Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/19029
Virginia Special Advertising Section VIRGINIA BEACH Having long enjoyed being a premier vacation destina- tion, Virginia Beach is now a top choice for the meetings and conventions industry. The East Coast resort city offers the excitement of a large metropolitan area, nestled in the mild climate of a rich coastal atmosphere. Center stage is the new $202.5 million Virginia Beach Convention Center, offering over 500,000 gross sq. ft. of flexible meeting space including a 150,000-sq. ft. column- free exhibit hall, 28,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a 31,000- sq. ft. ballroom with LED lighting. Proudly certified by Virginia Green which promotes environmentally-friendly practices, the facility offers competitive rates, 2,230 free parking spaces and is just blocks from the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Virginia Beach offers reduced hotel rates and unique activ- ities such as whale watching. So after the meeting, tee up on award-winning golf courses, kayak through a wildlife refuge, charter a fishing boat and relax at a spa. Virginia Beach offers a variety of sports, fitness and out- door activities for those who enjoy an active lifestyle. A number of outfitters teach surf lessons and surf camps geared for enthusiasts of all ages. For outdoor enthusiasts, Virginia Beach boasts more than 18,600 acres of state parks and wildlife refuges perfect for hiking, biking. Or, for a more relaxed experience, you can indulge your taste for Coastal Cuisine at more than 300 restaurants and savor local favorites such as Chesapeake Bay crab cakes, striped bass, she crab soup and oysters on the half shell. Getting to Virginia Beach is a snap, with Norfolk International Airport located just 20 minutes away, hosting most major airline carriers, and offering 200 flights daily. For more information, call (800) 700-7702 or visit www.vbmeetings.com. NORFOLK Located in the heart of themid-Atlantic,Norfolk boasts a vibrant urban renaissance and takes pride in its military andAmerican heritage. It has many miles of riverfront and bayfront property, and is linked with its neighbors through an extensive network of Interstate highways, bridges, tun- nels, and bridge-tunnel complexes. Awonderful walking city,with a yearly average temper- Young girls enjoying their stay at Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront hotel Photo Credit: Virginia Beach CVB Additionally, Virginia Beach boasts a variety of other unique venues for a themed event or special dinner. The new Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, located at Town Center, is a 1,300-seat performance venue hosting performing artists of regional and national acclaim. For a truly grand affair, meeting planners can host an evening reception in the Sandler’s grand lobby, with sweeping stair- cases and an exquisite chandelier providing an elegant back- drop. Or, stroll through the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, which can accommodate 350 guests, and enjoy exhibitions from international artists. Explore the ocean depths at the Virginia Aquarium during an evening recep- tion for 2,000. The aquarium is home to 700,000 gallons of aquariums, 300 interactive exhibits and an IMAX theatre. Virginia Beach boasts 12,000 hotel rooms citywide and 3,500 committable rooms within a two-mile radius of the Convention Center. New properties include a Spring Hill Suites by Marriott at the Virginia Beach oceanfront and a Westin located at the Virginia Beach Town Center. Many of these properties also offer meeting space. This seaside resort’s mild climate year-round adds to Virginia Beach’s appeal as the perfect meeting destination for every season. In the fall and spring shoulder season, 46 ature of about 68 degrees,Norfolk is an appealing destina- tion for visitors year-round to experience the city’s diverse attractions, special events and festivities, cultural activities, waterside activities and eclectic dining. Underpinning Norfolk’s meetings industry is the Waterside Convention Connection (WCC), an alliance that provides more than 1,200 first-class rooms and suite, 55 meeting rooms and 216,000 sq. ft. of convention space, all located in the heart of the downtown corridor. TheWCC is comprised of the Waterside Convention Center and the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, the Radisson Hotel Norfolk, Waterside FestivalMarketplace and Norfolk Scope, an arena which is located just blocks away with an additional 85,00 sq. ft. of meeting space.TheWaterside Convention Center contains 36,365 sq. ft. of function space, 19meeting rooms and is ele- gantly decorated with fine furnishings and antiques. The largest exhibit hall is 14,400 sq. ft. and can accommodate 2,400 guests in a reception, 2,000 in a theater set-up and 1,400 for a banquet. From full-service hotels to boutique inns and bed and breakfasts, Norfolk offers over 5,000 rooms with rates to accommodate any meeting budget. Many of these hotel rooms are located within walking distance of the city’s downtownmeeting venues, shopping,dining,attractions and nightlife. Norfolk also offers many unique meeting venues such as Attucks Theatre, The Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Nauticus; onboard Battleship Black Meetings & Tourism September/October 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com