Make Your Voice Heard!
VRLTA’s annual Legislative Day on the Hill and Taste of VRLTA Reception - which takes place January 26-27, 2026 and draws over 200 attendees each year - is Virginia’s premiere opportunity to get learn about relevant issues and advocate on behalf of our industries to policymakers and their staff. It's one of the best opportunities to put a face on our industry and discuss current issues and challenges.
Beginning with a Legislative Breakfast and Issues Briefing, Day on the Hill then proceeds to the new General Assembly Building for a morning of face-to-face meetings with legislators to promote VRLTA’s Legislative Priorities and advocate for and against bills concerning the industry, culminating with a Gallery introduction for members in the Virginia Capitol by a Member of the General Assembly on the Floor
PLEASE NOTE - Registration options are as follows:
- Day on the Hill Registration (Includes All Events):*
- Monday Member Meetings and Luncheon (Hilton Richmond Downtown)
- Monday Taste of VRLTA Reception (John Marshall Ballrooms)
- Tuesday Legislative Breakfast (Hilton Richmond Downtown)
- Tuesday Meetings with Legislators (General Assembly Building)
- Taste of VRLTA Registration Only:
- Monday Taste of VRLTA Reception (John Marshall Ballrooms)
- Legislative Breakfast Registration Only:
- Tuesday Legislative Breakfast (Hilton Richmond Downtown)
- Tuesday Meetings with Legislators (General Assembly Building)
OUR FEATURED SPEAKERS
Jessica Frost Assistant Vise President, Customer Experience & Engagement, BMI
Session: Main Luncheon; Restaurant Component
Jessica Frost is Assistant Vice President, Customer Experience & Engagement, at Broadcast Music, Inc. the largest performing rights organization in the world. In this role, Jessica is responsible for developing and overseeing all Licensing industry outreach strategies and industry partner programs to support the overall revenue goals of the department. Frost works with industry associations to help educate their members on the value music brings to their establishment and the service BMI provides to both songwriters and business owners. Based in Nashville, Frost is a 26-year veteran at BMI.
Frost holds a B.A. from the University of Florida. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, reading and spending time with her husband Jason and teenage son, Evan.
Tommy Herbert Director of Government Affairs, VRLTA
Session: Main Luncheon
Herbert brings a wealth of experience to VRLTA, with recent positions that include Manager of Government Affairs with the Virginia Apartment Management Association, as well as Communication Manager for Government Affairs with the National Apartment Association. He also has experience working alongside several Virginia lawmakers, spending time as a legislative aide in the staffs of both Delegate Rich Anderson and Delegate Tim Hugo. Herbert graduated from George Mason University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political and Persuasive Communication.
Jai Girard, PhD. Director of Education & Workforce Development
Session: Main Luncheon; Restaurant Component
Jai joined VRLTA from James Madison University where she served as a Visiting Lecturer. She has over 15 years of hospitality experience. At JMU, Jai taught classes in hospitality and tourism (entrepreneurship, marketing, ethics, etc.) while also serving as the JMU’s student Club Managers Association of America faculty advisor and an Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellow with the Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship. Prior to joining JMU, Jai worked for hospitality organizations in Texas and founded a nonprofit in Texas while completing her graduate education at Texas A&M University. Jai is a triple Aggie with a Bachelors in Sociology, Masters in Youth Development, and her PhD in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences. Her dissertation research focused on hospitality consumer’s food waste.
Catherine Bolling Founder & CEO, Sterling Celebrations
Session: Hotel & Lodging Component
Catherine Bolling is the Founder and CEO of Sterling Celebrations, LLC, a boutique event planning and hospitality firm. With over a decade of leadership in luxury hotel sales and operations—including driving diplomatic business at Ritz-Carlton and spearheading the $212 million renovation of the historic Trump International Old Post Office—Catherine launched her firm in 2021 to meet rising demand for bespoke weddings and corporate events. A Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business graduate Catherine is also a past winner of the prestigious “Caught in the Act of Leadership” award, a founding member of the Recent Alumni Board, and current Advisory Board member in Pamplin’s HTM program.
Eileen Sperry Account Executive, VistaMedia
Session: Travel & Attractions Component
Eileen Sperry is Virginia born and raised with more than twenty years of media experience. A degree in Journalism quickly translated into a career in media. Specializing in software training, as well as digital and print solutions, Eileen is a familiar name and face to tourism marketing. She is a popular public speaker on digital marketing and effective tactics and manages $2.5 million dollars in media campaigns annually. Recent high-profile campaigns include Visit Williamsburg, Blue Ridge Parkway, Department of Elections, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Go Ape Treetop Adventure, and Colonial Williamsburg.
Randy Thompson CEO & Publisher, VistaMedia
Session: Travel & Attractions Component
Randy’s education, a BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration), BS (Bachelor of Science in Distributive Education) and an MBA (Master’s in Business Administration) was early preparation for founding and growing VistaMedia, Inc., (formerly VistaGraphics, Inc.) a regional media company.
After four-and-a-half years in sales and sales management for an international consumer goods company, Randy took the entrepreneurial leap by purchasing the rights to a local market of a national travel magazine in 1985. Literally a one-man operation working from his garage, Randy launched his first independent guide in 1987, the Virginia Beach Visitors Guide. Under Randy’s leadership, VistaGraphics has grown to more than 30 publications in a 5-state area.
Venue Information:
VRLTA Member Meetings and Luncheon
Monday, January 26, 2026
Hilton Richmond Downtown
501 E Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Taste of VRLTA Legislative Reception
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
The John Marshall Ballrooms
101 N 5th Street, Richmond, VA 23219
VRLTA Legislative Breakfast
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Hilton Richmond Downtown
501 E Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219
LEVELS OF SUPPORT
Platinum Sponsor - $5,000
Annual Legislative Membership Meeting Benefits:
- Logo placement & name recognition on all promotional materials
- Logo on digital logo loop presentation during breaks
- Mention in The Slice, VRLTA’s digital newsletter, prior to the event
- Acknowledgement from speaker’s podium
- Speaking opportunity during event based on agenda
- 5 Complimentary Tickets to Day on Hill Meeting
Taste of VRLTA Reception Benefits:
- Logo placement & name recognition on all promotional materials
- Recognition on signage at reception
- Opportunity to introduce a distinguished guest of honor (TBD)
- 5 Complimentary Tickets to Reception Only
Thank You to our 2026 Platinum Sponsors
