Here at the CVB, we consider the culinary experience to be an integral part of any convention or meeting. That’s why we hired Distinctive Gourmet, a division of Centerplate, one of the nation's leading providers of food, beverage and merchandise for sports, convention and entertainment centers, as the exclusive onsite caterer for the LEED® Gold-EB certified Convention Center. Heading up the staff is Executive Chef Paul Benson.

With more than 16 years experience, Chef Benson works meticulously to create imaginative creations tempting to each taste bud. A few examples of his signature dishes include “Soup Sips,” a variety of butler-passed soups including gazpacho, yellow and red pepper coulis and other seasonal favorites presented in small, individual cordial glasses, as well as the Shrimp and Grits Station featuring southern-style stone-ground yellow grits topped with sautéed shrimp, tasso ham, onions, peppers, white wine and fresh cream.

But words can only begin to describe the experience.  To see what Virginia Beach can offer your group or convention, call (757) 385-4700 or visit www.vbmeetings.com.

In Virginia Beach, meeting planners will enjoy the ease of event planning with specialized services and features such as customized site inspection tours of the city, the Convention Center, hotels and attractions. The Virginia Beach CVB also provides professional advice and assistance in planning off-site events for convention and group gatherings; assistance in attendance-building materials, such as brochures, maps, and DVD/video; an Online Services Directory with helpful tools to ensure a successful event; as well as housing and event reservations assistance with Passkey, the industry leader for online group reservations management.

The Convention Center staff strives to go the extra mile. In a recent testimonial, one meeting planner said “I consider the Virginia Beach CVB an extension of my office. They took the time to thoroughly understand my event. In every area - they exceeded my expectations. I believe they added value to my event, brought quality and professionalism to my team and helped me take my event to a level higher than it could have obtained without their involvement."
This is just one example of Virginia Beach’s commitment to our patrons. Let us know how we can serve you and make your meeting a successful one.

Earlier this month, the Convention Center earned a major achievement as the first convention center in the country to achieve LEED® Gold certification for Existing Buildings. This achievement also signifies the facility as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s largest building (over 515,000 square feet) to achieve the LEED® Gold certified project for Existing Buildings. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings, which was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) Rating System helps building owners and operators of existing buildings measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. A video clip of the Convention Center’s LEED announcement can be found here.  To add to the mix, the Convention Center is in the running against 13 other buildings to win the EPA’s first-ever National Building Competition. The competition will reveal the most energy-efficient building in the country. Stay tuned for more info.

I’m very proud of the CVB’s hard-working staff and the ongoing sustainable initatives that the city is pursuing. Together, we will ensure that the future of our environment will last for many generations to come.

PICTURED (from left to right): Courtney Dyer, Lori Herrick and Jim Ricketts, Virginia Beach CVB; Kimberly Lewis, USGBC.

Virginia Beach is more than just a meetings destination. As a local, I’ve had the opportunity to experience the simple enjoyment of living at the beach and taking advantage of its many offerings, like running in the Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon at the oceanfront or biking at First Landing State Park in my off time. When the meetings are done for you, I encourage all to explore the various outdoor activities like canoeing or kayaking. Virginia Beach offers over 121 navigable miles of waterways and 35 miles of ocean and bay beaches give visitors a variety of landscapes for exploring the great outdoors. Fishing, golfing, whale and dolphin watching, historic landmarks, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, exciting events and delectable seafood restaurants complete the beach experience.

Just last month, Virginia Beach’s largest attraction – The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center opened its new $25 million Restless Planet renovation, featuring 12,000 square feet of spectacular new habitats, exhibits and aquariums. Home to 6,000 new animals and 367 new species – including Komodo dragons, exotic cobras, hedgehog and more, Restless Planet has more than doubled the Aquarium’s animal collection. Guests can experience four immersive habitats from around the world that existed in Virginia millions of years ago and engage in 36 new hands-on activities designed to demonstrate the processes that shaped Virginia’s current landscape.

Aside from entertaining exhibits, meeting planners will delight in the Virginia Aquarium’s versatility as a unique meeting venue for parties, special events, business functions and more. From an intimate, sit-down dinner for 20 of your closest friends to a cocktail reception for 2,000 convention attendees, the Virginia Aquarium can accommodate any event.

Earlier this year I had announced a major multicultural booking. I’m proud to say that Virginia Beach has done it again. The city has recently booked the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) 2012 national convention.

The multicultural conventions sector is a growth area for the city, which provides $13 million in future business for Virginia Beach. NFBPA will bring an estimated 1,500 delegates and 3,100 hotel room nights to Virginia Beach in April 2012, a non-peak month, helping Virginia Beach become more of a year-round destination. NFBPA will result in an estimated $1.2 million dollars in direct spending to the community.

We’re very excited as this is a big victory for the city. After pursuing an unsuccessful bid for NFBPA several years ago, we were determined to bid again and compete for this important piece of business.

PICTURED: (from left to right) Jim Ricketts and Reggie Stevenson, Virginia Beach CVB; John E. Saunders, III, CAE, NFBPA; Al Hutchinson, Virginia Beach CVB; Deborah Morton, NFBPA Hampton Roads.

Recently I sat down with a local radio personality to discuss the affects of the green movement on the meetings industry as well as what Virginia Beach is doing to support this great cause. A brief excerpt of the interview can be heard here:

 

In addition to the city’s ongoing initiatives, Virginia Beach is proud to have reached a new milestone with green and sustainability practices. The city is the Commonwealth’s first Virginia Green destination with 100 green hospitality businesses including the Virginia Beach Convention Center, which is currently in pursuit of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. This designation should be obtained next spring.

Virginia Green is the Commonwealth’s new campaign to promote environmentally-friendly practices in all aspects of the Virginia tourism and hospitality industry. Other Virginia Green certified businesses include hotels, restaurants, events and unique meeting venues like the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. To further the city’s resources in the green industry, the CVB entered into partnerships with Convene Green Alliance and the Green Meeting Industry Council – (GMIC), which include hundreds of other organizations committed to being environmentally friendly.

I don’t know about you, but I am ready to Rock! For the past nine years, Virginia Beach has been the host of the Rock ‘n Roll ½ Marathon over Labor Day Weekend and yes, I have run the race each year that I have been with the Virginia Beach CVB.  As an experienced meeting planner, I am sure you know what it is like to walk the convention floors for the 13 miles during your meetings and conventions, so I don’t need to tell you what it feels like to cross the finish line at the race or at the end of your convention. Both situations offer a major sense of accomplishment to say the least (and the need for a cold drink).

What makes the Rock ‘n Roll ½ Marathon in Virginia Beach so unique is the live bands on each mile of the course, a finish line on the beautiful oceanfront boardwalk, cheerleaders on the course and running-party atmosphere. After the race is over, we host a headliner concert right on the beach. The people and the destination make this race a huge success every year. If you don’t believe me, ask one of the 20,000 runners that participate every year!

I am confident that the same two ingredients listed above; the people and the destination, will make your next meeting in Virginia Beach a winner.

The attached picture is of my staff and I on race morning. I am the happy guy in the blue shirt who looks ready to run.

See you at the Finish Line – Bring it to the Beach!
Al

It’s been a busy summer for the Virginia Beach Convention Center!  Last month, we hosted nationally ranked high school wrestlers for the National Wrestling Open Championships, talented young dancers for the Starquest International Dance Competition, the Gem & Jewelry Show and a reception for 1,000 executives of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) Conference . 

Not only are events keeping us busy, but our green efforts are moving right along as well.  Just recently, we ordered parking signs designated for drivers of hybrid vehicles and for those vehicles that are carpooling.  We are also working on signs to post around the building with little tidbits regarding eco-friendly functions related to that area. For instance, signs posted outside of our meeting suites would convey their use of energy efficient LED lighting and/or compact fluorescents in addition to other green info.

This month, we are happy to welcome nearly 4,000 attendees for the Black Expo, about 5,000 for the Antique Show and over 1,000 for the International Youth Event.  Recently, we re-booked the Mary Kay convention for 2011 and 2012 as well as the 2nd Annual Get Green Already conference that was held here in June. Never a dull moment at the VBCC!  Be sure to follow us for more detailed updates on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/VBCC and become of our Facebook page @ http://bit.ly/wLK7F

To meeting and event planners, continuing education is key. That’s how the City of Virginia Beach attracted more than 70 meeting planners, industry publications, restaurateurs, and hoteliers from throughout region to its Convention Center for the Get Green Already Conference. Featuring executives from the US Green Building Council, National Restaurant Association, Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants & Hotels (Proximity Hotel) and TFC Recycling, the expert panel educated the audience about the advantages of going green, how to budget for it, and how to measure its success. A photo slide show of the conference can be found here, courtesy of Organization Management Group, Inc.

During the conference, the City of Virginia Beach proudly announced a partnership with Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC) and The Convene Green Alliance. Teaming up with these types of organizations will enhance Virginia Beach’s position to market the destination to the rapidly growing segment of meeting planners who want and need a green/eco-friendly destination for their clients.
 
As the first green destination in the Commonwealth with more than 90 Virginia Green certified restaurants, hotels, attractions and events, Virginia Beach is paving the way for a greener tomorrow.

Photo: Lynne Forsman, Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC) (left.) Al Hutchinson, (center) and Tracey Messina, Executive Director, The Convene Green Alliance (right).