ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2026
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E X E C U T I V E S U M M A RY The fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) was a time of transition, rebuilding and tremendous momentum for VisitNorfolk and Norfolk’s tourism industry. Throughout a period of change, our team remained focused on moving the organization and destination forward. I am especially grateful to Frank Reynolds, who stepped up to serve as Acting CEO, and to our Board of Directors for their leadership, stability and commitment throughout the year. The foundational work accomplished during this time has positioned VisitNorfolk for an exciting next chapter. This year also demonstrated what is possible when Norfolk works together. The continued growth of Cruise Norfolk strengthened our position as Virginia’s only cruise port and brought new visitors into our city throughout the year. We also joined communities across the Commonwealth in celebrating VA250, culminating in an extraordinary Sail250® Virginia weekend alongside Juneteenth and the 50th anniversary of Norfolk Harborfest. Together, these events showcased Norfolk on a remarkable scale and demonstrated the power of collaboration across our city, region and tourism industry. At VisitNorfolk, we were also building for what comes next. Our leadership team, Board and partners undertook an extensive strategic planning process that included community focus groups, stakeholder feedback and thoughtful conversations about the future of Norfolk’s visitor economy.
The result is a new strategic plan built around six imperatives that will guide our work, strengthen our partnerships and help ensure tourism continues creating value for our community. As I step into the role of President and CEO, I am grateful for the foundation built over the past year and incredibly excited about where we go from here. We enter this next chapter with a clear direction, strong partnerships and tremendous opportunity to tell Norfolk’s story, connect our community and build an even stronger visitor economy together.
– SARAH HUGHES President & CEO of VisitNorfolk
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ABOUT VISITNORFOLK OUR MISSION & VISION OUR MISSION: VisitNorfolk is dedicated to promoting Norfolk as the premier destination, providing unmatched experiences and amenities to both residents and visitors, while driving economic growth through heightened visitation and fostering community prosperity. VISION STATEMENT: Community prosperity through the vitality of the visitor economy. OUR PURPOSE: VisitNorfolk is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for the city of Norfolk. In this role, we: – Inspire both residents and visitors to visit Norfolk to enjoy our unique experiences and expansive amenities offered by our city partners. – Be the go-to resource for residents, visitors and partners on all happenings in the destination. – Provide community partners with the necessary tools and information to make their products and services competitive. – Serve as the liaison between partners and constituents that include tourism businesses, customers, local advocates and various government organizations. STRATEGIC PLAN: In May 2026, VisitNorfolk launched a transformative strategic plan developed in partnership with Clarity of Place. This plan marks a pivotal shift for our organization, moving us from a purely promotional entity into the strategic architect of a cohesive, navigable destination ecosystem. This framework is designed ensuring our city remains competitive in an increasingly crowded travel landscape, through six key imperatives:
Elevate Norfolk’s brand and Market Position
Drive Overnight Businesss and Length of Stay
Connect the Pearls: Link Districts, Experiences and the Waterfront
Build Community Pride & Tourism Awareness
Develop a Competitive Funding Model
Prepare the Organization for the Future
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D E S T I N AT I O N OV E R V I E W
WHY TOURISM MATTERS Representing the third largest economic driver for Norfolk, tourism continues to play an integral role in our economy. The industry employs 8,740 people, is responsible for $1.55 billion in total expenditures (up 2.9% YOY) and over $87.5 million in revenue for the city. This revenue generated by tourism amounts to a savings of $1,462 for every Norfolk household.*
8,740
$1.55B
Jobs in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector
$87.5MM Total Revenue for the City of Norfolk
Spent by Travelers
FISCAL YEAR 2026 HIGHLIGHTS Norfolk achieved exceptional growth this year, outpacing more sluggish performances across the region, state and nation. The city’s revenue per room topped $87— double the market average and 1.5x the state average, respectively, outpacing both the market and the state as a whole.
Room revenue generated $163.3MM - another record breaking year!
$150M
$100M
$50M FY2020
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FY2021
FY2022
FY2023
FY2024
FY2025
FY2026
DOMESTIC VISITOR SUMMARY* Norfolk saw domestic visitor gains in FY2026, with a 1.8% increase in Percentage of Overnight Visitors. Virginia once again gained traction as a Top Visitor DMA (up 7.5%), while other origin states and DMAs remained fairly consistent, save South Carolina edging out Maryland.
2.1 Days
82.6%
71.6%
Average Length of Stay
Overnight
Repeat
Top 10 Visitor Origin States
Top Visitor Origin DMAs
% share of total
Virginia
% share of total
Richmond, VA-Petersburg, VA
40%
North Carolina
16.6%
Washington, DC (Hagerstown, MD)
9.6%
9.4%
Pennsylvania
5.9%
Virginia Non-Metro Area
5.4%
Florida
4.4%
4.0%
New York - New Jersey
New York
3.8%
Philadelphia, PA
3.0%
Ohio
2.9%
Roanoke, VA
2.9%
New Jersey
2.7%
Charlotte, NC
1.9% 1.5%
Georgia
2.5%
Atlanta, GA
Texas
2.4%
Lynchburg, VA
1.3%
South Carolina
2.4%
Pittsburgh, PA
1.3%
Fiscal year 2026 was the fifth consecutive record year of passenger activity at Norfolk International Airport.
TRANSPORTATION SUMMARY
390,351
Cruise Passengers
5MM
Airport Travelers
217K+
Amtrak Ridership
* From July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026
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M A R K E T I N G & C O M M U N I CAT I O N S
EVOLUTION OF A CAMPAIGN
In FY2026, VisitNorfolk’s How Do You Say Norfolk? campaign entered its second year with a smarter engine—combining real-time travel-intent data, including AI-chat search behavior, with historical visitation and economic-impact data to concentrate media where audiences actually convert. The result: a 37:1 economic impact ROI (60% YoY lift), $27.2M in influenced visitor spending, 291,328 restaurant visits, $1.36M in local tax revenue and a US Travel Association ESTO Innovation Award Finalist nod.
37:1
$27.2MM
$1.36MM
Economic Impact ROI
Influenced Visitor Spending
Local Tax Revenue
MOBILE PASSES VisitNorfolk moved its digital pass platform in-house, gaining flexibility and cutting costs. The new system powers offers like Show Your Conference Badge and Show Your Cruise Boarding Pass, connecting visitors with exclusive savings at participating restaurants, hotels, attractions and retailers. In-house management lets VisitNorfolk launch promotions faster, deepen local business partnerships, and craft visitor experiences that drive exploration and support Norfolk’s tourism economy.
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BRAND NEW EVENTS CALENDAR This year, VisitNorfolk launched a redesigned online Events Calendar, making it easier for residents and visitors to discover everything happening across the city. With smart filters, marquee and featured events, and an intuitive experience, the calendar helps users quickly find experiences that match their interests—whether planning a trip or looking for something to do tonight. Showcasing thousands of events in one place, it strengthens trip planning and reinforces Norfolk’s reputation as a dynamic destination.
FPO Scan to check it out
WEBSITE VISITATION VisitNorfolk.com remains the city’s premiere website for events, local storytelling and trip planning. As Norfolk’s offerings expanded, so has the website’s usefulness to locals and prospective visitors alike.
BY THE NUMBERS:
TOP-VIEWED WEBSITE PAGES:
754K+ Total Visitors 877K Sessions 47.3% Engagement Rate
– EVENTS
– CRUISE NORFOLK (MAIN) – THINGS TO DO – HOMEPAGE – CRUISE NORFOLK SCHEDULE
eNewsletters In FY25, VisitNorfolk’s eNewsletter program reached 28,121 subscribers across 39 total distributions. The monthly Leisure Newsletter led with 12,709 recipients, followed by the quarterly M&C Newsletter with 6,197 recipients and the quarterly Mermaid Market Newsletter with 1,838 recipients. Additional distributions included MEAC, Annual Norfolk State of Tourism Meeting invitations and other targeted newsletters from the VisitNorfolk team.
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DIGITAL MEDIA GROWTH Social Media VisitNorfolk expanded to two new platforms, Pinterest and YouTube Shorts, to reach wider audiences. On established platforms, we gained 41,290 new followers, approximately 22% net growth year-overyear. Throughout the year, we collaborated with 94 partners and influencers to spotlight the small businesses and attractions tourists and residents are eager to discover. Overall, our efforts reached an engagement of 9,281,122 across all social media channels in FY26.
Campaign Spotlights Carnival cruise ship “Sunshine” – Earned an impressive 314K Facebook views Hermitage Museum & Garden’s “Burden of the Beast” exhibit – Earned 79.2K views and 10K interactions on Instagram.
History on Holiday Weekend in Norfolk
Rachel Kawate
48 Hours in Norfolk
Traveling Terry
Travel Bloggers Exchange: Sail250
PHILLY TAKEOVER VisitNorfolk joined the Virginia Tourism Corporation and five other Virginia destinations for the inaugural Philly Takeover, bringing Norfolk to one of the East Coast’s largest markets through a metro station takeover, digital advertising, media outreach and a Phillies game activation. The campaign built brand awareness while showcasing how easy it is for Philadelphia travelers to experience Norfolk and Virginia.
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NORFOLK VISITORS GUIDE Each year, the VisitNorfolk team produces Norfolk’s official Visitor Guide, showcasing the experiences, businesses and stories that make the city unique. The 2026 edition featured 27 advertisers, with 80,000 printed copies and 1,488 digital views. For the first time, the guide debuted two distinct covers highlighting different sides of Norfolk: one showcasing the city’s maritime identity with the American Rover and the other capturing its creative spirit with a glass artist at the Perry Glass Studio. Together, the covers celebrated Norfolk’s unique contrasts.
PUBLIC RELATIONS This year, VisitNorfolk focused on fortifying its international presence while maintaining strong regional relationships. We attended three major media marketplaces to build connections: TravMedia’s International Media Marketplace (networking with 20-30 writers), the Travel South USA Global Media Week (20-30 international writers), and the Travel Bloggers Exchange (60 writers and bloggers). Regionally, VisitNorfolk hosted creators from Richmond, Washington, D.C., and Norfolk, along with a creator visit from Chicago. These efforts helped build momentum for a FAM tour during Sail250® Virginia, which welcomed 10 writers and creators from the U.S. and Canada and generated strong social media engagement while expanding Norfolk’s national and international media connections.
“While Norfolk may be most known for housing the largest naval base in the world, the walkable waterfront city also boasts a vibrant downtown. With abundant opportunities for exploring historical attractions and artwork as well as shopping and dining, it’s an ideal destination for a long weekend or a mid-week getaway.”
“Norfolk is an influential destination with a story that starts more than 400 years ago, making it one of the oldest cities in the U.S. Meetings and events are nothing new here, but the destination is consistently developing to make sure groups have a new experience every time.”
– Jennifer Waldera (City Lifestyle Charlottesville)
– Taylor Smith (Meetings Today)
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SALES
SALES AT A GLANCE The VisitNorfolk Meetings & Conventions and Tour & Travel teams booked 154,606 definite room nights in FY26, exceeding their goal by finishing at 110%. These bookings generated $47.5 million in economic impact and supported 8,193 direct jobs. Strategic sales efforts, strong hotel partnerships, and continued growth in meetings, conventions, and group travel further strengthened Norfolk’s position as a premier waterfront destination.
$47.5MM
154,606
Economic Impact
Definite Room Nights
8,193
Hospitality Jobs Supported
TOP MARKETS, ROOM NIGHTS & LEADS The top markets for meetings and conventions bookings stem from athletic and sports groups, state associations and national associations. Athletic and Sports
#bookings: 11
National Association
#bookings: 12
State Association
#bookings: 12
5,272
Fraternal
#bookings: 6
5,110
Corporate
#bookings: 16
Association-Government, Public Administration
#bookings: 9
Federal Government
#bookings: 10
3,872
Regional Association
#bookings: 7
3,655
Military Reunions
#bookings: 14
Religious
#bookings: 7
Social
#bookings: 4
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4,594 4,177
2,515 2,459 2,000
1,483
State Government
#: 4
Education
#: 3
Industry
#: 1
1,100
Non-Profit
#: 2
982
Family Reunion
10
12,939 5,696
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1,154
509
Our top origin locations for meetings and conventions room nights included Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida! Total Room Nights
IT TAKES A WHOLE TEAM During FY26, VisitNorfolk expanded its national reach with the addition of an in-office Midwest Sales Manager. While the Meetings & Conventions team drives business across key markets nationwide, the Tour & Travel team cultivates relationships with tour operators, travel advisors, and the cruise market through customized itineraries, vacation packages, and the dedicated consumer website, inspiring extended stays and repeat visitation.
– 23 Sales Missions – 45 In-person Site Visits – 36 Industry Trade Shows, Meetings & Events – 2,168 Sales Appointments – 12,105 Prospecting Calls
154,606
Total Definite Room Nights Booked
54,717
99,889
Booked by Meetings and Conventions
Booked by Tour and Travel
TAKING NORFOLK ON THE ROAD See where the VisitNorfolk Sales team connected with clients and industry partners throughout FY26.
Ottawa, Canada
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Rita Matthews, Senior Sales Manager
Sherri Thadeus, National Account Manager
Donna Allen Sales Person of the Year Award
“Impact Maker” award from the Women In Hospitality & Events Network during Women’s History Month, celebrating her industry leadership, relationship-building, and continued impact within the hospitality community.
2025 Associate Member Award of Excellence, Virginia Society of Association Executives, recognizing her exceptional leadership, strong industry relationships, and commitment to advancing the association community throughout.
NOTABLE CONVENTIONS, FAMS, TATTOO & SAIL 250 GROUPS The VisitNorfolk sales team welcomed 58 attendees through targeted in-person and virtual Familiarization (FAM) tours designed to showcase Norfolk’s meeting facilities, hotels, attractions, and unique waterfront experiences to qualified planners in the meetings, AAA, and military reunion markets. In addition, the team hosted 108 groups totaling 4,422 attendees during the Virginia International Tattoo and 51 groups 1,820 attendees during Harborfest and Sail250, further strengthening Norfolk’s visibility as a premier destination for meetings and group travel.
PASSPORT TO FUN Our sales team continued to focus on promoting Norfolk’s Passport to Fun, which bundles admission to Norfolk’s top attractions alongside discounts towards additional entertainment and shopping.
2000 1000 500 0 FY2023
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FY2025
FY2026
CRUISE NORFOLK
OVERVIEW VisitNorfolk expanded its partnership with Nauticus and Cruise Norfolk to enhance the visitor experience through comprehensive digital resources. The dedicated cruise website continued to serve as a one-stop planning tool, featuring updated schedules, local events and festival information, FAQs, curated itineraries, and vacation packages that encourage passengers to extend their stay and explore Norfolk before or after their voyage. This reinforces Norfolk’s position as a premier year-round cruise homeport while driving increased visitation and economic impact for the destination.
$26MM+ Estimated Economic Impact**
2,970+
+
Room Nights booked through Cruise Hotel Packages*
4,868
+
Participants in Shore Excursions**
* From July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026
Website Traffic to the Cruise landing page grew by 53% YoY!
TURNING CRUISE PASSENGERS INTO NORFOLK VISITORS Our cruise package initiative created new opportunities to introduce cruise passengers to the best of Norfolk. In collaboration with Carnival, Cruise Norfolk, and local partners, VisitNorfolk connected travelers with exclusive offers and experiences across the destination, helping extend their stay, increase local spending, and showcase Norfolk as more than a port of call.
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DESTINATION EXPERIENCE
ENHANCING OUR SUPPORT The Destination Experience team continued bridging the gap between visiting planners and our local community, enriching attendee experiences while fueling economic vitality. In FY2026, the team serviced 196 groups, 26% growth year-over-year, including 43 repeat groups, reflecting strong satisfaction and confidence in Norfolk as a meeting destination. A key win was launching a specialized housing program for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), streamlining citywide hotel coordination. The team also supported the Norfolk Tourism Foundation’s Gourmet Golf Tournament fundraiser, mentored its fall and spring interns, and hosted FAM tours showcasing Norfolk’s venues and amenities, further reinforcing its position as a premier destination for events of all scales.
37,000+
Conference Attendees Welcomed
196
Groups Serviced
43
Repeat Groups
NOTABLE EVENTS & FAMILIARIZATION TOURS – Planned and Executed 3 in person FAM Tours: Hi Lite Hampton Roads FAM, Heritage FAM, and Meetings & Conventions FAM where clients enjoyed the Lion King Broadway performance – Planned and/or executed 5 special events including: VisitNorfolk & NTF Annual State of Tourism, NTF Golf Tournament, MEAC Mayor’s Reception, NATO Festival Parade Seating, and National Travel and Tourism Week – Attended monthly Downtown Construction and Coordination meeting to provide updates – Celebrated National Travel & Tourism Week by awarding 15 local hospitality recipients with “best-of” awards as our Champions of Hospitality 14
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VISITOR EXPERIENCE & MERMAID MARKET A WARM WELCOME The Visitor Center and Mermaid Market r eceived refreshed branding, boosting visibility, wayfinding, and curb appeal with new logos and bright window-facade graphics. Visitor Center staff assisted visitors and locals alike with curated recommendations for attractions, experiences and local restaurants / retailers, while the Mermaid Market offered Norfolk souvenirs and supported local vendor procurement.The Mobile Visitor Center traveled over 4700 miles and attended 124 events statewide, boosting destination visibility through festivals, parades and welcome center takeovers. VisitNorfolk also grew its Norfolk International Airport information desk partnership and collaborated with the Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance and Virginia Tourism Corporation on regional campaigns.
38,886
Visitors Welcomed
124
Events Attended
– 5,808 Airport Information Desk Visitors – 4,884 Cruise Passengers Greeted – 8,780 Main St Visitor Center Visitors
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$42,934
Mermaid Market Sales
– 9,750 Mobile Visitor Center Visitors – 4,711 Miles Traveled with Mobile Visitor Center – 50,000 City Guides Distributed
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PARTNER & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT VisitNorfolk strengthened its commitment to partners and the local community throughout FY2026 by building connections with those who live, work, invest and study in our city. We expanded tourism education through presentations to civic leagues, business associations and community leaders, helping residents understand tourism’s economic impact, cruise developments and destination resources. We increased visibility for local businesses by connecting them with marketing resources, highlighting artisans and small businesses across social channels, the Visitor Center and Mermaid Market, and incorporating locally owned restaurants and attractions into visitor itineraries while partnering with city government, universities, workforce organizations and civic associations to support residents and visitors alike.
448
VisitNorfolk staff attended/participated in 448 Community Engagement-Related events including business association meetings, civic league gatherings, and community group presentations.
FY26 VISITNORFOLK STAFF COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS: - Quarterly Adopt A Spot clean up of 21st Street through Keep Norfolk Beautiful
- Holiday Give-Back Service Project: VisitNorfolk, its Board of Directors, and the Norfolk Tourism Foundation Board collected non-perishable food donations for the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia, helping feed 189 families in our community
-G ave back to our military community by encouraging hotel partner participation in Operation Jingle, a program that affords Service Members the opportunity to spend the holiday with their loved ones by bringing a touch of home to them
- Earth Day community beach cleanup at Ocean View Beach Park and Community Beach Park, collecting bags of trash between the two parks and along the shoreline 16
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NORFOLK TOURISM FOUNDATION
The Norfolk Tourism Foundation (NTF), VisitNorfolk’s charitable nonprofit arm, shapes the future of Norfolk’s hospitality and tourism industry by investing in people, opportunity, and community impact. Since 2004, NTF has elevated tourism’s value across Norfolk and the region through workforce development, education, research, scholarships, and grants empowering the next generation of hospitality leaders. To date, NTF has awarded more than $70,000 in grants and scholarships to professionals and students pursuing careers in tourism, culinary arts, and hospitality.
Scan to learn more
CHAMPIONS OF HOSPITALITY AWARDS During 2026’s National Travel and Tourism Week, VisitNorfolk and the Norfolk Tourism Foundation proudly celebrated the individuals who serve as the face and heart of our city. The Champions of Hospitality Awards honor the dedicated professionals—both on the front lines and behind the scenes—whose commitment to excellence ensures every visitor experiences the warmth and vibrancy of Norfolk. This year marked a significant milestone with the introduction of the Lisa MacKenzie Customer Service Award. Created in memory of a cherished VisitNorfolk team member known for her unwavering kindness and passion for our city, this new honor recognizes those who carry forward her legacy of service. We also continued our tradition of presenting the Peter G. Decker, Jr. Hospitality Associate of the Year Award, highlighting leadership and an exceptional commitment to the hospitality industry.
2026 Champions of Hospitality Honorees: Jessica Franklin, St. Mary’s Home: Peter G. Decker, Jr. Hospitality Associate of the Year Dane Bohrer, Copy Connection: Lisa MacKenzie Customer Service Award
Champion of Hospitality Winners Candiss Cox, Supervisor at Norfolk Waterside Marriott
Noemie and Lola, La Brioche Counter Staff
Geoffrey Eppley, Virginia Zoo educators and guest engagement team
John Mark Tise, Host at Press 626
Mandy Lee, Director of Operations at Armed Forces Reunions
Carla Plummer, City of Norfolk Parking
Alayna Craig, Norfolk Admirals office
Wilbert Miller, Van Shuttle Driver at DoubleTree Norfolk Airport
The Slover Visitor Services & Events Team
Tina Swan, Sales Director at City Cruises
Nellie Clinkscales, Executive Housekeeper at Courtyard Downtown Norfolk
James Bongiovi, Police Officer at Norfolk Police Department
Monica Skinner, Dishwasher at Mermaid Winery
The SevenVenues Production Department
Tricia Hodges, Volunteer Coordinator at Norfolk Airport Authority
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FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
In FY26, revenue was derived from diverse sources, including the city outside agency fund, a $1 bed-tax per occupied hotel room, grants, co-op opportunities and partner contributions for initiatives like the annual City Guide and Celebration of Success. Expenses were allocated by each department to effectively support our organization’s goals and operations.
FY26
Revenue Resources
FY26
Year-end Expenses
Outside Agency Grant: $3,645,171 | 66.5%
Salaries & Benefits: $2,442,240 | 44.9%
$1 Bed Tax: $1,358,023 | 24.8%
Marketing & Public Relations: $1,450,453 | 26.7%
Partnerships & Co-ops: $293,485 | 5.4%
Sales & Services: $781,634 | 14.4%
City Guide Support: $79,800 | 1.5%
General Administration: $679,108 | 12.5%
Celebration of Success Support: $22,981 | 0.4%
Visitor Services & Mermaid Market: $86,606 | 1.6%
Mermaid Market Retail: $17,934 | 0.3% Other: $66,171 | 1.2%
TOTAL REVENUE: $5,483,565
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TOTAL EXPENSES: $5,440,041
MEET OUR TEAM
Community impact is an integral part of VisitNorfolk, driven by our core vision: fostering community prosperity through the vitality of the visitor economy. Our staff embodies the creative, diverse and can-do spirit of Norfolk, and we aren’t afraid to roll up our sleeves to prove it. Whether we’re clearing the sands at Ocean View Beach on Earth Day or maintaining our Adopt-a-Spot along W. 21st Street each quarter, our team is deeply invested in keeping our city on the water beautiful. Behind the scenes, our internal Fun Committee keeps the energy high, constantly finding new ways for our staff to participate in group outings, volunteer work and connect with the local causes we care about. We know we can’t do it alone, which is why we lean on strong partnerships with local businesses and organizations to maximize our reach. Through inclusivity and mutual trust, the team is committed to promoting Norfolk as a premier destination. By providing unmatched experiences and amenities, we’re driving economic growth while actively shaping Norfolk into a vibrant community everyone is proud to experience, whether they work here, visit or call it home.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE Sarah Hughes (President & CEO) Frank Reynolds (Chief Financial Officer) Shameka Watford (Human Resources Manager) Brionna Taylor (Accounting Manager) Jessica Kelly (Executive Assistant) MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS James Ball (Digital Content Manager) Paige Hawsey (Communications Manager) Valerie Mitchell (Marketing Relations Manager) Aubrey Hall (Graphic Design Specialist) Sara Fox (Social Media Specialist) DESTINATION EXPERIENCES Maria Herring (VP of Destination Experience) Heidi Brinker (Visitor Experience Manager) Catherine Williamson (Direction of Destination Experience) Jennifer Lopez (Senior Destination Services Manager) Christopher Stanford (Destination Experience Coordinator) Leah Hallwirth (Foundation & Destination Experience Coordinator) AnnaMarie Ames (Front Desk Advisor)
SALES TEAM Dawn Whittaker (Director of Sales) Rita P. Matthews (Senior Sales Manager) Vianetta Johnson (Sales Manager) Sherri Thadeus (National Account Manager) Melissa Hopper (Associate Director of Tour & Travel) Dana Howe (Consumer Sales Manager) Danielle Goodman (Sales Manager) Amy Maxwell (Sales Analyst) Lyddy Mendoza (Sales Assistant) VISITOR INFORMATION SPECIALISTS Deborah Breen, Trish Doherty, Mona Rhinehardt, Angela Cring, Evida Hutcheson, Justin Geonzon, Jessica Lilla, Courtney Hutcheson, Drea Adams, Kion Gilliam, Jessy Albrecht, Claire Parker, Clayton Maxwell, Olive Thompson
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THANK YOU TO OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS VISITNORFOLK BOARD
NORFOLK TOURISM FOUNDATION BOARD
Anne Thuma, Chair | Hampton Roads Chamber
Christian Conway, Chair | Dominion Enterprises
Omar Boukhriss, Vice Chair | Omar’s Carriage House
Kelsey Backe, Vice Chair | WHRO
Dianna Starkey, Secretary/Treasurer | Virginia Arts Festival
Barbara Smith, Treasurer | Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC
Jay Hardy Lang, Immediate Past Chair | WHOV
Sarah Hughes, Secretary | VisitNorfolk
Hon. Kenny Alexander, Ex Officio | City of Norfolk
Jack Ankerson, Chair Emeritus | Voice of Hampton Roads
Patrick Roberts, Ex Officio | City of Norfolk
Andrea Bear, Immediate Past Chair | Bear in Mind Strategies
LaVoris Pace, Ex Officio | City of Norfolk
Dr. Adale Martin | Norfolk School Board
Christian Conway, Ex Officio | Norfolk Tourism Foundation Chair
Dr. Barbara Blake Gonzalez | Old Dominion University
Ted Baroody, Ex Officio | Festevents
Bruce Watts | Woda Cooper Companies
Lacy Peterson, Ex Officio | VRLTA Norfolk Chapter Chair
Joshua Weinstein | Norfolk Tour Company
Ace Foster | U.S. Navy
Karla Smith | COVA Brewing Co.
Alexis Majied | Hampton Roads Transit
Matheau Hall | FUTBolr
Andrew Sinclair | Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Nealy Gihan | On Point Transportation PR
Ashley Grove Mars | Chrysler Museum of Art
Patricia Rawls | Community Volunteer
Bernardo Johnson | Bernardo’s Mens Wear
RADM Jack Kavanaugh | Freemason St.
Brandan Goodwin | Kaufman & Canoles, P.C.
Rafaelle Allen | Marathon Development Group
Brian Dell’Olio | ADP
Richard Diamonstein | Paramount Sleep
Carlington Barnett | Sheraton Norfolk Waterside
Terri Ruby | FVC Bank
Carlos Clanton | City of Norfolk
York “Kip” Poole | CROP Foundation
Chris Barco | Norfolk Botanical Garden Chris Jones | Norfolk Airport Authority Georgie Marquez | Andre + Marquez Architects, INC. Holly Dalby | AAA Tidewater Virginia Jack Ankerson | Voice of Hampton Roads Jenny Crittenden | Retail Alliance Jessica Trotman | Mahoney & Richmond, PLLC Jim Carroll | Community Volunteer Joey Weinberg | Towne Wealth Management Jon Lykins | Hilton Norfolk The Main Lindsey Janssen | Hotel Industry, BBL Hospitality Marty Miller | Norfolk State University Patrick Edwards | Stockpot Rob Henson | SevenVenues Shannon Allen | BHHS Towne Realty Stephen Kirkland | Nauticus
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