Virginia Beach is home to adventure and ample meeting space
Virginia Beach is a destination designed for exploration and entertainment. The destination is home to a premier convention center and diverse hotel properties, as well as a wide array of adventures for your group to engage in.
Meet in Virginia Beach
The Virginia Beach Convention Center was the United States’ first convention center to earn LEED Gold certification as an existing building, showcasing its commitment to being an eco-friendly venue and pushing forward green initiatives such as recycling, energy and waste reduction, and water efficiency. The more than 500,000-square-foot convention center is replete with modern decor and plenty of natural light. It doesn’t stop there. The convention center is surrounded by several luxurious properties.
The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, Autograph Collection features 85 recently remodeled, distinctive guest rooms and suites. The property also features a luxury spa, the nation’s only on-site distillery, Tarnished Truth Distilling Company (which hosts tours, tastings, and private events), three restaurants, a resort-style pool, access to a secluded beach, and 9,885 sq. ft. of meeting space across eight rooms.
The Historic Cavalier Hotel is connected to Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort and Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort at the Boardwalk’s north end, so there’s even more space for business to get done.
The 289-room Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront provides grand views of the Atlantic Ocean from its 7,140-square-foot Peacock Ballroom, part of its overall 10,050 sq. ft. of meeting space. Attendees can also find amazing views on Hilton Virginia Beach’s 21st floor, home to, Catch 31 Fish House and Bar, and an infinity pool.
Also, on the property’s 21st floor are unique experiences such as Sky Bar, home to Virginia Beach’s only rooftop nightclub, which is open Thursday to Sunday between May and September and free for hotel guests. Sky Bar is also the place to go for the destination’s only rooftop Igloo Lounges between November and March. This exclusive experience includes a private server, delicious food and cocktails.
Adventure in Virginia Beach
Whether on water or land, as a spectator or participant, there are plenty of ways to get into the action in this outdoor-focused community.
Water Adventures
Rudee Tours offers two-hour whale-watching tours narrated by experienced naturalists and researchers. Although the highlight of the tour is spotting humpback whales, attendees may also catch sight of dolphins, seals and seabirds. The boats feature a snack bar, full bar, heated indoor cabin, and upper deck, which lends perfect view for seeing of wildlife.
Patriotic Excursions offers several types of on-the-water experiences, including Special Ops simulations, dolphin-watching tours, fishing and military appreciation tours.
The Oyster Farm Tours at Pleasure House Oysters take small groups on exploratory team-building activities on the Lynnhaven River. Guests can experience life on the water through three different boat tours: Chef’s Table Tour, Tasting Tour and Waterman Tour.
In the Chef’s Table Tour, up to seven guests can enjoy lunch or dinner while standing in the Lynnhaven River and sampling Lynnhaven Oysters pulled from their surroundings. While eating, guests will be able to explore the oyster farm, handle farming gear, pick up oysters and learn about the nature around them. The Tasting Tour is designed for up to 14 people. The Waterman Tour gets a little more hands-on, getting up to 14 guests knee-deep in the Lynnhaven River, exploring the farm and picking up oysters, as well as crabs, eels and fish pots (when they’re in season).
Adventures on Land
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, one of the city’s top attractions, gets group members up close to the animals that live there. In addition to offering boat tours, the aquarium also offers behind-the-scenes tours, demonstrating what isn’t seen in the facility’s public spaces, as well as how the staff cares for its Komodo dragons, sea turtles, sharks and rays.
Climbing and ziplining adventures await at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium. The Adventure Park, with its 17 treetop trails, more than 258 treetop platforms and 33 zip lines, is the perfect place for a day of thrills and team-building.
Groups can fly in a controlled environment at iFly, which features state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnels that produce a skydiving sensation. Meeting attendees can buy out the entire venue for large groups or rent out part of the facility.
