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June 27, 2025
Dear Valued Industry Partners,
Great news from the experts! Travelers are ready to hit the road in record numbers this Independence Day. The predictions within the industry are that Americans are positioned to set a travel record this year while celebrating the nation's 249th birthday.
According to AAA, 72.2 million people will journey at least 50 miles from home during this year's extended holiday travel period of Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6. Further, over 60 million Americans are set to drive to their destination, which is a 2.2% increase from 2024. This is all terrific news for a destination within a day's drive for two-thirds of the U.S. population Find the full article here.
We are proud to have achieved an incredibly high return visitation rate of almost 80% thanks to the level of hospitality and quality customer service Virginia Beach has become known for. Thanks for all you do to help us maintain this high standard of service for all our guests year after year. The CVB team is here to assist in any way we possibly can!
In Sales news, Amy Overstreet met with clients in Alexandria to solidify an opportunity. Sally Noona was offered, and accepted, a three-year term to serve on the Meetings & Events Advisory Committee for the American Society of Association Executives. Also, Jim Coggin was recently in the DC area visiting AAA offices to update them on all the great things happening in Virginia Beach this summer.
This week the Convention Center welcomed back the annual Warrior East Expo. In addition to a trade show floor brimming with the latest technology to outfit and equip the modern-day warfighter, there were educational sessions, equipment demonstrations, and a keynote by actor, director, and comedian, Rob Riggle. Last night, the facility shifted into a totally different mode and will open Tidewater Comicon tomorrow. Coastal Virginia’s largest comic convention is open through Sunday and features celebrity guests, comic book creators, voice actors, cosplayers, gaming, and contests.
It’s shaping up to be another action packed weekend in Virginia Beach as the Sports Tourism team proudly welcomes a dynamic lineup of competitions across multiple venues in the city.
Starting Tuesday and running through Wednesday of next week, the National Club Field Hockey Championship returns to the USA Regional Field Hockey Training Center. This annual event brings together the very best in youth field hockey from across the nation. Over 1,700 elite athletes will take the field, making Virginia Beach the epicenter of top tier club field hockey for an entire week. The championship is a staple in the national field hockey calendar and continues to grow in prestige and participation.
From Friday through Sunday, the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Virginia Beach Open takes over the Oceanfront. With approximately 500 professional beach volleyball players set to compete, this event promises incredible action right on the sand. The AVP Tour is the premier domestic beach volleyball circuit, known for showcasing Olympic-caliber athletes, up-and-coming stars, and a festival-like atmosphere that combines sport, music, and fan engagement.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Seven Cities Showdown Ultimate Frisbee Tournament returns to the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex. This year the event will feature around 350 ultimate frisbee athletes in a fast-paced, community-focused event that continues to grow in popularity. The tournament embodies the fun, competitive spirit of ultimate, drawing teams from across the region to Virginia Beach.
Also on Saturday and Sunday, the Elite Ballers Club Championships will make their highly anticipated return to the Virginia Beach Sports Center. Now in its second year here, this national youth basketball tournament will welcome over 1,200 talented athletes from across the country. With high energy, competitive matchups, and rising stars on display, the championships promise an exciting weekend for players, coaches, and fans alike.
From the sand to the court to the field, Virginia Beach will be buzzing with athletic energy all weekend long!
Voting Is Open for Groups Today 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: Round 2 voting is now open for the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards by Groups Today magazine, a premier travel-planning resource for group travel planners. These awards recognize readers' top choices of favorite destinations, experiences, hotels, attractions, shopping and more. Cast your vote for Virginia Beach in the “Best Beach Destination” category now through Friday, July 18th. The final results will be published in the November/December issue. Vote today here and stay tuned!
Oceanfront Marina District is Open for Business During Construction Project - The local businesses, restaurants and attractions in the Marina District at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront remain open and ready to serve everyone during City construction on Winston Salem Avenue. The project will improve pedestrian access and connectivity between Mediterranean Avenue, the Rudee Loop Walkway and Pacific Avenue. For a complete list of businesses and more information on the project, click here. Those interested in getting email updates and news from the City on this project can sign up here.
City Announces Start Date of 17th Street Roadway Project /Public Meeting Set for July 9th - The long-awaited 17th Street Phase 1 Improvement project is finally here. Starting October 1, 2025, construction activities will begin between Cypress and Pacific Avenues on Virginia Beach Boulevard/17th Street. The improvements are anticipated to take 3.5 to 4 years to construct. Several phases of construction with different closures are expected. Please see this flyer for more information or visit the website here: VirginiaBeach.gov/17thSt-VBBlvd.
To learn more about the project and pending construction activities, you are invited to attend a meeting beginning at 5 pm on July 9th at the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation located at 740 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Regular communication from the City will occur with the public before and during construction. Sign up to receive project updates and contact the project team directly here: https://cloud.mc.virginiabeach.gov/17thStreetVBBlvd or send an email to: 17thStVBBlvd@VBgov.com. The City values your input, so please feel free to communicate your questions, concerns, or requests for assistance by phone to (757) 385-5639 or by the aforementioned email address.
Starting Tonight with a Free Event, it’s Fiesta Time in Virginia Beach - For two days, Virginia Beach celebrates the sights and sounds of the Latin experience! Starting tonight, June 27th at 5:30 p.m. at the 24th Street Park with free performances, La Fiesta Virginia Beach possesses the key ingredients of authentic food, colorful cultural costumes, and high-energy Latin music. Immerse yourself in Latin culture with free performances in 24th Street Park on Friday. Tomorrow, Saturday, June 28th, grab your tickets and hit the sand for the hottest Latin concert in Virginia. Authentic Latino and Hispanic food vendors and retail vendors round out the festival experience. Click here for more information.
Nominations Close Monday, June 30th for the VRLTA's 2025 Ordinary Awards - Hosted by the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association (VRLTA), the prestigious Ordinary Awards celebrate and honor Virginia’s lodging establishments and hotels, restaurants, DMOs, attractions, and more. “Ordinary” is definitely not what these nominees are- in fact, they are extraordinary in that they shine a light on the incredible restaurateurs, hoteliers, attractions, establishments, and employees that represent some of the best our industry has to offer from across the state. Don't delay - nominations close this Monday, June 30th! Winners will be announced at the 2025 VRLTA awards dinner and ceremony in Richmond on September 8th. Find out more about the nomination process and the awards dinner here.
Tuesday Morning Fun at Town Center Kids Club - Join the fun at Town Center on Tuesdays through July 8th from 9 - 10 am at the lower Fountain Plaza for free kid’s entertainment. Enjoy the summer sunshine and family-friendly activities including interactive story times, museum visits, and more! Find out more here.
Summer Fest 2025 at Town Center Continues with Free Entertainment Through Sept. 1st - The Town Center Fountain Plaza comes alive with performances from local musicians and specialty guest acts all summer. Enjoy live music on the Fountain Plaza Thursday through Sunday nights from 5 – 9 pm (schedule may fluctuate) now through through Monday, September 1st. All concert series are free and open to the public. Enjoy your favorite artists this weekend as the lineup features Kaboombox, Millennial Band, Good Shot Judy and Frank Sings Frank. July 4th Weekend, July 4th – 6th, features another strong lineup including Entangible Cats, 5Starr, SynHERgi, and Eric Stabb. Several Town Center restaurants offer outdoor seating and food specials within earshot of this live music series. For a complete list of Town Center restaurants, visit towncentervb.com. Scan the QR code below for more details and we’ll see you at Town Center soon!
Exciting News from the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association - Virginia Beach has been selected to be a part of the national Duke’s Mayonnaise 2025 Hot Tomato Summer event! Local restaurants can register to participate in culinary creativity while celebrating the iconic duo of mayonnaise and tomatoes during a 10-day event July 17th -27th. Register here for Duke's Hot Tomato Summer 2025 and be sure to let VBRA know you are part of the event at director@dineinvb.com.
Beach Blanket Cinema Offers Free Family Entertainment All Summer - Claim your space on the sand at 29th Street at the resort beach for free, open to the public outdoor cinema nights! Find out more here and hope to see you there!
Partner Professional Development Opportunities - To support our strategic pillar of accountability to the industry, we are pleased to share information about upcoming opportunities for professional development:
2025 VA1 Governor’s Tourism Summit Early Bird Pricing Available: Whether you’re with a CVB or DMO, a hospitality supplier, a hotel or restaurant, or part of local or state government, VA1 is your chance to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the power of Virginia’s tourism economy. Register today for this year’s Summit and join 500+ industry professionals for networking, education, and inspiration like no other. Find all the details here.
Sandler Center For The Performing Arts Art Gallery Offers Free Exhibition - “No Hate, Just Hope,” by Theresa A. Brown, a Hampton Roads-based artist, is now on view through Sept. 22nd. Guests may view the art during the operating hours of the Sandler Center box office, as well as to event ticket holders during events at the Sandler Center. The box office is open Monday - Friday from 9 am to 4 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.
This solo exhibition invites viewers to explore a visual testimony of hope and inner strength. Behind the mask lies a story of triumph, painted with the hues of the artist’s experiences. This collection extends a hand to the future, embracing hope as a timeless legacy.
The artist, also known as “T.A.B,” is an award-winning mixed media artist known for her powerful, story-driven works that inspire and unify. A graduate of Virginia State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Commercial Art and Design, Brown’s artwork has been exhibited nationally at venues such as the Women’s Caucus for Art, Norfolk Arts Offsite Gallery, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Woman Made Gallery Chicago, Sandy Spring Museum, Cab Art Gallery and Her Story-Manhattan Arts International.
To learn more about the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Art Gallery, including opportunities to potentially exhibit, click the link provided here.
Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association Hospitality Training Opportunities - 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. The organization also regularly 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 to participate in one or more of these sessions, click here.
- 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
September and November are great months to take available training. I encourage everyone to register and attend one or more of these 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 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 May 2025 - Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the month of May was up 2.8% from May of 2024, at 67.3% occupancy, but down -0.1% year to date. ADR was up 1.7% from May of 2024, at $164.32, and up 2.6% year to date. RevPAR was up 4.5% from May of 2024, at $110.56, and up 2.5% 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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