The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau (VBCVB) continues to demonstrate its leadership in emerging travel industry trends and commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives with the establishment of the new One Beach, One World program. To offer visitors and groups a variety of concrete ways to volunteer or give back, the VBCVB has partnered with several organizations in six key areas: Combating Homelessness, Hunger & Domestic Violence; Assisting Youth & the Elderly; Supporting the Armed Forces; Restoring & Protecting our Environment; General Community Service; and International Outreach.


“We are serious about working hard to improve our community. This enhanced program not only provides groups the opportunity to create meaningful experiences, but it offers the chance to make a positive impact on the local area,” stated Jim Ricketts, director of the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. While the VBCVB has always been willing to assist with CSR requests, the One Beach, One World program provides a solid curriculum for groups and individuals interested in volunteerism. It offers unique ways to give back with the area’s coastal location and thriving military community, meaningful experiences that delegates and attendees will value, shared enrichment that strengthens bonds among collaborators and the chance to make an impact through volunteer efforts.

Partner organizations include the Lynnhaven River Now, Vethouse, Inc., Union Mission Ministries, Volunteer Hampton Roads, Plan International USA, amongst several others. The VBCVB also is willing to connect groups with other partnership opportunities of their own choosing.

For the VBCVB, the issue of corporate social responsibility is at the forefront year-round and employees practice what they preach. From donating to local charities and food banks to volunteering their time with children’s programs, the staff is dedicated to improving the communities they live in and visit. As an expression of the VBCVB’s dedication to CSR initiatives, the sales team took their ambitions on the road during the summer, 2012 Washington D.C. sales blitz. Each sales call ended with the teams presenting their prospects with a note card thanking them for their time and outlining the VBCVB’s intention to make a donation to a Virginia Beach charity in their name, a shining example of replacing material gifts with the gift of charity. For this sales mission, a food drive for the Potter’s House, a food pantry and ministry of the Virginia Beach United Methodist Church (VBUMC) was held. Donations were collected from the CVB sales staff and industry partners represented during the blitz. The food drive resulted in the collection of more than 200 pounds of non-perishable food, which was graciously accepted by volunteers from the Potter’s House during the sales wrap-up meeting held on August 7.

The Virginia Beach CVB has been trail-blazing the way in the area of sustainable and responsible living for several years now. From building the Virginia Beach Convention Center, the nation’s first convention center to earn LEED® Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, to the partnership with Virginia Green, the Commonwealth’s campaign to promote environmentally friendly practices, the VBCVB has long been focusing on taking care of the environment and doing so in state-of-the-art ways.

For more information about Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in Virginia Beach or on One Beach, One World, visit www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com/MeetingPlanners/giveback/. For more information on Virginia Beach as a destination, visit www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com.

Virginia Beach entices visitors to “Live the Life” year-round! Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Virginia Beach is four hours southeast of D.C. by car and within a day’s drive or less from two-thirds of the U.S. population. For visitor information, call (800) VA-BEACH (800/822-3224) or visit www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com for online trip planning.