Hampton Roads
America's First Region: Unified Yet Diverse
The Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia is composed of 17 communities, including the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. This region is considered to be one of the largest metropolitan areas in the South, yet, despite a population nearing 1.6 million, Hampton Roads handles its growth with charm mainly because the population is spread among other several cities.
At the same time, the region's hospitality leaders band together to market themselves through organizations such as the Hampton Roads Partnership. "The region works well together to secure conventions and sporting events that require a regional sell, such as the 2008 American Bus Association Marketplace and the 2006 Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympic Games, which is returning in 2010," said Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Director Jim Ricketts.
Hampton
The city of Hampton is home to several unique venues such as the Virginia Air and Space Center. According to Rachel Boyd, special events and sales manager, the center recently launched a new hands-on space gallery called "Space Quest: Exploring the Moon, Mars and Beyond." The center also features an IMAX Theater and 55,000 square feet of meeting space.
New to Hampton is the Boo Williams Sportsplex, which opened in March with multiple basketball courts, volleyball courts and hockey courts, an indoor track, fitness centers, meeting rooms and concessions.
Peninsula Town Center, blocks from the Hampton Roads Convention Center, is under construction and is set to open in spring 2009.
There's a lot of excitement around town, said Sallie Grant-DiVenuti, executive director of the Hampton CVB, as the city prepares for another new development on a site presently shared by the Hampton Roads Convention Center. The $200 million Crossroads Development is set to offer a full-service hotel and a 2,000-seat theater, according to Grant-DiVenuti, who explained that Hampton continues its charge to offer more options for meetings.
The project will be completed in two phases, with the first phase offering a hotel, a 2,200-space parking garage, and 35,000 square feet of mixed-use space, she said, adding that the new hotel is expected to have 200 to 300 guest rooms. "An additional full-service convention hotel will contribute to Hampton's ability to draw larger conventions," she said.
The next phase of the development will include a theater and an additional 65,000 square feet of mixed-use space. Completion dates had yet to be released as of press time. "Convention delegates," Grant-DiVenuti said, "will enjoy the entertainment options located within steps of their meetings."
The three-year-old Hampton Roads Convention Center offers 344,000 square feet of meeting space. Adjacent to the center is the Hampton Coliseum, which provides 84,000 square feet of meeting space, and the 295-room Embassy Suites Hampton Roads - Hotel, Spa and Convention Center, which offers 3,500 square feet of meeting space.
More than 2,500 hotel rooms are located within close proximity to the center, according to Grant-DiVenuti, who added that the 124-suite Springhill Suites by Marriott Hampton officially opened at the nearby Power Plant of Hampton Roads. The hotel features 2,660 square feet of meeting space. Also, the third NASCAR Sports Grille in the country is scheduled to open this fall at the Power Plant.
Nearby, the new 149-room Hilton Garden Inn Hampton Coliseum Central opened in 2007 with 2,300 square feet of meeting space. And, the 320-room Holiday Inn Hampton Hotel and Conference Center offers 16,000 square feet of meeting space.
Located on Hampton's waterfront is the 172-room Hampton Marina Hotel, a former Radisson, with 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
Newport News
West of Hampton is the city of Newport News, which is home to Civil War battle sites, fortifications and monuments, according to Cheryl Morales, Newport News Tourism Development Office (NNTDO) group marketing manager, who said, "Newport News is steeped in military history, making it an ideal destination for military reunions." Each year, NNTDO hosts a complimentary military reunion familiarization (FAM) tour for planners.
The
USS Monitor Center opened last spring and allows visitors to walk the deck of the legendary Civil War ironclad, which is an addition to the city's Mariners' Museum, America's National Maritime Museum.
Also making news, the Newport News/ Williamsburg International Airport recently added a new 700-space parking garage and plans to build a third runway by 2012. What's more, two hotels are opening this month near the airport: a 120-room Courtyard by Marriott and a 125-room Residence Inn by Marriott.
The 256-room Newport News Marriott at City Center Hotel and Conference Center features 25,000 square feet of meeting space and is the focal point of City Center at Oyster Point, an open-air shopping district. According to Cheryl Johnson, director of sales and marketing, the hotel offers a 6,500-square-foot rotunda that is a "perfect space for welcome receptions and other catered events."
Norfolk
Norfolk is located south of Newport News and is home to the largest naval base in the world. "This dynamic destination has blossomed into a diverse city with limitless potential," said Anthony DiFilippo, president/CEO of the Norfolk CVB.
Key Info · Sales Tax: 5 percent
· Hotel Tax: 13 percent
· Transportation: Portsmouth recently added an environmentally friendly hybrid shuttle that connects the city's hotels, shops, restaurants and waterfront. |
Some of the hottest news from the area includes the May announcement of the 301-room Westin Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center that will feature 50,000 square feet of meeting space. It is slated to open in 2011. The announcement follows last year's groundbreaking of Norfolk's light rail transit system, a $232.2 million project that will run 7.4 miles through downtown and is projected to be fully operational by 2010. "The opening of The Westin Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center will be after the large-scale light rail and Wachovia Center Downtown projects are completed. Collectively, our new urban, transit-oriented environment will further entice visitors and business travelers to Norfolk," said Rod Woolard, director of development for the city of Norfolk.
The city is also abuzz after the construction of the $36 million, 80,000-square-foot Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center wrapped up in 2007. Royal Caribbean International will call the cruise terminal home again this month when the
Grandeur of the Seas begins cruising regularly to Bermuda, the Caribbean and New England.
Norfolk also has several meeting options, DiFilippo said. The Waterside Convention Connection (WCC) is an alliance that provides more than 1,200 guest rooms and 121,000 square feet of meeting space within downtown Norfolk.
The 405-room Norfolk Waterside Marriott features 60,000 square feet of meeting space that includes the Waterside Convention Center, which is also connected via a covered walkway to the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside. "With two new executive chefs guests will delight in a creative culinary experience," said Cathy Grieve, director of sales and marketing.
The Sheraton Norfolk Waterside hotel, with 34,000 square feet of meeting space and 468 guest rooms, "boasts a rich history as well as breathtaking waterfront views," said Barry Akers, director of sales and marketing. In 2007, the hotel began a full restoration, "bringing it back to its former grandeur," he said, adding that the $32 million renovation was completed in February.
The 340-room Radisson Hotel Norfolk, with 30,000 square feet of meeting space, was recently purchased and renovations are expected. Brad Deise, director of sales and marketing, said the hotel provides complimentary parking.
Portsmouth
Home to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Children's Museum of Virginia, the city of Portsmouth offers numerous options for meetings and has a "pedestrian-friendly downtown" that is home to antiques shops and restaurants owned by award-winning chefs, according to Lynne Lochen, executive director of the Portsmouth CVB. "Our compact, walkable downtown makes Portsmouth perfect for convention-goers," Lochen said.
Among downtown's newest offerings is the Downtown Loop, an environmentally friendly hybrid shuttle that connects hotels, shops, restaurants and waterfront, according to Lochen.
A new, full-service 120-room Holiday Inn is scheduled to open next year with construction on the project slated to begin later this year, according to Portsmouth city officials.
The waterfront Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center is "a popular venue for all types of groups," Lochen said. The property offers 249 guest rooms and more than 24,000 square feet of meeting space.
The Holiday Inn Olde Portsmouth on the Waterfront features 219 guest rooms and 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
Chesapeake
"Chesapeake's outdoor recreation and proximity to the other area attractions provides endless opportunities to create an exciting meeting package," said Kimberly Murden, director of conventions and tourism for the city of Chesapeake. "And, we provide an incredible package of support services to ensure that meetings in Chesapeake are a success."
The city will see a number of new developments come online this year. Towne Place at Greenbrier, a 170,000-square-foot, open-air center that opened in 2007, will be home to a 119-room Hyatt Place hotel that is slated to open this summer. And, a 132-room aloft Hotel is slated to open by December.
The 226-room Norfolk Marriott Chesapeake, with 10,000 square feet of meeting space, recently underwent a $10 million renovation of the entire property, converting the hotel from a Holiday Inn. "Practically everything in the hotel is brand new," said Joe Hart, director of sales and marketing.
Additional options include the Chesapeake Conference Center, which offers 23,000 square feet of event space.
Virginia Beach
Jim Ricketts, Virginia Beach CVB director, describes the city as "a full-service meetings destination offering meeting planners all the excitement of a large metropolitan area nestled in the mild climate of a rich coastal environment—making it the perfect year-round destination."
The city offers more than 12,000 hotel rooms city wide, which are housed in several new properties that have recently come online, such as The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center, which opened last fall with 236 guest rooms and more than 16,000 square feet of meeting space. According to Ricketts, adjacent to the Westin is the new 1,300-seat Sandler Center for the Performing Arts.
The 242-room Wyndham Beach Oceanfront, with 16,000 square feet of meeting space, recently underwent a multimillion-dollar conversion from the former Ramada Plaza Resort. Owners plan additional renovations through this spring.
The Virginia Beach Convention Center (VBCC) offers more than 500,000 square feet of meeting space. Currently, four companies are vying to open a headquarters hotel at the VBCC, Ricketts said.
Of the recent events held at the green-certified VBCC, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) met last November. Brian Day, NAAEE executive director, said, "Our organization looks to work with conference facilities that support the green agenda that we bring to the table. It has been a pleasure working with VBCC staff."
Ricketts added that the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is currently undergoing a $27 million renovation of the exhibits gallery to be completed in early 2009. "The aquarium is an ideal location for a special event and can accommodate 2,000 people," he said.
The 240-room Founders Inn and Spa, with 24,000 square feet of meeting space, received a Virginia Green Lodging certificate in 2007, said Ellen Ruane, general manager. "by doing our part to conserve our region's natural resources." The inn recently added a new full-service spa.
The 198-room Sheraton Oceanfront Hotel Virginia Beach, with 15,000 square feet of meeting space, has been completely renovated over the past four years, said Christine Palmer, director of sales and marketing. "Pretty much everything has been redone." Renovations expanded the restaurant area and added an outdoor pool.
