Click here to view more photos from the 2025 VA1 Governor's Tourism Summit
The 2025 VA1 Governor’s Tourism Summit, held at Caesars Virginia in Danville, welcomed over 500 tourism, hospitality and destination-marketing professionals from across Virginia under the vibrant theme “All In on Tourism.”
Hosted annually by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA) in partnership with the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) and the Virginia Association of Destination Marketing Organizations (VADMO), this year’s summit delivered an outstanding program of keynote addresses, educational sessions, networking opportunities and community-engagement initiatives.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us in Danville this year,” says Eric Terry, President of VRLTA. “With more than 500 attendees—our largest turnout ever—and a record number of student participants, the energy and enthusiasm for Virginia’s tourism and hospitality industry has never been stronger. Seeing emerging leaders engage alongside seasoned professionals gives me great confidence that the present is bright and the future of hospitality in the Commonwealth is even brighter.”
The three-day conference featured an outstanding slate of keynote speakers and presenters, including leading voices in destination development, marketing innovation, and hospitality industry trends. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from notable industry leaders such as Josiah Brown, Al Hutchinson, Jon Schallert, and Janette Roush, who provided national perspective, strategic foresight, and actionable guidance for businesses and destination organizations across the state.
VA1 also welcomed Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura, who delivered remarks highlighting tourism’s critical role in driving economic growth, workforce development, and community vitality throughout the Commonwealth.
“This year’s VA1 Governor’s Tourism Summit provided attendees with valuable takeaways to immediately impact a DMO’s marketing and management tactics,” says Rita McClenny, President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “The actionable information and resources in addition to high-level networking made 2025 another banner year.”
Other conference highlights include a record year for contributions to the annual Tourism Gives Back Initiative, which in 2025 supported God’s Storehouse, a Danville-based nonprofit supporting residents facing food insecurity. The conference raised over $2,800 in monetary donations and over 160 lbs of donated food items; the unprecedented generosity of attendees and sponsors further underscored the hospitality sector’s dedication to strengthening Virginia communities.
The summit concluded with an energetic and celebratory closing session, where organizers unveiled the location for the 2026 VA1 Governor’s Tourism Summit — Kalahari Resort. The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause, signaling strong anticipation for another year of industry-leading programming, collaboration, and momentum.