FAQs
We invite you to browse some of the most frequently asked questions about Fairfax County and the role Visit Fairfax can play to assist you in bringing a sporting event to our county.
Visit Fairfax is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Fairfax County, Virginia. Another term commonly used to describe us is convention and visitors bureau (CVB). Simply put, we market the county as a desirable destination for domestic and international travelers.
What is the mission of the Visit Fairfax sports marketing department?
The sports marketing department partners with sports planners to attract, grow, and create events that draw participants and spectators from outside the D.C. area. This translates into economic impact (e.g., tax revenues, jobs, infrastructure development) for the county through increased visitor spending at area hotels and local businesses. While we don't own or manage events, we work closely with event rights-holders and local sports groups that have sports event planning expertise.
Why is Fairfax County a good location to host a sports event or meeting?
In addition to top-notch sports facilities, the county has a large number of affordable hotels; world-class attractions (including Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center, and Wolf Trap); extensive dining, shopping, and entertainment options; as well as convenient access to three major airports. And the county is just minutes from Washington, D.C. monuments, memorials, and museums; Northern Virginia wineries; and the Capital Region's historic sites. For more reasons, visit our “Top 10 Reasons to Host Your Next Sports Event in Fairfax County” page.
How does the sports marketing department attract events to the county?
Throughout the year, we meet and network with sports industry professionals to identify and pursue events that would be a good match for the county. In some instances, a local sports organization is needed to host and manage the event. When this is the case, we find an interested sports group, and then serve as a liaison between that group and the event rights-holder. Many times, someone in the local sports community knows about an event that would be perfect for the county. We can help them with the bid proposal process, if needed, and offer additional support services to land the event.
I'm thinking of planning a sports event. How can you help me?
We can provide a variety of event support services that will save you time and money. For instance, we can find the ideal venue for your competition, use our network of hotel contacts to get you low room rates, and even serve on your local organizing committee to help prepare your winning event bid and presentation. Once your event is booked in Fairfax County, we can provide visitor services to educate your guests about all there is to see and do in the area. The best news of all: Our services are free. To learn more, visit our Sports Services page.
What are the benefits of having Visit Fairfax secure hotel rates for my sports event?
With just one phone call to our sports marketing department, you can have hotels throughout the county bidding for your business. We'll help narrow your hotel search based on the factors that are most important to you. We'll then contact the hotels that fit your criteria and request a competitive group room rate. Once the rates are in and you've narrowed the choices down further, we'll even take you on a hotel site tour to help you make your final decision.
How can Visit Fairfax help me promote my sports event?
We are happy to offer publicity support to increase awareness of your event. This includes posting event details on our site's calendar page (with links to your tournament website), providing you with a local media list, and giving you tourism photos to use in your communications materials.
Do you assist with sports events that draw only local participants?
Our mission is to support sporting events that attract participants and spectators from outside the D.C. area. So we typically do not offer assistance to events made up almost exclusively of local teams or individuals.
What should be the first step if I'd like to bring a sporting event to Fairfax County?
If you're thinking of hosting a sports event in the county, contact Eric Kulczycky, our national sales manager for sports marketing. He'll be delighted to review the various items to consider when planning and executing your event, and provide tips on how to make your out-of-town guests feel special.
Can you tell me more about Fairfax County, Virginia?
Fairfax County has a population of more than one million people. It is the largest jurisdiction both in the D.C. metro area and in Virginia, with the lowest crime rate of any large county in the U.S. We're bigger than Baltimore, Kansas City, Miami, or Pittsburgh. Fairfax County is home to 300 associations, 11 Fortune 500 companies (Gannett, Sprint Nextel, General Dynamics, Capital One, Freddie Mac, Sallie Mae, NVR, among others), and companies like Volkswagen USA, M&M/Mars, and the Ringling Brothers - Barnum & Bailey Circus. George Mason University, located in the middle of the county, is the largest university in the state of Virginia with more than 43,000 students.