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 tradeshows and seeking new leads for Fairfax County. Here are some recent updates:

  • Visit Fairfax attended the “Cocktails and Conversations” mixer hosted by the MPI Potomac Chapter in Ashburn, VA, where we chatted with a dozen corporate and association meeting planners.
  • FLEX Meeting Events - Sales - Dean and EricDean Miller and Eric Kulczycky attended the FLEX (Fairfax Loudoun Event Executives) Summer Camp event at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, VA.  More than 150 locally-based meeting planners were in attendance. (see photo)
  • In August, both Dean and Eric were in Milwaukee, WI, for Connect Marketplace, where Dean met one-on-one with 30+ association planners, and Eric met with a similar number of sports tournament organizers.
  • Visit Fairfax will be in Richmond, VA in September for the annual VSAE (Virginia Society of Association Executives) Fall Conference & Expo.  We’ll be exhibiting at this event for the 18th time in 19 years (the event was not held in 2020); five of our great Fairfax County meeting hotels will be joining us in our booth.
  • In October, we’ll travel to Niagara Falls, NY, for the Destination East trade show event, where we’ll meet with 20+ corporate and association planners.
  • Also in October, we’ll spend a full day in Richmond, VA, calling on Virginia state association executives and planners, highlighting the advantages of meeting here in Fairfax County.

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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! - Partnerships are pivotal in any successful journey and can yield "sweet" rewards. Recently, Fairfax County’s own River-Sea Chocolates and Capital One have teamed up to offer travelers visiting the Capital One Lounges at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Denver International Airport (DEN), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) an exclusive treat: regionally inspired chocolate bars crafted by River-Sea Chocolates! Each premium chocolate bar is a delicious reflection of the distinctive flavors and culinary heritage of its respective region.

Capital One Lounges - River Sea Chocolates - Mini Bars for Airport Lounges

Tour Market Updates:

On The Road

  • In partnership with VA DMO, Visit Fairfax hit the road in June and conducted a Sales Mission throughout North and South Carolina, partnering with Lynchburg, Charlottesville, and Portsmouth, meeting with Tour Planners and AAA Offices in South Carolina and North Carolina.
  • In August, Visit Fairfax attended the annual Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA) Conference. At this year’s conference, Lori conducted one-on-one appointments with student Travel Planners from across the country sharing information on the many experiences available to student groups.
  • Immediately following SYTA, Lori attended the tri-state North Carolina/South Carolina/Virginia Motorcoach Associations Regional Conference updating group travel planners on group activities for the adult and senior markets.
  • In September, the focus will be on the international FIT and Group markets at Capital Region USA’s (CRUSA) annual Global Travel Exchange where Visit Fairfax will be meeting with Group and FIT Receptive and Tour Operators from top markets for our region including the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and The Netherlands. Additionally, we’ll be attending the Global Marketing Update gaining the latest updates and trends in CRUSA's overseas markets. 
  • Rounding out the third-quarter, Lori (and President & CEO Barry Biggar) will be attending Brand USA’s Travel Week in London where the team will be conducting one-on-one appointments with both Media and Travel Planners from throughout Europe to build awareness and visitation to Fairfax County.

Welcoming Visitors

  • Fairfax County is busy welcoming leisure tour planners from around the globe! In September, Lori is conducting three familiarization tours; Brand USA and Italian Tour Planners, Academic Field Trips, and Hayes Travel from Scotland.
  • September is a busy month for the leisure tour market and will be rounded out with a Familiarization Tour welcoming the Guild of Professional Tours Guides of Washington, DC where we will be demonstrating that there is SO MUCH MORE to see and do outside of the city!
  • NOTE: If you would like to showcase your restaurant, hotel, attraction, or experience to future attendees on our familiarization tours and amplify your marketing and reach of the leisure tour market, contact Lori Scott (LScott@fxva.com).


News and Opportunities for the Tour Market:

  • Calling all restaurants! Did you know that the number #2 need for all leisure groups and visitors is food? In fact, as reported by Tourism Economics and Virginia Tourism Corporation, Total Visitor Spending in 2022 came in at $8.5 billion, making up 29% of the overall spend, only being surpassed by transportation. In Fairfax County, there is a great demand for group friendly options and more locations are desperately needed near roadways and attractions groups are visiting. If your restaurant is interested in working with the group motorcoach industry and building upon sales, let us know and contact Lori Scott (LScott@fxva.com) for further information and insight on this market.
  • In July, Dulles International Airport welcomed their newest partner, AeroMexico, offering daily non-stop service to and from Mexico City and opening more gateways for visitors to experience our region.
  • Visit Fairfax extends its congratulations to Silver Diner Restaurants and George Mason University for their commendable efforts in innovating and launching new product offerings tailored to attract the group tour markets. These initiatives will significantly enhance Fairfax County's appeal, providing highly sought after services, opportunities, and enriching experiences, for groups of all sizes and demographics, thereby supporting future increases in visitor numbers and economic impact.
     



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:

  • September 23-26, 2024: TEAMS Conference & Expo (Anaheim, CA). In partnership with other CVBs in the state that are part of the Sports Virginia tourism alliance, Visit Fairfax will have the opportunity to network with prospective clients and gain access to lead information generated through 70+ appointments at one of the sports travel industry’s largest tradeshows. At TEAMS, Visit Fairfax will also host a client event in partnership with Visit Loudoun, Visit Prince William, and Tour Stafford as part of its regional sports tourism alliance, SportsNOVA.
  • October 16, 2024: Fairfax County Athletic Council Meeting (Fairfax, VA). The FCAC serves in an advisory capacity to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, School Board, and county agencies on matters relating to the use of public sports facilities and the programming of youth/adult sports programs in the county.  Meetings take place on the third Wednesday of every month (Pennino Building at 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035; 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd floor in room 206).  Please contact Eric Kulczycky at ekulczycky@fxva.com for more information.    
  • January 2-5, 2025: 2025 American Baseball Coaches Association Convention (Fort Washington, MD). The ABCA hosts the world's largest baseball convention (attended by more than 8,000 coaches), which features a tradeshow, meetings, clinics, and award presentations.  Visit Fairfax will co-host a special client event at the show to promote Patriot Park North, Capital One Park, GMU’s Spuhler Field, and other baseball facilities in the county. 
     

Past Events/Activities:

  • CONNECT Sports Marketplace (Milwaukee, WI).  CONNECT Sports is an annual education conference and appointment-only trade show bringing together active planners and rights-holders, suppliers, and experts in sports events for three days of general sessions, workshops, and pre-set appointments.  Visit Fairfax met with 35 tournament planners and, in conjunction with Sports Virginia and other DMOs in the Commonwealth pursuing the sports market, co-hosted tournament planners at a special client function during the show.