The sales team at Visit Fairfax is hard at work promoting and selling Fairfax County as a prime meeting destination. From virtual tradeshows and virtual FAM tours to in-person conferences, events, and meetings, our sales managers are planning many exciting strategies to represent the great assets and businesses of Fairfax County.
Here is a snapshot of some upcoming events, activities, and appointments our sales team is working on. The team is always happy to share updates and notes from these events, so feel free to reach out at any time.
On the Associations/Reunions Side:
Dean Miller, our National Sales Manager in the Associations/Reunions markets, has been on the road at trade shows and seeking new leads for Fairfax County. Here are some recent updates:
We attended two trade shows in back-to-back weeks in February, in search of association leads. We started in New York City, at Connect NYC, where we met one-on-one with more than thirty planners over two days. Then we were off to Panama City Beach, FL for Rendezvous South, again meeting with more than thirty planners throughout the three-day show. (see photo) The latter show was particularly productive, and we came home with leads for three large association programs!- Along with our counterparts from five other Virginia DMOs, we hosted the Philadelphia chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) for their annual Educational Institute program. The six Virginia DMOs were the exclusive sponsors for this all-day event, which attracted more than 90 planners and industry professionals. (see photo)
- While in the Philadelphia area, we travelled across the Delaware River to New Jersey the following morning, where we hosted some locally-based HelmsBriscoe representatives for breakfast.
- On Saturday, March 29, Visit Fairfax was the exclusive sponsor of a two-hour virtual workshop for family reunion planners, hosted by the National Family Reunion Institute (NFRI). (www.nationalfamilyreunioninstitute.net) Sponsoring the workshop allowed us to promote Fairfax County is an ideal destination for family gatherings to more than 200 planners from around the country, and generated sixteen immediate requests for more information about Fairfax County!
We’ll head to Richmond, VA on April 7 and 8 for two full days of sales calls on sixteen Virginia state associations based in the metro Richmond area. Two of our great Fairfax County meeting hotels will make the trip with us!- May will see us travel to Roanoke, VA for the Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) annual conference. We’ll spend two days chatting with the executives and planners from more than 50 Virginia state associations in attendance.
- We’ll conclude May in Burlington, VT, at the Small & Boutique Meetings trade show event, where we’ll have one-on-one appointments with the planners for more than two dozen associations.
- And we’ll wrap up June in Lubbock, TX, for the annual Educational Summit put on by The Military Reunion Network. (Visit Fairfax played host to this conference in June of 2024) We’ll have appointments to chat with the planners for 25 military reunion groups about the advantages of coming to Fairfax County.
- Visit Fairfax President and CEO Barry Biggar and National Sales Manager Dean Miller attended the evening reception hosted by the Marriott Washington Dulles Suites on Wednesday, April 2, to celebrate the completion of the hotel’s recent top-to-bottom renovation.
On the Tour & Travel Side:
Lori Scott, our National and International Sales Manager, continues our efforts in the tour & travel market both domestically and internationally:
Stakeholder Spotlight:
We are excited to share that Red Robin is the newest partner to welcome motorcoaches to all of their Fairfax County locations and look forward to supporting them and sending groups to their locations for delicious Burgers and bottomless Fries!
Events & Happenings:
- Lori attended the American Bus Association's Marketplace in January, meeting with domestic Tour Planners and Tourism Partners, providing insight, updates, and inspiration for future visitation to Fairfax County!
- In April, Visit Fairfax proudly partnered with Brand USA on their Latin America MegaFAM, welcoming top travel planners and media representatives from Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. The group was genuinely impressed and excited by everything Fairfax County offers—from our rich history and cultural experiences to our diverse attractions and vibrant communities. Their enthusiasm was a testament to the strength of our destination and the warm hospitality they received throughout their visit. Visit Fairfax extends heartfelt thanks to our incredible partners listed below for your unwavering support of tourism in Fairfax County. Your dedication, hospitality, and commitment to showcasing what makes this region so special played a key role in leaving a lasting impression on these influential guests—and in reinforcing why Fairfax County is truly the place to be.
- Featured partners: Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center; The Winery at Bull Run; Earls Kitchen + Bar; Tysons Corner Center/Macerich; River Sea Chocolates; George Washington's Mount Vernon; Barrel & Bushel; and the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
- Visit Fairfax recently attended the 2025 India Sales Mission to New Delhi and Mumbai with Virginia Tourism Corporation, as well as representatives from Visit Williamsburg and Luray Caverns. The mission engaged 137 key travel trade decision makers and senior members from the media who showed interest in Virginia and allowed Visit Fairfax to build new relationships, gain meaningful insights on the emerging India market and to inspire product development.
In the News:
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Lori had the unique privilege of receiving an exclusive sneak peek and behind-the-scenes tour of the highly anticipated JW Marriott at Reston Station—and the experience did not disappoint. The property is buzzing with energy as the final stages of construction unfold, with noticeable progress happening almost minute by minute. Every corner of the site reflects the meticulous attention to detail and elevated design that the JW Marriott brand is known for, signaling the arrival of true luxury to the Reston area. From elegant interiors to thoughtfully curated amenities, the metamorphosis taking place is nothing short of remarkable. Scheduled to open in late summer, this stunning new addition to Fairfax County will not only enhance the region’s appeal to luxury travelers but also serve as a premier venue for meetings, events, and high-end leisure stays—making it a standout asset in our destination’s portfolio. -
Virginia Tourism Corporation is looking to expand its international marketing and is underway in planning its FY26 Marketing Plan. On May 1, Lori will be attending a meeting in Richmond to gain insight on new data source possibilities to help inform us and our stakeholders on international visitation in the future/
What's Next:
- Lori will be headed to Germany in May to meet with long-time partners and new planners during CRUSA’s International Sales Mission.
- In June, Lori will also be headed to IPW in Chicago, joining Virginia Tourism Corporation and other state partners throughout the region.
Opportunities for You:
- Are you looking to welcome more student groups? Our top market for this region is students and the demand for experiences, food, and hotels, in ever increasing. We can share insight and ways for you to capture this market.
- After the past several conferences, Visit Fairfax continues to receive requests from International Inbound Tour Operators and Receptive Operators for new hotel product. This is expanding with notice on Europe, India, and Latin America. If your hotel is interested in gaining new international group and FIT visitors let us know. We soon will be running campaigns with hotel third-party sellers so why not get ahead of the market and the promotions by securing a better rate with direct contracting.
- Do you have a luxury experience? Can you welcome groups of 2,000 or more? Call Lori as we venture into the international incentive market.
On the Sports & Corporate/Government Side:
Eric Kulczycky, our National Sales Manager in charge of the sports, government and corporate markets, has been working hard on furthering Visit Fairfax's foray into sports event tourism and also in the government and corporate landscape:
Upcoming Events/Activities:
2025 Sports Events & Tourism Association Symposium (April 14-17; Tulsa OK). One of the sports travel industry’s largest tradeshows, the Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA) Symposium generates lead opportunities through appointments with tournament organizers and decision-makers responsible for selecting destinations for state, regional, national, and international events. At the Symposium, Visit Fairfax will co-sponsor two client events: one through its partnership with the state’s sports tourism arm, Sports Virginia, and another through its SportsNOVA regional sports tourism alliance with Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford counties.
Past Events/Activities:
- 2025 USA Hockey National Championships – U16 Girls (Springfield/Ashburn, VA; April 2-6, 2025). Visit Fairfax and Visit Loudoun bid on and won the right to host the Under 16 Girls USA Hockey National Championships, which will be hosted at The St. James and the Ashburn Ice House in early April. The 28-team tournament is expected to attract approximately 1,500 players, coaches, managers, and family members to Northern Virginia over the five days of competition. For information about room block opportunities, please contact Eric Kulczycky.