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

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).

Just a few weeks ago, I received some exciting news at the Hampton Roads Conference of Minority Transportation Officials’ (COMTO) press conference. Julie Cunningham, the president of the national minority advocacy group, announced that COMTO would be coming to Virginia Beach in 2010 and 2013. In addition, this was the first time in the history of COMTO that a local chapter was chosen to host the organization’s national conference for 2 subsequent years.

I had a moment to reflect on how proud I was of the Hampton Roads COMTO Chapter and the Virginia Beach CVB’s sales team for working together to make this happen. Having the support and leadership of the local chapter was a significant factor in Virginia Beach winning the host city bid. This type of partnership is the prototype for successfully closing national accounts for Tier 2 meeting destinations such as Virginia Beach and it further demonstrates how significant local partnerships are to our success.

The multicultural conventions sector is a growth area for the city, which provides $13 million in future business for Virginia Beach and COMTO is just the beginning. In 2010 and 2013, we’re also looking forward to showcasing the city’s true downtown area, Town Center, offering upscale dining, entertainment and 4-star hotels like the Westin. Here’s a recent Inside Business article on the news announcement. http://tinyurl.com/cxr65v.

Thanks for stopping by. Our convention sales team is on a roll with new groups booking future events like the U.S. Field Hockey National Indoor Tournament, a 2-year contract; USA Track & Field (USATF) Annual Convention in December 2010; the National Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) in 2010 and 2013; the International Reading Association in 2011; and the Rejuvenate Marketplace in 2013. And there’s more to come on that.

We’re also very excited to announce that the search for a headquarters hotel adjacent to the Virginia Beach Convention Center is moving forward and proposals have been narrowed down to two major contenders. Plans are also underway for a new entertainment center on 19th Street where visitors can enjoy dining, retail, and theater establishments with attractions for all age groups.