Live The Life
As a member of the Digital Marketing Content Committee for the Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance, the communications team is proud to be a part of the regular meetings to discuss the collective competitive advantages of our region from a travel and tourism perspective, and to work with the committee on bi-monthly collaborative articles. Promoting Tourism is a regional effort in Coastal Virginia!
It is with great excitement that we introduce to you, our CVB family, our new director, Mr. Brad Van Dommelen! Mr. Van Dommelen comes to us from Traverse City, Michigan where he was the president of the Traverse City CVB (Traverse City Tourism). Under his leadership, the Traverse City Tourism organization received the “Best CVB in Michigan” award by the readers of Michigan Meetings & Events magazine an unprecedented six out of the last seven years. He has worked in the hospitality industry throughout his career and has considerable expertise in management, sales, research and analysis to drive growth and development in the convention and tourism industries.
Let’s get to know him a little better:
Do you have any children, a significant other, siblings, or pets?
We (my wife Doreen and I) have three children – 2 girls and a boy. Jamie is my oldest daughter who got married last June and lives in metro Detroit. Both her and her husband, Eric, are CPAs. Our son, Derek, also lives in metro Detroit and works as an engineer for Ford. Our youngest daughter, Kaylee, is in her first year of medical school at the Univ. of Miami Miller School of Medicine. So moving to VB puts us between the two in Detroit and the one in Miami. Unfortunately, at this time we do not have any pets. We had a dog, Cody, but sadly had to put him to rest last July after 15 1/2 years of being a fantastic companion.
What is your all-time best Halloween costume?
I’m not sure I ever had a “best” Halloween costume but perhaps my most spontaneous one was when I lived in Aspen and we were following an Aspen tradition of going door to door “adult trick or treating” with an empty glass and I didn’t have a costume so I wrapped myself completely in aluminum foil and went as “foil man”. I don’t recommend it – there is a reason aluminum foil is used for baking.
How do you relax and recharge?
Relaxation for me is participating in a fun outdoor activity such as cycling on either my mountain or road bike, kayaking, golfing, playing Frisbee on the beach or going for a ride on my Harley to discover new places. I’m not much for sitting around.
Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?
As far as an actor to play me in a movie – I had to consult with my wife on that one and she picked Tom Hanks. I’m not sure why, but I’m going with it.
Have you ever played any musical instruments?
With regards to music – not my strong suit. As a kid I had attempts at piano and the trumpet and neither stuck. Later in life I’ve taken up the guitar – and still working on it.
What is your favorite food or drink?
For a favorite food – it’s pretty much whatever is put in front of me. I love to try new food and have a very diverse palate. I am really looking forward to enjoying some east coast seafood.
What is the first live concert you can remember seeing?
The earliest concert I can remember attending is the early Rock & Roll band of Sha Na Na. Now that’s a throwback.
Who is your favorite sports figure ever?
I would have to pick Muhammad Ali as my favorite sports figure. He had incredible skill and was always ready to entertain. His interviews with Howard Cosell have to be among the best in history.
What is your favorite place that you have vacationed?
My favorite vacation was a Mediterranean cruise that we took with stops in Sicily, Greece, Turkey and Crete and then spent 5 days in Rome afterwards. The history, architecture and beauty of that part of world amazed me. My wife kept making fun of me as I kept taking pictures of the mosaic tile floors in the incredible cathedrals.
What is one piece of advice you would give others about life?
My piece of advise on life is to live, love and be loved. Pretty simple – but it works.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Van Dommelen to Virginia Beach!
PHOTO: Recent snow storm from the Van Dommelen’s backyard, in Michigan.
Check out some shots of the action as our colleagues at the Convention Center prepare for a busy end to the week.
Long time Maintenance Worker Lavon Wiggins setting up for Fire Fighter testing. Two sessions of 500 hopefuls who want to work for VBFD will make use of Lavon’s work.
This relic from Pavilion days gets the job done.
Dickie Cooke preparing a 200 amp service for cheer leading this weekend then on to FCCLA.
Jackie Owens and Keith Bernstein reviewing final details for 1,200 FCCLA teenagers this weekend
Ever wonder where the snacks from your neighborhood convenience store come from? Long time VBCC Client Atlantic Dominion Distributers is here today with the latest in snack foods.
Courtney with Distinctive Gourmet’s Rock Star Dee Forbes preparing for Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation Dinner tonight.
Courtney looking goofy with another DG Rock Star Lousynda Tankard as she prepares the Foundation’s buffet for tonight. The Mayor and City Manager will also be here tonight for this event.
In case you missed the action, the VBCC had a busy March.
VBCC has set up and taken down lots of chairs (DECCA)
Our event managers have been working every weekend
We made some improvements out back
We took delivery of a new LED Marquee
Overhauled one of our chillers, and made a $20,000 change order to replace this impeller (it’s a highly engineered impeller that spins at 36,000 RPMs)
Discovered Councilwoman Shannon Kane having fun (along with several of her peers)
Saw 3,800 wrestlers from all over the country come and go (and you think your high school gym smelled funky)
Saw a political hopeful come and go
Welcomed new life
And said farewell to another
As we look back on March with a mix of pride, excitement and sorrow, we set our sites on April. Happy Spring, everyone!
The 60 second video brought home the Gold Addy, at the 2016 Hampton Roads Addy Awards, for the 2:00 minutes or less category. The full list of awarded CVB marketing items includes:
Gold Addy (Also Best in Show) – Grommet :60
Silver Addy – Virginia Beach Live the Life Look Book (completed as part of the pitch presentation)
Silver Addy – This is the Life Magazine Campaign
Silver Addy – Book a Room Valentine’s Day :15
Amidst a sea of wrestlers in the Exhibit Halls, it was business as usual in Suite 1 for the VBCC and Distinctive Gourmet teams as they hosted the city’s 22nd annual Human Rights Award Ceremony last night. Deputy City Manager Cindy Curtis received a standing ovation following her keynote address, which was her final official act as a city staffer. Cindy’s retirement is effective today, April 1. Mayor Will Sessoms honored seven award recipients including ComIT staff member Emily Reaves, chairwoman of the Hampton Roads Inclusion & Diversity Consortium. Fellow board member and CVB member Teresa Diaz and several members of the HRIDC board were on hand to support Emily. Congratulations to all the honorees!
This past weekend was a busy one for our sports marketing friends, with three big events in town. The JSA Central East Coast Showdown basketball tournament was held at the Field House, the Wyndham played host to the Virginia Beach Dart Classic, and the National High School Coaches Association Wrestling Tournament hit the mats at the Convention Center.
Check out the action below!
From now until June 12, and from August 14- October 31 (excluding Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, respectively) Virginia Beach hotels, restaurants and shops will be offering discounts to our visitors from Canada to help intensify our relationship with our Canadian customers.
Click here for further details!
One of the largest scholastic wrestling events in the US, including more than 400 college coaches who are here recruiting and offering scholarships on site, the NHSCA National Wrestling Champinoship is back and offering up a heavy dose of inspiration through one of the event’s wrestlers, Zack Anglin, who was born without arms and legs. He may not fit the mold of what you’d expect in a championship wrestler, but looks can certainly be deceiving.
The event is a great annual event for our CVB. This year is estimated to bring 3,600 – 3,700 wrestlers, and 4,000 – 5,000 parents and coaches to Virginia Beach!
This championship rugby event will bring over 20 college teams to the Virginia Beach Sportsplex April 29-May 1. Last year’s ACRC7s was conservatively estimated to have had a direct economic impact of $233,376 on Virginia Beach, including drawing 531 out-of-town visitors, 88.2% of whom stayed in local hotels. We expect additional teams and a greater positive impact from this important event in 2016.
The three-day event is open to the public. Learn more about this year’s ACRC7s here.