Virginia Tourism Corporation

🌻 Opportunity to "flourish" ahead! 🌻 The Virginia Association of Destination Marketing Organizations (VADMO) has launched a new tourism leadership credentialing initiative in partnership with the Virginia Tourism Corporation. The VADMO Tourism Leadership Institute (VTLI) is a program for industry professionals who want to advance their careers by learning to blend their knowledge, skills and abilities with leadership theory and business strategy. Focus areas of the program include leadership, communication, advocacy, community development, finance, and management. Graduation from the program will allow participants to earn a Certified Virginia Tourism Professional (CVTP) accreditation.   VTLI is a one-year program that will include four required, in-person sessions and a Tourism Impact Project as part of the certification process. Sessions will be held in four different regions across the Commonwealth. The course work is designed to move participants toward earning an industry credential with a planned recertification process. The application deadline has been extended to August 15, 2024. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/e9ysPbwk

Happy Virginia Intern Day to our outstanding 2024 VTC/VEDP Summer Intern Cohort! These top-notch undergrad and graduate students have been working hard for the Commonwealth this summer, but we made sure they also got to have some fun, local experiences outside of the office. From a Richmond Flying Squirrels game and a Virginia State Capitol tour, to learning about operations at VTC's East Coast Gateway Welcome Center and getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the horse barn at Colonial Downs, this group enjoyed a few of the Richmond region's tourist attractions firsthand. We look forward to their final project presentations during next week's Internship Showcase. Thank you, interns, for a job well done!

We love seeing so many Virginia gems featured in this Vogue article of the most charming weekend getaways from Washington, DC. There's still plenty of time to soak up the summer vibes with a last-minute Virginia vacation to one of these delightful destinations. Visit Bath VA Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau Visit Loudoun Washington, VA

Today, we are excited to debut the third season of our popular video web series "My Home Virginia." My Home Virginia Season 3 episodes feature Virginia’s pivotal role in the lives of local athletes. This season, meet Keira D'Amato, a world-champion marathon runner training for the Olympic trials; Jon Lugbill, a former watersport world champion reshaping his hometown’s sports scene; and Nicola Cranmer, coach of the dominant US Women’s Cycling team and new Roanoke resident. My Home Virginia is a narrative-driven video series that follows prominent Virginia-based personalities to the beautiful places they love and are inspired to call home, no matter how far across the world their travels may take them. Each episode captures an individual’s passion through beautiful visuals that inspire, uplift, and evoke feelings of awe. Virginia welcomes thousands of visitors each year, drawing travelers to its scenic beaches, storied mountains, lively cities and towns, and pastoral landscapes to discover all there is to love about the Commonwealth. But, as they say, “Home is where the heart is,” and Virginia’s charms are most evident to those who call it home. My Home Virginia is a tribute to what makes Virginia so special. Watch My Home Virginia Season 3 here: https://lnkd.in/eD-CfNJV

As the largest estuary in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay supports a diverse ecosystem that includes thousands of fish and plant species, as well as about 18 million people who live along the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Put simply, the Bay impacts every aspect of life for Virginians, from the water we drink and the food we eat to the very air we breathe. The Chesapeake Bay is also an incredible spot to relax and play during a Virginia vacation. Check out our latest blog post to learn about this amazing coastal waterway and discover why the Chesapeake Bay is a top Mid-Atlantic vacation destination. The Complete Guide to Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay: https://lnkd.in/ekdz8e7k

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has launched a special grant program to prepare historic landmarks and history museums in Virginia for visitors in 2026, which will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. DHR will administer the $20,000,000 state funds for historic preservation projects across the Commonwealth. "The Virginia 250 Preservation Fund is critical to ensuring that Virginia is prepared to host millions of Americans for the semiquincentennial celebration of our glorious history. As home to Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Patrick Henry and the Battle of Hampton to the Siege of Yorktown, Virginia was at the forefront of our history. Bolstering our historic sites and museums will not only encourage and aid tourism, it is our responsibility as stewards of American history,” Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a press release today. Read the rest of the announcement here: https://lnkd.in/eNUi5e8j The preapplication for the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund program closes August 30. Projects need not be limited to properties related to the American Revolution to apply. DHR invites all historic sites or museums that meet the requirements to apply. History museums in non-historic buildings are also eligible for funding, but priority will be given to projects featuring properties listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR) and/or the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), properties designated as a National Historic Landmark (NHL), or properties determined eligible for any such listing by the Department. Find more information and updates regarding the program or fill out a preapplication here: https://lnkd.in/eCJ5CyVK VA250 Commission

We are delighted to share that Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is the newest Global Partner of The Solheim Cup. The Solheim Cup is the biennial international match-play competition showcasing the best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour against the top European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET). From Sept. 10-15, 2024, twenty-four of the world’s best golfers will take to Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Prince William County for a chance to claim the most prestigious team title in women’s golf. Along with our Global Partnership of the Solheim Cup, VTC will be the Presenting Sponsor of The Solheim Cup Opening Ceremony, which will celebrate the U.S. and European teams and the excitement that will unfold over the three days of competition. A family-friendly concert will immediately follow the Opening Ceremony, with the award-winning performer to be announced in the coming weeks. We are excited for this wonderful opportunity to showcase our iconic Virginia is For Lovers brand on the global stage. As events like The Solheim Cup draw worldwide attention to our best-in-class golf offerings, we know that more visitors from around the world will look to book a tee time in Virginia on their next visit to the U.S. Read the official announcement from today's press event here: https://lnkd.in/eQ9Ms69q

Congratulations to Visit Fairfax (Fairfax County, VA) as the DMO celebrates 20 years of supporting and growing tourism in Fairfax County. Visitors come from around the globe to enjoy the myriad of experiences in the destination, from Founding Fathers' estates and Smithsonian museums to National Parks and cultural institutions. Tourism in Fairfax County annually drives more than $3 billion in economic impact. Cheers to an impressive 20 years and we look forward to what's ahead for the next twenty and beyond! 🎉

Virginia is #1!!! 🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations to The Omni Homestead for taking the #1 spot for Best Hot Springs in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards! The Warm Springs Pools at The Omni Homestead Resort are located on the site of the country's first-ever spa structure: an octagonal stone basin built in 1761. Today, visitors can step back in time and relax inside the restored 19th-century Ladies' and Gentlemen's bathhouses that have swimsuit-optional, gender-specific soaking times, as well as specific time slots for families and adult co-ed soaks. https://lnkd.in/dUEVUXaY