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 kicked off March at the Rendezvous South trade show event in Myrtle Beach, SC, where we partnered with Visit Hampton to spread the good news about meeting in Virginia.  As part of the festivities, we played a fun game with the assembled planners and suppliers, giving them an opportunity to win “Virginia Is For Lovers” tee shirts. 
  • March also saw us at the FLEX (Fairfax Loudoun Event Executives) breakfast meeting at the Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center.  Visit Fairfax assisted FLEX in bringing this meeting to the hotel.
  • In April, Visit Fairfax was the exclusive sponsor of a two-hour virtual family reunion seminar hosted by the National Family Reunion Institute (NFRI).  During the seminar, we showcased Fairfax County as an ideal family reunion destination to more than 100 reunion planners from around the country.
  • April also saw us in Richmond, VA, for two days of sales calls with Virginia state association planners. 
  • In May, we’ll travel to Williamsburg, VA, for the Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) Annual Conference.  We’ll meet with more than 50 state association executives and planners over the course of the conference.
  • And in June, we’ll be in Toledo, OH for the annual Educational Summit of The Military Reunion Network (TMRN). We’ll meet one-on-one with 30 military reunion planners over the course of three days.

AND, in case you missed it, we will be bidding farewell to our colleague Dean Miller as he sets off into retirement after 35 amazing years in the Fairfax County hospitality industry. Congratulations, Dean! We will miss you!


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:


Did You Know?

  • Did you know that in 2024, the Group Tour/Motorcoach Market generated the largest economic impact of any jurisdiction in Virginia for Fairfax County, totaling $1,014,020,098 and supporting 5,786 jobs, thus showing the importance it holds in our region and across the state?


Stakeholder Spotlight!

Visit Fairfax is proud to spotlight our partners, who reflect Fairfax County’s ongoing commitment to creating memorable, high-quality experiences for the group market.

  • We’re excited to highlight Red Robin Restaurants as one of our newest stakeholders to welcome the tour group market, now offering group-friendly menus and accommodations across their three Fairfax County locations.
  • We’re also proud to recognize Mark Phillips of The Magic Duel, who now performs regularly at Crescendo Studios for tour groups as well as through partnerships with many Fairfax County hotels, where Mark brings unforgettable entertainment experiences that delight any and all groups.

Events and Happenings:

  • During the last week of January, Lori took part in Destination DC’s Global Marketing Outlook Meeting, joining countless state and regional partners involved and invested in international tourism and marketing initiatives to the region with partners coming from Maryland, DC, and Virginia. The session included statistics and updates on global markets, trends, updates from top organizations, including Brand USA and US Travel Association, in addition to updates and presentations from key regional partners, including MWAA.
  • Through Lori’s international initiatives, Fairfax County has secured a place on Brand USA’s America the Beautiful consumer and trade website. This global platform reaches international leisure travelers and travel professionals, positioning the county as part of the broader U.S. tourism narrative. By being featured, Fairfax County gains increased visibility among long-haul travelers, helping to inspire and educate audiences as they research and plan extended vacations to the United States using marketed suggestions while supported and enhanced by AI technology.
  • Through those same international initiatives, Lori launched a seasonal digital Optimized Global Campaign in the UK, through a partnership with Brand USA and Booking.com, to promote Fairfax County and to employ new channels to achieve awareness, intent and conversion for specific hotels in Fairfax County.
  • In late February, Lori partnered with Virginia State Tourism to conduct an in-market Sales Mission to London to meet with existing and potential trade-related organizations.
  • In March, Lori returned to the UK for the annual UNITE Conference, partnering with Baltimore, to conduct one-on-one appointments with planners and agencies to educate and inspire them on the region and the unique experiences and opportunities available for their clients and itineraries. Additionally, Lori partnered with Baltimore and Annapolis to host a cocktail reception and dinner event for key strategic partners and clients, demonstrating the region’s partnerships and appreciation for the business they bring into our shared region.
  • In February and March, Lori continued to partner with third-party receptive/buyers who are sourcing new properties outside of Washington, DC. She worked to increase overall hotel inventory for the European Markets. In addition, Lori conducted two courses with Sales Directors and Revenue Managers during the period to provide education and connection with top-revenue-producing third-parties specific to Fairfax County. *Note: If you would like to learn more about how to partner with these buyers during this period of hotel inventory requests, please contact Lori Scott.
  • In early March, Lori hosted a Familiarization Tour for Scholastica Tours, where the company and its CEO met with the team at George Washington’s Mount Vernon for a preview and update of the renovations and reopening of the mansion and education center, a tour of the National Museum of the United States Army, and were introduced to Fairfax County’s newest group dining provider, Red Robin Restaurants. Thank you to all three partners for their partnership and support for these FAMs.​
  • In April, Lori met with planners and agents across Germany to educate and inspire them on all Fairfax County has to offer their clients and travelers. Visit Fairfax's communications and marketing manager Ali Morris also attended the media track to meet with journalists and other members of the media to tout Virginia and Fairfax County as a must-visit destination for the German market.


What's Next:

  • The international Sales Mission to India, scheduled for the end of March, was postponed due to current affairs in the Middle East and, as such, will now be conducted in June of 2026.


Opportunities for You:

  • Do you have a special experience that we don’t know about? We receive countless requests for group experiences for seniors, outdoor soft-adventure, performance opportunities, guided tours, culinary and art classes/demos, etc. If you would like us to connect you with decision makers and buyers, please contact Lori.

 

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:

  • New Sports Venues Expand Year-Round Event-Hosting Opportunities. There are two new exciting sports venues in Fairfax County: the renovated Mount Vernon Rec Center (MVRC) in Alexandria and the Down the Line Sports Center in Annandale.  After a comprehensive renovation, MVRC now features two state-of-the-art, NHL-regulation ice sheets, making it an ideal location for hockey, figure skating, and other events. The Down the Line Sports Center offers 12 championship pickleball courts, golf simulators, a pro shop, and a full-service restaurant and bar.  Together, these venues enhance the county’s ability to host year-round travel sports competitions while also serving as valuable community assets that promote active, healthy lifestyles for residents of all ages.