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September 19, 2025
Dear Valued Industry Partners:
September is a wonderful time of year in our City so it was with great pleasure that I read about our very own Neptune Festival in a Country Living magazine article featuring the U.S.’s best fall festivals and fairs! This is an incredible press hit as this magazine has a domestic following of approximately 21.7 million total, with 13.8 million site visitors and 8.7 million print readers, a majority female (67%) demographic with a median age of 53. The publication's total brand reach is a high-engagement, mass-aspirational audience of about 30 million readers. Congratulations to the small but mighty Neptune Festival team for this prestigious recognition!
And while we love the fall events, I’d like to take a moment to thank the festival team and producers for all they do for Virginia Beach throughout the year. From golf tournaments, free concerts and seaside wine tastings to athletic events, a grand parade and a 30-block celebration along the boardwalk, there is definitely something for everyone to see, do, taste and enjoy! I hope to see many of you out and about taking in some hometown fun. Find out all you need to know about the festival, and the 51st Annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend, happening September 26th - 28th, here. There are Road Closures for Neptune Road Race and the Grand Parade on Saturday, September 27th. See the Notice details here.
I am thrilled to announce that Virginia Beach has been named a finalist for the U.K.’s prestigious JRNY America Awards 2025! The JRNY America Awards celebrate the very best in American tourism, shining a spotlight on the destinations, experiences, and organizations that make exploring the United States truly unforgettable. These prestigious awards recognize excellence across a wide range of categories, from the most inspiring travel initiatives and top destinations to the exceptional services and experiences that define the U.S. tourism industry. Award winners will be announced at the JRNY America Awards in London, U.K. on October 23, 2025.
More press hits this week include:
- New developments in Virginia Beach are spotlighted in the September/October issue of Mid-Atlantic Events (p. 97), including Atlantic Park, The Dome, Owl Creek Landing, ViBe District and the Convention Center
- As a result of Katie Ramer’s visit and surf themed story, the Yahoo! Life article syndicated nationally 140+ times
- Taryn White’s Atlantic Surf Park story syndicated to MSN
📣 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!
This week, Sports Tourism is proud to welcome more than 600 athletes and their families to the Princess Anne Family YMCA as TIDE Swimming hosts the 2025 King Neptune Fall Invite. Over the course of two days, swimmers from across the region will dive into competition, bringing together some of the top youth swim talent in the Mid-Atlantic. The event not only showcases the dedication and skill of these young athletes but also highlights the strength of our local swim community and the role Virginia Beach plays as a premier destination for regional sports. Visitors will have the chance to experience the city while supporting an event that fosters sportsmanship, community pride, and the development of the next generation of athletes.
The M&C Sales team has had a flurry of activities this month and this past week was no exception. Dee Mittman and Scott Warren were in Indianapolis for sales calls and to attend Destinations Celebration where they engaged with meeting professionals from the religious, fraternal and association markets. Following that successful event, Dee joined Amy Overstreet in DC for a Professional Conference Managers Association’s (PCMA) networking event called “Don’t Be A Drag.” Needless to say, the team engaged in some fierce networking!
Also this week, Sally Noona and the Destination Services team conducted a site visit with Virginia Family, Career and Community Leaders of America to discuss future plans as well as to prepare for next year’s event. At the close of last week, Destinations Services supported Dee’s Omega Psi Phi Board member pre-planning site visit. Their April 2026 convention will be bringing in over 500 delegates to Virginia Beach for business, fellowship, and fun!
Visitor Information Center Manager Maria Aragon recently participated in VTC’s Annual “Fall in LOVE with Virginia” event at the Virginia Welcome Center at New Church. Visitor Services Teams from across the Coastal Virginia region were represented. Over 1,500 locals and visitors attended and approximately 175 travelers stopped by our trade booth looking for fall weekend activities. Many were already on their way to Virginia Beach for a vacation!
The Convention Center is taking advantage of a slightly quieter time to get some much-anticipated capital improvement projects accomplished. The demolition of the pre-function area video walls, original to the building, began this week and will continue to be worked around our events over the next few weeks. The removal of these structures will provide additional space for the myriad of activities that take place in front of the Exhibit Halls. Also underway this week, all of the water fountains in the Center are being equipped with bottle filling stations that provide filtered water. Not only are we excited about the increased service to our guests but the added boost to our sustainability efforts is undeniable! We are looking forward to the completion of these important projects.
Marina District Remains 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.
NAS Oceana Air Show This Weekend September 20th & 21st - For 250 years, America’s Navy has led with strength, honor, and courage—now, watch that legacy soar! The NAS Oceana Air Show is back, celebrating a quarter-millennium of naval excellence with high-speed thrills, jaw-dropping aerial performances, and the unparalleled power of the U.S. Navy’s finest.
Intermittent road closures between September 18th and 21st will be in effect during the show. Because heavy congestion and traffic delays are anticipated, motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes. Drivers not attending the air show are advised to avoid this geographic area due to anticipated dense crowds and extreme traffic congestion. The dates and times for the closure can be found here.
Free Family Fun at Town Center Continues Each Saturday Evening in September and October - Movies in the Plaza is a series of free outdoor movie screenings each Saturday night at sunset, presented on a large outdoor screen in the recessed area of the Town Center Fountain Plaza. Limited seating is available on a first come first served basis. Participants are encouraged to bring 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. Please note that viewer discretion is advised and these events are weather-permitting. Visit www.cbda.net to learn more.
Here's the lineup for the next two Saturday movies this September and all the movies for October:
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
Virginia Aquarium Hosting Two Spook-tacular October Events - The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center (VAQ) will be hosting two spook-tacular Halloween events in October. For families looking for a howling fun, family-friendly Halloween outing, Fins & Frights will be on October 17th & 18th from 6 - 9 p.m. Guests can explore a spooky night with creepy areas for various age ranges. For an adult-only Halloween experience, the Aquarium’s Sharks After Dark Halloween Night will be on October 2nd from 6 - 9 p.m. Guests who are at least 21 years old can dress up in their Halloween costumes for an unforgettable event with specialty cocktails such as poison appletini, nightmare on bourbon street, and witches brew lemonade. For more information, visit https://virginiaaquarium.com.
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 Only Available Through End of Business Today! - 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. Today is the last day for early bird pricing for this year’s Summit. Find all the details here.
Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association Hospitality Training (VRLTA) Offers A Variety of 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.
“Beyond the Season: Strategies to Keep Your Business Thriving Year-Round.” On September 25th, Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Gee is hosting a webinar titled “Beyond the Season: Strategies to Keep Your Business Thriving Year-Round” from noon - 1 p.m. Tourist season may bring the crowds—but what happens when they leave? Many small businesses in seasonal destinations struggle to maintain cash flow, visibility, and momentum once the peak months wind down. This webinar will provide you with practical tools and creative strategies business owners and professionals throughout the Commonwealth use to keep their businesses thriving long after the tourists head home. Register for this free professional development opportunity here.
2025 Miles Partnership Professional Development Program - November 18th marks the end of the 2025 Miles Partnership professional development webinar series with the presentation of Stewardship & Sustainability Insights, Powered by the State of the American Traveler. Find out more here: https://www.milespartnership.com/how-we-think
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
Find the CVB Event Calendar for the second half of 2025 here, the Virginia Beach Events entertainment schedule here, and a link to all the fun 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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