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.

Sports events are heating up in Virginia Beach. The CVB Sports Marketing team recently booked five new sporting events, including US Fencing, USA Judo, National High School Coaches Association Wrestling Duals, USA Gymnastics Tumbling and Trampoline, USA Judo and the Blue Moon Wicked 10K. Its economic impact will bring an additional 13,000 hotel room nights and more than $3 million in direct spending to the local economy.

Sports events make a significant part of the CVB’s convention sales efforts. Last fiscal year, it represented 44 percent of the business booked that fiscal year, July 1 – June 30. Often occurring in the spring and fall, these events help fill year-round hotel capacity and bring valuable business to restaurants and retail shops after summer vacationers have gone.  Great job team!

Click on the video clip below from VBTV’s Access Virginia Beach for a few remarks about this exciting announcement from Virginia Beach City Councilman John Uhrin and CVB Director Jim Ricketts.

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

Giving back to the community is a growing priority for meeting planners nationwide. That is why the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau has partnered with the United Way of South Hampton Roads to provide convention delegates the opportunity to make a difference during their time in Virginia Beach. Whether it’s leading a game of bingo to disabled adults or helping a child with homework, the visitor’s interaction bridges the gap between age, race and culture.

To volunteer during your next meeting, contact the CVB‘s Volunteer Resource Manager, Renée Berry, at (757) 385-2000 or rberry@vbgov.com. Click here for a full list of opportunities.

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).

Virginia Beach is gearing up for Groovy & Green June 4-5, an exciting event to showcase the city’s newest products like the Sandler Center for Performing Arts in Town Center, the Virginia Aquarium’s $25 million renovation, Restless Planet, as well as highlight major CVB initiatives focused on green and sustainability. The 2-day event will include participation from 20 meeting planners, the city’s hospitality partners – restaurants and hotels, national trade media, an expert panel on green as well as keynote speaker Kimberley Lewis of the US Green Building Council. Agenda for “Get Green Already” Conference can be found here.

Two partnership announcements will also be shared at this event. Stay tuned for photos and updates.

The Virginia Beach Convention Center is gearing up for a busy month.  In early May, we hosted the US Finals-Cheer and Dance Competition, one of our largest events to date with nearly 16,000 spectators and more than 11,000 participants.  This past week, we hosted Advanced Placement exams for over 700 students from Virginia Beach City public schools.  The facility is currently hosting The Association for Communications, Electronics, Intelligence & Information (AFCEA) Joint Warfighting Convention showcasing the newest and latest military communications technologies.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VBCC and become a fan of our page on Facebook.Meetings happen naturally here.

Contact us to coordinate your next meeting, conference, banquet or wedding at (757) 385-2000.