City files Virginia Beach Even more reasons to convene at the beach

With its unique coastal charm, Virginia Beach provides the perfect backdrop for business. Attendees will enjoy state-of-the- art accommodations, like the new 180-room OceanAire Resort Hotel, while event profes- sionals will love the Virginia Beach Conven- tion Center, which offers more than 500,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 150,000-square-foot exhibit hall and a 31,000-square-foot ballroom. This beachfront city harbors a rich culi-

nary style that incorporates fresh seafood from the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, and organic produce from local farms. Many of Virginia Beach’s nearly 300 restau- rants feature locally sourced dishes. Plus, visitors will never run out of things to do, with an endless list of outdoor and on-the- water activities — from golfing to fishing and parasailing.

Centrally located, Virginia Beach is a quick

20 minutes from Norfolk International Airport, a mere four-hour drive from Washington, D.C., and a seven-hour drive from New York City. And with the recent addition of the OceanAire Resort Hotel, Virginia Beach now offers more than 12,000 hotel rooms. The new property provides luxurious guest accommodations and cutting-edge meeting amenities, with more than 8,000 square feet of meeting space. The conference-level floor has 2,600 square feet of flexible function space, and the 10th-floor lounge and sundeck are great for indoor and outdoor events. Whether planning a smaller, more intimate meeting for 10 or a theater-style conference for 180, the team at the OceanAire is dedicated to highly personal- ized service, and is sure to exceed expectations. A leader in eco-friendly and green alternatives, Virginia Beach continues to

elevate industry standards for sustainabil- ity, boasting the first convention center in the country to achieve LEED Gold certifi- cation for Existing Buildings. The Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau assists meeting planners in minimizing an event’s environmental footprint, while helping them give back. The CVB’s newly unveiled CSR program, “One Beach, One World,” provides groups the opportunity to work with a local charity or nonprofit organization seeking volunteer support.

For more information: Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau — Al Hutchinson, Vice President of Convention Sales and Marketing; 2101 Parks Avenue, Suite 500, Virginia Beach, VA 23451; (757) 385-6652 or (800) 700-7702; visitvirginiabeach.com

AT A GLANCE Virginia Beach Convention Center • Total space:More than 500,000 square feet

• Total exhibit space: 150,000 square feet

• Total ballroom space: 31,000 square feet

• Total meeting rooms: 26 • Located within: 2.5 miles of more than 3,500 hotel rooms

Best of both worlds With the right balance of beach and metropolis, the 500,000-square- foot Virginia Beach Convention Center provides a prime loca- tion for meetings on the coast year-round.

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