The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa in Hot Springs, VA.

Whether it’s the waterfront venues of the coast, the urban energy of the northern part of the state or the scenic retreats of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia offers a truly varied range of meeting locations to suit the needs of any insurance or financial meeting or event.

An extremely business-friendly environment, Virginia continues to be recognized for its growing economy. According to Visit Richmond, in 2024, the state added 4,900 non-farm payroll jobs, while lowering its unemployment rate — a testament to its strong job market and corporate-friendly policies.

And thanks to a well-connected infrastructure, which includes two major international airports, Virginia gives planners a diverse array of meeting destination options.

Richmond

A prominent insurance company recently selected Richmond for a multiday corporate conference, welcoming approximately 250 attendees. The event took place at a premier downtown convention hotel, just eight miles from Richmond International Airport (RIC), allowing for effortless arrivals and departures.

Meeting attendees enjoyed a seamless experience in the heart of the region’s pedestrian-friendly downtown, with a variety of unique restaurants, museums and cultural attractions within easy walking distance. The hotel’s onsite meeting spaces offered the perfect setting for leadership meetings, professional development workshops and networking sessions, while nearby historic landmarks and the city’s vibrant culinary scene provided ample opportunities for post-event engagement.

According to Visit Richmond, the insurance company praised the region for its accessibility and affordability, also calling it a dynamic setting and an ideal location for both business and leisure experiences.

In fact, Richmond continues to attract groups for a variety of reasons, including its well-established financial and insurance sector. According to Visit Richmond, over 54,000 professionals throughout the area work in those industries, providing a natural setting for events. The presence of major firms such as Genworth Financial, Markel Group and Atlantic Union Bank underscores the region’s strong financial network, which fosters valuable opportunities for professional development and collaboration.

Also, being strategically located on the East Coast, Richmond offers multiple transportation options for event attendees. Richmond International Airport serves all major carriers, ensuring seamless air travel, while two Amtrak stations provide rail service from key markets. Additionally, the region’s highway network offers easy access from Washington, D.C., and other surrounding metropolitan areas.

Richmond is well-equipped to accommodate both midsize gatherings and large citywide conventions. For larger-scale events, the Greater Richmond Convention Center (GRCC) provides over 170,000 sf of exhibit space, a 30,000-sf grand ballroom and plenty of meeting areas, giving event planners a wide range of options. What’s more, there are ample hotel options from which to choose — including at least 10 near the convention center.

As many groups continue looking for ways to curb expenses, Richmond is considered a cost-effective destination, allowing planners to stretch their budgets while maintaining a high-quality experience. Hotel rates, dining and event services are competitively priced compared to larger East Coast cities, providing exceptional value without sacrificing amenities.

Finally, Richmond’s rich history, vibrant arts scene and diverse culinary options equate to a well-rounded experience for attendees. From the famous sites to the local breweries to the riverfront activities, there are countless ways to enhance networking and team-building opportunities beyond the meeting room.

With its strategic location, thriving financial industry and wealth of venue options, the Richmond region continues to serve as a premier destination for finance and insurance meetings, providing a seamless blend of business-friendly infrastructure and cultural enrichment.

Hot Springs

As a corporate meeting and event planner at a life insurance company, Lydia Salais selected The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa in Hot Springs for a recent company gathering.

“Our meeting was a huge success,” Salais says. “We have heard nothing but positive feedback all around from both our leadership team and all attendees. The phrase ‘first-class’ has been said a lot referencing every detail of the event.”

That’s no surprise, as The Omni Homestead boasts more than 76,000 sf of newly renovated meeting and event space, as well as 28 meeting rooms, two awe-inspiring ballrooms and expansive grounds for attendees to explore. “Elegant charm” and “Southern hospitality” are two phrases that best exemplify the venue. With its combination of stunning architectural detail and state-of-the-art amenities, the resort leaves attendees inspired, delighted and eager to experience everything it has to offer.

When it’s time for attendees to relax and unwind, the venue’s 2,000 acres are teeming with a wealth of outdoor activities, including a water park, golf, archery, carriage rides, hikes, falconry, fly fishing and horseback riding, to name just a few options.

Virginia Beach

Ask any potential meeting attendee where in Virginia they would most enjoy visiting, and many are bound to say Virginia Beach. This idyllic coastal city is a perfect combination of urban living and nature at its best. Located on the southeastern tip of Virginia, the city is celebrated for its stunning beaches, vibrant boardwalk and rich history. Here, attendees can explore miles of sandy beaches and scenic waterways, as well as a thriving arts scene, providing all kinds of dynamic experiences. The region’s blend of modern amenities and historic gems makes it the ideal place for meeting attendees to explore and blend business with pleasure.

According to the Virginia Beach CVB, the city is within a day’s drive for over two-thirds of the U.S. population, making it accessible for many. And with the majority of the city’s hotels, as well as its convention center, within 20 minutes of the Norfolk International Airport (ORF), attendees can easily access most of the region’s venues. For meeting planners orchestrating large-scale financial and insurance events, the state-of-the-art Virginia Beach Convention Center fits the bill — thanks to its 250,000 sf of flexible event and meeting space.

The ideal event location to ensure a memorable experience for groups of all sizes, Virginia Beach offers a range of accommodations to suit the needs and budget of any company, including plenty of beachfront resorts that offer a one-stop meeting experience. In addition to stunning beaches, Virginia Beach offers a wide range of activities and attractions. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center boasts interactive exhibits and marine life observation, while the First Landing State Park celebrates where English settlers first arrived.

Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg offers an extremely unique combination of history, hospitality and modern convenience. The setting — surrounded by the beautifully restored 18th-century colonial capital of Virginia — creates a sense of place that inspires attendees. Meeting planners have a variety of venue options, including elegant ballrooms, charming taverns and vast gardens. Additionally, groups will find endless opportunities for networking, entertainment and team-building at many of the resorts in close proximity to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, Busch Gardens Williamsburg and the region’s wineries and breweries.

When considering hosting an insurance or financial meeting or event here, it is important to remember that Colonial Williamsburg is a place where attendees will want to explore and learn about America’s beginning, so event planners should incorporate history and culture into the group’s agenda. Consider hosting a reception at one of the historic taverns, or arrange a private guided tour. You could also offer other unique experiences such as scavenger hunts, ghost tours or unique dining experiences that offer a taste of the food and drink of a bygone era.

Tucked in the heart of the area, Colonial Williamsburg Resorts hosts a variety of corporate events, from executive retreats and board meetings to large-scale conferences and incentive programs. These range in size from intimate gatherings of 10 to conventions exceeding 1,000 attendees. With over 100,000 sf of flexible meeting space — including ballrooms, breakout rooms and unique historic venues — the resort can accommodate a wide range of meeting needs.

Often chosen for its seamless blend of modern conference facilities and a unique historic setting, Colonial Williamsburg Resorts offers financial and insurance event attendees a wealth of amenities, including beautiful accommodations, championship golf, memorable dining experiences and a rejuvenating spa and wellness center.

With a solid combination of business and leisure amenities, the resort provides an environment that sparks creativity, fosters collaboration and leaves a lasting impression, as attendees feel inspired by the relaxing and historic environment.

Attendees will also benefit from immersive experiences that go beyond the conference room, including team-building activities, exclusive after-hours events and access to museums, guided tours and golf outings.

“There is something for everyone — including the historic area, golf, conference spaces, romantic and family time,” says one meeting planner who recently facilitated at an event the Colonial Williamsburg Resorts. “It’s a lovely place. Our event could not have been more perfect. Every desire of mine was met, and the attendees commented that the staff at the Lodge could not have been more accommodating. The staff is great, always helpful and cheerful. And the bread pudding with cherries is excellent.”

Norfolk

Located just hours from two-thirds of the U.S. population, Norfolk has proven to be a favorite among today’s meeting and event planners. One of the city’s biggest draws is its walkable, 12-block waterfront downtown, which makes the area an ideal destination for insurance and financial meetings and events, with easy access to hotels, eateries, attractions and, of course, the city’s beautiful waterfront. Norfolk also offers a variety of world-class venues, a vibrant arts scene and hundreds of independently owned restaurants serving up fresh, local flavors.

Ideal for midsize meetings, the Hilton Norfolk features 300 guestrooms and 60,000 sf of meeting space, while the Norfolk Waterside Marriott has 397 rooms and 68,000 sf of meeting space. There’s also the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, with 468 guestrooms and 45,570 sf of meeting space. When it comes time for some socializing or team-building activities, attendees will enjoy scenic harbor cruises and other experiences unique to the area, or they can explore the lively Waterside District, complete with dining, entertainment and event spaces right on the water.

Any history buffs in attendance will be pleased with the opportunity to explore the world’s largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk, as well as the much-celebrated Battleship Wisconsin.

Hampton

Situated north of Norfolk and centrally located in coastal Virginia between Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia Beach, Hampton is a coastal gem and the ideal place for meeting attendees to gather and explore all that the region has to offer. One ideal venue for gatherings of all sizes is the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Complete with 344,000 sf of flexible meeting space — including a 102,000-sf exhibit hall, multiple breakout rooms and a ballroom that seats more than 2,000 people — the facility plays host to many trade shows, conventions and corporate meetings each year.

In addition, the Hampton Coliseum is perfect for both smaller gatherings and large-scale conventions and exhibitions, thanks in part to its seating capacity of more than 13,000.

For smaller affairs, insurance and financial meeting planners should consider the Virginia Air & Space Science Center, which is available for cocktail receptions, sit-down dinners, seminars, corporate functions and more. Attendees can enjoy dining while looking up at the aircraft suspended overhead, and they can also peruse the hands-on exhibits featured at the center.

Then, when meetings and gatherings have concluded for the day, attendees can venture to downtown Hampton to enjoy dining and entertainment. Additionally, attractions like the Fort Monroe National Monument (the largest stone fort ever built in the U.S.), Buckroe and Outlook beaches and the Hampton Roads Harbor Tours offer a wealth of additional experiences for attendees.

Any way you look at it, for insurance and financial meeting planners, Virginia has everything anyone could want in a destination.   I&FMM