"Virginia is for lovers," declares the state's marketing slogan, and meeting professionals concur, loving all the variety this diverse state offers. Mountains, beaches, history, theme parks, vibrant cities, and outdoor activities are all here. From yoga on horseback at Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, VA to fly-fishing at Primland Resort, a secluded mountain oasis. No matter what experience your group requires, it is waiting.
The nation's fifth-largest wine-grape producer, Virginia also ranks fifth in the number of wineries, with more than 275, organized into dozens of wine trails surrounded by lush scenery and monumental historic sites.
Many don't realize that Virginia is also the largest producer of fresh, farm-raised oysters on the East Coast, with seven regions, each carrying its own distinctive flavor. The Virginia Oyster Trail is a new tourism development project that connects travelers to oyster purveyors, raw bars, and restaurants, and the waterman culture throughout the state.
Brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets dot Old Town Alexandria, a preserved historic district on the Potomac River that is breaking ground on its first waterfront hotel, a Hotel Indigo, opening in 2017. The new property will add to the development of Alexandria's riverfront district, which includes a new Waterfront Market and water taxi service linking Alexandria to Washington, D.C.'s National Mall.
Also directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. is Arlington, site of the Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington's Westin Crystal City has completed a $16 million renovation that includes its 220 guest rooms, lobby, and 16,000 square feet of meeting facilities.
Fairfax County is the site of Mount Vernon, George Washington's Estate and Gardens, and Woodlawn Plantation, the home of Martha Washington's granddaughter and her husband. The Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks recently underwent a complete renovation, including an addition of six guest rooms and a new dining spot, 703 bar + kitchen. Updates were made to all of the existing guest rooms and public spaces, as well as to the 9,000 square feet of meeting space.
Located in the heart of Southeast Virginia, Norfolk spans 144 miles of coastline and is home to the world's largest naval base and a distinguished art scene.
The New Waterside Dock, Norfolk's Original Waterside, is getting a makeover into a premier dining, retail, and entertainment district including a performance stage, craft brewery, and rooftop deck.
The Main is downtown Norfolk's new $147 million mixed-use entertainment, meeting, dining, and hotel destination, opening in 2017. It will feature a Hilton Hotel, The Exchange -- a 50,000-square-foot conference center, and three world-class dining venues.
On the eastern coast of the state, Virginia Beach's soft sands and ocean waves are only part of the draw; the destination offers a wide range of conference locations and first-rate hotels and resorts.
The Cavalier Hotel, built in 1927, is undergoing a $259 million renovation, scheduled for completion late this year as a five-star member of Marriott's Autograph Collection, with 90 guest rooms, an on-site bourbon distillery, a ballroom for events, and a full-service restaurant. The Cavalier's sister hotel on the oceanfront will be rebuilt and open in 2017 as the Oceanfront Marriott Hotel.
America's Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown offers hands-on history, theme parks, golf, arts, culture, fine dining, shopping, and evening entertainment. But despite its historic bona fides, Williamsburg is a destination for cutting-edge conferences, with over 2,000 guest rooms. Area meeting properties include the Doubletree by Hilton Williamsburg, with 53,000 square feet of meeting space, Clarion Hotel Historic District, Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge with 45,000 square feet of flexible space, Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites, and Kingsmill Resort with 20,000 square feet of meeting space.
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This article appears in the May 2016 issue of Successful Meetings.