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August 29, 2025
Dear Valued Industry Partners:
It’s Labor Day Weekend 2025 in Virginia Beach! The fun begins today and continues throughout the weekend with free live music in the 17th, 24th, and 31st Street Parks at the Oceanfront, as well as in Town Center on the Fountain Plaza. For some great tips to share with staff and guests, I encourage everyone to check out our latest article “Fun Things to Do for Labor Day Weekend in Virginia Beach” found here.
Also today, the Convention Center welcomes J&A Racing and the Chartway Virginia Beach 10 Miler Packet Pick-up and Race Expo. Over 4,000 runners will visit the facility to get prepped for their races, shop for cool gear, and network with other like-minded people.
The event and related activities over this weekend offers a Kid’s 1 Miler, 5K, 10 Miler, and the “Live the Life Challenge.” A traditional J&A Racing beach party featuring cold beer and live music follows. It looks like great running weather this weekend - cheers to a great race and good luck to all!
Note that during the race events, there will be temporary road closures affecting the Oceanfront and Resort Area roads as well as sections of General Booth Blvd. and S. Birdneck Rd. Businesses and residents will be temporarily affected by these road closures. Contact Special Events & Film Coordinator Kate Miller at 757-385-6640 (office) or 757-987-1278 (cell) with any questions. Please take a moment to review the notices below:
- Road Closure Notice for Saturday, August 30th, 2025, is here.
- Road Closure Notice for Sunday, August 31st, 2025, is here.
Kudos to all partners who supported and were involved in the Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race” filmed in Virginia Beach on April 5th, 2025. The Food Network recently released the following Facebook teaser spotlighting the Virginia Beach episode: Let's check in with the four remaining trucks before they reach Virginia Beach 👀 #GreatFoodTruckRace > Sunday @ 9|8c | Food Network | Facebook
We are pleased to share highlights from this week’s press hits:
📣 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 Meetings & Conventions Sales team had a busy end of August. The staff from the Association Executives of North Carolina visited Virginia Beach this past weekend for a tour of the Cavalier Resort. Jamie Rawls is working her magic to hopefully bring the group's 2027 annual meeting to our city. Additionally, Jamie conducted a site visit earlier this week with the National Pest Management Association which is looking at Virginia Beach for their 2028 annual conference. Meanwhile, Dee Mittman and Scott Warren were in Miami, FL braving the real heat at Connect Marketplace where each conducted over 20 appointments with possible planners, enticing them to “Bring it to the Beach!”
In more sales news, Jim Coggin was recently in Savannah, GA attending the Student Youth & Travel Association (SYTA) 2025 conference. Among conference activities were 38 desk-side appointments with student tour operators from across the US and Canada. We are very excited to share that Virginia Beach has been selected as the host city for the SYTA Summit from January 20 - 23, 2026.
The Destination Services Team is hard at work preparing for the annual Mid-Atlantic Shrine Association and this year's Water JAM conventions which will occur post-Labor Day weekend. Each convention will have more than 2,500 delegates that will be dining in our restaurants, visiting our attractions and shopping with our retailers. All music to our ears!
At the Virginia Beach Sports Center, the North American Basketball Association (NABA) Tournament is bringing in more than 120 teams and 1,500 athletes, with 3,500 spectators expected. This event is more than competition, it’s also a celebration of Filipino heritage and culture, featuring both basketball and volleyball tournaments while drawing teams and families from across the country.
As previously mentioned, it's race weekend! The Oceanfront will once again set the stage for one of the city’s signature running events as the Chartway Virginia Beach 10 Miler presented by Sentara returns Saturday and Sunday. Thousands of runners are expected to take part, racing along the iconic boardwalk and shoreline in an event that blends athletic excellence with the vibrant energy of the beach community.
Soccer takes the spotlight at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex with the International Super Cup. More than 3,000 athletes, families, and spectators are expected onsite for a tournament that doubles as a family-friendly festival. With athletes traveling from as far as South America, the event underscores Virginia Beach’s ability to attract global competitions while providing a welcoming environment for visitors of all ages.
The Princess Anne Athletic Complex will make history this week as Virginia Beach hosts the US Ultimate Pro Championships for the very first time. Athletes from across the country are set to compete at the highest level of ultimate frisbee, positioning the city as a rising hub for emerging and dynamic sports.
While these events bring thousands to Virginia Beach, the Sports Tourism team has also been busy on the road. This past week, the team traveled to Miami for Connect Marketplace, where they networked with industry leaders and event organizers to help bring even more premier sports events to Virginia Beach in the years ahead.
From cultural celebrations and endurance races to global soccer festivals and first-time championships, Virginia Beach continues to solidify its reputation as a leading sports destination. Each week adds new energy and opportunity, reinforcing the city’s role as a place where athletes, families, and fans can come together for world-class experiences.
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 Family Entertainment as Summer Fest Continues at Town Center Through Monday, September 1st - Catch free live entertainment from 5:00 - 9:00 pm or 5:30 - 8:30 pm this weekend in the Town Center Fountain Plaza for the final four free concerts of Summer Fest 2025. Come listen to some of your favorite local artists while enjoying a cool beverage or a delicious meal at one of the many fine dining establishments surrounding the plaza. The scheduled lineup includes:
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
Mon. 9/1 | 5:00-9:00pm - Kaboombox
Parking and WI-FI 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 here
From Summer Fest To Movies in the Plaza, the Party at Town Center Continues Each Saturday in September and October - Movies in the Plaza, a series of free outdoor movie screenings each Saturday night at sunset, begins Saturday, September 6th. The films will be presented on a large outdoor screen in the recessed area of the Town Center Fountain Plaza. Limited seating is available; first come first served! You are encouraged to bring your own chairs and blankets (if necessary) and prepare for an evening of family-friendly fun. There will also be free treats while they last! All movies start at sunset; the times listed below are approximate. Viewer discretion advised, weather permitting. Visit www.cbda.net to learn more.
Here's the full movie lineup for each Saturday in September and October:
September 6 @ 7:30 pm – The Wild Robot
September 13 @ 7:00 pm – Despicable Me 4
September 20 @ 7:00 pm – A Minecraft Movie
September 27 @ 6:30 pm – Sonic the Hedgehog 3
October 4 @ 6:30 pm – If
October 11 @ 6:30 pm – Captain America: Brave New World
October 18 @ 6:00 pm – Finding Nemo
October 25 @ 6:00 pm – Wicked
Longest Steel Slides in U.S. Opens - The big steel slide at Owl Creek Landing, said to be the longest such slide in the United States, is now open. This opening completes the final phase of the construction of the Owl Creek Landing attraction adjacent to the Adventure Park and the Virginia Aquarium. Find out more about this exciting experience here.
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. Join more than 500 industry professionals for networking, education, and inspiration like nowhere else. Register before 9/19/25 for early bird pricing for this year’s Summit. 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 - Discover the latest insights shaping U.S. leisure travel in our annual webinar, "Traveler Segments, Powered by The State of the American Traveler," hosted by Miles Partnership and Future Partners. This year, we're diving deep into four trending traveler segments, highlighting new research and unique insights, including:
- Sports and Music Event Travelers – Exploring research on travelers who seek community through sporting and live music events.
- Wellness Seekers – Examining the continued rise of wellness-focused travel.
- Generation Z – Breaking down how Gen Z approaches leisure travel.
- DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids) – Analyzing how this segment channels its spending into travel.
In addition, a panel of destination experts will discuss the surge in sporting events and their impact on destinations across the country over the next decade. Don’t miss out—register today here to reserve your spot and gain valuable insights!
- 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 July 2025 - Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the month of July was up 0.4% from July of 2024, at 78.6.3% occupancy, but down -0.3% year to date. ADR was down -0.8% from July of 2024, at $232.26, but up 0.7% year to date. RevPAR was down -0.4% from July of 2024, at $182.55, but up 0.4% 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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