Keep traveling south from Hampton, and you’ll arrive in “The Heart of the Virginia Waterfront,” the nickname given to Norfolk.
“Getting here couldn’t be easier,” said Donna Allen, vice president of sales and marketing for VisitNorfolk.
Though Norfolk has plenty of history and oceanic influence, it also has a surprising collection of modern start-up enterprises that make it an intriguing place to conduct business. Allen described some of the businesses transcending the beach-and-seafood options:
“There’s the urban winery or one of Norfolk’s local craft breweries, the glassblowing studio at Chrysler Museum.”
The winery Allen referenced is the Mermaid Winery, located in the historic neighborhood of Ghent. Guests to the winery can observe the winemaking process in the tasting bar or enjoy a meal from the in-house menu. Planners can continue the “meeting nouveau” theme by holding their events at d’Art Center at the Selden Arcade. That structure provides a space where working artists can collaborate and where you can observe them in live action. The space is excellent for a creative team meeting or conference for any segment of the creative industry.
Despite these emerging elements, Norfolk perhaps is still best known as home to the United States’ largest naval base. To get the naval experience, groups can take a Victory Rover naval base cruise, which embarks seven days a week from the Norfolk waterfront.
Spotlight on Norfolk
Access: Norfolk Airport; Amtrak; interstates 64 and 664.
Meeting Spaces:
Norfolk Waterside Marriott and Waterside Convention Center, Hilton Norfolk Airport, Sheraton Norfolk Waterside, The Historic Page House Inn, d’Art Center, Granby Theater
Hotel Rooms: 5,400
Off-Site Venues:
Harrison Opera House, Harbor Park, Half Moon Cruise Center, Big Easy Grill & Oyster Bar, The Public House, Tap House Grill, Voila!
Contact Info:
757-664-6620
