Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1544721
bordered by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. And, we're on the Appalachian Trail, so whether you're interested in coastal experiences, mountain getaways, or everything in between, Virginia is an ideal place." Virginia is ranked among the Top 10 in the United States for sports. The state is also home to 380 wineries, 250 craft brew- eries, about 78 distilleries, 40 cideries, several meaderies, and a thriving agricultural sector. "Agritourism is big business in Virginia," McClenny said. "It's a beautiful state. It's gently rolling hills. It's really anything you would want in a vacation; you can find it in Virginia. We have excellent infrastructure with Dulles, which is a gateway to the world airport in Northern Virginia. We have daily nonstop service to 32 capital cities around the world. Thirty-two world capitals. We have daily service from Dulles." And with global connections like these, Virginia is poised to capitalize on emerging trends in travel. For instance, VTC has a "Campaign: Heart and Soul" for the Black traveler. "Our 'Heart and Soul' campaign is really about connecting the cul- ture to experiences for the Black traveler that's been under- recognized and undermarketed to," McClenny said. "So 'Heart and Soul really is using tastemakers and influencers and really just promoting our historic product to speak to the Black traveler who also wants to stay at a lovely place, eat great food, and wants their friends and family to have a won- derful time. You want them to have an experience they can boast about. So, we want Virginia to be viewed as welcoming and friendly." In recent years, McClenny noted that Virginia has outpaced the nation in average daily rates. "That upholds occupancy, so we look at the bottom line," she said. "We look at the bottom line. Are we generating the revenue from the hotel sector, and we're doing it in many cases off of ADR (average daily rate), but also we have some very strong pockets of occupancy, and many of the kind of market conditions." Capitalizing on this momentum, the VTC is turning its attention to the future, and that's where its new statewide tourism plan comes in. "We are about to publish a statewide tourism plan for our 10 tourism regions, and a statewide plan," McClenny said. "These plans will help guide what to build and what to promote. So, looking at the critical infrastructure that's needed around the state. We are supportive of the regions that will work with their local governments and bodies to take advice from this guidance and make investments in their regions." Virginia is also preparing to celebrate America's 250th birthday in July 2026. "We have a tourism development financ- ing program," McClenny said. "And that's helping developers build additional infrastructure for hotels and for other kinds of entertainment. The program is for developers who need some additional support with financing, so we call it gap financing, and it's through our tourism development financing program." With a finger on the pulse of tourism, McClenny serves on esteemed boards, including the U.S. Travel Association, the National Council of State Tourism Directors, and Virginia Hospitality and Travel. McClenny unwinds by playing tennis and polo, and spend- ing time at her family's 100-year-old farm in Southampton County. She also loves the springtime, the coast, the mountains, and watching one of her favorite films, Tombstone. B M & T ••• May/June 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 16 Virginia Beach Convention Center