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August 15, 2025
Dear Valued Industry Partners:
Congratulations to the team at Atlantic Surf Park on tomorrow’s opening of the nation’s first Wavegarden Cove Surf Lagoon. Atlantic Park Surf is the first lagoon of its kind to be incorporated into an urban environment, providing an unparalleled surfing experience. Powered by Wavegarden Cove, the most energy-efficient wave-generation technology in the world, the system can generate up to 1,000 waves per hour and more than 20 types of waves, ranging from one to seven feet in height and tailored to beginners, intermediate, advanced and expert surfers. The lagoon’s surrounding “beach” provides a premium beach-club environment, with lounge chairs and cabanas, offering surfers a place to relax and enjoy before or after their session. Non-surfers can purchase a daily beach pass to enjoy these premium beach-club amenities while watching the surf. Booking for the long-anticipated development are now open to the public at AtlanticParkSurf.com.
As we prepare for more exciting events and the chance to welcome new and returning guests, we look forward to several more large festivals and events which hallmark summer in our coastal city.
The Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships, affectionately known by locals as ECSC, is a surf contest at its core. Thanks to many, including the Virginia Beach Jaycees, the event has turned into a week-long festival offering a multitude of events for locals and visitors of the Oceanfront. ECSC opens this Sunday, August 17th beginning at 7 am with the first competition starting at 8 am for groms aged 10 and under. Other beach-oriented sports, recreation, and entertainment offerings include beach volleyball, a boardwalk 5k run, street skate and ramp contests, swimsuit contests, food and drink concessions, art and craft vendors, and live music on the beach. With dozens of ECSC events happening through August 24th, you’re sure to find something for the entire family. Get all the details here.
August 22nd - 23rd brings in the highly-anticipated 2025 Funk Fest Beach Party on the beach at 30th Street, a new venue for this high energy festival. Find more information on this dynamic event, including the lineup times and bands scheduled to perform, here.
The very next weekend, we welcome Labor Day Weekend 2025 and a fantastic roster of national artists August 30th - performing at all the Oceanfront park stages. The scheduled performers lined up include those found at the link provided here.
Destined to be a landmark race and another classic summer celebration, the Chartway 2025 Virginia Beach 10 Miler, presented by Sentara, makes its return Friday, August 29th - Sunday, 31st at the Oceanfront. The weekend offers a Kids 1 Miler, 5K, 10 Miler, and “Live the Life Challenge” along with a J&A Racing beach party featuring cold beer and live music. It’s more than a race, it’s a celebration. Find all the information you need right here.
These activities require a huge undertaking by many to ensure an enjoyable time for all. Thank you for the added effort you and your teams put forth all year long to make our guest experiences the very best they can be.
We are pleased to share highlights from this week’s press hits:
- Erin Gifford highlighted Sandbridge Beach in the Southern Living article titled, “This Quiet Virginia Beach Town Has No Hotels—Just Cottages, Crab Shacks, And Pristine Beaches”
- Surf Park Central reported “North America’s First Wavegarden Cove Opens at Atlantic Park”
- Seven interesting highlights about Atlantic Park featured in a We3travel story
📣 Partner with Us on Social! We’re excited to share the latest efforts from the CVB Marketing Team across Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook. By following Visit Virginia Beach on these channels, you'll stay up to date on our newest content, campaign rollouts, and stories that showcase the spirit of our destination.
🤝 We’d love for you to engage with us, share posts that resonate with your audience, and help amplify Virginia Beach’s message. When sharing, be sure to tag @visitvabeach so we can highlight and celebrate you in return!
The Convention Center was delighted to host the summer graduation ceremonies for Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) yesterday. Nearly 1,000 family and friends gathered to celebrate this important milestone with the graduates. Tomorrow, VBCPS holds their annual Back to School Care Fair to help families take advantage of valuable resources in the division and community. The Care Fair is free, open to all VBCPS families, and will feature entertainment, free backpacks for the first 4,000 students, giveaways, and a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy. Students can also receive free haircuts, vision screenings, school entry physicals, and required school vaccinations for 7th – 12th graders. Visit the link provided here for more information.
The Meetings & Conventions Sales Team went West this week in force to create a buzz on the tradeshow floor at the annual American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) show in Los Angeles. The team created quite a splash by incorporating the ViBe District’s local artists into their exhibit area. Attendees were invited to create a memento canvas bag from the CVB which had our logo on one side and a Virginia Beach mural for coloring on the other. The idea was for attendees to find their happiness in Virginia Beach, one color at a time, by coloring in the outlined design as the team promoted the destination. The Team also supported the ASAE Meetings & Events Committee, which Sally Noona serves on, by sponsoring an ice-cream break following one of the sessions. Needless to say, Virginia Beach made a splash with these interactive events in LA!
The Destination Services Team is preparing for the return of Liberty Tax for their annual convention next week at our Convention Center. Upwards of 1,200 attendees from across the country will be among those in attendance this year. In addition to a welcome message displayed on the marquee of the Convention Center, our partners at Norfolk International Airport will be displaying a “Welcome to Virginia Beach” message on their digital sign boards and monitors all week. In addition, our team will have a welcome table at the Center during the convention to answer questions and promote our local restaurants, attractions, and retailers.
This week Virginia Beach Sports Tourism will host two great events here in the city. The 4th Annual EF Classic returns to Virginia Beach this weekend, taking over both the Virginia Beach SportsPlex and the Princess Anne Athletic Complex. This highly anticipated youth football showcase will feature more than 100 teams from across the country, including powerhouse programs from Georgia, Florida, and surrounding states. Over 3,000 athletes and their families are expected to descend on the city, bringing an electric atmosphere both on and off the field. Known for its high level of competition and strong community following, the EF Classic has quickly become one of the premier youth football events in the region, giving fans a chance to see the next generation of talent up close.
At the Virginia Beach Sports Center, the action continues with the Charm City Beach Bash volleyball tournament. This annual event will welcome around 500 adult athletes from across the nation as well as internationally, with a team from the Philippines coming to Virginia Beach, for a weekend of exciting match play. With its reputation for competitive yet fun competition, the tournament offers a great opportunity for athletes to showcase their skills while enjoying everything Virginia Beach has to offer. Spectators can expect high-energy matches and a great community atmosphere as teams return year after year to be part of the action.
Both events lead right into one of Virginia Beach’s most iconic traditions, the East Coast Surfing Championships, which kick off on Sunday. This legendary event, now in its sixth decade, will bring a full week of surfing competitions, beach sports, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities to the Oceanfront. Athletes and spectators from around the world will gather to celebrate the sport, the culture, and the vibrant energy that makes Virginia Beach a premier coastal destination.
Partnership Opportunity: Partners interested in showcasing their business at the Princess Anne Athletic Complex during the 2025 USA Ultimate Pro Championships August 30th - September 1st are invited to contact Jordan Frazier on the Sports Tourism Team at 757-385-6673 or jfrazier@visitvirginiabeach.com for more information.
Don’t Miss Tonight’s International Market in the ViBE Creative District- The International Night Market is back! Rooted in the heart of the ViBe Creative District, this cultural series returns to celebrate the global diversity of Virginia Beach. Each event will highlight the international flavors, spotlighting diverse artists, musicians, food trucks and vendors from around the world, all coming together to ignite community pride, fuel local business and create a space where everyone belongs. Located at 723 20th Street, beside Dwell in the ViBe Apartments, in collaboration with the ViBe Creative District and the City of Virginia Beach, this family-friendly evening will transform the 20th Street cul-de-sac into an open-air cultural block party. Guests can expect vibrant live music, energetic dance performances, local artisan vendors, hands-on art, games and activities for all ages, and a global lineup of food trucks offering authentic flavors from across Latin America. Find out more here and hope to see many of you there!
Marina District Businesses Open During Construction - The local businesses, restaurants, and attractions in the Marina District at the 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.
- Support the Marina District during construction – download a flyer with the best routes to the Marina District or request printed copies by emailing WinstonSalem@vbgov.com.
Free Summer Entertainment Continues at Town Center - It's Summer Fest at Town Center and the free live entertainment continues from 5:00 - 9:00 pm or 5:30 - 8:30 pm on select summer nights in the Town Center Fountain Plaza. Come listen to some of your favorite local artists while enjoying a meal or beverage at one of the many fine outdoor dining establishments surrounding the plaza. The planned August lineup includes:
Fri. 8/15 | 5:00-9:00 pm The Steals
Sat. 8/16 | 5:00-9:00 pm The 9th Life
Fri. 8/22 | 5:00-9:00 pm Vince Kornegay Band
Sat. 8/23 | 5:00-9:00 pm Snackbar Jones
Sun. 8/24 | 5:30-8:30 pm Frank Sings Frank
Fri. 8/29 | 5:00-9:00 pm Aaron Firestone Band
Sat. 8/30 | 5:00-9:00 pm Vinyl Headlights
Sun. 8/31 | 5:30-8:30 pm Fond Memories
Know Before You Go to Town Center - Parking and WIFI are always free in Town Center. Garage parking is recommended as on-street parking times have limitations. In inclement weather, all outdoor entertainment may be cancelled. Follow the CBDA Facebook page for updates at https://www.facebook.com/CentralBusinessDistrictAssociation. This event, produced by the Central Business District Association, is provided for your enjoyment by the businesses of Town Center of Virginia Beach, Armada Hoffler Properties, and the City of Virginia Beach.
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 Through September 19 - Whether you’re with a restaurant or a lodging facility, a hospitality supplier or a DMO/CVB, VA1 is your chance to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the power of Virginia’s tourism economy. Register before 9/19/25 for early bird pricing for this year’s Summit and join more than 500 industry professionals for networking, education, and inspiration like nowhere else. Find all the details here.
Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association Hospitality Training (VRLTA) 2025 Regional Seminar Series Offers Professional Development 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, visit https://www.milespartnership.com/how-we-think:
- 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 encourage everyone to try to attend one of these insightful professional development opportunities if possible.
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 June 2025 - Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the month of June was down -2.0% from June of 2024, at 78.5% occupancy, and down -0.5% year to date. ADR was down -1.1% from June of 2024, at $210.61, but up 1.2% year to date. RevPAR was down -3.2% from June of 2024, at $165.39, but up 0.7% 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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