An at-a-glance guide to leading meeting&convention destinations CityFile
VIRGINIABEACH W
An Environmentally and Socially Responsible Meeting Destination
ITH ONE OF THE greenest convention centers in the country,
along withan abundance of cor- porate social responsibility (CSR) opportunities for groups to come together and make a difference, Virginia Beachoffers an ideal destination to create successful, sustainable meetings. The Virginia Beach Convention
Center, withits innovative, energy- conserving glass design, was the first convention center in the coun- try to achieve LEED Gold certifica- tion for Existing Buildings. The 500,000-square-foot facility is also one of the few centers to employ a full-time sustainability coordinator, who heads up initiatives such as the on-site recycling and composting programs. Outside, conservation practices allow the convention center to minimize its impact on one of the region’s most impor- tant resources: local waterways. The 50-acre site includes more than 2,000 trees and shrubs that absorb and filter runoff, while specially designed paving techniques allow stormwater to be retained. This smart eco-sensibility extends to food-and-beverage, too, as Distinctive Gourmet, the center’s F&B operator, takes a “farm-to-table” culinary approach with an on-site herb and vegetable garden. Organizations interested in giving back to the local community while meeting in the destination have an expe-
At a Glance
CONVENTION FACILITIES The 500,000-square-foot Virginia Beach Convention Center includes a 150,000-square-foot, column-free
exhibit hall Meeting space: 29,000 square feet and a 31,000-square-foot ballroom
HOTELS Hotel rooms citywide: 12,000 72 pcma convene October 2011
NEWVIEW: First in the nation to achieve LEED Gold certification for Existing Buildings, the Virginia Beach Convention Center captures the essence of the coastal destination.
rienced partner in the Virginia Beach CVB, which works with the UnitedWay of Hampton Roads to offer CSR programs. Whether it’s volunteering, team-building, or fundraising, groups will find a broad range of CSR opportunities to fit their interests and needs. For example, this year, when the 12th Annual African American Travel Conference met in Virginia Beach, the organization presented three local students with scholarships and raised money for the United Negro College Fund. As part of a recent fam tour, the Virginia Beach CVB also organized a unique “give-back” model to
serve as inspiration for future events. In this trade-show- like atmosphere, attendees assembled hygiene kits that were later donated to an organization serving the local homeless community. In addition to providing unique CSR opportunities
for meetings, Virginia Beach’s affordability and accessibility add significant value to a meeting professional’s bottom line. Virginia Beach is only a day’s drive for two-thirds of the country’s population, and more than 200 flights arrive daily at Norfolk International Airport, just 20 minutes from the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Just a few more good reasons why groups should “Bring it to the Beach!”
Hotel rooms within two miles of the convention center: 3,500
ATTRACTIONS Shopping, dining, and nightlife in Town Center Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Contemporary Art Center of Virginia Seasonal dolphin tours False Cape’s unspoiled beaches First Landing State Park
Kayaking tours through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Virginia Beach’s famed three-mile boardwalk More than 198 holes of golf