Press Releases
Nationally Recognized Alexandria Festival of the Arts Returns to Old Town for the Sixth Year
Selected Images Representative of the Art Festival Are Available
Alexandria, VA (July 22, 2008) — Historic Old Town Alexandria is making room on its main street for 150 juried artists featuring original paintings, sculptures, photography, glass, ceramics, mixed media and more who will line the street with their outdoor canopied displays. The sixth annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts will showcase some of the nation's most talented artists in a living art gallery giving the public an opportunity to meet and purchase original pieces from the artists themselves.
Produced by Howard Alan Events and ranked as one of the top 100 art fairs in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine, the Alexandria Festival of the Arts will be held on Saturday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on King Street between Washington Street and the Potomac River. The show will take place rain or shine; admission is free.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center invites Alexandria Festival of the Arts visitors also to get involved in the artistic process and engage their creative sensibilities with a day of artist demonstrations including pottery, painting, and jewelry making, hands-on activities and a modern dance performance at the art center located at 105 N. Union Street, during the festival on Saturday, September 13 from noon - 4 p.m.
"We are once again excited to welcome the popular Alexandria Festival of the Arts popular event to our City and to invite visitors to experience our own Torpedo Factory Art Center as well," said Stephanie Brown, President and CEO of the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association. "This annual festival weekend brings with it the opportunity for visitors to become introduced or reacquainted with Alexandria and the many reasons to return throughout the year."
More than $15 million in spectacular paintings, life-size sculptures, handcrafted jewelry, photography, ceramics and more will be exhibited during the festival along King Street. Selecting artists based on quality and originality, an independent panel of judges chose the exhibiting artists from hundreds of submissions from artists all across the country.
For additional information on the sixth annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts, visit www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com or www.artfestival.com.
Fireworks, Alexandria, VA, Symphony Orchestra Extend Independence Day Celebrations
Alexandria, VA, and USA Birthday Party to be held on Saturday, July 12 in Oronoco Bay Park
Alexandria, VA (July 7, 2008) — For those who didn't get enough fireworks or who missed the "1812 Overture" on the Fourth will be offered a second chance this weekend as the City of Alexandria celebrates its 259th and the USA's 232nd birthdays on Saturday, July 12, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park.
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra led by Maestro Kim Allen Kluge will present a concert of "Big Band Sound" followed by Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" with live cannon fire to accompany the fireworks display.
All the details and a schedule of events can be found below.
| What: | Alexandria, VA, and USA Birthday Celebration |
| Where: | Oronoco Bay Park 100 Madison St., Alexandria, VA 22314 Located at the Potomac River between Fairfax, Pendleton, and Madison Streets |
| Date: | Saturday, July 12 |
| Time: | 4-10 p.m. |
| Rain date: | Sunday, July 13, 9:30 p.m. (fireworks only) |
| Admission: | Free |
| More information: | Special Events Hotline, 703.883.4686 |
| Schedule of events: | 4-7:30 p.m. Community exhibitors, children's activities, food and beverage sales 6 p.m. Jazz music performance by Vaughn Ambrose Quartet 7:30 p.m. Mayor William D. Euille presents Park and Recreation Commission's CIVIC Awards Reading by Mary McElveen, Alexandria's Poet Laureate 8 p.m. Birthday cake 8:30 p.m. "Big Band Sound," with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Kim Allen Kluge, Music Director 9:30 p.m. Fireworks, featuring Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" with cannon support by the United States Marine Corps, Basic Training School, Quantico, VA |
| Seating: | Lawn seating, lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged |
| Food: | Food and beverages are available for purchase, picnics are welcome. No grilling is allowed during the event. |
Getting to and from the Celebration:
Visitors are encouraged to take the Metro to Old Town (yellow or blue lines to the King Street Metro Station). The free King Street Trolley, which runs from the Metro to the waterfront, will operate an extended schedule with the last trolley departing from King and Union Streets at 11:45pm. DASH and Metro buses will also run to the park. For DASH schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visit www.DashBus.com For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit www.wmata.com
Parking is available at Simpson Properties Garage, 700 North Fairfax Street; Carr America, 44 Canal Center Plaza; and Trammell Crow Company, 601 North Fairfax Street.
Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association Names New Governors to its Board and Re-elects Executive Committee
Alexandria, VA (July 9, 2008) — The Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association (ACVA) has named two new members to its Board of Governors. Bill Connors, Executive Director and COO for the National Business Travel Association, based in Alexandria, and Troy Clayton, Owner and Chef of Old Town's Geranio Ristorante, were presented by the ACVA Board to the Alexandria City Council who approved their nomination to serve on the ACVA Board.
"We are pleased to welcome to our Board these two leaders in their respective areas of tourism," said Stephanie Brown, President and CEO of the ACVA. "Bill will serve in a governor-at-large capacity, while Troy will serve as a representative of Alexandria's restaurant sector."
The 16-member ACVA Board provides strategic direction and policy guidance to the operations of the 300-member association. Members represent a cross-section of Alexandria's tourism industry, serving a two-year term. Governors are eligible to serve consecutive two-year terms.
In his professional capacity as executive director and COO of the National Business Travel Association, the leading source for networking, advocacy, education, news and information for corporate and government travel professionals, Connors is well-versed in the benefits and challenges of business travel in today's economy and will provide insight into Alexandria's business travel sector that accounts for nearly 70 percent of hotel stays in the City.
As owner and chef of Geranio Ristorante in Old Town Alexandria since 1998, Clayton offers the perspective of a successful restaurateur, a small business owner and an award-winning chef who is a part of Alexandria's growing culinary reputation.
The ACVA Board of Governors voted to reappoint its FY 2008 executive committee to serve a second two-year term. The executive committee members include: Chair - John Varghese, General Manager of the Westin Alexandria and President of the Alexandria Hotel Association; Vice Chair - Charlotte Hall, Vice President of the Potomac Riverboat Company; Treasurer - Charlie Banta, General Manager of the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center; Officer At-large - Mark Jinks, Deputy City Manager; Officer At-large - Robert Lorenson, Owner of The Virginia Shop; and Secretary - Stephanie Brown.
As it welcomes two new governors to its Board, the ACVA also expresses gratitude to two departing governors who have served the association during a time of change and growth for Alexandria's tourism industry, resulting in increased marketing tourism responsibility for the association. Jim Singerling, Chief Executive Officer of Club Managers Association of America, based in Alexandria, who also serves as President of the Board of Trustees of The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, and Pat Troy, Owner of Pat Troy's Restaurant & Pub and veteran organizer of Alexandria's St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Festival, have both stepped down after serving on the Board for two consecutive terms. The ACVA will publicly recognize their services at the Annual Membership Meeting on September 25.
We can't thank our retiring ACVA Board members Jim Singerling and Pat Troy enough for the many tireless hours they have volunteered on behalf of our tourism industry," Brown said. "Their professional expertise and support of Alexandria's tourism industry have been vital to the work we have accomplished over the past four years."
The Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association is a public-private membership organization whose mission is to generate tourism and conventions that increase revenues and promote the City of Alexandria and its assets. Tourism contributes both to the economic health of the City and quality of life for its residents.
It Pays to Stay in Alexandria, Virginia, this Summer
Visitors booking two-night stay through www.VisitAlexandriaVa.com receive $25 Visa gift card and coupons to local businesses and attractions
Alexandria, VA (June 25, 2008) — The Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association invites visitors to get away with more fun in Alexandria this summer with a $25 Visa gift card and coupons totally more than $600 in value redeemable at local businesses and attractions. The $25 gift card and coupons are available to visitors who book a two-night minimum hotel stay now through Labor Day on www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com.
"Alexandria's charming streets, unique shops and trendy restaurants are a great escape for time-crunched travelers," said Stephanie Brown, President and CEO of the ACVA. This promotion helps our visitors to get away with more fun at less cost. The gift card and discount coupons will help travelers to Alexandria defray some of the increased transportation costs that may discourage summer leisure travel." The Travel Industry Association (TIA) reports a six percent increase in the Traveler Price Index (TPI) in April compared to the same time a year ago. The TPI measures the seasonally unadjusted rate of the cost of travel.
Once you get to Alexandria, it's easy to park the car and get around. The new King Street Trolley is free and runs up and down the main street in Old Town, and the Water Taxi taking travelers to Mount Vernon, Georgetown and National Harbor/Gaylord. Alexandria also has five stops in the DC Metro system. Many of the shops, restaurants, attractions and hotels in historic Old Town are within walking distance of each other.
Located within eyesight of Washington, DC, historic and charming Alexandria, VA, is the perfect summer destination. From restaurants led by chefs eager to make their mark with the freshest, local ingredients combined with a boutique district able to satisfy the serious shopper's search for designer clothes, shoes, antiques and home décor, along with a thriving art scene, festivals, live music and a variety of accommodations, there are many reasons to visit Alexandria.
Summer Celebrations in Alexandria, VA
Alexandria, VA (May 28, 2008) — Summer 2008 is all about celebrations in Alexandria, VA. Music and entertainment will float through the air of historic Alexandria to commemorate freedoms and support a good cause.
Alexandria Waterfront Festival, June 14-15
Now in its 27th year, the Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival fundraiser offers live music, visiting ships, an interactive aquarium, arts and crafts, rides and games for kids and food. Live entertainment includes Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Smithereens, Virginia Coalition, Little Feat, Ralph's World (children's entertainment), plus non-stop local entertainment through the weekend. Free shuttle service from King Street and Braddock Road Metro stations; free bike valet at festival. Oronoco Bay Park (Pendleton and Union Streets).
Alexandria's Juneteenth Celebration, June 18-19
Commemorate the struggle of enslaved people and celebrate emancipation during June 18 and 19 events at the Alexandria's Black History Museum. Learn through film, music and dance about the origins of the unique Gumboot dance on June 18, 7 p.m., 902 Wythe Street. Continue the celebration on June 19 with a dance performance by the Lesole Dance Project, highlighting the unique qualities of modern and Afro-Fusion style of dance while educating audiences about the history of South African dances like Gumboot, Indlamu and Pantsula at the Lee Center (1108 Jefferson Street, 7:30 p.m).
USA and Alexandria Birthday Celebrations, July 12
Celebrate birthday of the country and of Alexandria with a concert by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, birthday cake, and food, followed by a fireworks display over the Potomac River. The evening culminates in Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" and the firing of a cannon. Oronoco Bay Park (Pendleton and Union Streets).
Historic Alexandria ALIVE, Sundays, noon-5pm
Each Sunday history in Alexandria comes to life with performers and costumed interpreters at Market Square, along King Street between Market Square and the waterfront, and on the waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory. Learn, participate, engage, and enjoy every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Free.
Alexandria, Virginia, to Contribute to Tourism Scholarship Fund
Proceeds from sale of motorcoach parking permits will benefit American Bus Association Foundation
Alexandria, VA (May 7, 2008) — Beginning in May 2008, the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association (ACVA) will allocate a portion of the proceeds from motorcoach parking permits for an annual donation to the American Bus Association Foundation scholarship fund.
Motorcoach parking is available at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, a favorite attraction on many tour itineraries and conveniently located in Old Town Alexandria. Daytime permits are $10 and overnight permits are $35. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the passes will be contributed to the ABA Foundation Scholarship Fund. Each year the ABA Foundation awards $2,500 scholarships to 18 students working towards a degree supporting the travel and tourism industries.
"The tour industry contributes essential economic benefits to cities nationwide," said ACVA President and CEO Stephanie Brown. "The ACVA is excited for an opportunity to give back to the tourism community, and support the students who will lead this industry in the future, through donations to the ABA."
Getting in and around Alexandria is easier than ever for motorcoaches. More spaces are now available in Alexandria for loading and unloading of motorcoaches in the heart of the historic district on King Street at Market Square. Permitted daytime and overnight parking is available at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Additional free daytime parking is available on a limited basis at Robinson Terminal on North Union Street. The free King Street Trolley, which is now making stops from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily between the marina and the King Street Metro Station, also provides added convenience to visitors exploring Alexandria.
Visitalexandriava.com adds Travelocity Booking Engine
Search for hotels, car rentals, flights and tickets in Alexandria in one location
Alexandria, VA (April 28, 2008) — The Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association (ACVA) announced today a collaboration with the online travel company Travelocity and has added the booking engine to www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com
Planning a trip to Alexandria is now easier than ever. Visitors to www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com can search for and book flights, car rentals, hotel rooms all on one website. Online ticketing for local attractions and museums are expected to be added soon. The booking engine is conveniently located on the home page of the website.
"The ACVA is excited to work with Travelocity in an effort to better serve visitors to Alexandria," said Stephanie Brown, ACVA President and CEO. "We believe this arrangement will add visibility to Alexandria and to our many offerings and historic attractions."
The ACVA's agreement with Travelocity is one of many new initiatives underway to enhance the visitor experience in Alexandria. The City of Alexandria recently launched the free King Street Trolley, which is now making stops from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily between the marina and the King Street Metro Station. In addition, visitors can more easily travel to and from Alexandria and Georgetown, National Harbor and Mount Vernon on the Potomac Riverboat Company's Water Taxi service. Informative kiosks have been added to Alexandria's picturesque marina as well as museum "discovery carts" and living history characters on a scheduled basis. The Alexandria Visitor Center operates extended hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The Dining Revolution in Alexandria, Virginia Benefits Meeting Travel
Alexandria, VA (April 10, 2008) — The historic seaport is focused on food as it bustles with vibrant culinary creations from the industry's top chefs
Start with a contender from Food Network's The Iron Chef series. Add in one of Food and Wine's "2006 Best New Chefs." Season with chefs transplanted from the biggest establishments in the DC restaurant scene. Serve alongside quaint and charming cobblestone streets brimming with history. Whether it's an annual meeting, an after-meeting cocktail, a convention offsite event, or a catered meeting, the dining revolution happening in Alexandria, Virginia, adds value to any business function.
Washington, DC, transplants are on the menu in Alexandria. They got their start across the river, but came to Alexandria to play by their own rules. Cathal Armstrong, owner and chef of Restaurant Eve, was named as one of Food & Wine's "Best New Chefs." Chef Armstrong, formerly of DC's Bistro Bis, has also opened Eamonn's A Dublin Chipper and The Majestic. Morou Ouattara, formerly of DC's Signatures Restaurant and contender on the Food Network's The Iron Chef series, has opened his own restaurant, Farrah Olivia, in Old Town. Chefs Christophe Poeaux and Michelle Garbee, formerly of the Aquarelle at The Watergate, have opened their neighborhood French bistro Bastille.
Alexandria has become a magnet for other talented, young celebrity chefs who have opened their own restaurants locally, such as Anthony Chittum, Vermilion's new chef and Jamie Leeds owner and chef of Hank's Oyster Bar. Chef-driven restaurants such as Hotel Monaco's Jackson 20 under the direction of Executive Chef Jeff Armstrong, Jamieson Grille and Trademark Bar at the Westin Alexandria with Nadine Thomas as executive chef, and The Grille at the Morrison House with Dennis Marron as executive chef, are appetizing options in the City's new hotels.
Meeting attendees rate food as one of the most memorable aspects of their meeting experience. The sales staff at the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association works creatively with Alexandria's celebrity chefs to design award-winning culinary events to complement the most discriminating corporate meetings. Contact Lorraine Lloyd, Vice President of Sales at llloyd@funside.com for a complete meeting planners guide featuring Alexandria's top chefs.
Founded in 1749 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Alexandria is nationally recognized for its abundance of 18th- and 19th-century architecture, historic attractions, award-winning restaurants and eclectic shopping. With five Metro stations and a range of hotels to suit every taste, Alexandria is the perfect gateway to all that Greater Washington has to offer. For a complete listing of annual events in Alexandria, visit www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com.
Alexandria Expands Convenient Motorcoach Parking Program
Alexandria, VA (October 26, 2007) — A favorite destination for motorcoach tours, Alexandria's historic Old Town has expanded its convenient parking program for motorcoaches to ease the challenge of where to park in this picturesque destination, both day and night.
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, a landmark in Alexandria for nearly 100 years and a tourist attraction in its own right, in partnership with the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association (ACVA), has been offering off-street, long-term parking facilities on-site in the Memorial's 24-space motorcoach parking lot since 2006. Now that program has been expanded to include parking for motorcoaches on day trips to Alexandria.
"We are very pleased that the George Washington Masonic National Memorial has been able to extend its parking service to motorcoaches making daytrips to our City," said Stephanie Brown, ACVA president & CEO. "This additional daytime service will help to ease the congestion that may occur in the heart of Old Town Alexandria during peak tourist seasons. This program will be convenient for motorcoaches to use and for the benefit of everyone, both visitors and Alexandria residents alike."
Parking permits for both types of motorcoach parking are available through the Ramsay House Visitors Center, 221 King Street. The fee for a daytime permit is $10; the fee to park overnight is $35. Revenue generated from the permits is used to maintain parking facilities at the Memorial and for administration of the program by the ACVA. The number and length of passes purchased by a company are limited only by the number of parking spaces available.
Permit applications may be submitted by service providers (hotels, attractions, restaurants) or tour and motorcoach companies. The requesting business may apply for a permit online at www.funside.com or by phone at 800-388-9119. Applications may be paid for by credit card, check or cash. A permit will not be issued until payment in full has been received. Once payment is received, the permit will be mailed if the arrival date exceeds five business days, or picked up at the Ramsay House Visitors Center upon arrival in Alexandria. Applications also will be accepted for "same day" requests by service providers. Complete procedural details for the application process are available online at www.funside.com. For more information about the program itself, contact Renee Cardone at 703-838-4200, ext. 204.
The Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association is a public-private membership association whose mission is to generate tourism and conventions that increase revenues and promote the City of Alexandria and its assets. Alexandria's tourism industry is a major contributor to the economic health of the City of Alexandria. In FY 2007, tourism spending by overnight visitors was $587 million, generating nearly $14 million in direct taxes to the City.
Alexandria's Tourism Industry Focuses on the Future
ACVA Builds on Past Success, Migrates Marketing Strategy to 21st Century Environment
Alexandria, VA (September 27, 2007) — In her first public address before Alexandria's tourism industry, the ACVA's new CEO Stephanie Brown emphasized the association's number one marketing priority to build on the success of the ACVA's first 10 years, while migrating the association's marketing strategy to a 21st century environment.
Brown spoke to a large crowd attending the ACVA's 2007 Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon at the Embassy Suites Alexandria. Keynoting the luncheon, Dr. Suzanne Cook, senior vice president of research at the Travel Industry Association, focused her remarks on "Trends Shaping America's Travel Industry." Dr. Cook is the newest member of the ACVA Board of Governors.
"Migrating our strategy into a 21st century environment will require new, more aggressive media planning with a destination approach, built with partners who are expert in the tools we will need to succeed," Brown said. "Our website must be an engaging tool for selling and planning visits to Alexandria. It will orient potential visitors to all of Alexandria."
"History is the foundation of our brand," Brown said. "Equally important to our brand is a vibrant collection of hotels, restaurants and shops that create an entertaining and fun experience for our visitors and support the economic return on investment for the City that benefits our citizens." She noted Alexandria's hotel industry's investment of over $180 million, with new luxury hotels opening and others being upgraded, as well as new restaurants and retail businesses opening and National Harbor on the horizon.
Brown cited the brand image study commissioned by the ACVA and now underway. The study will use the survey results of 1,400 past and potential visitors to help shape Alexandria's tourism marketing message. "We will emphasize the brand attributes that motivate travel and distinguish Alexandria from our competition," she said. Also important to the ACVA's marketing strategy is a report by Dr. Stephen Fuller, Director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Entitled, "The Visitor Market in Alexandria: Present and Prospective," the study was commissioned by the ACVA as a prelude to the development of a new five-year strategic plan which the ACVA Board of Governors will undertake in 2008.
"Dr. Fuller's report emphasizes the interdependence of tourism and other key economic sectors with business development and job growth in the City as a whole," Brown continued. "The work that we accomplish together in the upcoming years will be defined by collaboration — with the City of Alexandria, key business organizations, and our residents."
Alexandria's tourism industry is a major contributor to the economic health of the City of Alexandria. In FY 2007, tourism spending by overnight visitors was $587 million, generating nearly $14 million in direct taxes to the City.
