Northern Virginia is one of the country’s most historic destinations as well as one of its most energetic business regions.
Situated near Washington, D.C., the area boasts an urban vibe in its main hubs of Alexandria, Arlington, Tysons Corner, Reston and Dulles Technology Corridor near Washington Dulles International Airport. Meanwhile, there are also many verdant corners in the region, where life slows down and groups can recharge outside the business programs.
This year marks the launch of the four-year Civil War Sesquicentennial commemoration, and groups can take advantage of many related events and tours taking place throughout Northern Virginia. Information is available at www.virginiacivilwar.com as well as via the websites of several Northern Virginia CVBs. An even greater three-state picture of the Civil War and American heritage sites and events is available from Journey Through Hallowed Ground, a 180-mile corridor of historic sites administered through a collaboration of national, regional, public and private organizations.
Alexandria
With a location across the Potomac River from the nation’s capital and Maryland’s new National Harbor riverside destination, Alexandria is a contemporary city with plenty of colonial and Civil War history. This is where Gen. Robert E. Lee grew up, and the territory Union troops occupied longer than any other during the war.
On May 21, a Living History Event to mark the 150th anniversary of the Union invasion of the city in 1861 will be held by reenactors, museum staffers and volunteers, who will interpret the experience from both a military and civilian perspective.
Meeting attendees enjoy Alexandria’s historic ambience and modern flair. Charming streets feature stylish boutiques, a variety of fine and casual dining spots, arts and culture offerings and historic attractions.
"The city has an impressive new meeting facilities package," says Lorraine Lloyd, vice president of sales for the Alexandria CVA. "We have invested nearly $400 million in new hotels and renovations in the past couple of years, and all this combines with our historic venues and hot new restaurants—only five miles from D.C. One of the newest is our Westin property right in the historic district, with 350 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space."
Other major hotels in Alexandria’s portfolio are the Hilton Alexandria at Mark Center, Hotel Monaco and Holiday Inn & Suites, Alexandria.
Arlington
If proximity to the nation’s capital is desirable, groups can find an array of Arlington hotels in every price range. Some are closer to the White House than D.C. hotels, and 11 Metro subway stops provide easy and affordable access to the capital.
Debuting this month are the city’s newest hotels, located next to each other in the Crystal City district. Marriott Renaissance Arlington Capital View will have 300 guest rooms, and Marriott Residence Inn Arlington Capital View will have 325 guest rooms. Together, the two properties will offer a combined 24,000 square feet of meeting space, including 17,350 square feet in the Renaissance hotel and 3,630 square feet in the Residence Inn property. The properties will be easily accessible to Washington Reagan National Airport, Old Town Alexandria and Pentagon City.
"One of our great selling points for meeting groups is our proximity to D.C.," says Emily Cassell, director of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service. "Groups who stay at our hotels find that Arlington has a lot of fun and exciting options they can walk to from their hotel. So those who book Arlington really get two great destinations."
The riverside city is home to several national monuments, including Arlington National Cemetery and the Women in Military Service for American Memorial. It provides visitors with a variety of shopping options, restaurants and galleries. Meanwhile, Signature Theatre is an acclaimed regional company that won the 2010 Tony Award for the nation’s best regional theater. Located in Arlington’s hip Shirlington neighborhood, it offers several off-site event venues and nearby shops and restaurants. In Rosslyn, The Artisphere is the city’s newest cultural center. Located inside a former museum, it offers live performances and also has private event venues.
Groups interested in the Civil War Sesquicentennial can experience customized tours of Arlington National Cemetery that emphasize Civil War connections, as well as day trip itineraries within a 30-minute to two-hour radius of Arlington, including Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park and battlefields in Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and Antietam.
Fairfax County
Fairfax County has Northern Virginia’s big-city business beat, along with easy access to both the nation’s capital and verdant parklands that comprise 10 percent of the county’s 400 square miles. This is a business mecca in the heart of the capital region that accommodates meetings of all sizes.
There are over 100 hotels in the county, offering more than 18,000 guest rooms by almost every national hotel company. A wealth of dining, shopping and cultural options are available, yet hotel rates and taxes are surprisingly affordable when compared to other downtown and suburban locations. Among the major facilities are Westin Washington Dulles, Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles Hotel, Tysons Corner Marriott, Sheraton Premiere Tysons Corner and Hyatt Regency Reston.
The Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel, with 148 guest rooms and 13,000 square feet of IACC-certified meeting space, is one of Fairfax’s newest group facilities on the campus of George Mason University.
"Fairfax is still a buyers’ market," says Rebecca Miller, national sales manager for Visit Fairfax. "We have some incredible hotel deals, and we will customize for group needs with things like Metro shuttles, welcome receptions and F&B upgrades. We are always willing to work within group budgets."
Fairfax is an ideal hub for exploring Civil War heritage. Regular updates about Civil War Sesquicentennial activities, tours and educational events are available at www.fairfaxcivilwar.com. Fairfax also offers a free monthly Civil War newsletter that highlights the rich heritage of the county and the region.
Loudoun County
With an enviable location near Washington Dulles International Airport and multiple Fortune 500 and technology companies and associations, Loudoun County presents a pastoral landscape close to business and within the metro Washington, D.C., area. Groups will find more than 5,000 guest rooms and a total of 75 meeting facilities. Top options include Lansdowne Resort, National Conference Center and The Executive Conference and Training Center at Dulles.
Loudoun is home to Virginia’s scenic horse and wine country, and it offers many places for retreat-style meetings and after-business relaxation. Groups may enjoy golf, winery tours, spas, horseback riding, boutique and mall shopping, white-water rafting and farm-to-table dining in Loudoun.
Loudoun will observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial’s first year in October with the first reenactment of the 1861 Battle of Ball’s Bluff, where 1,600 Confederate troops pushed Union forces down the bluffs of the Potomac and back over the river. Ball’s Bluff Battlefield and Morven Park are stops along Loudoun’s portion of the Northern Virginia Civil War Trail known as Crossroads of Conflict.
Prince William County
The Civil War Sesquicentennial’s first year is a highlight for the Prince William County-Manassas region because the area is the location of Manassas National Battlefield Park—site of two major Civil War engagements. Four days of events, including a battle reenactment, walking tours and concerts from July 21-24, will observe the 150th anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas/Bull Run.
Apart from the July event, groups can sample local history through customized tours and event venues, such as the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Center and the 100-year-old Candy Factory, where three stories of preserved brick and beamed spaces accommodate up to 200 guests.
The region’s elegant new Hylton Performing Arts Center has several private event venues, including the 1,121-seat main performance hall and smaller theaters.
Harbourview Events Center, a 12,000-square-foot meeting venue, has a great location right off Interstate 95, 29 miles south of Washington, D.C., and near the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The center overlooks the Occoquan River and the historic 18th century mill town of Occoquan. Included are two ballrooms with river views and an outdoor balcony that overlooks passing boats.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg was a strategic location during the Civil War halfway between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Va. Today, it offers that same strategic location just off Interstate 95 and facilities to accommodate groups of up to 5,000 people.
Civil War battlefields, George Washington family homes and unique venues like Gari Melcher’s Belmont home and studio are located in and around Fredericksburg.
Group-friendly facilities include The Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, with 80,000 square feet of meeting, exhibit and ballroom space, and The Jepson Alumni Executive Center at University of Mary Washington, featuring 24,000 square feet of meeting space.
Fredericksburg Area Tourism has teamed up with a Fredericksburg tour company and a professional business training company to offer a unique way for business groups to learn why Civil War history carries 21st century business lessons.
