WE CREATE AWESOME Events are our obsession. We produce over 40 events per year and we’re not satisfied unless each and every one of them is the kind of immersive experience that captivates attendees and delivers one-of-a-kind opportunities for brands. From Distinction Secret Suppers to the Mid-Atlantic Sports & Boat Show, we draw the most engaged audiences. Our events are creatively inspired, thoroughly planned, and flawlessly executed to meet the highest expectations of our attendees and our partners. WHY EVENTS GOALS Although events are fast becoming one of the most valuable marketing tools in any business’s arsenal, brand awareness most definitely isn’t all they’re good for. It wasn’t so long ago that Interact in Person conferences were meant for business people, trade shows were meant for shareholders, and Earn Trust many events were kept within the corporation. There are many reasons for that, all of which Build Brand Awareness speak to the inherent value of events. Sell Products Deliver Information Celebrate • Meet • Educate • Inform • Collect • Demonstrate • Sample • Interact • Activate Drive Demand Networking Generate Leads Educate the Consumer Generate Goodwill Stand Out from Others Set Appointments Drive Traffic To Your Website Start a Relationship Get Customer Feedback Experience the Brand
There is no doubt that live events are powerful. According to AdStage, 68% of B2B marketers use in-person events for lead generation initiatives.
This is particularly important considering 73% of marketers are prioritizing lead-quality.
Source: AdStage 2019 VIRGINIA MEDIA SIGNATURE EVENTS
LOCAL BRANDED BUSINESS
ACADEMIC MILITARY
TILL S SERVING ACHIEVEMENT Military Retiree & Veteran Awards SCHOLARSHIP AND RECOGNITION PROGRAM MAY OCTOBER 2020 Heroes at Home: HR Top Forty Under 40 EVENTS Heroes at Home: NOVA Military Family Festival CALENDAR Heroes at Home: Jacksonville Distinction Secret Supper / Bar School Scholastic Achievement One Day University
JANUARY Top Forty Under 40 Reunion NOVEMBER Virginia Flower & Garden JUNE Still Serving FEBRUARY Distinction Secret Supper / Bar School PRIME Expo DECEMBER Mid-Atlantic Sports & Boat Show Women in Business Distinction Secret Supper / Bar School JULY Distinction Secret Supper / Bar School Virginia Media / WHRO Spelling Bee Style Weekly Executive Women in Business
MARCH
Healthcare Heroes AUGUST Distinction Secret Supper / Bar School One Day University Top Workplaces APRIL
Distinction Secret Supper / Bar School LOCAL EVENTS The Mid-Atlantic Sports & Boat Show is a major industry event that gets you in front of more than 10,000 qualified buyers who spend millions of dollars annually on marine equipment and services. From recreational boaters to luxury seekers, you will find them all here.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • Over 21K people from Hampton Roads plan to purchase a boat in the next 12 months. • The average household income of “boaters” in HR is $107K.
Source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/boatshow
DATE: Friday, February 7th, noon - 8 p.m. Saturday, February 8th, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday, February 9th, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
LOCATION: Virginia Beach Convention Center
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $730 - $10,000
ATTENDANCE: 10,000
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, VA Growler, Distinction, and Inside Business • Digital campaign on pilotonline.com, dailypress.com, vagazette.com, & insidebiz.com • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms • Local broadcast television and radio The Virginia Flower & Garden Expo is the Commonwealth’s most comprehensive event of its type. Co-produced by the Virginia Horticultural Foundation and Virginia Media, the Expo promotes horticultural education for everyone from professionals to the weekend enthusiast.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • The average market value of owned homes amongst “gardeners” in Hampton Roads is $301K. • The average household income of gardeners in HR is $88K.
Source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/flowerandgarden
DATE: January 24-26, 2020
LOCATION: Virginia Beach Convention Center
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $500 - $15,000
ATTENDANCE: 7,000
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, VA Growler, Distinction, and Inside Business • Digital campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms • Local broadcast television and radio The Virginian-Pilot Scholastic Achievement Scholarship and Recognition Program recognizes outstanding academic achievement. By providing recognition and financial resources to students with exceptional academic achievements, service and leadership, we are making an investment in the future of our community.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • Over 65% of The Virginian-Pilot readership has an educational level of bachelor’s ACHIEVEMENT degree or higher. SCHOLARSHIP AND RECOGNITION PROGRAM • The average household income of The Virginian-Pilot reader is $83K.
Source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/scholasticschievement
DATE: May 2020
LOCATION: TBD
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $500 - $8,000
ATTENDANCE: 150 - 200
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot • Digital campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic social campaign on various social media platforms For over 92 years, students have been competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, with millions of students competing nationally this year. This year marks the 13th year WHRO has partnered with Virginia Media to hold the Virginia Media Spelling Bee at the WHRO studios for this televised event.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • Each year, 11 million students take part in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, with 60 from the Hampton Roads market.
Source: cnn library, 2019
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/spellingbee
DATE: February 29, 2020
LOCATION: WHRO Studio (Televised)
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $2,500 - $5,000
ATTENDANCE: 180 (Invited students and parents)
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press • Display campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic social campaign on various social media platforms One Day University brings together professors from the finest universities in the country to present special versions of their very best lectures - LIVE. Every university has a few professors who are wildly popular. At One Day University, we work closely with these professors to develop the most engaging talks that inform and inspire our adult “students-for-a-day.”
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • 30% of the One Day Univerisity audience has a household income over $100-$200K. • 40% of the household net worth of One Day Univerisity audience attendees is between $1M - $5 M. Source: Survey of 40,000 attendees of One Day University programs. 3/4/16
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/onedayuniversity
DATE: March 7, 2020 & October 2020
LOCATION: Chrysler Museum of Art
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $1,500 - $15,000
ATTENDANCE: 300 per event
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, and Inside Business • Digital campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic social campaign on various social media platforms BRANDED EVENTS Secret Supper is a dining experience that pops-up in intimate, one-of-a-kind spaces around Hampton Roads. Guests enjoy four courses prepared by one of the region’s finest chefs. Bar School is a series of pop-ups hosted by some of Virginia’s finest bartenders. The instructors provide the theories, recipes and instructions. The guests supply the elbow grease – and the thirst.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • The average home value of a Distinction reader is $368,900. • Distinction readers are 63% more likely to have a second home.
Source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/distinctionevents
DATE: February, April, June, August, October, & December
LOCATION: Various locations throughout Hampton Roads
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $3,000 - $9,000 (sponsorship packages are combined for all six events)
ATTENDANCE: 10 - 40
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Featured in Distinction • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms • Email blast to exclusive Distinction VIP email list The exploding population over age 50 is the most significant demographic change currently taking place across the U.S., especially in states like Virginia. PRIME, a special section of Distinction and companion PRIME Expo, highlights issues that are most important to this group.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • 55% of Prime Magazine readers have stayed at an upscale hotel. • The average household income of the Prime Magazine reader is $105K. source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/primeexpo
DATE: June 2020
LOCATION: TBD
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $499 - $20,000
ATTENDANCE: 750
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, VA Growler, Distinction, and Inside Business • Digital campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms BUSINESS EVENTS For the twentieth year, Inside Business recognizes the companies in Hampton Roads that are loved by their employees. Top Workplaces seeks to recognize employers who acknowledge their best asset – their employees.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • Inside Business readers have an average household income of $86K. • The average market home value of the Inside Business reader is $399K. source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/topworkplaces
DATE: August 2020
LOCATION: The Westin, Virginia Beach
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $10,000 - $1,500
ATTENDANCE: 350-400
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, VA Growler, Distinction, and Inside Business • Digital campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms Now in its 20th year, Inside Business recognizes 40 business professionals under the age of 40 who have not only built successful careers, but who are also actively involved in the community. Top Forty Under 40 reaches influential up-and-coming business people.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • 23%. of the readers have completed post graduate study or obtained a degree. source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/topfortyunder40
DATE: October 2020
LOCATION: The Westin, Virginia Beach
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $10,000 - $1,500
ATTENDANCE: 200
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, VA Growler, Distinction, and Inside Business • Digital campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms Alumni from the last 21 years of Inside Business’s Top Forty Under 40 come together for a reunion bash. Attendees enjoy local craft beer, hors d’oeuvres and a commemorative gift.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • 41% of all Inside Business readers own a dog. • 17% of all Inside Business readers plan to look for a new job in the next 12 months. source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/topfortyunder40reunion
DATE: May
LOCATION: TBD
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $10,000 - $1,500
ATTENDANCE: 200
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, VA Growler, Distinction, and Inside Business • Digital campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms Inside Business has honored Women in Business in Hampton Roads for 16 years. By honoring these women, we seek to encourage them and other women to trust their abilities, strengthen their self-confidence and participate in the economic growth of this region.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • 33% of Inside Business readers are women. • Of the top 10 cities nationwide for female entrepreneurs, Virginia Beach placed 10th in a ranking of where women are the happiest running their businesses. source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1, Thumbtack Report
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/womeninbusiness
DATE: December 2020
LOCATION: TBD
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $1,500 - $10,000
ATTENDANCE: 300 - 350
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, VA Growler, Distinction, and Inside Business • Digital campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms Inside Business honors outstanding individuals and organizations demonstrating excellence in the healthcare field in Hampton Roads with Healthcare Heroes. The awards are presented to the honorees at a recognition event. Additionally, all honorees will be profiled in a special section that will be included in Inside Business and also distributed at the event.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • There are over 53K Healthcare Practitioners in Hampton Roads and over 30K in support rolls. source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/healthcareheroes
DATE: March 2020
LOCATION: TBD
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $1,500 - $10,000
ATTENDANCE: 200
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, VA Growler, Distinction, and Inside Business • Digital campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms Meet Richmond’s most influential female corporate executives. These women are shaping our community and making changes in the corporate landscape of Richmond; achieving success, pushing new ideas and giving back. Position your brand in front of these unique women and those that support their creativity, initiative, and drive.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • Virginia ranked No. 3 as the best places for women to launch a business in the US. source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1, Thumbtack Report
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/stylewomeninbusiness
DATE: July 2020
LOCATION: Troutman Sanders, Richmond, VA
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR: $3,500
ATTENDANCE: 125 - 150
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in Style Weekly • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms MILITARY EVENTS Founded by The Flagship Inc., in Norfolk, Virginia in 2005, Heroes at Home is a highly regarded, regional recognition program that honors military spouses from all ranks and all branches for their strength, sacrifices, volunteerism and support for the military com- munity.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • There are 641,639 spouses of active duty service members. 13% of those spouses. also serve in the military (dual-military families), while the remaining 87% of active duty spouses are civilians.
Source: Department of Justice, 2017
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/heroesathome
DATE: May 2020
LOCATION: The Westin, Virginia Beach River Cover Conference Cntr, Jacksonville AKMY/Navy Country Club, Arlington VA
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $595 - $20,000
ATTENDANCE: 100 - 200 per location
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, Inside Business, The Flagship Newspaper, Peninsula Warrior • Digital campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms Military Family Festival provides our local military families with a day of appreciation and fun. Each October the festival buzzes with an entertaining kid-friendly fall theme and cool activities while our vendors share lots of Halloween treats.
ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: • 38% of all military families have children under five years old; 38% between ages 6 - 11; 39% between ages 12-17. • Total household income of military families in Hampton Roads is $92K. source: Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/militaryfamilyfestival
DATE: October 25, 2020
LOCATION: Virginia Beach Convention Center
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $595 - $10,000
ATTENDANCE: 3,100
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, The Flagship Newspaper, Peninsula Warrior • Display campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms The Flagship and Military Newspapers of Virginia founded Still Serving to honor and celebrate the achievements of local military retirees and veterans. These veteran and retired military personnel are improving the quality of life in our region every day. Still TILL Serving is a recognition program that will celebrate these dedicated individuals. SERVING ABOUT THE AUDIENCE: S • 30% of all Virginia veterans live in the Greater Hampton Roads region. Military Retiree & Veteran Awards • Average household income of retired military in Hampton Roads is $94K.
source: dailypress.com, Scarborough Nielsen, 2019 Release 1
EVENT SNAPSHOT EVENT WEBSITE: virginiamedia.com/stillserving
DATE: November 2020
LOCATION: The Westin, Virginia Beach
SPONSORSHIP/VENDOR RANGES: $595 - $10,000
ATTENDANCE: 100 (Invited)
PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN: • Print campaign in The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, Inside Business, The Flagship Newspaper, Peninsula Warrior • Display campaign on pilotonline.com • Organic and paid social campaign on various social media platforms Vice President of Advertising Kelly Till CONTACT Digital General Manager Shaun Fogarty US Premium Team Sales Director Alan Levenstein Media Sales Director Marianne Walker Events Manager Amie Holman
Our mission is to utilize industry-leading technology, creative solutions, and a talented team to deliver the right message to the right people at the right time.
Main Office 150 West Brambleton Ave Norfolk, VA 23510
757.222.5538 virginiamedia.com [email protected]
MilitaryNews.com | MILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA 2020 VM Events Media Kit Version 1 (11.18.20)