Boardwalk Astronomers

The city’s boardwalk astronomy program was featured in the December edition of Reflector magazine. This unique program is a joint effort between the City, the Virginia Beach Public Schools Planetarium and the Back Bay Amateur Astronomers Club. Once a month between May and September, astronomers set up telescopes along the boardwalk at 24th Street for stargazing and celestial observation. The program has been in place since 2008 and has become so popular among visitors and residents that an arrangement is in place for an entire block of boardwalk lights to be shut off during this event.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

A Word from Tiffany Russell

Dear CVB Team,

I am pleased to support the CVB and our tourism industry as your new VP Marketing Communications. This is an exciting time for all of us as we make several major transitions internally to support our growing marketing needs. I wanted to share the vision statement Brad prepared for person selected (which he also shared with the interview panel), as it will resonate with all of us regarding the future of this organization:

Vision for the new VP of Marketing & Communications

  • Someone to lead our restructuring who understands our vision and can move that vision to action.
  • Someone who can see the big picture while still able to evaluate the tactics and performance of the department.
  • Someone not afraid to challenge the status quo and not accept the past as a roadmap for our future.
  • Someone who will push the marketing and communications team to be creative and think beyond.
  • Someone committed to the organization’s success and has a passion for seeing Virginia Beach succeed.
  • Someone who will be well respected within our organization and with our stakeholders.

I ask for your support now more than ever as we internally undergo changes in process, procedures, communications, project management and even project assignment. Some things we’ve done before will not be the same moving forward. My 90-day plan is rather focused:

  • I will be looking to hire the new marketing director right away, as well as an assistant and my replacement as Director of Public Relations.
  • I will continue to work with Brad, my team and BCF to evolve our destination marketing message. “Three beaches, one vacation” will soon be replaced in order to improve top-of-mind awareness of our City as a vacation destination.
  • I will be working to develop the new look of VisitVirginiaBeach.com through our new vendor partner, Simpleview.
  • I will be involved with many of you in the DMAI DestinationNext workshop process.

I am setting up internal, scalable processes for this team to be able to serve you, as our internal “clients,” much like an in-house advertising agency. The new marketing director will be your account rep, so to speak, and will traffic projects requiring creative direction and brand oversight. We will work closely with you to ensure the strategy and product is meeting an end-goal, or encourage you to consider another avenue we think might work even better.

Additionally, I have appreciated your patience and understanding as I’ve worked to manage several roles and responsibilities since Chuck’s retirement in January. Thanks again for celebrating with me as I shape this new role under the vision presenting to me and grow my already awesome team!

— Tiffany

Tiffany takes over CDME Day One

Tiffany & Cliff were in Dallas this week with over 20 other DMO representatives completing additional coursework towards their CDME.

During the sessions on Tourism Avocacy, Tiffany stepped up and led a fantastic discussion & review of our already established Advocacy/Local Communications Plan.

Great job Tiffany!

CVB Sales Team Gives Back to Children in Need

An enthusiastic contingency representing the Virginia Beach tourism industry traveled to Richmond recently for the 2016 Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) Expo. This annual event gives meeting planners an opportunity engage with hospitality professionals and vendors from across Virginia in a networking, tradeshow setting.

Team Virginia Beach consisted of the Virginia Beach CVB & VBCC Sales Team and eight partner hotels who set up a visually appealing display highlighting the many reasons why meeting planners should “Bring It To The Beach” the next time they’re planning a meeting or convention.

Not only did Team Virginia Beach capture many new leads, they also did their part to be socially responsible by raising $500 for Bikes for Kids, a Richmond non-profit which donates bicycles to needy children.

 

Way to go, Team!

Travis Talks Tech

Our very own Travis Harger presented at the Digital Tools for Government Communicators Confernece this morning is Washington DC. His presentation discussed the use of visual content marketing in government communications. Way to go, Travis!

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Speakers Bureau helps get the word out

Last week, Teresa Diaz gave the “Power of Tourism” presentation to the Bayside Chapter of AARP. This presentation, one of many offered by the CVB Speakers Bureau, is a tool the CVB Communications Unit is using to promote advocacy for tourism among Virginia Beach residents. Subject matter experts from all of the divisions of the CVB are available to speak to local groups and organizations. If you have an idea of a group who may be interested in hosting one of our speakers, contact Teresa at Ext. 6631

 

Photo: Teresa and Bayside AARP Chapter President Bob Jones

Shriner Serenade

VBCC staff were delighted to be treated to a serenade Friday morning as the MASA Shriners practiced for their annual parade. Thanks for sharing, Samantha Bernheim!

 

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Day of Caring 2016

The CVB stepped up to the plate once again for the city’s annual Day of Caring on Friday, 9/9. This year, CVB staff helped spruce up the outdoor spaces at the Beach Health Clinic and Seton House. Here’s a great shot of the BHC crew. Click here for more pix courtesy of Rubylee Gardner.doc group