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Virginia Beach Convention Center Located just minutes from the Atlantic shoreline, the Virginia Beach Convention Center offers oceanfront proximity paired with the kind of flex- ible infrastructure meeting planners need to manage a wide range of pro- grams. The center features more than 529,000 sq. ft. of event space, including a large exhibit hall, a versatile 31,000 sq. ft. ballroom, and 26 meeting rooms that can support breakout discussions, trainings, and smaller group sessions. Pre-function areas, complete with reflecting pools, shaded outdoor seat- ing, and the center's signature 147-foot glass tower, offer planners a variety of spaces for registration, networking, or VIP gatherings. The building's LEED Gold certification also supports your sustainability goals without requiring extra effort on your part. The center has state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities, supported by an experienced in-house team that can help configure rooms, install equip- ment, or troubleshoot during live ses- sions. Planners also benefit from onsite catering, which incorporates locally grown herbs and vegetables for a thoughtful regional touch to recep- tions and meal functions. The facility's layout makes it easy to scale between full-conference setups and smaller, more intimate formats, giving you plenty of flexibility as your agenda changes. Virginia Beach accommodations are plentiful, with more than 12,000 hotel rooms and approximately 3,500 located within 2.5 miles of the venue. Nearby properties include brands such BY PATRICE A. KELLY T here's something about meeting at the beach that naturally shifts the way you move through a meet- ing day. The steady rhythm of the waves, the warmth of the sun, and the openness of the horizon create a well-bal- anced atmosphere that helps you, and your attendees, breathe a little easier. A beach environment changes how people interact. Whether it is colleagues catching up on the boardwalk or small groups walking along the shoreline, the location creates relaxed participation. Ideas flow freely when the surroundings encourage people to look up and connect with the moment. Meeting at the beach can also boost attendance and engagement, reduce stress and clear the mental clutter. The shared experience can be a powerful way to build rapport and strengthen team dynamics. Beach destinations tend to blend business resources with a casual coastal culture, so your agenda can flow from focused work to easygoing vaca- tion. When hosting your next event, consider a beach loca- tion like… B M & T ••• January/February 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 32