.

The VBCC was honored to host the National Travel and Tourism Week Awards Luncheon yesterday. This weekend the VBCC welcomes the US Finals cheer competition back to Virginia Beach for its 15th year. Also this week, in remembrance of firefighters who have passed in the line of duty, the VBCC tower is illuminated in red through May 5. 

The Resort Management Office advises that the events listed below will necessitate a Road Closure on 23rd St. on designated dates in June and July. The connecting street (23rd) between Atlantic and Pacific Avenues will be closed to through traffic on these dates. Parking spaces on the west end of the street will be accessible for paid metered parking. 

• BMX - Thursday, May 30 @ 4pm through Sunday, June 2 @ midnight

• Sand Soccer Activation - Friday, June 7 @ 4pm through Sunday, June 9 @ midnight

• BMX - Thursday, June 13 @ 4pm through Sunday, June 16 @ midnight

• BMX - Friday, July 5 @ 4pm through Monday, July 8 @ midnight

Visit Graduation Expressions 2024, An Artistic Sidewalk Adventure - Virginia Beach Town Center opens its doors and sidewalks to celebrate college, high school, and advanced learning graduates along with those who have received any academic achievement. To mark these personal milestones, Virginia Beach Town Center is providing the backdrop and inspiration for seven artists from Old Dominion University’s Department of Art to create inspirational messages through art on the sidewalks of Town Center. Wander the streets of Town Center through June 14th, weather permitting, and don’t miss the special art on the stairs to Zeiders and Cantina Laredo. Town Center’s own selfie picture frame will be at the Fountain Plaza to help celebrate the moment with family, friends, and loved ones. Find out more here. 

Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program -  Mark your calendars! The next round of VTC’s Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program (MMLP) will open on June 11, 2024 and close on July 23, 2024. This grant funding program was designed to spur economic activity and travel across the Commonwealth to support tourism-oriented small businesses and organizations during shoulder season visitation, and overnight visitation, during the months of September to May. Click here for more information on the MMLP program. 

Provide Input on Draft Policies That Will Guide Future Development in Virginia Beach - After gathering input from stakeholders, the Virginia Beach Comprehensive Plan team has developed policy ideas centered around different areas of the city and previously established themes. Now, it is time to solicit feedback on these proposed policies during one of five open-house-style meetings where attendees can provide input on draft policies that will guide future development in Virginia Beach. Come to a workshop and tell the City what you think! 

• Wednesday, May 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Point O'View Elementary School, 5400 Parliament Dr.
• Thursday, May 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Trantwood Elementary School, 2344 Inlynnview Road
• Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Zeider's American Dream Theater, 4509 Commerce St.
• Monday, May 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Landstown High School, 2001 Concert Dr.
• Thursday, May 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Kellam High School, 2665 W. Neck Road

Reach out to the Comprehensive Planning team with any comments or questions at CompPlan@vbgov.com  or call 757-385-4319. If you're attending the May 11 meeting, here's additional information about where to park at Zeider's American Dream Theater.

EVENTS & HAPPENINGS

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.

CVB Strategic Pillars:

Engagement|Growth|Brand Development|Culture|Accountability

Hotel Occupancy Data for the Week of April 14 - 20: Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the week of April 14 - April 20 was up 7.4% at 68.5% occupancy and up 1.6% for the running 28-day trend. ADR was down -3.8% at $135.72 and down -2.6% for the running 28-day trend. RevPAR was up 3.3% at $92.95 but down -1.1% for the running 28-day trend.

To view previous Friday updates, visit the CVB Partner Blog.