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Dream Article published on Virginia Beach!

Two huge hits for Virginia Beach in the Canadian Market!

Le Journal de Montreal is a French Canadian daily tabloid newspaper published in Montreal, Quebec. It is the largest-circulating newspaper in Quebec and the highest-circulating French language daily newspaper in North America. An amazing 2-page color-spread appeared on Saturday, July 15th, the day of the week with the largest circulation, i.e. 1,397,000 readers for the print version.  The web site on which the article also appeared attracts over 3.2 million unique visitors per month.

  • They also featured the article on Le Journal de Montreal‘s Facebook page  which has 606,217 followers and on the travel writers personal Facebook page who has 4,915 followers
  • Le Journal de Montreal – 432 likes, 198 comments and 141 shares

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2017/07/15/la-nouvelle-virginia-beach

  • Le Journal de Quebec is a French-language daily newspaper in Quebec City and is printed tabloid format too.  It also belongs to Quebecor and has the largest daily circulation in Quebec City followed closely by its main competitor Le Soleil.
  • It has over 705,000 readers on Saturdays
  • Over 1.6 million unique visitors to their web site every month.
  • Le Journal de Quebec also posted our article on their Facebook page which has over 363,142 fans.  We received great engagement for this point (see attached).
  • Le Journal de Quebec – 187 likes, 140 comments, 49 shares

http://www.journaldequebec.com/2017/07/15/la-nouvelle-virginia-beach

The article covers some of our key brand messages including:

  • The New Virginia Beach with its three beaches, growing microbrewery and restaurant scene making the destination one which now has a whole lot more to offer than just a beach.
  • Soft Adventure (Paddle to Blue Pete’s)
  • ViBe Creative District
  • New Earth Farm
  • Chespeake Bay Distillery
  • Our three beaches and their distinctive vibes and offerings
  • First Landing State Park
  • Ways to get here (car, plane)
  • Pleasure House Oyster (very nice and elaborate coverage)

1st page July 15 2017 (2)

2nd page, July 15, 2017

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Tiffany Russell Receives CDME Credential!

Please join us in congratulating our VP of Marketing Communications, Tiffany Russell, for her big achievement in receiving her Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) Credential at this week’s Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) annual convention in Montreal. The CDME is the tourism industry’s highest educational achievement – focusing on senior executives of destination organizations who want to advance their careers, the curriculum concentrates on vision, leadership, productivity and the implementation of business strategies.  Graduates of the program are equipped with the knowledge needed to adapt and manage the increasing change and competition facing the industry.

Congratulations, Tiffany!!

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M&C on the Road

Members of the CVB Meetings & Conventions (M&C) team traveled to Chicago recently for a sales mission and while there, attended the annual Chicago Association Forum Honors Gala where they sponsored a photo opportunity with the attendees. Nearly 100 meeting industry professionals stopped to have their photo taken with a CVB branded beach cruiser which was later given away in a drawing. The lucky winner was Becky Perry, CFO of the American Association of Endodontists, shown here with Todd. Check out the photo gallery!

Becky Perry - AAE Forum Bike Winner

 

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VBCC Happenings – End of June

What’s going on? asked a guy in a suit as he walked into the Convention Center Wednesday night to attend the 19th Street corridor public meeting. He was taking note of all the girls in dance outfits with coaches, parents and siblings. June 26 – July 2 the Convention Center hosted Hall of Fame Dance Challenge, a national competition for dancers who have danced competitively all year similar to travel soccer competitions. 1400 dancers plus teachers, parents, grandparents and yes, bored siblings brought an estimated total of 4,000 visitors to Virginia Beach for competition and of course some family vacationing. A parking lot biopsy revealed autos from a collection of states other than Virginia. The girls posing by the banner came all the way from Wisconsin.

The Boynton Beach Florida based Hall of Fame Dance is also hosting National Competitions in Traverse City and Orlando this summer.

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Department Leadership Meeting June 2017

Department Leadership Meeting

June 28, 2017

Dave’s Opening Remarks

  • City Hall will remain at its current campus location. Dave was pleased that definitive direction had been provided by City Council. City Hall will not move to Town Center.
  • Dave discussed a number of aspects of our growing City of Virginia Beach
    • Aging population and infrastructure
    • Balance of funding safety, education and recreation
    • Tourism
    • Place to live
    • Importance of City staff leaders being good cheerleaders for the City of Virginia Beach
    • Everyone is encouraged to look at the glass as half full
    • Kempsville Recreation Center reopens this week
    • July 4th – be prepared for traffic and the closure of the Interstate leading into the resort
    • Lesner Bridge gantry was successfully moved across the new structure and aligned for placement over the second set of lanes. Construction Camera shows the new placement of the gantry on the south side of the bridge
    • 19th Street Entertainment District – Financial plans are in place to develop the Dome site and other projects. Recalling days of famous entertainers at the Dome, who will be the next Rolling Stones or Jimi Hendrix to play Virginia Beach? Political will is now needed to make the projects happen.
  • Enterprise Resource Planning – a phrase that describes replacing several citywide computer applications that manage our financial and human resource programs.
    • The same data would be used for Finance, Management Services and Human Resources
    • Comprehensive application that would be used for budget, payroll, procurement, accounts payable, accounts receivable, human resources and more.
    • Phased project starting in Fall 2017 with completion anticipated over five years
    • Benefits: better controls, streamline processes, real time information.
    • Government Finance Officers Association has been hired to consult with improving our processes
    • Business mapping is currently underway to document our processes
    • Project managers are looking for PIT Crew, or team members to assist with implementation
    • To minimize delays, departments will be expected to change their processes rather than customizing the application
    • Dave has committed considerable resources to implement new technologies
    • Follow this Beachnet link for presentation
  • Library Presentation – Dave’s initiative to share what departments do with DLM – Eva Poole, Director
    • Friday night teen events at Central Library
    • Free publications and periodicals are available including TV shows, movies, audio books, even Roku sticks
    • com – Learning portal for technology
    • Online genealogy and local history
    • 3D printing
    • 10 locations – City employees who are not residents are eligible for free Library Card
  • 19th Street Public Meeting scheduled for June 28 at VBCC – Staff is encouraged to attend these public meetings and have a voice.
  • Monthly Combined Utility Bill will start in July