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March 14, 2025
Dear Valued Tourism Partners,
The CVB team is thrilled to announce that after an extensive nationwide search, conducted in partnership with SearchWide Global, Annisa Ladd has been selected as CVB’s new Vice President of Sales. Anissa brings more than 20 years of experience in sales leadership within Convention and Visitor Bureaus, working with Convention Centers and hotel industries. Anissa’s proven track record of driving revenue growth, fostering strategic partnerships, and leading high-performing teams makes her a tremendous asset to our organization. In addition to her wealth of professional experience, Anissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Hospitality Management, further solidifying their deep understanding of our industry and its customers. Anissa officially joined the department on March 6. Please help me give a warm welcome to Anissa!
We’re looking forward to an exciting, action-packed weekend as we are set to be the East Coast hub of elite sports and proudly host several of the most prestigious sports competitions in the country. Our city’s reputation as a premier destination for sporting events continues to grow, and this weekend will be no exception.
For the first time ever, Virginia Beach will host the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Virginia Beach Sports Center this weekend. This monumental event will bring the nation’s top collegiate track and field programs, including powerhouse schools such as the University of Oregon, LSU, Texas A&M, University of Southern California, Florida, and Arkansas, among many others. Co-hosted by Norfolk State University, this championship will not only showcase the next generation of Olympians but will also be broadcasted on the ESPN family of networks, giving Virginia Beach both national and international exposure. Teams have been in town since earlier this week, preparing for their shot at championship glory, and with world records expected to be broken, the track & field world will have its eyes locked on Virginia Beach. Thousands of fans and athletes from around the world will be here in our city to witness the action, making this a milestone moment for our community and a testament to the top-tier events we continue to attract.
The excitement doesn’t stop there. The VB Spring Classic returns on Saturday and Sunday, bringing over 4,000 young soccer athletes to the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex and the Princess Anne Athletic Complex. Co-hosted by Beach FC, this tournament welcomes teams from the U9 to U19 age groups, making it one of the most competitive youth soccer events in the region. The influx of teams, families, and spectators will further energize Virginia Beach’s sports scene and local businesses.
Meanwhile, the wrestling mats will be rolling out at the Virginia Beach Field House for the Interstate 64 Final 4 Spring Classic and Interstate 64 Duals on Saturday and Sunday. With approximately 800 wrestlers competing, this tournament has grown into one of the premier wrestling events in Virginia, drawing some of the best talent from across the region. This competition highlights Virginia Beach’s commitment to hosting top-tier youth and amateur wrestling events.
This is also the weekend for a beloved local tradition that draws scores of guests and residents alike. The 53rd running of the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend at the Oceanfront this weekend is officially sold out, however, don’t miss the chance to cheer on the participants along the race routes. The party continues after the race at our post race celebration on the beach with Yuengling Beer and live music. Find the race course map and more information at the link provided here.
From collegiate championships and youth sports to marathons, this weekend solidifies Virginia Beach’s status as a national hub for athletic excellence. These events wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and support of our entire community. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Virginia Beach’s hotels, restaurants, businesses, city employees, and venue staff for their hard work in making this weekend a success. Their hospitality and commitment ensure that every athlete, coach, and visitor has an unforgettable experience in our city.
Conveniently find parking options in city-operated municipal garages and lots at the link provided here. Please widely share this information with staff and guests.
As announced last week, U.S. Travel has designated May 4 – 10 as National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) 2025. This weeklong celebration was designed to highlight those superstars within our industry who shine the brightest and bring their best to our industry, keeping the tourism wheels turning all day, every day!
Locally, my team and I are thrilled to be planning our annual NTTW luncheon and awards celebration for Friday, May 9, at 11 am in our Convention Center - we hope you plan to come celebrate with us.
Most importantly, nominate your top tier talent today in one or more of the many hospitality industry-related categories available. Visit the link provided here to find out more, including a downloadable Adobe form for nominations.
Please help spread the word and let’s get ALL deserving members of our workforce to the table this year - I look forward to seeing the nominations start rolling in!
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
Find the 2025 CVB Event Calendar here, the Virginia Beach Events entertainment schedule here, and a link to the many fun events at Town Center of Virginia Beach here.
My team and I are committed to you and our industry and are here to help in any way we can.
Sincerely,
Nancy Helman
CVB Director
nhelman@visitvirginiabeach.com
CVB Strategic Pillars:
Engagement|Growth|Brand Development|Culture|Accountability
Hotel Occupancy for January 2025 - Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the month of January was down -1.4% from Jan. 2024, at 39.1% occupancy, and down -1.4% year to date. ADR was up 4.1% from Jan. 2024, at $103.56, and up 4.1% year to date. RevPAR was up 2.7% from Jan. 2024, at $40.49, and up 2.7% 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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