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April 11, 2025
Dear Valued Tourism Partners,
Last week the 3rd annual Resort Season Kickoff took place at the Sports Center, officially ushering in the 2025 beach season. City staff and contractors who work tirelessly to maintain the Resort area’s cleanliness, safety, and welcoming atmosphere gathered to celebrate the start of another exciting season. Vice Mayor Wilson and Council Member Remick were joined by members of the Resort Advisory Commission, the Virginia Beach Hotel Association, and the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association to express their gratitude for the team's hard work and commitment.
The team was given an exciting preview of the upcoming projects and events set to fill the 2025 calendar. They also tested their Virginia Beach knowledge with a fun trivia challenge, enjoyed a delicious lunch, and even got competitive on the sparkling basketball courts of our Sports Center with a friendly game of HORSE. With 14.1 million visitors flocking to Virginia Beach each year, this dedicated team’s efforts help ensure they keep coming back. Here’s to a fantastic season ahead!
The excitement is building! In anticipation of the sold out 2025 Bulls and Barrels Rodeo this weekend, many onlookers came out today to witness the main attractions arrive at the Oceanfront. Watching the bulls load into their temporary digs has become a tradition for residents and visitors alike. One thing is for sure: the bulls absolutely love hitting the sands of Virginia Beach and we are definitely excited for their return. Hats off to a great weekend for everyone at the only beach rodeo on the East Coast.
I’m thrilled at the overwhelming response to our invitation for our local NTTW celebration on May 9th. If you haven’t done so already, please register here for your complimentary seat at this special event held annually to recognize our amazing frontline hospitality workforce. This year will again be a wonderful celebration of our industry and I hope to see many of you there cheering on your team members and colleagues!
We are extremely excited to share that Virginia Beach has been included in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards! You may vote HERE now through June 30th for all of the following options:
- Beaches: Virginia Beach
- Cities: Virginia Beach
- Hotels: Delta Marriott VB Waterfront and Founders Inn & Spa
- Resorts: Founders Inn & Spa and The Cavalier
The results of the Readers’ Choice Awards will be featured in the November US and UK print issues and online.
Also, we are pleased to share the following press hits:
- Journalist Karyn Locke wrote about Virginia Beach the updated Trekaroo article, “15+ Fun Things to do in Virginia Beach with Kids”
- Virginia Beach was included in the Brand USA article on budget-friendly US vacations
Today at the Convention Center, the Virginia Beach Green Ribbon Committee hosted the Southern Watersheds Symposium, bringing together thought leaders, technical experts and students to explore innovative solutions and showcase groundbreaking projects that impact our watersheds and local communities. Also today, the annual Spring Craft Show opens and runs through Sunday, bringing together the best local artisans to showcase crafts, art, and small batch gourmet items. Tonight, in honor of the birth of the modern-day submarine, Submarine Force Atlantic hosts its annual Sub Ball. Over 1,200 sailors and their guests are expected to enjoy the festivities and celebrate the 125th anniversary of the U.S. Submarine Force. This weekend, The Booster Box presents a regional competition for Off-line One Piece Card Games, a first for us. Opening tomorrow, with Top Cut played on Sunday, these One Piece Card Games regionals are battle events to decide the number one player in the region. Coming up on Wednesday, the City Manager is holding a special formal session of City Council for the public to share their opinions on the proposed budget. Taking place at 6 pm, this is just one of numerous opportunities for the public to provide feedback on the current budget proposal. Council members will use the feedback from residents, in addition to reports from City departments and other resources, to finalize the budget on May 13th. Find more information at the link provided here.
The M&C Sales Team has had a busy week of selling and engagement as several of our sales managers will accompany Anissa Ladd to the DC region for the Destination International’s Sales & Service Summit to introduce her as the VBCVB’s new vice-president of sales and services. While in the DC region, Dee Mittman will be meeting with the board members of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners. Meanwhile Jamie Rawls conducted a site visit with a Virginia state organization, and Ryan Everett is attending SimpleView’s Annual Summit in San Francisco learning more about the platform to support the team’s work. And last but certainly not least, our Services Team is gearing up for the Oceantic Network Convention arriving in late April followed by several major other citywide conventions in May and June.
In more sales news, Jim Coggin was recently in the New England area visiting AAA offices for destination training. Everyone he visited said they are excited to send their members to Virginia Beach to try out the new Atlantic Surf Park and attend a show at our newest venue, The Dome.
This weekend, Virginia Beach comes alive with high-level competition as the Sports Tourism team hosts an impressive lineup of events across the city. From gymnastics and tennis to field hockey and action sports, there's something for everyone to enjoy while we welcome thousands of athletes and their families to our city.
At the Sports Center, gymnastics makes its exciting return with the Spring Fling/Level 9-10 Regional Championships. This event features some of the top youth gymnastics athletes from across the region. With approximately 1,600 athletes expected, this championship adds another chapter to Virginia Beach’s rising legacy as a premier destination for elite gymnastics competition.
Also taking place at the Sports Center is the Phenom 757 Showcase, a standout basketball event that draws elite talent from across the country. Returning for another year, this two-day showcase will host 1,500 athletes, giving fans the chance to see some of the brightest young stars on the hardwood. Expect high-energy matchups, exciting plays, and fierce competition throughout the weekend.
At the Virginia Beach Tennis & Country Club, the courts will be buzzing as 250 athletes compete in the USTA L5 Boys & Girls 12-18’s Championship. This event is a staple on the tennis calendar, giving young players the opportunity to shine on a competitive stage while showcasing the city’s commitment to developing youth sports.
The WaveDaze Jet Ski Competition roars back to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, bringing with it 475 top jet ski pros ready to take on the surf. With adrenaline-pumping races and freestyle stunts, this action-packed event celebrates the return of extreme sports to the beach and promises a thrill for spectators and participants alike.
Rounding out the weekend, the 26th Annual National Field Hockey League Spring Tournament will be held at the USA Regional Field Hockey Training Center, featuring 800 athletes from across the country. Every competitor in this tournament is traveling in from out of town, reinforcing Virginia Beach’s reputation as a national hub for field hockey and a go-to destination for high-level competition.
It’s another banner weekend for sports in Virginia Beach as we welcome thousands of athletes, families, and fans to our community. Let’s continue to show why our city is one of the top destinations for sports tourism in the country!
Funding Still Available for City Façade Improvement Grants (FIG) - FIG funds are still available! FIG is the City’s matching grant program to support small, locally owned, and operated businesses in the City of Virginia Beach. Façade improvement grants are reimbursements for significant exterior improvements for small, locally owned, and operated businesses located in any commercial or industrial-zoned area within the City of Virginia Beach. The 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. Find out more here.
Winston Salem Avenue Construction Update - Construction work continues on improvements to Winston Salem Avenue, with Phase 1 between Mediterranean and Baltic avenues nearing completion. As of March 31, Winston Salem between Mediterranean and Baltic is open to through traffic. Utility work with Dominion, Cox and Verizon will take place over the next few weeks, with companies pulling wires into their respective conduits. Once the wire runs are complete, the concrete for the remaining curb work will be poured, along with grading and asphalt along the street. At the same time, any missing sections of sidewalk will be replaced. The goal is to have the first phase fully built, except for landscaping, by the final week of May in time for the summer season. This timeline is subject to change, however. Phase 2 work has begun between Baltic and Arctic avenues, beginning with the installation of duct bank (to protect utility wires) on the south side of the road. This portion of Phase 2 will continue for most of April and May. During this time, a detour will be in place to direct traffic along Norfolk Avenue to access the closed portions of Mediterranean Avenue. At this time, Phase 2 is expected to continue until November 2025.
Family Fun Hoppin’ at Town Center - Visiting the beautiful Town Center district is a treat as there is always something new to see and do, but April is an especially picture-perfect time to plan a visit. On Saturday, April 19th from 11 am to 2 pm, hop on down to the Fountain Plaza to celebrate with the Town Center Easter Bunny at the annual Easter Eggstravaganza. From an Easter egg hunt to a dance contest and more, there is lots of family-friendly fun to be had. This is one event not to miss! Find the district’s latest events and happenings at this link and make plans today!
Virginia Restaurant Lodging & Travel Association’s (VRLTA) Ordinary Awards Highlight the Best in the State - In the spirit of recognizing those who serve the millions of guests who visit Virginia every year, the VRLTA holds the Virginia Restaurant Lodging & Travel Association’s (VRLTA) Ordinary Awards. The Ordinary Awards celebrate and honor all of Virginia’s restaurants, lodging establishments and hotels, DMOs, attractions, and more. All nominees are far from ordinary; they shine a light on the incredible restaurateurs, hoteliers, attractions, establishments, and employees that represent some of the best our industry has to offer. Nominations are now open through June 30th, 2025, and winners will be announced at the VRLTA awards dinner and ceremony on September 8th, 2025. Find out more about the awards dinner and the process for nominating someone at the link provided here.
Partner Professional Development Opportunities - To support our strategic pillar of accountability to our stakeholders and the industry as a whole, we are pleased to share information about upcoming opportunities for professional development:
Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association (VRLTA) Hospitality Training Expands - VRLTA’s 2025 Regional Seminars aim to provide education and resources on critical industry topics, extending VRLTA’s outreach and enhancing their statewide presence through valuable, focused programming.
On May 19, 2025, from 1:30 - 4 p.m., all are encouraged to attend a Human Trafficking Training & Prevention seminar, a VRLTA Coastal Regional Seminar being held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Virginia Beach. Human trafficking is a widespread issue that often operates in plain sight. The hospitality and tourism industries are uniquely positioned to help identify or report potential cases, which makes training and awareness all the more critical. Open to members and non-members, find out more about this free educational opportunity and register at the link provided here.
Other VRLTA Training Offerings - The VRLTA regularly also offers a variety of training and certification opportunities in the hospitality industry. These include online courses, career and technical education programs, and certification programs. Visit https://www.vrlta.org/hospitality-training/ for more information.
2025 Miles Partnership Professional Development Dates - For more information about the following opportunities and/or to register, visit https://www.milespartnership.com/how-we-think:
- May 15 – Harnessing the Power of AI
- June 24 – Technology Trends, Powered by the American Traveler
- September 16 – Traveler Segments, Powered by the State of the American Traveler
- November 18 – Stewardship & Sustainability Insights, Powered by the State of the American Traveler
I hope some of you, or your designees, are able to attend one or more of these important and insightful professional development opportunities.
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
Find the 2025 CVB Event Calendar here, the Virginia Beach Events entertainment schedule here, and a link to the 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 February 2025 - Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the month of February was down -6.5% from Feb. 2024, at 46.2% occupancy, and down -4.1% year to date. ADR was down -1.9% from Feb. 2024, at $109.12, but up 0.7% year to date. RevPAR was down -8.3% from Feb. 2024, at $50.38, and down -3.4% 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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