What's New for Meetings in Virginia

What's New for Meetings in Virginia

What's New for Meetings in Virginia

STATEWIDE

The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the independence of the United States. The Commonwealth of Virginia, one of the former colonies and future states, is where much of this history took place. The celebrations run through 2024 and the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Opening in downtown Fredericksburg in October 2024, The Publisher, a 98-room full service Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel, that stands on the site of the once daily Fredericksburg newspaper, the Free-Lance Star, will feature 1,800 sq. ft. meeting/event space, a full bar and restaurant, and many other amenities. 

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Spotsylvania is expected to open fall 2026. The resort will feature over 175,000 sq. ft. of indoor waterpark, interactive indoor adventure park, 6 restaurants, 900 suites and a spacious 150,000 sq. ft. convention center.

 The AC Hotel by Mariott Reston will be coming to Fairfax near Dulles Airport in Fall 2024. The property will feature 7 meeting rooms with a total of 11,300 sq. ft. of space.

The art of blacksmithing might have faded but at the newly opened Lawless Forge in eastern Loudoun. Small groups can bond over fire and furnace, hammer in hand during a three-hour long blacksmith class. Among items you can learn to make are knives, bottle openers and BBQ forks.

At Alexandria’s newest waterfront development, Robinson Landing, one of the city’s last remaining historic waterfront warehouses will be preserved and transformed into a new upscale market, 3,200 sq. ft. private event space and relaxed tavern space called Cooper Mill, a nod to the former mill on the site which fabricated barrels for the Alexandria Flour Company. Estimated opening Fall 2024.

In the heart of Old Town Alexandria, the Hotel Heron opened in May 2024. The Aparium Hotel Group’s flagship adaptive-reuse development is located steps from the bustling King Street mile. Originally occupied from 1926 to 1971 by the George Mason Hotel, the new space includes 134 guest rooms and 30,000 square feet of hotel amenities, including a hearth-inspired restaurant offering Mid-Atlantic cuisine, a cozy cocktail bar, and a seasonal rooftop bar, as well as meeting space and ground floor retail.

Astro Beer Hall  expanded from DC and opened its second location in 2023, a 14,000 square-foot concept in Shirlington. This location includes local beer along with Astro’s famous fried chicken and donuts, as well as over-the-top sandwiches and more. Astro Beer Hall Shirlington will feature seating for up to 500 guests inside and 80 guests on the large outdoor patio.

Opening Fall 2024, The Rose Gaming Resort Dumfries is a $400 million dollar gaming and entertainment complex destination, located alongside I-95 in Dumfries. Along with exciting gaming action, The Rose Gaming Resort will include a 100-room luxury hotel, eight bars and restaurants, a cultural venue, a space for meetings and events, and over 80 acres of green space with miles of hiking and fitness trails, athletic fields, playgrounds and more.

The Magnoliya Grand Conference & Event Center opened in September 2024 in Manassas. The state-of-the-art center is attached to the Hilton Garden Inn and features a 14,500 sq. ft. ballroom. Four additional meeting spaces that can be divided into smaller rooms and versatile pre-function and outdoor event spaces.

The Airlie Hotel in Warrenton is launching Topgolf Swing Suite in late December 2023. Topgolf Swing Suite is an immersive social experience offering guests a comfy lounge, a massive screen, and a selection of exciting virtual games, making the experience fun for golfers and non-golfers alike. Airlie is completing a barn renovation at the end of 2024, blending rustic charm with modern comfort to create a charming new overnight option for guests. Airlie proudly marks its 125th anniversary in 2024, a significant milestone that will be celebrated throughout the year.

COASTAL VIRGINIA/HAMPTON ROADS

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center  welcomed guests into the newly renovated and expanded South Building in January 2024. Holding nearly 20,000 gallons of water and more than a dozen species, the South Building’s renovated spaces have immersive experiences with interactive exhibits, kid’s play areas, touch pools, an observable veterinary care center, interactive water quality lab, outdoor play areas, and more. The Adventure Park is building a New Nautilus Tower at Owl Creek. Rising 125 feet, this new attraction will soar above the treetops to deliver 360-degree panoramic views of Virginia Beach and its expansive coastline.

Downtown Newport News, branded The Yard District in a nod to Newport News Shipyard, is quickly evolving into a scenic and vibrant hot spot. A restaurant row has popped up along 23rd Street, where Ironclad Distillery and Coastal Fermentory have already established roots. This revitalization effort, include a coffee and wine bar, retail shops, and a large full-service restaurant.

The Norfolk Botanical Gardens continues construction of the Garden of Tomorrow. Slated to be finished in 2025, the Garden of Tomorrow focuses on accessibility, sustainability and improving the gardens green impact. With a new expanded parking garden, new entry pavilion and state-of-the-art conservatory, and new water education and rowing center on the waterfront.

Norfolk Casino, Norfolk (2027) - The Pamunkey Indian Tribe planned casino resort alongside Norfolk’s Harbor Park is set to be a $500 million resort and casino with a 200-room hotel, attached parking deck for about 1,300 cars, a spa, sports bar and grill, steakhouse, rooftop event space and multi-purpose event center. 

Rivers Casino Portsmouth Rivers Casino Portsmouth is a world-class $300 million investment for the new Entertainment District along Victory Boulevard. The complex features a casino, event and conference venues, premier restaurants, a movie theater and more. A hotel is planned in future years.

The Riverwalk Restaurant, overlooking the York River and Coleman Bridge in Yorktown, reopened its dining room to guests in May 2024. Large windows throughout the restaurant provide breathtaking waterfront views while dining on fresh seafood, meats, tapas, specialty pasta dishes, and daily specials. From dining al fresco on the beautiful patio to spreading out in a private banquet room—it’s the perfect location for your special occasion.

Embassy Suites by Hilton opened in 2023. Its 157 luxury hotel suites plus 10,000 sf. of meeting and event space feature a host of first-class amenities. Indoor and outdoor pools, a 24/7 fitness center, and a pair of new eateries – Arbuckle’s Bar & Grill and beachfront dining at the Taco & Tequila Shack – make it a destination all its own.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY AND VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS 

In Fall 2023, Love Ridge Mountain Lodging completed renovations on 12 cabins and the 3,000 square foot oval gathering lawn. In Summer 2024, the original 2,000 square foot lodge reopened as a versatile event space designed to be customizable for a variety of uses from wedding receptions to business meetings. At 2,800 feet overlooking Love, Virginia, Love Ridge offers vacation cabins and houses in a unique location, bordering the Blue Ridge Parkway just past milepost 16.

The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs completed a $150+ million-dollar property-wide renovation project. The extensive renovation project began in October 2021 with the $4.6 million rehabilitation of the Warm Springs Pools, which reopened in December 2022. The full renovation encompasses 483 guest rooms, a brand-new 4,000 square foot event pavilion, 72,000 square feet of meeting space, an array of fine and casual dining options, and more.

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN VIRGINIA

The Henrico Sports & Events Center opened in December 2023. The center, located in Henrico County, features a 185,000 square foot building with 115,000 square feet of contiguous court space, ceiling-mounted athletic equipment, massive event space with seating to accommodate 3,500 spectators, 4 meeting rooms, 4 team locker rooms plus 2 officials locker room areas, coaches room and mezzanine viewing area, and a 4-sided LED scoreboard equipped with live camera feeds.

Virginia Guesthouse Hotel & Conference Center in Charlottesville will open in fall 2025. The new facility will feature 214 guest rooms, including 9 suites and will have 29,000 sq. ft. of conference and meeting space.

Unlocked History Escape Rooms in Charlottesville is expanding in 2024, growing from 3 escape rooms to a total of 7. “Da Vinci’s Discovery” delves into the enigmas of Leonardo Da Vinci’s creations and is slated to launch in Late Fall 2024.

Glass Hollow, projected to open in Nelson County in 2025, will be a unique destination where visitors can watch the magic of glass blowing, and peruse a gallery featuring celebrated local and national artists along the 151 Wine Trail. The venue is located on a beautiful 8 acre property with mountain and river views.

Caesars Virginia, a premier destination resort casino, is coming to Danville in December 2024. Property plans include a 320-room hotel and a world-class casino gaming floor with over 1,300 slots, 85 live table games, 24 electronic table games, a WSOP poker room and a Caesars Sportsbook. In addition, the resort will feature a full-service spa, pool, 12 high-quality bars and restaurants, a 2,500-seat state-of-the-art live entertainment theater and 51,300 square feet of meeting and convention space.

Shenandoah Mansions is the first boutique hotel in Richmond’s Fan neighborhood. The 73-room hotel, which opened Fall 2024, is the latest from New York City-based hotelier Ash. It will feature a retail space and the third location of Ash–Bar, an all-day dining concept and European cafe.

The Little Mod Hotel in Charlottesville opened in October 2023, steps away from the University of Virginia grounds. A mid-century modern building dating back to the 1960s, this hotel includes 20 brightly decorated rooms and apartment-style suites with vintage touches. The Mod Pod, an onsite converted airstream, serves up all-day breakfast, tasty tacos and delicious savory waffle cones.

The Holbrook Hotel opened November 2023 in a former doctor’s office on Danville’s Main and Holbrook streets. The property offers 45 luxury suites with kitchenettes and a mid-century aesthetic.

The Bee Hotel is a historic and stylish boutique hotel in the River District of Danville, Virginia. It offers 47 spacious rooms, many with kitchens, free WiFi, Smart TVs, and a rooftop terrace with a fire pit.

Nestled in the center of Historic Old Towne Petersburg, the reimagined Hotel Petersburg will open its doors in fall 2024. A century in the making, the upscale boutique hotel will include 68 sleeping rooms with a restaurant, rooftop bar, and outdoor courtyard.

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA – BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS, HEART OF APPALACHIA

With a projected opening in January 2025, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol will feature a 300-room hotel, five restaurants, four bars and lounges, new entertainment options, wedding and convention facilities, top-notch retailers, and an indoor and outdoor concert venue that will further solidify Bristol as the true “Birthplace of Country Music.” The Bristol casino is currently open.

Delta Blues has expanded its footprint with the opening of a new location in Abingdon in 2024. The locally owned and operated, Memphis inspired BBQ restaurant and catering company’s original establishment is located on State Street in Bristol.

The Highlander Hotel opened in Radford in April 2023 and overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains. The new hotel features 120 hotel rooms and 4 luxury living suites, more than 6,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 4,000-square-foot ballroom, a rooftop restaurant and bar and complimentary parking.

FOR MORE EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS SEE WHAT'S NEW IN VIRGINIA