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:

Chris Colvin, our Director of Sales, has been on the road at trade shows and seeking new leads for Fairfax County. Here are some recent updates:

  • We kicked off our 2027 fiscal year exhibiting at the Fairfax Loudoun Event Executives (FLEX) Summer Camp on July 10, 2026, held at Landsdowne Resort. Chris Colvin was 10 days in, and it was Dean Miller's last event with Visit Fairfax. FLEX honored Dean with a fond farewell and best wishes in his retirement. Chris & Dean mixed and mingled with the more than 50 locally-based corporate, association and government meeting planners in attendance.
  • In late July, Chris Colvin attended Destination East in Ossining, New York. She met one-on-one with more than 25 corporate and association planners over three days at the event.
  • In early August, Chris Colvin attended Small & Boutique Meetings in Clear Point, AL. She met one-on-one with more than 25 corporate and association planners over three days at the event.
  • In late August, Chris Colvin and Eric Kulczycky attended CONNECT in Tampa, FL. Chris met one-on-one with more than 35 corporate and association planners and Eric met with sports organizers over three days at the event.
  • Three of our fine Fairfax County hotels will join Chris Colvin to showcase our Visit Fairfax booth at VSAE on September 9 - 10. This show targets state association executives in Richmond, VA for a two-day event of networking and tradeshow appointments showcasing Fairfax County.
  • Chris is planning a Virginia Association Blitz in mid-October, based on Visit Fairfax's targeted "hit list."  


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 Call-Out

  • It just got a whole lot more competitive! Welcome to our newest group and group tour experience: The Big Escape/The Big Game Show in Tysons, where teams put their brains to the ultimate test. Tour groups, corporate groups, families, and reunions all have a place here, making it the perfect stop to add a little friendly rivalry to their itinerary. Race the clock, outwit the room, and find out once and for all who really runs the group. Book your battle — the clock is already ticking.

Events and Happenings

  • In mid-June, Lori and partners attended the Student Youth and Travel Association (SYTA) and SYTA Youth Foundation Lunch & Learn Social, hosted by Fairfax County stakeholders Silver Diner Restaurants.
  • In late August, Lori attended the annual SYTA Conference in Pittsburgh, PA to meet with student youth travel planners about why Fairfax County is an incredible destination for youth group trips.

What’s Next

  • Starting September 1, Lori will be participating in the Destination DC Reverse Sales Mission for Brazil and will be partnering with them to host and welcome Brazilian Tour Planners on a post-FAM to county stakeholders, including The Winery at Bull Run, Great Falls Park and Tysons Corner Center.  
  • Lori, Chris and Faith hope to see many from the region at this year's DDC Marketing Outlook Meeting, taking place on September 2.
  • Lori will be representing Fairfax County through our partnership with Northern Virginia Tourism Partnership at this year's Brand USA Travel Week-Europe in Amsterdam the last week of September.
  • In mid-October, Fairfax County will be welcoming Virginia State Tourism and over 40 international travel planners, buyers, receptive operators, and in-market representatives from 7 international markets including Canada, Australia, the UK, India, France, Germany, and the US to the first annual Virginia Tourism Corporation Global Travel Forum. This Global Travel Forum will also bring together industry partners including Macerich, United Airlines and MWAA to welcome and showcase the region and the state right here in Fairfax County, one of the Commonwealth's top international destinations. 
  • In late October, Lori will be highlighting Fairfax County at the SYTA Golf Classic in Orlando and will be continuing her role on the board of the SYTA Student Youth Foundation.
  • In mid-November, Lori will be traveling to Tulsa to attend the National Tour Association’s Travel Exchange meeting with planners and buyers from the west and across the United States.
  • And to round out the year, Lori will be attending Travel South International’s Showcase meeting with planners and buyers from across the globe specifically interested in areas of the South.

Opportunities For You!

  • With the increase in international awareness and visitation to Fairfax County, and the expansions coming to our two airports, Lori has several Receptive Operators and Inbound Travel Planners in need of hotels. If your property is interested in welcoming more transient business, reach out! Now is the time to secure partnerships for the 2027-2028 calendars.

 

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: