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Employee Spotlight – Karen Kephart

  1. Employee name: Karen A. Kephart
  2. Where were you born and where is your hometown? Born in Elizabeth NJ and hometown is Virginia Beach.
  3. What division and position do you work for? Directors Office, HR Coordinator
  4. How many years have you worked for the CVB? 38
  5. How many years have you worked for the City of Va. Beach? 48
  6. What is the best vacation you’ve been on? Three weeks touring China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan and Macau
  7. What is your favorite thing to do in the wonderful City of Virginia Beach? Float along the Lazy River at Ocean Breeze Waterpark.
  8. What is your favorite quote? The mountains are calling and I must go. –John Muir Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. – Robert Frost
  9. Do you have an office nickname? If so what is it? Super K
  10. Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us: Lived in Denmark for three years and Thailand for three years.
  11. What do you like to do for fun? Camping and Hiking.
  12. What is on your bucket list? A week in Bora Bora and a hot air balloon ride over the Grand Canyon.
  13. What is your hidden talent? If I tell you it won’t be hidden anymore.
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CC Staff Wows Symposium Attendees

In addition to hosting dozens of conventions, meetings and private events, the Convention Center annually contracts the venue for a number of tradeshows. Many of these tradeshows represent major Hampton Roads industries such as shipbuilding and ship maintenance. One long-time client, the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE), recently hosted the 2018 Fleet Maintenance Symposium, bringing together approximately 1,200 representatives of suppliers and active-duty Navy and Civil Service members who support the U.S. Navy.

One of the show’s training contractors, T-Solutions, Inc., sent in the following letter commending staff for providing a stellar customer experience:

“Sabrina, Max, Wayne-

Wow!  VBCC knocked it out of the park at our event last week. We at T-Solutions could not be more pleased and the feedback from our symposium attendees confirm that sentiment.

Thanks to Max’s helpful suggestions during planning, our space arrangements were perfect, both for our classroom time, during breaks, breakfast, lunch and during our reception. Everything was exactly where we planned it to be, clean and ready for us each of the three days. Many of our attendees commented favorably on the venue in written feedback. It could not have been better.

All audio visual equipment worked perfectly.  We’ve conducted an annual Port Engineer Training Symposium for over 35 years and this is one of the rare occasions where everything worked exactly as planned.  More than that, whenever we had a question, experienced technical challenges, or required replacement batteries, one call to Wayne, and assistance appeared immediately.  It was seamless.  The audio system not only worked, but amplification was crystal clear and properly adjusted for the space we were in. Video recording was completely unobtrusive and the product was delivered less than one hour after completion of the last presentation.  Who would believe it?

Then there was the food.  Our port engineers variously reported it at “fantastic” “awesome” “great” “the best ever”… you get the idea.  We all couldn’t have been more pleased with the quality of everything that was served. It was artfully prepared, served fresh and hot, displayed beautifully and delicious!  The service attendants were nothing short of amazing.  They kept all serving dishes fresh and filled, were friendly and efficient.  Clean-up and replenishment were continuous so that even those of us who were the last in line found a fresh buffet. Tables were bussed professionally so there was never a mess.  Our evening reception was nothing short of amazing.  All selections were wonderful and abundant.  It was a great party.

I wish that I had a negative comment to balance my review, but nothing went wrong. We are looking forward to working with you again when it’s time to plan the next East Coast Port Engineer Training Symposium in 2020.  Thanks to you all and to your staff for your professionalism. You make Virginia Beach proud!

Kenneth S. Jacobs

Executive Vice President and Technical Director

T-Solutions, Inc.

 

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Sales Appointment with Members from Cru at Founders Inn

Below is a pic of a recent sales appointment (Friday, Sept. 21) with some members of the 2020 Cru Global Briefing planning committee Shannon Place, Sales Manager, at the Founders Inn and Spa.

Cru, also known as Campus Crusade for Christ International, is an interdenominational ministry based in Orlando, Fl. To encourage financial involvement, Cru will host an all-inclusive event for selected major donors and ministry partners for a four day and three-night event. The event will bring in approximately 200 people to our area in October 2020 if awarded to Founders Inn & Spa.

Also pictured (below) is Abigale, the resident swan at the Founders Inn & Spa – Swan Terrace who was on site overseeing the sales appointment.

 

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VTC’s Loveshare Campaign Has Launched!

VTC’s Loveshare advertising campaign launched Sunday and thanks to a consumer study, we are already receiving positive feedback.

If you missed seeing the commercials in last week’s production meeting, you can view them all here. I encourage to view the :15 and :30 spots as well as the long form videos, which tell the full story.

You can also learn about Loveshare on our website.

https://www.adweek.com/agencies/the-martin-agency-redefines-virginia-is-for-lovers-nearly-50-years-after-its-inception/