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RMCVB Celebrates 25 Years

RMCVB celebrated its 25th anniversary at an event held Thursday, May 8 at the Virginia Historical Society. The Historical Society is the repository for past RMCVB brochures, visitor guides, newsletters and board meeting minutes, many of which were on display during the celebration.

Annualy, RMCVB honors individuals who have contributed to the enhancement of the Richmond Region's tourism industry with its Chairman's Award. This year the award goes to three worthy individuals:

Charles F. Bryan Jr., Virginia Historical Society
James W. Dunn, Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Clarence L. Townes Jr., retired, Venture Richmond

In addition Jimmy Haynes, banquet captain at the Sheraton Richmond West, was the recipient of the 2008 Easy to Love Customer Service Award for his superior customer service. Mr. Haynes began his career when the hotel was known as the Hyatt House, nearly 28 years ago.

The Winners of the second annual Great Richmond Region Adventure, Three Dollar Bill #1, were awarded a check for $2,500 at the anniversary event. Team members Shannon Timberlake, Joshua Pearson, Andy Monaco, Billy Chappell, Christy Sheppard and Rebecca Loos chose Maymont as the recipient of the $2,500 Richmond Region attraction prize. See below for images from the event.

Richmond Region Makes Headlines

As a result of RMCVB-hosted press events, several publications recently featured the Richmond Region. GO! Magazine, AirTran Airways' in-flight publication, has found the Richmond Region Easy to Love, as evidenced by two recent articles. December's issue highlighted the Region's spa scene, and the January issue features "10 Fun Things to do in Richmond Virginia."
In the recent article "Style and Sustenance Along Cary Street in Richmond," Ben Chapman of the Washington Post found Carytown to be "unapologetically bohemian," recommending visitors set their "pedometer to the Mile of Style and beyond."
Not long after, the Richmond Region showed up in the Washington Post again as one of "20 Great Escapes" in the Mid-Atlantic Region. A visit to the newly renovated Virginia State Capitol made the top 10.

History in the World of MP3 Players

Podcasts offer visitors guided tours at their own pace. Brandon Martin

Many attractions in the Historic Richmond Region are embracing todays technology by incorporating modern multimedia features into historic sites and exhibits. One tool that effectively merges today's technology with history's stories is the podcast tour, an easily accessible audio guide that allows visitors to explore sites and exhibits on their own terms. Podcasts, multimedia files published to the internet that can be downloaded to personal MP3 players, offer an easy way for users to collect and access information. Capitalizing on this technology is Civilwartraveler.com, the ultimate online resource for Civil War travel. In partnership with The Museum of the Confederacy and Richmond National Battlefield Park, the Web site has launched a selection of podcast tours that guide visitors step-by-step through historical exhibits and sites. Averaging 30 minutes in length, the podcast tours simulate the effect of having a personal, expert tour guide.
At the Museum of the Confederacy, a podcast tour of the signature exhibit, The Confederate Years, offers new perspectives allowing visitors to delve deeper into the story of the Civil War. The podcast discusses the historical significance of the artifacts on display, including Robert E. Lees camp gear and J.E.B. Stuarts famous plumed hat, in far greater detail than the traditional self-guided tour. Podcast tours of Virginia Civil War Trails guide visitors through historic sites maintained by Richmond National Battlefield Park. Listeners can follow the route traveled by the Confederate Army at Malvern Hill in Henrico County or exlpore Gaines Mill in Hanover County where Lee secured his first victory as commander during the Seven Days Battle. Podcasts allow users to customize their tours and move at a self designated pace. They can also be helpful for those who wish to better acquaint themselves with their destination prior to visiting. Podcast tours mark the beginning of a new trend among historical and cultural attractions in the Richmond Region, further enhancing the visitor experience and reinforcing the prevalence of historys stories in the 21st century.

New Hilton Garden Inn to be Located Across from Convention Center

The Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown will have 250 hotel rooms.

A beloved Richmond Region landmark is on its way to becoming an asset for the city's core. A ceremony in March marked the official unveiling of plans and commencement of renovation of the long-abandoned Miller & Rhoads building into a multiuse property. The site will include a 250-room Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown, 150 luxury condominiums and 20,000 square feet of retail space on ground level.

The Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown is scheduled for completion in early 2009. For convention business, this is a milestone. The entrance to the new hotel will be at Broad and Fifth Streets, diagonally across the street from the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Total development costs for the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown are expected to exceed $80 million, creating 250 construction jobs during redevelopment and 100 in-hotel positions once completed. HRI Properties and ECI Development Service are managing on-site redevelopment.

Walkerton Tavern Opens

Walkerton Tavern is now open for tours

Reopened in December 2005, Walkerton Tavern was built between 1824 and 1825 by Massachusetts native John Walker, who constructed duplicate houses on both sides of Mountain Road in what is now Henrico County. One house was Walkers residence while the other Walkerton Tavern served as a tavern and was equipped with a wine cellar, three ice houses and a 20-horse stable. Throughout history, Walkerton also has been used as a store, post office, voting precinct and possibly a field hospital for wounded Union Cavalrymen in 1864. Today, the Tavern features historical displays, original furniture and reproductions of 19th-century pieces and is open to the public five days a week.

The Tavern sponsors a variety of special events for guests of all ages. Beginning in February, monthly teas will be served for adult guests while two special Valentine's Day teas will serve young and young-at-heart visitors. Other special events include a teddy bear tea party, gardening classes for children and calligraphy and picture framing classes for individuals over age 16. If youre planning a spring visit, go back in time on May 6 with "A Day at the Walkerton Tavern" featuring historical re-enactments, costumed guides, period dancing and 19th-century lawn games. The Tavern and its gardens also are available for private functions including weddings, conferences and group meetings.

Air Canada Launches Nonstop Service Between Richmond and Toronto

Welcomed May 1 by a stunning water arch salute, Air Canada announced twice-daily, nonstop service between Richmond and Toronto. The new service utilizes a 37-seat Jazz Dash 8 and is the only nonstop carrier between the two cities, as well as the only international route out of Richmond.
"Richmond International Airport (RIC) welcomes Air Canada's announcement of nonstop service between Virginia's Capital Region and Toronto Pearson International (YYZ)," said Capital Region Airport Commission Chairman Beverley W. "Booty" Armstrong in a recent special edition of RIC OnTime. "It is apparent that there are communities of interest, including numerous companies in the Greater Richmond Region, which will benefit from the ease of nonstop access to Toronto and beyond points across Canada and Europe with the new service."
For more information, visit www.flyrichmond.com.

New Exhibits at Science Museum of Virginia

Dragon Skies: Astronomy of Imperial China will be at SMV Jan. 23-Apr.30

In September 2005, the Science Museum of Virginia unveiled three new galleries - "Newton in Space," "Light Visions" and "Electriworks" - with more than 40 interactive, permanent exhibits designed to teach science concepts through interactive experiences. Dr. Walter R.T. Witschey, museum director, said the $2 million project was designed to "provide [visitors] with a whole body experience."

"Newton in Space" encourages visitors to walk on the moon, steer a Gyroscope Chair and float on air. Special scales help visitors find out how much they'd weigh on Pluto, Jupiter and Mars while the Segway Station exhibit teaches guests how to ride a Segway Human Transporter by shifting their weight on the self-balancing electric scooter.

The "Light Visions" exhibit is divided into three areas - Seeing Things, Picture Light and Cosmic Visions. Here visitors can explore Alice's Parlor which makes small children appear to be larger than adults, play laser pool and spy on a simulated plant, galaxy or the moon through a telescope.

In "Electriworks" guests can discover the ins and outs of static electricity at the Van de Graaff Generator, create electricity by pedaling a stationary bike or explore the Circles of Magnetism or Laser Oscilloscope exhibits.

All exhibits are included in regular museum admission. Museum visitors can enjoy planetarium shows and wide-angle films in the museum's IMAX DOME for an additional cost.

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