RAC May 7, 2009

This afternoon Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) held it's May meeting.

It was announced that funds have been found to complete the repainting of the Resort Area trolleys. To underline that the remaining trolleys and the new hybrid buses serve the same purpose, the trolleys are being repainted in a blue color scheme similar to the hybrids. In addition, the sites have been prepared for the 5 new Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) being brought to the Resort Area.

Enhancements for Beach Street were discussed. Banners and additional signage will be used to create a sense of arrival in the Resort Area.

The Gift of Tourism Campaign continues, with funds in the pending FY 2010 Budget to operate it during the next fiscal year. Updated economic impact figures should be online by July, as well as an improved Contact Us section so residents can e-mail in questions on Resort policy.

Two meetings will be held in May on the annual influx of international students. Next week will be a meeting geared towards prospective employers; at the end of the month, an orientation meeting for those students who have arrived. The meetings will be cosponsored by the Virginia Beach Hotel/Motel Association, the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association, and the Resort Retailers Association.

Finally, there was a Presentation by a representative from the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium on harnessing offshore wind for energy. VCERC's website is at http://www.vcerc.org