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:

  • In late August, Chris Colvin and Eric Kulczycky attended the Connect Marketplace in Tampa, FL. Chris met one-on-one with more than 35 corporate and association planners and Eric met with organizers & planners in Sports Tourism over the three-day event.

  • Three Fairfax County hotel partners joined Chris Colvin to showcase our Visit Fairfax booth at VSAE Fall Expo & Conference on September 9 & 10. This conference targets state association executives in Richmond, VA for a two-day event of networking and tradeshow style showcasing Fairfax County.

  • The Global Travel Forum on Oct. 20 is offering Receptive Operator Training, and Chris will attend; she will also participate in the Networking reception with tour operators, trade media, receptive operators, and suppliers.

  • Chris will target Virginia’s Northern Association Meeting Planner by attending VSAE's Northern Virginia Association Exchange on Oct. 21.

  • Chris is attending Meetings Today Live! in St. Augustine, FL from November 8 – 11. This show targets association and corporate planners.

  • Chris is excited to be meeting with more than 35 Meeting Planners at the Connect Winter Marketplace November 18 – 20. The focus is Corporate and Association Meeting Planners from DC and New York feeders.


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:

Events and Happenings

  • Visit Fairfax is pleased to announce that MMGY now represents Fairfax County across the UK and Ireland. MMGY has begun introducing Fairfax County to travel trade partners in the region and setting up conversations about how the destination is performing and where there are opportunities to work together. If your business is interested in welcoming more visitors from the UK, please reach out to us to learn more.

  • In September, Lori participated in Destination DC's Reverse Sales Mission meeting with Brazilian Tour Planners and Receptive Operators, and additionally with Brand USA, sharing all Fairfax County has to offer guests. Following the event, Visit Fairfax hosted a half-day familiarization tour for attendees showcasing The Winery at Bull Run, Tatte, Great Falls Park, and Tysons Corner Center. Visit Fairfax would like to thank its partners in hosting these influential planners and being ambassadors of Fairfax County.

  • Lori attended this year's annual SYTA Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, meeting with over 30 Student Tour Planners from across the US and parts of Canada.

  • Through Visit Fairfax's participation in Northern Virginia Tourism Partnership, Lori and a partner from Loudoun County represented the Northern Virginia region at Brand USA’s Travel Week-Europe in Amsterdam the last week of September, meeting with 34 international buyers and receptive operators from throughout Europe.
     

What’s Next

  • In mid-October, Visit Fairfax will be participating in Virginia Tourism Corporation's Global Travel Forum and will be hosting a half-day Familiarization Tour for more than 40 planners, receptive operators and media. Highlights will include the Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner, Tysons Corner Center, Great Falls Park, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the Mount Vernon Inn.

  • 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, OK to attend the National Tour Association’s Travel Exchange meeting with planners and buyers across the West and throughout 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:

  • Info coming soon!