Virginia Tourism Corporation

The VTC team was delighted to join Shamin Hotels CEO Neil Amin, Virginia Secretary of Commerce & Trade Carrie Chenery, Mayor Danny TK Avula, Councilmember Katherine Jordan, and Richmond community leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new AC Hotels and Residence Inn Richmond Scott’s Addition yesterday afternoon. This dual-branded Marriott hotel development represents a major investment in Richmond’s hospitality infrastructure, adding new lodging, meeting space, dining, and community amenities to the rapidly evolving Scott’s Addition neighborhood while further enhancing the visitor experience. The more than $100 million project will feature a 133-room AC Hotels and a 120-suite Residence Inn, along with a rooftop restaurant and bar, a ground-floor restaurant, a second-floor terrace, and a 10,000-square-foot ballroom. As the first project in the City of Richmond to utilize the Commonwealth’s Tourism Development Financing Program (TDFP), this development also highlights the powerful role tourism investment can play in driving economic growth, revitalization, and long-term community impact across Virginia. We are proud to celebrate this exciting beginning and look forward to watching this transformative project take shape and make a lasting impact on Richmond and the Commonwealth for years to come!

FY27 VTC Partner Co-op Coming Soon! Don't miss our informational webinar to learn about VTC's upcoming FY27 Co-op. Join us on May 27th at 1:00 PM to hear about exciting new programs, revamped offerings, and more! The FY27 Co-op Program will officially launch on July 1, 2026. Sign up for the webinar at the link in the comments.

Congratulations to Danish Saadat, our National Sales & Marketing Manager, on earning his Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) certificate at the recent Sports ETA Symposium in Las Vegas! The STS designation is a respected, industry-recognized professional certification offered through Sports ETA’s Sports Tourism Learning Institute. To earn the certification, participants must complete a rigorous series of professional development courses and industry training credits, with ongoing annual continuing education required to maintain the designation. We’re proud to celebrate Danish’s commitment to professional growth and his dedication to advancing sports tourism in Virginia. Way to go, Danish! 🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations to Dan Roberts, our Vice President of Research & Strategy, for being honored last week at the Virginia Business 2026 Forty Under 40 Awards reception! VTC executive leadership and staff joined in to celebrate Dan as he received this well-deserved recognition. His thoughtful leadership, passion for data-driven strategy, and ability to turn insights into action continue to make a tremendous impact on our work at VTC and across Virginia’s tourism industry. Way to go, Dan! 🎉🎉🎉 Check out Dan's Virginia Business profile: https://lnkd.in/erVUcuqW

📢 We're Hiring! 📢 VTC is currently seeking a Brand Operations Manager to drive the operational effectiveness of our Brand team. This position will ensure that marketing initiatives, campaigns, and partnerships are executed seamlessly by owning workflows, coordinating cross-functional efforts, and serving as a central point of connection between internal teams, agency partners, and industry stakeholders. Application deadline: May 22, 2026 Learn more about the role and apply here: https://lnkd.in/e-9bXTxW

Every trip tells a story, and every visit leaves a lasting mark. As National Travel and Tourism Week starts to wind down, we’re proud to continue highlighting the impact of tourism across Virginia. Tourism is an essential driver of Virginia’s economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, generating billions in visitor spending, and delivering critical revenue that strengthens communities across the Commonwealth. Take a look back at Virginia’s record-breaking 2024 tourism impact (and stay tuned for 2025 numbers once we receive that data later this summer). We are grateful to our many partners and industry professionals in every corner of the Commonwealth whose efforts help drive this success! #NTTW26

To celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced that more than $2.2 million in matching grant and sponsorship funds will be awarded to 143 local tourism programs. The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC)’s Marketing Leverage and Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) Marketing Programs pair local marketing investments with matching state funds to support Virginia’s tourism industry, extend overnight stays, and encourage visitors to spend more across the Commonwealth. Local partners will commit $4.3 million to match the VTC grant funds, generating $6.5 million in new marketing and event production initiatives. In total, these awards will impact 858 localities, businesses, organizations that partner with VTC to encourage statewide tourism. VTC’s tourism marketing and sponsorship programs are designed to maximize limited marketing dollars through public-private partnerships, stimulate new tourism promotion initiatives, and extend the iconic Virginia is for Lovers brand. See the list of funding recipients here: https://lnkd.in/ewVs-xbZ Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/ewajvf8z

Happy Global Meetings Industry Day!   Today, we join colleagues around the world in celebration of #GMID2026, an international day of advocacy showcasing the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to individuals, local businesses, and communities. Ready to plan your next meeting in Virginia? Get started here: https://lnkd.in/egSvSj6Y #MeetingsMatter

Tourism is essential, and so is the work behind it. During #NTTW26, we’re not just celebrating travel, we’re shaping its future. Today, we’re pleased to highlight the recent launch of Virginia’s Statewide Strategic Tourism Plan 2026–2029. This roadmap outlines a clear path to strengthen our competitive edge, grow visitation, and support communities across the Commonwealth. Regional plans are now available, giving our industry partners the tools to align efforts, identify opportunities, and drive impact locally. Explore the full plan here: https://lnkd.in/e8XrZPrf

Happy National Travel and Tourism Week! To kick off #NTTW26 and highlight the essential role travel plays in driving economic impact, supporting jobs, and strengthening communities across the Commonwealth, VTC President & CEO Rita McClenny penned a powerful op-ed in this week's Richmond Times-Dispatch. "'Postmarked Essential:' The lasting impact of travel in Virginia" underscores that travel is not optional, it is vital to our economy, workforce, and way of life. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/e6DPXVdK