Author: Kasey Moore

Good Morning,

 

The Visitor Center is officially open to the public!! We welcomed our first guests this morning.  They’re from Ohio and Guantanamo Bay. One of them will be moving in our area working for the military.

 

Our hours will be 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and on weekends we will only be open to the public from 10am to 3pm. All city staff will be in the office daily from 8am to 5pm.  We’re not extending our hours this summer and we will be open this Fourth of July weekend.  We’re still on the city’s Phase II reopening plan and will only be at 50% capacity.

 

The Chesapeake Bay Center inside First Landing State Park will be closed until further notice. The two oceanfront kiosks – 17^th St on the boardwalk and 24^th St & Atlantic will be closed for this summer season.

 

The VIC team is ready to greet visitors safely!

 

 

Eric Logan represented ESPA and the Virginia Beach CVB in  Meetings Today “Meetings in a Minute” video series.

(Filmed at the ESPA Conference in Denver, January 2020)

 

https://www.meetingstoday.com/video/video-detail-2013/articleid/34258/title/csm-time-saving-meetings-and-event-services

Last week M&C/Services assisted the Marcomm team and distributed  “We’re Open” signs and collateral to all the oceanfront hotels and the Westin.

 

On Friday, June 26th, our M&C/ Services Team met with Jeff McWaters and previewed his new product offering, The ROX , 2 daily elegant charters up to DC/ Pentagon City. Inaugural trip is July 1st and departs from the Westin!!

 

Amy and Sally on-site with the Virginia zoning officials association doing a hardhat tour of the delta by Marriott!

Here is a photo of our city and IMGoing team members at the oceanfront on Saturday, May 23^rd discussing the progress of the Beach Ambassador Program.

 

Back:

Eve Cohen (IMGoing)

Roger Stephenson (IMGoing)

 

Front:

Sgt. Frank Filippone (VBPD)

Frank Crumpton (IMGoing)

Lt. Scott Merce (VBPD)

Jamie Capps (Special Events and Film Office)

Mike Hilton (IMGoing)

 

And a few others in the background…

 

We had a great start to the program!

 

Last week, the CVB launched a new initiative encouraging Virginia Beach businesses to promote their increased health & safety protocols. In an effort to make visitors feel comfortable while visiting Virginia Beach, the “Summer Smarter” initiative allows businesses to voluntarily pledge to meet and, if they choose, exceed the health and safety standards set for by Gov. Northam’s Phase I reopening orders. Businesses that take the pledge will be featured on a dedicated landing page found on VisitVirginiaBeach.com. Added perks include window clings for eligible participants which are currently in development and will be available very soon. Interested businesses can sign up through the CVB’s Partner Pipeline platform.

Congratulations to Samantha Bernheim for making the Class of 2020 30 Under 30. Designed to engage the best and brightest young professionals in the venue management industry, the 30|UNDER|30 program recognizes emerging leaders – and their talents – which help accelerate the industry and carry it into the future. We’re proud to have you part of the VBCC Team!

Click here to see the video: Video

• Jim Coggin standing in front of the Canadian Parliament  Building in Ottawa, Canada (below)

• Jim Coggin anging out with Betty Boop at the Polk-A-Dot Drive In, located in Braidwood, IL (below)

• Jamie Mitchell at Hickory Nut Falls at Chimney Rock, NC

• Teresa Diaz – Paris, 2010

• Teresa Diaz – New Orleans

• Teresa Diaz – London

• Karen Kephart – The Treasury at Petra, Jordan

• Karen Kephart – Garden Tomb, Jerusalem, Israel

• Jane White- This is from my road trip to Nashville TN to watch Tottenham Hotspur versus Manchester City in July 2017 as my friend Katie and I point the way to Nissan Stadium! Come on You Spurs!

• Nancy Helman – One of my favorite recent trips was the Helman Family’s Costa Rica Adventure. The picture above is of my husband, Phil, my children, Matthew and Megan and my father-in-law, David. We had a great time on this trip because it was the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. We went on an expedition to see the Arenal Volcano (as seen in this picture), we went zip lining in the rainforest, whitewater rafting and spent plenty of time relaxing in the sun. Put Costa Rica on your list of “must do” travel plans. Cheers to getting out there and seeing the world.

• Sally Noona – A girl’s trip to Disney World with my teenage daughters at the last minute!  We used flyer points, a friend’s generous offer of their time-share and lots of energy! We had a ball! Dreams can come true!

• Kelli Norman – Kelli and her daughter Alexi – My favorite place, Discovery Cove Swim with Dolphins.
• Bryan Ryals- I thought I’d share a memorable photo of a family vacation that I took a few summers ago. While on an Eastern Caribbean cruise, my daughter and I went on an excursion when we stopped in the Dominican Republic. We both LOVE animals and could not pass on the change to visit this bird sanctuary. You may notice that I’m wearing my Visit Virginia Beach hat. I ALWAYS represent THE beach!!!
• 

Practicing social distancing and getting exercise and fresh air on a beautiful day!