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January 10, 2025
Dear Valued Tourism Partners,
My team and I are excited and ready to dive into 2025 along with all of you, our valued partners, as we work together toward what we hope will be another record year for our industry. As the official marketing organization for the destination, my team and I are here for you and hope you will reach out to us for further partnerships and other engagement opportunities as the year progresses. Cheers to a prosperous year!
It is an honor to be selected as one of CoVa Biz magazine’s 2024 “Impact Makers: Women Leading with Vision & Heart.” I am humbled to be among almost two dozen phenomenal women in leadership roles who are helping to shape the business, creative and entrepreneurial landscape of our unique region. Find their stories of achievement and vision here.
We’ve created a great blog post which is perfect to share with staff and guests highlighting the many opportunities Virginia Beach offers to stay active and entertained throughout January. Whether you’re kicking off the new year with a scenic winter hike, diving into all the delicious deals during Virginia Beach Restaurant Week, or mapping out your next vacation at the RV Show of Tidewater, there's no shortage of fun. Forget about the winter blues—this month’s lineup includes bridal showcases, home and boat shows and a nine-day winter wildlife celebration. With something for everyone, your calendar will be full in no time. Get the whole rundown of what not to miss this January in Virginia Beach at the link found here.
The Meetings & Conventions Sales & Services Team is already on the road attending tradeshows and engaging with clients. Scott Warren was in Phoenix, AZ attending the Religious Conference Managers Association’s EMERGE 2025 conference. While there, he was a part of their give back program, working with the local food bank. Amy Overstreet, Jamie Rawls, and Sally Noona were in Richmond attending various industry events, namely the monthly Society of Government Meeting Planners and Virginia Society of Association programs.
We are very pleased to share the results of our continued work in the areas of public relations, marketing and communications. This week’s press hits and news includes:
- A road trip from Baltimore to Virginia Beach is highlighted in Travel + Leisure’s article: “10 Best East Coast Road Trips for History, Beaches, and Seafood”
- Parade highlights Virginia Beach in “115 Best Destinations for a Quick Weekend Getaway”
- TODAY spotlights Virginia Beach in “40 family-friendly vacation destinations that’ll help you spend your PTO wisely”
- Tribune Content Agency features the Virginia Beach Holiday Lights at the Beach in “Taking the kids: And checking out holiday lights before they are gone”
- Received an Honorable Mention for Jackalope Event PR from Ragan PR Daily Awards
- Virginia Beach came in at #15 in a Newsweek feature about New Year’s Eve celebrations. It also syndicated to MSN
3…2…1…Happy New Year! Last Night on the Town took place on Tuesday, Dec. 31 on the streets of the Town Center District. This year’s celebration promised a new venue, new opportunities, and new thinking about the event as we move into the new year. While the early evening was vibrant and fun, inclement weather posed some safety challenges which detained the start of the concert. As planned, everyone had a safe and fun time, and determined revelers were treated to an intimate concert with Hunter Hayes to bring in the new year.
It has been a great week for the Virginia Beach Sports Tourism team and the entire Virginia Beach CVB. We are thrilled to announce that SportsEvents magazine has named the Virginia Beach CVB as the winner of the 2025 All-Star Destination Partner award! This accolade is a testament to the hard work, innovation, and collaboration of our Sports Tourism team, the VBCVB, and our community partners who work tirelessly to position Virginia Beach as a leader in the sports tourism industry. It reflects the city’s commitment to excellence and our dedication to delivering unparalleled experiences for athletes, event organizers, and visitors alike.
Adding to the excitement, we are hosting an outstanding event this weekend. The VCU Ram Indoor Invite will take over the Virginia Beach Sports Center, drawing collegiate track and field athletes from across the Commonwealth and beyond as they gear up for the NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field Championships. It’s another proud moment for our city as we continue to shine on the sports tourism stage!
Throughout the month of January, visitors and residents will have opportunities to enjoy cars, recreational vehicles, boats, hot tubs, and the latest in outdoor living as our annual consumer shows visit the Convention Center. Opening today, the Convention Center starts off the New Year with the Hampton Roads International Auto Show. One of the most anticipated shows of the year, new car dealers showcase their latest production models and give attendees a glimpse into the auto industry’s vision for the future. Get a firsthand look at the vehicles that are redefining style, performance, and technology all in a non-sales, no-pressure environment. Buy tickets for this show at the link found here. For more information on other Center events, visit https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/convention-center/events/.
Update to VIC Hours of Operation - The Chesapeake Bay Center at First Landing State Park will be closed for the months of January and February. Please also note that on Sundays during March, the main Visitor Information Center at 2100 Parks Ave. will be closed.
Protecting Our Coastline: Beach Replenishment Begins at the Oceanfront - The Virginia Beach coastline attracts both residents and visitors year-round for swimming, surfing, sunrises, strolling and many other pastimes. However, it constantly faces the threat of natural forces. Powerful storms, winds and waves can cause erosion, jeopardizing the beach and the City's infrastructure. To protect our beaches for future generations, beach replenishment projects, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), are a crucial part of maintaining our coastal environment. Since 2002, the City’s investment in replenishment efforts throughout the Resort Area have averted an estimated $1 billion in storm-related damages. In late December 2024, crews began moving heavy equipment onto the beach at the 37th Street access. Later in January, the sand placement phase begins in the project area between 15th and 45th streets. Once complete, the project will move to Croatan Beach. The beach will remain open outside of orange safety fencing as work progresses in 1,500-foot sections, with 300-500 feet completed each day or two, depending on weather and equipment. Crews will work around the clock to finish the project as soon as possible. The last replenishment project was completed in December 2019, widening the shoreline to 300 feet and increasing it to 9 feet above sea level. To learn more about the project and to stay updated, visit the link found here.
Façade Improvement Grants (FIG) Program Application Portal to Open- On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Virginia Beach Economic Development will open their portal for matching grant program applications. These grants support small, locally-owned, and operated businesses in the City of Virginia Beach wishing to upgrade their properties with façade improvements. The FIG program will match small business owners', or those who lease to small businesses, investments up to $10,000, for exterior building, site, and outdoor dining improvements. For more information and a fact sheet, click here.
Virginia Beach Arts & Culture Grant Opportunity Applications Now Open - The Virginia Beach Office of Cultural Affairs is pleased to share a variety of arts and culture grants and resources for local artists. Programs include grants for individual artists, neighborhood art programs and performing arts partnership grants, among others. Visit https://culturalaffairs.virginiabeach.gov/grant-opportunities to find out more information on these opportunities to support and grow our thriving local arts community!
Public Meeting on Atlantic Avenue Improvement Project Set for January 30 at Convention Center from 6 - 8 p.m.- The Atlantic Avenue Improvement project team is hosting a public meeting to present proposed plans for the Atlantic Avenue Improvement Project. The project aims to improve the overall experience of Atlantic Avenue by enhancing the streetscape, improving lighting, and modernizing the area while preserving its unique character. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, click here.
Cheers to 20 Years! Virginia Beach Restaurant Association (VBRA) Celebrates Milestone Anniversary of Restaurant Week & Dine and Stay Program - Twenty years ago, farmers markets began emerging with earnest, and among those picking over fresh-from-the-field produce were chefs as the farm-to-table trend took hold. On the menu: sustainable, local, and organic ingredients coming together in delightful dishes, many marrying classic flavors and techniques with pan-ethnic cuisines. The Food Network continued to influence kitchens and palates. It was a good time to have taste buds. And while diners sought out decadent dishes, they also sought out an incentive, and Virginia Beach Restaurant Week was born.
From Monday, Jan. 20 through Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 the VBRA will hold its 20th milestone anniversary celebration. Dozens of dining establishments across the city continue the beloved tradition of joining in a designated week when select restaurants offer specially-designed, prix fixe menu pricing. This year some participants are also offering a tie-in to Virginia Spirits.
The VBRA has partnered with the Virginia Beach Hotel Association (VBHA) to offer a robust Dine & Stay program, with more than a dozen VBHA hotels offering package deals to elevate and extend the Virginia Beach experience. Advertising, encouraging visitors to celebrate food, gather with loved ones and create memories that will last a lifetime, has launched in the DC and Baltimore markets.
Thanks to those in the industry who have joined forces and partnered with these associations to help make this special week the very best one yet!
Partner Professional Development Opportunity - To support our strategic pillar of accountability to you, our valued industry partners, we are eager to share the word of upcoming opportunities for hospitality industry professional development as we receive it:
- VRLTA Partners with VTC for Webinar on Opening of Next Round of VTC Grants - The next round of applications for the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Marketing Leverage Program will open on Thursday, Feb. 11, and close on Thursday, March 13, 2025. The Virginia Restaurant Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA) will host a webinar featuring Staci Martin, VTC Grants Director, and Noah Salaah ad-Deen, VTC Grants Specialist, on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 10 – 11 a.m. for a deep dive into the current and future programs. Participants will obtain a better understanding of each program, the marketing focus, who is eligible, in-kind and cash match requirements, timelines, and deadlines, and how to apply for the programs. Click here to register.
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 in any way we can. We hope you will enjoy spending quality time with family and friends during this special season.
Sincerely,
Nancy Helman
CVB Director
CVB Strategic Pillars:
Engagement|Growth|Brand Development|Culture|Accountability
Hotel Occupancy for November 2024 - Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the month of November was up 6.5% from Nov. 2023, at 49.6% occupancy, and up 2.2% year to date. ADR was up 2.7% from Nov. 2023, at $112.65, but down -2.0% year to date. RevPAR was up 9.3% from Nov. 2023, at $55.91, and up 0.2% year to date.
Source: STR, LLC. Republication or other reuse of this data without the express written permission of STR, LLC is strictly prohibited.
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