More than 400 delegates gathered for the 18th annual BankTravel Conference held February 5-7 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Bank directors from 30 states joined travel industry destinations and tour operators from across North America for the industry’s premier conference for banks involved in group travel.
“Our thanks go to Jim Coggin, who headed up the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau’s effort, and the entire Virginia Beach delegation for three days of unparalleled hospitality for this prestigious group,” said BankTravel Conference president and CEO Joe Cappuzzello. “From the greetings at the airport to seamless transportation between hotels and the convention center and the magnificent opening evening, our hosts were on top of this event in every aspect.”
“It was an excellent conference and wonderful experience,” said Coggin, tourism sales manager for the convention bureau. “Bank travel is a new market for Virginia Beach, so it gave us a new industry segment to introduce to our area. Many of these bankers had not been to Virginia Beach before.”
“I’d like to recognize the entire Virginia Beach group on the opening event at the Military Aviation Museum,” said Cappuzzello. “Those planes are magnificent, and the entire evening was inspirational. It’s not often that we get to hear a military band like the Mark Michielsen Big Band play music from the World War II era, and it was such a treat. All 17 members of that band are either retired or active military. We thank each one of them.”
“We are very proud of our military history here at Virginia Beach,” said Coggin. “The USO event was a great way to showcase our patriotic tourism.”
Dozens of bankers came early or stayed late to partake in sightseeing and familiarization tours in Virginia Beach and other Virginia destinations. Many plan to return in the years ahead with their members to enjoy Virginia’s largest city and surrounding areas.
