National Travel & Tourism Week May 3 – May 9, 2026

National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is a widely celebrated annual tradition for both the U.S. travel community and here locally in Virginia Beach. It’s a time when travel, tourism, and hospitality professionals come together to celebrate the importance our industry holds for our economy, businesses, and even personal well-being. 

For more than 40 years, NTTW has been dedicated to highlighting the power of travel by recognizing the millions of people nationwide who help keep the hospitality industry going strong, on the frontlines, and behind the scenes.

This is a special time for us to unite in celebrating our industry and honoring the hard work and commitment of our Virginia Beach hospitality and tourism workforce – our hospitality heroes.  

The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau held its annual awards program and luncheon on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Created to recognize those within our hospitality community who excel in their work in making Virginia Beach a first-class travel destination, we salute and congratulate the recipients of our 2026 National Travel & Tourism Awards.
 
Andrew Dwight Perry, Sr., The Oceanfront Inn
Carlene Sharkey, Hilton Virginla Beach Oceanfront
Ken MacDonald, IMGoing
Michael Zeiders, Zeiders American Dream Theater
Kaleo Gregg, The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
lan Paul, Sodexo Live!
Elaine Ragland, The Founders Inn & Spa
April Burke, The Cavalier
Sara Albert, Ocean Eddle’s Seafood Restaurant
Mike Baldwin, The Roads Bistro
Stefan Thomas, Jungle Golf
D’Mario Eure, The Founders Inn & Spa
lrric Apolonio, Doubletree by Hilton VB
Maryna Sanko, Four Points by Sheraton VB
LaTosha Bennett, Ocean Key Resorts
Julie Reyes, Holiday Inn Oceanside

A huge shout-out to the staff at Sodexo Live! for yet another outstanding event and special thanks to our sponsors Onyx Audio Visual, Sinclair Communications and Smart City Networks.