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.

When it comes to protecting our environment, there are a number of ways that we can help do our part. The Virginia Beach CVB offers the top 10 to consider when planning your next sustainable meeting.

1. Choose a sustainable venue like the Virginia Beach Convention Center, which is anticipated to be LEED certified in the near future. The facility also is a “Virginia Green” certified & Energy Star Partner that recycles, composts and donates food, incorporates its own vegetables, locally grown and organic food into its menus.

2. Take advantage of the Virginia Beach CVB’s Social Responsibility program and volunteer your time to the multitude of charities hosted by the United Way of South Hampton Roads.

3. Recommend local hotels, restaurants and off-site venues like The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, that participate in the “Virginia Green” program to your attendees. Virginia Green is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s campaign to promote environmentally-friendly practices in all aspects of the Virginia tourism and hospitality industry.

4. Encourage attendees to car pool to meetings, conferences and conventions since Virginia Beach is a drive meeting destination in a lot of cases.

5. Conserve paper by posting event materials to your Web site or distributing on flash drives.

6. Purchase name badges that are reusable and collect them at the end of the meeting for use at the next one.

7. Avoid dating promotional items and reuse overages at future meetings.

8. Provide water stations for attendees or encourage the group to provide reusable water bottles.

9. Encourage attendees to enjoy environmentally-friendly activities including walks on the beach or visiting nearby state and national parks.

10. Encourage exhibitors to bring a realistic amount of promotional materials. Have them recycle unused portions rather than dispose of them.

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.

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