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March 2, 2010

In the Spotlight: The Williamsburg Hospitality House

One of the most recognizable hotels in Williamsburg, The Hospitality House has been welcoming visitors to Williamsburg since 1972. Enjoying classic, comfortable surroundings while being greeted by familiar faces, friends and families visiting the Hospitality House find themselves treated to true southern hospitality. Managed by 1859 Historic Hotels, the Hospitality House is one of three Virginia hotels in the company's portfolio.

Those who have visited the 415 Grill restaurant, named for the hotel's address on Richmond Road, are familiar with this warm, welcoming spot but may not be aware that the Hospitality House boasts more than 25,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The Hospitality House has played host to some of Williamsburg's most significant conferences, with groups ranging from family gatherings to military reunions to the Supreme Court. Of course nothing is more beautiful than a bride posing for pictures with her groom in the hotel's garden-like courtyard. Averaging more than 50 wedding-associated events each year, the Hospitality House is a favorite of the Williamsburg bride.

Adding to the charm and flexibility of its meeting and event capabilities is the hotel's highly convenient location. Meeting attendees are within easy walking distance of Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area and Merchants Square for shopping, dining and entertainment, and the prestigious College of William and Mary is directly across the street. In keeping with the beauty and historic preservation-focus of its surroundings, The Hospitality House is also committed to environmentally friendly practices, and became the City of Williamsburg's first "green certified lodging."

The Hospitality House has been inviting visitors and locals to make "our house your home" for more than 37 years. This is an honor that the staff of the hotel truly appreciates and will continue to do so for many years to come.

For more information, please visit The Williamsburg Hospitality website or call (757) 229-4020.

Richmond International Airport: Easy from the Highway to the Jetway

Richmond International Airport (RIC) has served as a Gateway to Virginia since October 1927, when the airport welcomed its first official visitor, Charles Lindbergh aboard The Spirit of St. Louis. Having recently completed a $300 million upgrade, RIC has transformed into one of the most modern, well-equipped, and user-friendly airports in the United States.

RIC's new terminal means travelers enjoy an attractive facility featuring separate levels for Departures and Arrivals, spacious ticketing and baggage claim areas, all-new restaurants and retail stores, and expanded security screening portals with short wait times.

Located less than an hour's drive to the Historic Triangle of Williamsburg-Jamestown-Yorktown, 10 minutes to Richmond's central business district and historical attractions, or two hours to Washington, DC, the Blue Ridge Mountains or Virginia Beach, Richmond International Airport serves as a convenient hub to popular destinations across the Old Dominion.

Eight major airlines (Air Canada, AirTran, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, United, and US Airways), including two low-cost carriers, provide service from RIC with nonstop access to nearly two dozen major domestic and international cities on a nonstop basis, with convenient access to destinations across the globe.

More than three million travelers (including, in 2007, the Queen of England for the Jamestown 400 commemoration) utilize RIC annually, and enjoy the comfort and convenience of the airport's business centers, private meeting rooms and free WiFi service throughout the terminal. Other airport amenities include an interfaith chapel, banking facilities, and a Visitor Information Center offering information about area attractions, restaurants, shopping, and hotels.

Additional flexibility is available to travelers via numerous ground transportation options, including motor coaches, sedan service, shared-ride shuttles, taxis and a wide range of rental car options. At RIC, the rental car garage is adjacent to baggage claim and provides coverage from the elements for visitors.

Groups using Richmond will note ample drop-off and pick-up zones in front of the terminal, access to group welcome desks, and the availability of food and beverage services to support group movements.

For travelers craving a bite to eat or searching for the perfect book or magazine to read , RIC offers more than 15 shopping and dining options. Hudson News operates four large, full-service stores and numerous kiosks throughout the terminal. Restaurants at RIC include a full-service Applebee's, three Caribou Coffee locations, two Sam Adams brew houses, Vito's Market and a Cheeburger Cheeburger.

Richmond International Airport is designed with the sole purpose of providing customers an easy, no-hassle travel experience. Visit www.flyrichmond.com or tweet a message on Twitter to "@Flack4RIC" (the official "Digital Info Hub" for one of America's most convenient airports) to learn more. Richmond International Airport. Now you're going places.

Off-Site Meetings at Busch Gardens

The world's most beautiful theme park offers conference guests an ideal venue for off-site meetings, team-building activities, and the opportunity to experience both Old World charm and the exhilaration of 21^st-century technology and entertainment. Creative ways for groups to network, re-energize and explore abound at Busch Gardens' 305 acres of six beautifully landscaped European "countries," highlighted by more than 50 exciting rides, multiple live stage shows, and world-class dining experiences.

In 2010, your meeting group can join Busch Gardens as it celebrates its 35^th year with a new ride, a new show and an all new nightly spectacular, as well as more than 20 scheduled concert performances. Located in the Ireland section is the new simulator ride, Europe in the Air, which soars guests across gorgeous terrain and past the continent's most beloved landmarks. After landing, a stroll over to the Abbey Stone Theatre brings guests to the newest live stage show, filled with authentic Irish choreography, storytelling, singing, music and the magic of Irish dance.

Starting in June is Busch Gardens' first-ever park-wide summer festival celebration, "IllumiNights: A Busch Gardens Encore." Each area of the park will celebrate in its own way, culminating every night in a pyrotechnics extravaganza. June also marks the return of the park's popular free concerts, with each weekend through Sept. 6 featuring different well-known performing artists. The fall marks the 12^th seasonal return of Howl-O-Scream, filled with thrills, scares and shows celebrating Halloween. Beginning on Thanksgiving weekend, groups and their families can look forward to the second year of Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration with new delights being developed that will leave them saying, "Now this is Christmas."

Group rates are available by calling 800-343-7946 or visit www. buschgardens.com/group for complete details.

Williamsburg Marketing Communications Honored

Greater Williamsburg reaped honors for marketing communications excellence in the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI)'s 2009 Adrian Awards Competition. The Williamsburg area destination was awarded a Gold Adrian Award for its public relations campaign. Nearly 1,100 entries from around the world were judged in this largest and most prestigious travel marketing competition. Click the image to view the complete award certificate.

Meet Lisa Pacheco, Senior Sales Manager

On any given day Lisa Pacheco can be found out arranging site inspections for client events, participating in trade shows, or networking at one of the many meeting planner organizations that she has belonged to for years. Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance's senior conference sales managerlives and breathes the conference and meetings business with a single-minded commitment to serving meeting planners. "My job is to make their job easier," says Lisa. "Our hospitality and travel partners join me in a dedication to making every meeting the best ever held - and ensuring attendees feel welcomed, pampered and valued."

Lisa has been in the hotel and conference sales fields - and Williamsburg - for more than 22 years, nine of them at the Alliance. Her experience ranges from hotel sales to conference sales. She serves as the liaison for meeting planners and their clients with area accommodations, attractions, dining and entertainment. She will be part of the process the entire way, from distributing meeting requirements to area hotels to supplying promotional materials and speaker information - in other words, from the time planning begins until the last attendee checks out and heads home.

She enjoys her memberships in organizations such as MPI, VSAE, VAHSMP, SGMP, and VAMPI as opportunities to network and build relationships with meeting planners, share best practices with other conference sales experts and promote Williamsburg at trade shows. One of her favorite shows is the recent Destination Showcase in Washington DC because, as its name implies, its focus is on showcasing the destination. "The main goal is to get people excited about all aspects of planning a meeting in Williamsburg, generate leads and then work to make them happen for everyone's benefit," says Lisa. Accompanying her often to these trade shows are area attraction and conference hotel partners. "It is great to attend trade shows as a unit - it really shows meeting planners that we work together well."

Working in the Williamsburg area, Lisa has been through her fair share of challenges and triumphs. A misconception that she frequently faces is that Williamsburg is a difficult destination to get to. "This is not the case," Lisa emphasizes. "Williamsburg is served by three international airports: Newport News/Williamsburg Airport, Norfolk Airport, and Richmond Airport, and Amtrak. Convenient ground transportation including airport shuttles, rentals cars and taxi services are easily available. Our area is also a great drive destination, situated within 500 miles for more than 35% of Americans. Combine location with our great facilities and attractions, and it is no wonder that many meeting planners say that their best - attended conferences are the ones held in Williamsburg."