[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6293555,"mediaKeyId","2523122-fef2401c2dd769a4a5b94d6ee786de3d","parentId",2523122,"title","Convention & Visitors Bureau previews updated 'Happiness is' campaign, details TAP fund rules and spend","audioSeconds",983,"startMs",1432000,"endMs",2415000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523122-fef2401c2dd769a4a5b94d6ee786de3d&start=1432&end=2415","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523122-fef2401c2dd769a4a5b94d6ee786de3d/thumbnail_1432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6293555/Virginia-Beach/Princess-Anne-County/Virginia/Convention-Visitors-Bureau-previews-updated-Happiness-is-campaign-details-TAP-fund-rules-and-spend","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293555-69adb650938fd33fbfd4468ae234337b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191050&Signature=ATZzsRdP~Z2-KoL9hBDqsvMVH64gSgJFoh-9RtAGxgmGa7uMVdwxUr9Zoc5hTD2Stb1dpthszeydDw~-nNartgZUhToL2teUo1ik4beAUS94~iVcq06MsskKrEv5bMh~Hsd0p1YvaMJZmLYJia7lE8wHzBltbrpe8WdMC0Z--hImO5ZBLfnOfL799Zyfk8myyC3DrCw0EBAfk8GjVLyI9ciXLqzgRlUjRR3OA3SBPtg6QIs-at~f954YoyVCe5a1vzAucchcsANsWr~bcRfUphLz6n7CiikU1RRCCy-~qJghsHFKtcIMl6B4~ioQrE0HL0n1o-cvvoeHrK9cJvOeTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Va Beach","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau on March 4 presented an updated, multichannel version of its “Happiness is” advertising campaign and reviewed how the tourism advertising program (TAP) fund is governed and spent.

Nancy Hellman, CVB marketing lead, and Advertising Advisory Committee chairs Delcino Miles and John Zirkle described the campaign as an evolution—“Happiness is” builds on prior creative to showcase beaches, arts, food, shopping and sports tourism. Hellman said the CVB uses a mix of paid media, social and owned content and targeted flights to reach drivable regional markets and travel-ready consumers nationwide. The CVB said it places ads on platforms ranging from streaming networks to billboards and will run spots of varying lengths to support visitation.

The presentation gave specific financial and performance figures: the CVB reported spending about $5.3 million on domestic leisure media (about 73% of its media budget) and said the destination last year welcomed roughly 14 million visitors who generated an estimated $3.4 billion in direct spending. The CVB also said a new visitVirginiaBeach.com website is scheduled to launch in August 2025 with an emphasis on ADA compliance.

Delcino Miles described the Advertising Advisory Committee’s recent membership refresh and public role. He said the committee meets monthly at the CVB office and will hold a March 20 workshop to set specific campaign goals and success metrics. Hellman invited the public to attend AAC meetings and to engage with the CVB’s social channels.

Council members asked whether TAP funds could be spent in-market (nearby areas) rather than only outside Hampton Roads. Hellman said: “The TAP fund ordinance dictates that our spend is out of market outside of the Hampton Roads area with the goal of bringing guests in from outside of Hampton Roads into Virginia Beach.” She said changing that rule would require council action. A council member asked where TAP revenues come from; Hellman said the TAP is funded primarily through a flat per-room-night charge on hotel stays and also referenced a 1% hotel tax and a half-percent meals tax contribution.

The CVB also noted that media strategy emphasizes drivable markets such as Washington, D.C., and uses behavioral targeting so that travel-ready consumers anywhere can be served creative relevant to Virginia Beach. The presentation concluded with a 30-second ad spot and acknowledgements to the advertising agency of record (Miles Partnership) and PR agency (Finn Partners).

Ending: Council thanked the CVB and the AAC for the update and discussed whether to explore in-market advertising—any change to TAP spending policy would require council action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","VA Beach City Council Informal - 03/04/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau on March 4 presented an updated 'Happiness is' advertising campaign and reviewed the TAP fund rules that limit TAP spending to markets outside Hampton Roads.","taxTitle","Virginia Beach, Princess Anne County, Virginia","taxId",4851,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6293560,"City hears federal grants, earmarks and shutdown risks from Becker & Poliakoff lobbyists",1063,66000,1129000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523122-fef2401c2dd769a4a5b94d6ee786de3d&start=66&end=1129","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523122-fef2401c2dd769a4a5b94d6ee786de3d/thumbnail_66000.jpg","/articles/6293560/Virginia-Beach/Princess-Anne-County/Virginia/City-hears-federal-grants-earmarks-and-shutdown-risks-from-Becker-Poliakoff-lobbyists","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293560-43f09399543491e81600deb9c63f266d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191050&Signature=C-eXnhAny7Ym9P2QsE1C7mSSd3gpK0MFLogaamxvrZ~N7LssQDZLYl03A4XaPmxRyGkLt6exuxhiRQtx5ZFFxge9U~HeuDLR9dxynr5-fVEVBvAaHoYsFT8Z6LDavG4RuW8auPJc5U3P0R85AuSDVvhwebZcolS6iT~zcIefHr983MEYJObdKZT7wUhvSadD1YCYJ9BIE9oLMotcHVIhLjFr7wzjDw587D-JU3qqoVRViXxxsxBoYB0xzhGPFkCbNQL~mFguotmmjwWdMD6YVatk58aXmKPBFgnAjRxtfGE6J4QjfSAm1tsBFj8XHhIkXLprOGO-3T~LKXJlcHRI6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Becker & Poliakoff lobbyists told the Virginia Beach City Council on March 4 that the city has secured several federal grants and earmarks but faces uncertainty from the congressional appropriations process.

The firm said the city had received about $13.5 million to $13.7 million in grant funding this year, had $12.5 million in preliminary earmarks in the FY2025 appropriations process and cited a larger figure referenced as $247.93 million in the final budget process (context not specified at the meeting). The presentation stressed that a continuing resolution (CR) in Congress could delay or freeze many awards and that a failure to resolve FY2025 funding could lead to a short government shutdown.

Alfonso Lopez, a Becker & Poliakoff representative, described the firm’s role: “we are a national law and lobbying firm with over 50 years experience,” and said the firm leverages bipartisan contacts to press the city’s priorities on Capitol Hill. Anthony Bedell, the firm’s co-lead on transportation and appropriations matters, warned that “if they don't work that out, it's potentially you'll see a government shutdown at the end of next week.”

Becker & Poliakoff listed several specific awards and projects the firm said it helped advance or track: roughly $3.9 million for Rudy Inlet work, $3 million for Alaskan Road Phase 1B, $693,000 for Creeds training facility and $400,000 for an Army Corps coastal zone management study. The presentation also cited funding lines the firm attributed to ongoing or prior federal programs: HUD Continuum of Care support, approximately $1.6 million for homeland security grants used through Port Security and Urban Search & Rescue programs, about $6.3 million in CDBG grants and Byrne JAG funds for community policing. Becker & Poliakoff said the Army Corps, OMB and White House offices were among the agencies the firm engages to advance Corps of Engineers priorities for the city.

The consultants urged patience while federal funding decisions play out and recommended contingency planning with city staff if FY2025 appropriations are held in a CR. Bedell said some agencies are already releasing funds and gave the Virginia Port Authority’s $344 million clean ports award as an example of money that was frozen and later reopened. Lopez added that the firm is working on parallel tracks for FY2025 and FY2026 appropriations and on authorization packages such as the surface transportation reauthorization and the Water Resources Development Act.

Council members asked about which grants the city staff obtains directly versus those where the firm assists; Lopez said formula grants are handled by staff while Becker & Poliakoff focuses on competitive and earmark-type funding and congressional engagement. The firm also said it helps with executive summaries and positioning grants to match new administration priorities—cited as safety, innovation, job growth and return on federal investment.

The presentation included operational advice for the council and staff: monitor agency-by-agency responses to executive orders and appropriation actions, expect some awards to move more quickly than others, and coordinate with the city manager and legislative affairs staff on which projects to resubmit if funding is delayed.

Ending: Council members commended staff and the consultants for their work and discussed the need for contingency budgeting if federal awards are delayed. Becker & Poliakoff said it will continue regular updates to the council and the city team.","Becker & Poliakoff update: the firm said the city secured roughly $13.5–$13.7 million in grant awards this year, reported $12.5 million in preliminary earmarks for FY2025 and warned that a congressional continuing resolution could delay funding or trigger a short government shutdown.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6293546,"Council recesses into closed session citing Code of Virginia exemptions",0,4530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523122-fef2401c2dd769a4a5b94d6ee786de3d&start=4530&end=4530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523122-fef2401c2dd769a4a5b94d6ee786de3d/thumbnail_4530000.jpg","/articles/6293546/Virginia-Beach/Princess-Anne-County/Virginia/Council-recesses-into-closed-session-citing-Code-of-Virginia-exemptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293546-e6020ec72cfe5ccbf9bf4408d11b74a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191050&Signature=BJ-nHngkHYbuvclSzHeNVlO27SDNzBTtzKmo2X1ndgS1vTlYtuUuv55f3F9wUzaCP-4WLHLdKpoKPLPK9m1fif1OtcN26romuLDMSLRWOkEjfiYuo0kB0l-woOTv~-fm1NQ3ZRmwTnXJBmMN4o8woLQxgLVR~6Gszh1W3DypFHvxWNRcsIwfsgE67BTATqf5UGwFWEFdjSj--uzBq~kcQ~YNJqcVXgsXnppsljKDl~PvFYaxl3pr-DUB6GsWfqC-dRZfXTAwX0TdGbdmfBASj21HlwuRMqWqD748uBvYBQcnXA6pvMGiMK17z5PSE0~tYwsaoiiGYmC0GZFYaJ2Ttw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia Beach City Council on March 4 voted to recess into a closed session under the exemptions in the Code of Virginia.

The motion cited Code of Virginia §2.2-3711(A) and listed four categories for the closed session: consultation with legal counsel regarding actual or probable litigation (several named cases were referenced); discussion of acquisition or disposition of publicly held property (district 5); public-contract negotiation items (Sunrise Festival and a participation agreement); and personnel matters related to boards, commissions and appointees. An unnamed council member moved the motion and another unnamed member seconded; council then recessed into closed session.

Ending: The council entered closed session for the stated purposes; no roll-call vote totals were recorded in the public transcript.","Council moved and seconded a recess into closed session under Code of Virginia exceptions for litigation, acquisition/ disposition of public property, public contract negotiations and personnel matters; the motion was approved and the meeting recessed.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6293550,"Atlantic Park construction on track for May venue opening, city says",484,2738000,3222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523122-fef2401c2dd769a4a5b94d6ee786de3d&start=2738&end=3222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523122-fef2401c2dd769a4a5b94d6ee786de3d/thumbnail_2738000.jpg","/articles/6293550/Virginia-Beach/Princess-Anne-County/Virginia/Atlantic-Park-construction-on-track-for-May-venue-opening-city-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293550-7f3f457f8c827a021ad30aa6b361cfc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191050&Signature=kfsbGs5j9OLabQd0T2o9fT67hbpmEN~5OvuVFnBNy5a08bcUE0mtYI-PXv-r-DO0HZWqnvXtgHyOGzNxY5728-B9aoSz6ZxgLgS~LwIxe4nFEz5kvKkAU99KqLFDelSuCXzOpedo7bkLu~RmAzVyqFiAxOIgd6zLF2dCOT4p~-QcKNFz6z88KegO3tWkI8S2KUYqOCkjmPFJOBOHAxMGcScTKn~haJN5cFEOvXEqpeVPE0T-Xi85NGG1O~IVf2zEFO3mkG48vcBecjKWihbfdovaDM75EnlSpYCxNKjUorat96~c4~rSmMihKw~nY~reX5XFs~w4L3AC9Vi~9XVcuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Virginia Beach City Council on March 4 that Atlantic Park construction is advancing and that the entertainment venue is on track for an early-May opening.

Emily Archer, deputy director for economic development, described Atlantic Park as “the city's largest public private partnership to date” and said the project covers three blocks between 18th and 20th streets at the oceanfront. Archer listed project elements and near-term delivery targets: 300 multifamily rental units, about 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, 10,000 square feet of office, 20 surf-bungalow units, a roughly 3,500-seat indoor entertainment venue that can open to an outdoor amphitheater with up to 5,000 capacity, two parking garages totaling about 1,475 spaces, and a 2.7-acre surf lagoon.

Archer said the North Garage (accessed from 20th Street) is about 400 spaces and the Baltic Garage about 1,000 spaces; the Baltic Garage was reported as the larger of the two. She displayed construction photos and noted the parking garages show high budget percent-complete figures (the presentation listed one garage at 89% complete). Live Nation has announced 23 shows so far for the venue; Archer and staff said Live Nation expects to program many more events this season.

Archer outlined the delivery timeline the city presented to council: the entertainment venue and the parking garages are planned to open May 4 with Live Nation events; retail tenants will begin opening in May and continue through the summer; the surf lagoon is expected to open by July; and all mixed-use residential units and final off-site street improvements are expected to be delivered by fall. The city also said it will provide a temporary paved and lit parking lot of about 65 spaces by July on city-owned land as a short-term measure (the temporary lot is permitted under current provisions through 2027).

Council members praised the developer and contractor for accelerated work. During the discussion a council member and the mayor/liaisons noted the project budget figure of about $350 million and called the project a point of civic pride.

Ending: Staff said they are in near‑daily coordination with development partners to meet the May opening; council members and liaisons urged continued close oversight as the season approaches.","City staff reported Atlantic Park—Virginia Beach’s largest public‑private partnership—remains on schedule for a May opening of the entertainment venue, with parking garages and some retail to open in May and a surf lagoon planned for July; residential and final site work are slated for completion by fall.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Convention & Visitors Bureau previews updated 'Happiness is' campaign, details TAP fund rules and spend

City hears federal grants, earmarks and shutdown risks from Becker & Poliakoff lobbyists

Council recesses into closed session citing Code of Virginia exemptions

Atlantic Park construction on track for May venue opening, city says