Tourism representatives in the Hampton Roads have chosen a more obvious moniker—Coastal Virginia—in order to limit any confusion regarding where the region is and what visitors will find there.
The new name just fits better, particularly when courting groups, as many coastal locales boast beautiful views from waterfront guest rooms and meeting rooms, fresh sea air and waterborne pursuits that attract attendees.
From Virginia Beach, which is adding a new group-friendly oceanfront hotel this summer, to Williamsburg, which encourages attendees check in with families in tow, Coastal Virginia’s group destinations deserve special attention from planners eyeing the South.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is experiencing a metamorphosis, the catalyst for which was the development of the LEED gold-certified Virginia Beach Convention Center back in 2007, according to Al Hutchinson, vice president of convention sales and marketing for the Virginia Beach CVB.
“Following [the convention center] was, and continues to be, the development of a cool mixed-use ‘Uptown Scene’ at Town Center, and another mixed-use project of commercial, retail and residential at 31Ocean, which is part of a major gateway into the resort area,” he says.
Virginia Beach appeals to various groups with its terrific variety of settings, Hutchinson adds, including retreat, bayfront and downtown urban offerings.
Among the options for groups are the recently opened Oceanaire Resort Hotel, which offers more than 3,200 square feet of outdoor oceanfront space; Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront, which at press time was on track to open early this summer with 167 guest rooms, two oceanfront restaurants and 5,000 square feet of meeting space; Cavalier Hotel, which is scheduled to undergo a major transformation within the next two years; Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center; Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront; and Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Sheraton, Westin and Wyndham properties.
At the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, one of the destination’s most popular attractions that also hosts off-site group gatherings is the new Adventure Park, scheduled to open by summer with ziplines and ropes courses for teambuilding programs.
PageBreak
Chesapeake
The crown jewels of Chesapeake’s meetings portfolio are the Chesapeake Conference Center; Norfolk Marriott Chesapeake, the most recently opened property in the area; and Springhill Suites by Marriott Chesapeake/Greenbrier.
According to Susan Drewery, spokeswoman for Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism, off-site venues that groups often book include Chesapeake Arboretum, which has a picnic area for impromptu gatherings and Pecan Grove for 150-person corporate soirees; Cahoon Plantation, which features an 1,100-square-foot meeting room and an outdoor covered pavilion; and Amber Lantern Restaurant, which serves Mediterranean-style dishes and has a banquet room that accommodates up to 180 people.
After the event, Adventure Kayak Tours facilitates personalized trips for groups, giving attendees a chance to explore freshwater marshes, cypress swamps and barrier islands.
Perhaps best-suited for aggressive younger groups is Chesapeake Paintball, which sits on 40 acres of woods and offers packages for corporate outings.
Suffolk
Courtyard by Marriott and the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront top the list of meetings players in Suffolk, where groups might also convene in unique spaces such as the Historic Obici House at Sleepy Hole Golf Course along the banks of the Nansemond River.
Near the Hilton Garden Inn property is Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina, where groups can explore and enjoy concerts, festivals and other events throughout the year.
Popular off-session activities in Suffolk include waterborne pursuits such as kayaking, as well as shopping, spa-going and taking in a show at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.
PageBreak
Norfolk
Norfolk sets itself apart by mixing the amenities of an urban destination with 144 miles of shoreline brimming with recreational opportunities, according to Donna Allen, vice president of sales and marketing for VisitNorfolk.
“Groups are recognizing that Norfolk is very much a foodie destination, and our art scene is fabulous as well,” she says, citing the Chrysler Museum of Art, which is reopening this month after a multimillion-dollar renovation; d’Art Center; and Hermitage Museum & Gardens.
On the group facility front, a major development is the Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center, slated to open in 2016 with 300 guest rooms and 50,000 square feet of meeting space.
In the meantime, larger meetings-friendly hotels in Norfolk include the Norfolk Waterside Marriott and the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel.
After the meeting there is no shortage of fun to be had in Norfolk, including outings to the new Sail Nauticus, where groups can learn to sail, and Chrysler Glass Studio, which also offers classes. Pub and culinary tours featuring food and drink exclusive to the Coastal Virginia region are popular as well.
“Groups can also take part in the old American tradition of going to a baseball game,” Allen says. “Our stadium is located right downtown along the Elizabeth River.”
Portsmouth
Portsmouth, which is connected to downtown Norfolk via a short ferry boat ride, is a quaint, historic seaport town that is centrally located in the Coastal Virginia region.
“We offer first-class meeting facilities in a quiet, relaxed setting,” says David Schulte, spokesman for the City of Portsmouth. “Groups enjoy touring Historic Olde Towne Portsmouth, one of the largest collections of architecturally significant historic homes and churches in America.”
Top among places for groups to convene here is the 249-room Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel.
“It is located in a beautiful waterfront setting on the Elizabeth River adjacent to Historic Olde Towne Portsmouth,” Schulte says, adding that the property features more than 24,000 square feet of meeting space.
For another view of the Elizabeth River, the Spirit of Norfolk offers dinner cruises on the river that are always a hit with groups.
Portsmouth’s Bide-A-Wee Golf Course, rated one of the best public courses in the country by Golf magazine, is often booked for fun group tournaments.
“And Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve offers kayaking and hiking trails for meeting planners whose attendees want to reconnect with nature,” Schulte says.
PageBreak
Hampton
Hampton’s location at the center of the Coastal Virginia region, including a convenient proximity to thousands of hotel rooms, world-class attractions, entertainment and some of the nation’s most historic sites, is a great advantage for groups convening here, according to Mary Fugere, spokeswoman for the Hampton CVB.
“We encourage meeting planners to include off-site Hampton event venues to provide the meeting based at Hampton Roads Convention Center with an experience that can’t be found elsewhere,” she says.
The newest off-site venue is the Paradise Ocean Club, which overlooks the Chesapeake Bay and accommodates beachside concerts and parties.
“Hampton also features many museums that are ideal for intimate gatherings and receptions, as well as boats available for charter,” Fugere says, citing the Virginia Air & Space Center, where aircraft and spacecraft from NASA and U.S. Air Force missions, as well as innovations of the future, combined with dazzling uplighting, create an off-site event venue that leaves a memorable impression.
Main meeting facilities here include the Hampton Roads Convention Center, featuring an exhibit hall with newly applied acoustical spray that has improved energy efficiency, the adjacent Hampton Coliseum, the 295-suite Embassy Suites and Boo Williams Sportsplex.
Among the ideas to keep groups entertained after the meeting are tasting tours of Hampton-based St. George Brewing Company and geocache scavenger hunts of Fort Monroe and downtown Hampton.
Newport News
“Our high-tech hometown offers attendees an extensive park system, historical sites, nationally accredited museums, unique shopping opportunities and creative restaurant experiences,” says Cheryl Morales, spokeswoman for the Newport News Tourism Development Office.
The home of Virginia’s largest employer, Newport News Shipbuilding, has a great variety of home bases for groups, including Newport News Marriott at City Center, which is on track to complete a renovation project featuring upgrades to all 256 guest rooms and lobby by August; Magnuson Hotel & Convention Center at Oyster Point; Point Plaza Suites at City Center; Courtyard by Marriott Newport News Airport; and Hampton Inn & Suites, which recently completed a $3 million renovation of its lobby, meeting space and guest rooms.
Off-site venues for group gatherings in Newport News are plentiful as well, including Paragon Theaters, a new movie complex scheduled to open this month that will be available for digital production presentations, Cozzy’s Comedy Club and Tavern, and country singer Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, which has two private rooms, called “barns,” adjacent to the dance floor.
“For an even more exclusive atmosphere, Toby’s also offers a glass-enclosed VIP room with a great view of the stage and a private bartender,” Morales says. “And even though the VIP room is enclosed in sound-proof glass, the music can still be heard but at a lower level, making conversations easier.”
Williamsburg
Groups keep good company in Williamsburg, where visitors have included various U.S. Presidents, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and dozens more heads of state.
The destination’s meeetings-friendly lineup is just as impressive.
Options include Clarion Hotel Historic District; Williamsburg Inn; Williamsburg Lodge; Woodlands Hotel & Suites, which is the destination’s newest property; Great Wolf Williamsburg Lodge; DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg, which is newly renovated; Kingsmill Resort; and Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center.
According to Corrina Ferguson, spokeswoman for the Williamsburg Destination Marketing Committee, there are two little-known but unique meeting places that host seated functions for up to 275 people: Legacy Hall, which is situated in the heart of New Town near shops and restaurants, and the Freight Shed, which is located at Riverwalk Landing in Historic Yorktown.
Ferguson adds that planners should encourage attendees to turn meeting trips into family vacations by taking advantage of all the Williamsburg area has to offer, including Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, Historic Yorktown, Go-Karts Plus, shopping, dining and more.
On her last Norfolk visit, frequent contributor Carolyn Blackburn particularly enjoyed the waterfront sunshine and the Hermitage Museum and Gardens.
