Author: Kasey Moore

1. Employee name: Jeff Leonard
2. Where were you born and where is your hometown? Born in Adak, Alaska and now live in Virginia Beach for past 50 years.
3. What division and position do you work for? VB Convention Center Operations, Carpenter
4. How many years have you worked for the CVB? 14
5. How many years have you worked for the City of Va. Beach? 20
6. What is the best vacation you’ve been on? TBD.
7. What is your favorite thing to do in the wonderful City of Virginia Beach? Drive on 264
8. What is your favorite quote? Warren Buffett: You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you.  True power is sitting back and observing things with logic.  True power is restraint.  If words control you that means everyone else can control you.  Breath and allow things to pass.
9. Do you have an office nickname? If so what is it? Not really.
10. Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us: I think I can be funny at times. 
11. What do you like to do for fun? I love playing my guitar. 
12. What is one thing you cannot resist? Can’t say….
13. What is on your bucket list? To go to Hawaii
14. What is your hidden talent? No hidden talent.  wysiwyg!

1. Employee name: Max Long
2. Where were you born and where is your hometown? I was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and my hometown is Greenwood, Indiana.
3. What division and position do you work for? I work at the Convention Center as an Event Coordinator.
4. How many years have you worked for the CVB? A little over two years.
5. How many years have you worked for the City of Va. Beach? A little over two years.
6. What is the best vacation you’ve been on? Visiting Sevilla, Spain. I ate my bodyweight in paella and churros, saw a surprise street show with flamenco dancers and guitarists, marched in the Three Kings’ parade, and had my fortune told by a gypsy at the Plaza de España.
7. What is your favorite thing to do in the wonderful City of Virginia Beach? Running up and down the boardwalk.
8. What is your favorite quote? “No matter how successful you get, always send the elevator back down.” – Jack Lemmon
9. Do you have an office nickname? If so what is it? Young Maxwell.
10. Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us: I used to compete in ballroom and Latin dance competitions. At one point, I was one of the best collegiate Foxtrot dancers in the U.S.
11. What do you like to do for fun? I like taking advantage of a good happy hour, running, going to museums and aquariums, watching movies, dominating trivia (especially music trivia), and going to brunch with friends. Citrus is my go-to brunch place.
12. What is one thing you cannot resist? Chicago-style pizza. I lose all self-control.
13. What is on your bucket list? Shooting below an 80 on the golf course.
14. What is your hidden talent? Singing “Reasons” by Earth, Wind and Fire at karaoke. I can hit all the high notes… usually.

 

The parking lot may have been empty for a couple of days in February, but Team VBCC was still busy at work. It’s those dark days that we plan for events, set up for events, and select new food and beverage offerings. Here we are at work!

 

 

 

The Virginia Beach Convention Center hosted the 19^th Annual VOW Bridal Show in February. Ryan Wynn, Distinctive Gourmet’s Catering Sales Manager, designed the VBCC booth with an “outdoor garden” concept that had all the brides staring. From fresh florals by Fluttering Flowers, a wedding worthy cake by Incredible Edibles, and vintage furniture by Mad Hatter, the VBCC had the best looking booth on the block!

 

Please join me in welcoming a new member to the Virginia Beach CVB Family. Khemraj Persaud has chosen to accept the Business Application Specialist position with the Director’s Office/Administration Services Division. Khemraj has been stationed at the Virginia Beach Convention Center for the past 6 months where he has been doing a remarkable job of supporting team members throughout the department. Khemraj is completing his coursework for a Bachelors degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Networking Technology. He brings a unique combination of practical knowledge and people skills that uniquely qualify him for this important role. It goes without saying that the entire organization will also benefit from his prior experience serving in the United States Marine Corps. If you have not already had the pleasure of working with Khemraj, you soon will. Khemraj, Welcome!

The Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited to share that Virginia Beach was selected for the March cover of Teach & Travel, a magazine produced by SYTA (Student and Youth Travel Association). SYTA is a non-profit professional trade association promoting domestic student and youth group travel and provides research that informs, educates and advocates for student travel. The CVB Group Tour division works with many tour operators and group tour planners who already have Virginia Beach on their itinerary offerings list and the six page spread in the March edition of Teach & Travel  focuses on the latest in “what’s new in Virginia Beach” as a travel destination for this lucrative market. Congratulations to the CVB Group Tour Sales Team for securing this great coverage!

 

Tourism is one of the city’s major economic engines and it takes more than brick and mortar to keep this vibrant machine going.  A talented, dedicated workforce is the heartbeat of our local tourism industry. They deserve recognition and you can help give it to them! Have a favorite local server, valet or bartender who makes your dining experience extra special? Is there a local hotel staff person who gives visiting family or guests the royal treatment when they’re in town? Awards in those categories, and about two dozen more, are up for grabs as the Convention & Visitors Bureau gears up to celebrate the 2019 National Travel & Tourism Awards. There are over 30 categories to choose from when selecting your favorite hospitality superstar but you only have until March 1^st to do so! It’s free and will only take a few  minutes of your time. Winners will be announced at the annual award luncheon on May 8^th. Go to https://tinyurl.com/NTTW2019 and enter your free nomination today!

 

 

The Virginia Beach Visitor Information Center is selling limited tickets for the East Coast She Crab Soup Classic.  This event will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 from 12 to 2:30pm at the 24th Street Park.  Tickets are $20 plus a $2 service fee – Cash or check only (no credit cards).  The Visitor Center is open daily from 9am to 5pm and located at 2100 Parks Avenue in Virginia Beach.  For questions, call 757-385-7873 or go to www.liveonatlantic.com .  Buy your tickets now for this great event!

Shown are Charn Owens and Courtney Dyer. After a brief absence, Charn returned to VBCC as a new crew leader and recently completed Foundations for New Leaders training. Charn hopes to use some of his experience coaching football with team VBCC. Congratulations Charn!

Sherri Thadeus (DC M&C Sales Rep) rocking it at the Destination International Showcase on February 13th held at the DC Convention Center where over 500 meeting professionals gathered to network and do business!