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The Group Travel Leader Going on Faith Select Traveler

Good vibes in Virginia


Williamsburg, courtesy Virginia Tourism Corp.Williamsburg
Known for preserving and interpreting colonial history, Williamsburg regularly hosts prestigious meetings, such as the Business Roundtable, whose members are CEOs of America’s top corporations. Families like to tag along.

“We are the essence of American history and completely family-friendly. No matter the type of group, all tend to stay longer after meeting here,” said Bob Harris, senior vice president of tourism for the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance.

As it turns out, Williamsburg isn’t all early American. At Great Wolf Lodge, “essentially a cruise ship on land,” according to director of sales and marketing Cathy Chaplain, the water park and arcade entertain families. At a private after-hours event, attendees watch lifeguards surf simulated waves. A 14,500-square-foot conference center and its adjacent 50 suites are in a wing far from the splash zone.

Fifteen minutes away, Go Ape has ropes courses and zip lines at the site of a Revolutionary War battle.

Some of Williamsburg’s most popular meeting venues are beyond the historic district. The former Williamsburg Marriott this summer became the 295-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.

The AAA Four-Diamond Kingsmill Resort has a new river pool complex as well as a 20,000-square-foot conference center, five restaurants, three championship golf courses and one venue that welcomed President Barack Obama.

“The Pettus House is a 5,000-square-foot home with a beautiful view of the James River,” said Rich Keurajian, vice president of sales and marketing. “Corporate retreats can meet in an upscale private home.”

Many groups, though, like to stay in the colonial village. The Williamsburg Lodge is one of six properties for groups there.

“In the past eight to 10 years, we’ve spent nearly $200 million on renovating, restoring and/or rebuilding all of our properties,” said Perry Goodbar, vice president of sales and services for Colonial Williamsburg Hotels.

The 232-room lodge has indoor conference space on two levels, and gardens and lawns for receptions. A spa is shared with the Williamsburg Inn next door. The smaller, more intimate inn and an adjacent 18th-century home are ideal for corporate retreats.

888-882-4156
www.visitwilliamsburg.com

Roanoke

“Planners like our metro-mountain mix here in the Virginia Blue Ridge,” said Catherine Fox, director of public relations and tourism for the Roanoke Valley CVB.

Now 131 years old, the city’s 331-room Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, takes pride in its Southern hospitality. “While much of the hotel is preserved under the National Register of Historic Places, we have a 63,000-square-foot conference center with tech staff seven days a week,” said Michael Quonce, public relations manager.

Its recently renovated Garden Courtyard is a fresh-air event space with mountain views. A new group dining area shares the scenery.

“We have an extremely high closure rate once planners visit the area,” said Kelly Burd-Adams, the CVB’s director of convention sales. “They fly in, get to the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center in five minutes, have dinner at their choice of 50 restaurants in the market area, hike in our gorgeous mountains, and they’re knocked out.”

Rally coordinator for the Harley Owners Group, Jo Ann Emmons, plans a yearly Virginia HOG Rally for 1,900 attendees. The rally has been in Roanoke twice.

“If you’re dealing with area representatives, and they get what it takes to make your group happy, the process runs smoothly, and attendees see no problems,” said Emmons.

The 320-room Sheraton Roanoke Hotel and Conference Center is a short drive from downtown, off Interstate 81. It has 17,000 square feet of meeting space.

Roanoke’s largest attraction reopened in May after a two-year, $30 million renovation. Center in the Square, in downtown’s market area, is home to western Virginia history, science and photography museums; three aquariums; and the city’s opera, ballet and symphony. In an atrium, two roof top, open-air green spaces overlook the city.

Outside the city, groups can hike to McAfee Knob, led by a member of the Appalachian Trail Club. In a national forest 35 miles away, groups can hike, canoe and kayak at Wilderness Adventure. Each night, there is a bonfire.

“Our elegantly rustic rooms encourage participants to get out and mingle,” said Julia Boas, director of operations.

800-635-5535
www.visitroanoke.com