Are you involved in an organization that hosts an annual conference or tournament? Partner with Richmond Region Tourism and help bring the event to the Richmond region.
Every day, Richmond Region Tourism’s Sales team works to attract meetings, conventions and sports tournaments to the region. These events bring news visitors to the region who spend money at our local restaurants, businesses and attractions.
Last year, meetings, conventions and tournaments generated $145 million in economic impact.
You can help: Richmond Region Tourism’s RVA Champions program connects local residents with the organization’s Sales team to help bring an event to the group. You make the introduction and Richmond Region Tourism will handle the rest.
Some of the area’s biggest conferences – like the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, the Stonewall Sports National Tournament, Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 2023 Third District Convention – came from local connections. Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives.
All of Richmond Region Tourism’s services are free and include:
– Assistance with venue and hotel selection
– Organizing familiarization tours and site inspections
– Creating authentic RVA experiences for your event attendees
– Personalized promotion of the Richmond region as the host destination
– Collaborative community outreach initiatives
– Local business referrals and support
– Planning assistance and experiential itinerary development
– On-site conference and tournament services
– Coordinating transportation needs
Last spring, Richmond Region Tourism celebrated the 2023 class of RVA Champions:
– Commonwealth Business Travel Group, Inc. September 2024 East Coast and Central Meetings: Christi Ruddy
– National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) 2024 Evolve Conference-Carter
Aines & Ali Prato-Carney
– National Speech and Debate Association 2026 National Tournament: The Richmond
Forum
– National Women’s Political Caucus 2023 Biennial-Convention: Gwen Sarsfield
– National Epicureans, Inc. Henrico Chapter 2024 Conclave: Gail Atkins
– Chums, Inc. 2025 Annual Conclave: Raynell Reid
Learn more about the RVA Champions program.
Involved in a local sports tournament? Apply for a grant to help expand it.
Sports tourism is booming in the Richmond region. To keep the momentum going, the
Richmond Region Tourism Foundation is offering grants up to $2,500 to help local sports
organizations grow and enhance their tournaments and events.
The organization invites local sports organizations to apply for grants to help market their event to attract more participants to play in the region.
Applications are open September 1-November 1, 2024. Successful applicants will be notified in December.
Meet the most recent grant recipients:
– FutsalRVA – USYS Regional Championship
– Strive for Perfection Athletics – SFP Middle All-Star Weekend
– Sports Backers – River City Half Marathon & 5K
– Swim RVA – Shamrock Showdown
– Collegiate Running Association – Collegiate 10K Road Race Nationals
– Live Red Foundation – East Coast Triathlon
– Virginia Capital Trail – Cap2Cap
– Swim RVA – Down River Rip
– Sportable Wheelchair Basketball – River City Slam
– Special Olympics of Virginia – Summer Games
– Virginia Boat Club – Sprint Regatta
– RVA Esports – RVA Esports Con
– Chesterfield Baseball Club – Pony Bronco – II World Series
– MJBL – MJBL Inner City Classic
– Elite5050 Basketball – Elite 5050 Girls Combine
– Glen Allen Youth Athletic Association – Babe Ruth World Series
– Kids On First Foundation – Dream Diamond Tournament & Showcase
– Richmond Road Runners – Ashland Half Marathon & 5K
– Richmond Fencing Club – Richmond Regional Fencing
– Commonwealth Basketball Group – CBG Juco Prep Showdown
– James River Rowers – Head of the James
– Sportable Wheelchair Basketball – River City Classic & Adaptive Sports Fest
– Virginia Capital Trail – 10M & 5K