At the confluence of the Elizabeth River and Chesapeake Bay sits Norfolk, a major, historic port city in southeastern Virginia just 20 minutes west of Virginia Beach and 90 minutes from the state’s capital, Richmond.
Known for being home to the world’s largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk, as well as NATO’s North American headquarters, Norfolk is an influential destination with a story that starts more than 400 years ago, making it one of the oldest cities in the U.S. Meetings and events are nothing new here, but the destination is consistently developing to make sure groups have a new experience every time.
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“We have a lot going on, plain and simple,” said Paige Hawsey, communications manager at VisitNorfolk. “Not only is stuff continuously happening, but we’ve had a lot of large facilities, key attractions and hotels already complete renovations, so the city is becoming even more accommodating of meeting planners and groups.”
Arguably the most exciting update for groups and business travelers is the $1 billion expansion of Norfolk International Airport (ORF). The project, referred to as Transform ORF, is the airport’s “largest modernization endeavor since the opening of the existing departures terminal in 1974,” according to the Transform ORF website, and is divided into phases that will add a modernized international arrivals facility, expand Concourse A and introduce a new airport entrance intersection.
“We are hoping there will be a hotel onsite for that as well,” Hawsey said. “The airport is within a 20- to 30-minute drive from downtown, which is where all the meetings will likely take place, so Norfolk is incredibly accessible as far as travel goes.”
Popular attractions and offsite venue options throughout Norfolk are also offering new experiences for groups. Nauticus, the maritime-themed discovery center along the downtown Norfolk waterfront that’s home to Battleship Wisconsin, underwent a renovation that reimagined all permanent exhibitions and some rotating ones. The museum’s Brock Theater can seat up to 350, and the Elizabeth River Landing offers nearly 12,000 square feet of new state-of-the-art exhibit spaces: Design, Build, Sail! and Our Port.
Where to Stay in Norfolk
Groups will find 300 guest rooms and more than 41,400 square feet of event space at Hilton Norfolk The Main, including the 18,382-square-foot Main Ballroom. Onsite restaurant Saltine features a glassed-in private dining room. Down the street, the Norfolk Waterside Marriott offers over 400 guest rooms and nearly 68,900 square feet of space, including 36 breakout rooms.
Where to Eat in Norfolk
Just around the corner from Hilton Norfolk The Main is Todd Jurich’s Bistro, serving five-star cuisine that puts a spin on Southern fare accompanied by an extensive list of world-class wines. Right on popular Granby Street is Mermaid Winery & Restaurant’s flagship store, housed in a former bank built in 1908 and offering space for seated dinner parties, cocktail receptions or entire winery buyouts for up to 70.
Fun Activities in Norfolk
The Perry Glass Studio, part of the Chrysler Museum of Art, completed a $30 million expansion project last year that tripled its size to 32,000 square feet and significantly enhanced its capabilities. The studio’s state-of-the-art hot shop and theater can now seat 200, and the new facility also features dedicated classrooms, metal, mold and wood shops for groups to break out, as well as a catering kitchen.
Taking Off is a column from the desk of destinations content manager, Taylor Smith, which uncovers the destinations you haven't thought of for meetings or events, from under-the-radar locales to new neighborhoods you should know about. Read more Taking Off columns here.
