The Virginia Beach oceanfront includes a three-mile boardwalk, as well as bars and restaurants with great views. Courtesy Photo

From thriving metropolitan areas to quaint fishing villages to quiet mountain towns, Virginia has made a name for itself as a memorable location for corporate events and meetings of all types.

According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the commonwealth features state-of-the-art venues and desirable destinations — everything from vibrant city centers to sparkling nature retreats. Planners will also have a variety of accommodation options, ranging from affordable to luxury, and a framework for successful events. The state is also centrally located and easily accessible via nine commercial airports, Amtrak and a major highway system.

Virginia is an incredibly versatile destination for corporate planners, offering a variety of meeting and event venues across its regions. Northern Virginia provides proximity to Washington, D.C., with world-class conference facilities and luxury hotels, while Coastal Virginia boasts beautiful waterfront venues ideal for retreats, and the Blue Ridge Mountains offer scenic locations perfect for team-building and leadership workshops.

Corporate meeting and incentive groups can explore the majesty of Virginia’s exciting attractions — including unique chef-owned restaurants, award-winning wineries, outdoor adventure experiences and fascinating historical attractions.

The state’s rich history, paired with modern amenities, creates a compelling mix for attendees. With a focus on sustainability and a growing roster of innovative locations and experiences, Virginia offers something for every type of corporate event.

Virginia Beach

As the state’s premier beach destination, Virginia Beach offers year-round amenities and experiences that keep corporate event attendees coming back for more. Considered a resort area by many, it boasts more than 38 miles of beaches (a three-mile-long boardwalk is the hub of activity), as well as charming shops, wildlife refuges and an ample array of activities to keep attendees entertained.

Sally Noona, CMP, director of convention sales at Virginia Beach CVB, was recently reading the 2025 forecasts for meetings and events in the various trades, and she notes that Virginia Beach’s offerings are hitting on many points. From its rich natural coastal offerings to its wide array of accommodations, to its amazing opportunities to blend business with pleasure, Virginia Beach should be on everyone’s list. Not to mention that it is accessible and affordable, too.

“Corporate event planners who need to try something new — but not too far away from those strategic populations — should look to Virginia Beach,” Noona says. “We are within a day’s drive to over two-third of the nation’s population and have many direct flights to most major cities. [Also], our hotel and convention center venues are only 10 to 20 minutes, respectively, from Norfolk International Airport and Amtrak’s train station. So getting here is a breeze, and incorporating some extra time to renew or explore is definitely a great trend for any Virginia Beach delegates.”

For bigger corporate events, the Virginia Beach Convention Center is ideal and, as a LEED Gold venue it offers true sustainability. Far more than just a box with docks, this coastally inspired building features a soaring glass construction, providing a learning environment drenched in natural light.

“The center’s layout is simple and easy to navigate, and it is located in the ViBe District — putting it within walking distance of art, entertainment and the oceanfront,” Noona says. “A variety of venues, locations and amenities are at one’s fingertips in Virginia Beach. Allow our hospitality professionals at the Convention & Visitors Bureau to assist you in finding the right match for the meeting vibe you need. We have resort, urban and retreat settings and look forward to sharing the many opportunities available in Virginia Beach.”

Arlington and Northern Virginia

Located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Arlington is home to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Made up of diverse and walkable neighborhoods, the city also offers an international dining experience and a focus on sustainability — two attributes much sought after by corporate event planners.

Portia Conerly, CTIS, CDTP, is director of sales at the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service. She explains that, in addition to having nearly 40 hotels with rates typically lower than those in downtown Washington, D.C., Arlington also features more than 20 additional venues to host off-site corporate meetings and special events, as well as teambuilding and wellness activities and volunteer opportunities in the community.

According to the Arlington Convention & Visitors Service, in spring 2025, the Crystal City Marriott Hotel will become the AC by Marriott at National Landing. Then, in late fall, the city will see the grand opening of the Hilton at the Key, Arlington-Rosslyn. In addition, a new meeting facility at National Landing will include conference rooms of varying sizes, including meeting space for up to 300 people.

As founder and corporate event planner at the Toplandi Group, Carolynne Broomhead has been in the corporate meetings and events industry for years and is very knowledgeable when it comes to planning events of all sizes, especially in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland.

“I’ve been in business for about 10 years with my company, the Toplandi Group, based in Gaithersburg, MD,” Broomhead says. “I support about 25 clients, organizing everything from small-scale board meetings to annual sales kickoffs and annual membership meetings. Recently, I organized several high-level recruiting meetings in Arlington — about 10 in the past year — for the large corporations that I represent.”

For these meetings, the task involved organizing travel and overnight accommodations for attendees, travel to and from the interview and space for the corporation to conduct the interviews. Attendees often request recommendations for restaurants, nightlife and attractions while visiting the area.

“Arlington … provides a convenient and cost-effective option for these meetings and events,” Broomhead says. “Many of the Arlington hotels offer complimentary shuttle transportation, which saves the cost and hassle of renting a car for attendees, ordering a rideshare or using the metro — which can be especially challenging for first-time visitors. Some of our board and interviewees are coming in from all over the country, and we find Arlington to be a more approachable destination over D.C., which can be overwhelming and, at times, challenging to navigate.”

Broomhead’s corporate event clients recently favored the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for their meetings.

“The space has just been renovated. It’s in a great location and there are several other hotels close by, should we have need of an overflow hotel,” Broomhead says. “We’ve also used the Crown Plaza Crystal City and had a great experience.”

Small Conferences LLC, owned by event planner Robert Kraus, specializes in creating experiences for corporate events of up to 1,000 attendees.

“We understand the vital role that events play in furthering a corporation’s mission,” says Kraus.

According to the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service, one of Virginia’s biggest “draws” for corporate events is ease of travel — especially for Northern Virginia, which has two world-class airports: Reagan Washington National & Dulles International. According to NonstopFrom.com, Reagan airport offers nonstop connections to 97 domestic destinations while Dulles offers 76.

“This means you can get to Northern Virginia from practically anywhere in the U.S. without changing planes,” Kraus says.

Outside of Northern Virginia, both Norfolk and Richmond serve more than 33 nonstop domestic destinations each. Additionally, Virginia in general is within an easy four- to six-hour drive of multiple major cities including New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charlotte, Columbus and Pittsburgh.

Recently, Kraus orchestrated the USInvestor.org Second Annual Conference with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) at the Westin Alexandria Old Town-Marriott. Over 125 inventors, business leaders, lawyers and advocates gathered for the event at the Westin, which was chosen because of its proximity to the USPTO.

“The overall costs in Virginia, including taxes, tend to be less than many other areas known for conferences and business meetings,” Kraus says. “In particular, because it is a non-union state we find that pricing, especially for food and beverage or technology, along with room rates, can be up to 20% less than even nearby places like Washington, D.C., or Baltimore.”

The Omni Homestead, in Hot Springs, VA, underwent a $170M renovation. Courtesy Photo

Richmond

As the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond is teeming with history around every bend. This vibrant, evolving city is home to a wealth of venues that are ideal options for corporate events, board meetings and conferences.

According to the Richmond CVB, Visit Richmond, the region offers a perfect blend of historical charm and modern amenities, making it an attractive destination for corporate event planners. The area boasts a diverse range of meeting spaces, from state-of-the-art conference centers to unique, character-filled venues such as renovated warehouses and historic sites. Plus, its central location on the East Coast provides easy accessibility, with major highways, Amtrak service and Richmond International Airport providing connections to major cities.

Additionally, Richmond’s thriving culinary scene, vibrant arts community and walkable downtown areas provide attendees with plenty of options for dining, networking and unwinding after meetings.

Richmond also continues to expand its offerings for corporate events, with several notable developments enhancing its appeal. A significant addition is the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center in Chesterfield County, projected to open in late 2027. Developed by Shamin Hotels as part of the Springline at District 60 mixed-use development, this 12-story, full-service Hilton will feature more than 275 rooms and more than 30,000 sf of meeting space, including a 12,600-sf ballroom. This project will address a gap in Chesterfield’s event space, providing a premier venue for large-scale corporate events and business travelers.

Additionally, the Allianz Amphitheater, opening in summer 2025, will provide a state-of-the-art venue for live performances, with the James River skyline as a backdrop, offering unique opportunities for corporate gatherings. Looking even further ahead, CarMax Park, the future home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, is set to open in 2026, adding a dynamic venue for corporate outings and events close to downtown.

These developments, along with cultural attractions such as the expanded Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, enhance the Richmond area’s appeal as a premier destination for corporate meetings and events. And the vibrant craft beverage scene — which features numerous breweries, cideries and distilleries and includes the nation’s only Mimosa Trail — also offers exceptional spaces for team-building and networking events, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.

Richmond offers an irresistible blend of responsiveness, affordability and cultural charm that continues to captivate corporate event planners. One of the city’s most compelling draws is its affordability as a tier-two destination. Corporate planners consistently emphasized the ability to stretch their budgets without sacrificing either quality or the all-important “cool” factor that elevates an event from ordinary to unforgettable.

The city’s cultural diversity and storied history further set it apart, as corporate event attendees are immersed in a destination that appeals to a variety of interests. According to Visit Richmond, planners often describe Richmond as a “smaller destination, but rich in character” — a place that offers the best of both worlds: the charm and accessibility of a smaller city paired with the dynamic offerings of a larger urban hub.

West of Richmond, in Hot Springs, VA, the much-celebrated Omni Homestead Resort completed a $170 million renovation, restoring the historic charm to a venue that has been welcoming business and corporate attendees for over 250 years.

The improvements to this Allegheny Mountain retreat included breathing new life into its awe-inspiring Great Hall, as well as its guest rooms and warm spring pools. Here, corporate attendees can truly get away from it all and enjoy the resort’s challenging yet stunning golf courses and refreshing waterpark. Of course, no meeting attendee should avoid pampering themselves at The Spa — a haven for “all things rejuvenating” at the Omni Homestead Resort & Spa. C&IT