Posted on

Southern Living Talks VB Oysters!

We are thrilled to announce some amazing coverage in Southern Living’s 50th Anniversary Edition (Circulation: 2,818,214)! Pleasure House Oysters was listed at numbers 2-4 within “Best Places in the South Now,” both in print and online.

Southern Living has been persistently sharing the issue on their social channels (Facebook: 1.8M, Twitter: 147K and Instagram: 427K), reminding us how huge it is to be included in the magazine’s 50th Anniversary Edition, as well as how large of an interest people have in Virginia Oysters.

Take sometime to read and share the article.

http://www.southernliving.com/travel/best-things-to-do-in-south/oysters-around-south-image

Screen Shot 2016-01-26 at 11.31.18 AM

Posted on

Pilot Covers Gift Card Fundraiser

This information about our “Hospitality for the Holidays” project finally ran yesterday in the Kempsville edition of the Pilot’s Beacon:

“Hospitality for the Holidays”

A22A1288

The Virginal Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau partnered with the Virginia Beach hotel and restaurant associations for the second annual “Hospitality for the Holidays” give back program. More than 119 gift cards and certificates, totaling over $2,900, were collected for distribution throughout the hospitality industry to employees in need. The gift cards were donated by attendees of an annual hospitality holiday celebration at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

Pictured: Richard Murphy, general manager of Comfort Suites Beachfront, adds another gift card to the tree.

Posted on

VBCC 10th Anniversary Video

Had a great time this week celebrating the Virginia Beach Convention Center’s 10th anniversary.  Travis, from the communications team, put together this video for the event to capture how special the VBCC is .Here it is for all of you that didn’t see it.

Please enjoy  and share with whoever you like.

 

Posted on

Community Projects 2015

The Communications Unit participates in several community projects and initiatives to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders. The following is an update on community relations activities by our unit for December 2015:

LGBT: Tiffany was invited to meet with Laura Habr, Russell Lyons and Hampton Roads Pride to discuss potential programming for Virginia Beach. The CVB is a 2016 sponsor of Hampton Roads Pride.

Resort Block Conversations: Tiffany continues to attend community meetings with police and bar owners at oceanfront to discuss improvements to area. The ultimate goal of this group is to improve business practices to reduce crime in this area of the resort. The business owners are looking to model an association similar to the ViBe district to capitalize on tourism efforts.

Public Relations Society of America: The CVB is a sponsor of the PRSA Hampton Roads chapter for 2016. Tiffany chairing Pinnacle Awards committee, an awards luncheon to be held at VBCC in June. Thank you VBCC for your support!

VBHA Community Relations Committee: Teresa continues to serve on the VBHA Community Relations committee and was involved with the Hospitality for the Holidays give back program.

Posted on

Social Media for Industry Stakeholders

The CVB Communications Unit is looking forward to unveiling a new social media platform to reach our local stakeholders. This tactic aligns with our strategic plan initiative ADVOCACY 1.1.

Corporate social media platforms developed for 2016 launch are as follows:

Facebook.com/vabeachCVB
Twitter.com/ CVBvabeach

If you are active on LinkedIn, please connect with our company page as well. Questions? See Tiffany.

Posted on

Recent Media Coverage

The following out-of-market media coverage was secured in December. Enjoy and feel free to share!
The Huffington Post, “11 Fun Atlantic Coastal Escapes for Winter” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patti-morrow/11-fun-atlantic-coastal-e_b_8854710.html

U.S. News & World Report, “10 Top Places to See Holiday Lights Across America” http://travel.usnews.com/features/10-top-places-to-see-holiday-lights-across-america/

Family Travel Forum, “Top Holiday Lights Celebrations Across America” http://myfamilytravels.com/node/54708

Group Tour Magazine, “Rockafeller’s serves the freshest catches from Rudee Inlet” http://www.grouptour.com/rockafellers-serves-the-freshest-catches-from-rudee-inlet/

Leisure Group Travel “ABA Recognizes Virginia Beach Events for 2016” http://leisuregrouptravel.com/aba-recognizes-virginia-beach-events-for-2016/

Posted on

Sock Drive Story Picked Up

The Communications Unit is pleased to share our efforts to secure local media coverage for the CVB (both what we pitched to media on your behalf and what actually received coverage) in December 2015. Teresa pitched Hospitality for the Holidays to the Beacon & City Manager’s Update (appeared in 12/11 edition of CMU; Beacon replied it may run post-holidays). Teresa pitched Sock Drive story to Beacon/CMU (which appeared in 12/20 Beacon). Tiffany pitched CTA program to Inside Business. Jim Retirement announcement appeared in Inside Business 12/28:
http://insidebiz.com/news/top-15-stories-2015-no-2-departures-changes-leadership-landscape

Share your news with us stories@visitvirginiabeach.com and we will follow up with more information as needed from you.

Posted on

DOS Luncheons Evolve

DOS luncheons are now evolving into the 2016 Tourism Excellence in Business & Leadership Series. Hot topic table discussions will be included to meet specific interests: social media, customer service, sales, digital marketing, etc.

Please save the dates for the following events:

February 18 – Breakfast Event

“Meetings, Conventions and Expos: Best Practices for an Emerging Destination”

Where: Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Panel Speakers:

David DuBoise, President and CEO of International Association of Exhibits and Events

Michael Tarr, CMP and BIO of Helms Briscoe

Bob Hope, VP Meetings for American College of Surgeons

Bill Martin, VP of Strategic Development, Experient, Inc.

 

June 2  – Afternoon Event (3:00 pm)

“Scoring Big with the Sports Market”

Where: Virginia Beach Tennis and Country Club (VBTCC)

Keynote Speaker: Jon Schmieder, Founder + CEO of Huddle Up Group, LLC

Happy Hour Sponsored by VBTCC

 

September 29- Breakfast Event

State of the Virginia Beach Tourism Industry

Where: Virginia Beach Convention Center Ballroom

 

November 3-Breakfast Event

“Making Big Bucks from Group Tour and International Visitors”

Virginia Beach Convention Center Suite 5

 

For more information, contact Ron or Tiffany.

Posted on

In House Video Team

Thanks to Bryan and Rubylee for assisting with bringing an in-house video production unit together. The following projects were completed by Travis in December 2015:

Videos:
Holiday Video Card
Staff Holiday Door Contest
Filmed the Rockfish Tournament

Photo Shoots:
CVB Give Back Sock Drive
Hospitality Party
Jim Magazine Shoot
Chuck Magazine Shoot