FAM Trips
Bringing Together the Creators, DMOs and Brands Re-Imagining the Travel Industry since 2009
POST-FAM Trips are offered for the TBEX North America 2026 event. Please be mindful of the dates you apply for. FAM Trips participants are selected through an application process, only a select few attendees are accepted to these trips. Each destination looks for specific criteria, this may not always be based on numbers. Please make sure you can attend a FAM Trip before you apply. Our host spend a lot of time and effort on these trips and it is expected if you apply and are accepted you will participate. FAM Trip applications are now open!
FAM Tour
Step Into America’s History in Northern Virginia – Virginia Tourism Corporation
Number of Guests
7
Number of Nights
FAM Start time/location
3
Saturday, June 27th
FAM End time and location
Tuesday, June 30th, arrive back in Richmond approximatly 3 pm.
Notes
Description (see full description below)
This FAM Trip is not ADA accessible
Here in Virginia, we don’t just teach history — we live it. From the grand estate of America’s first President to stories woven into towns, landscapes, and traditions, history reveals itself around every corner of the Commonwealth.
Join Virginia is for Lovers for an exclusive four-day tour through Northern Virginia. Explore George Washington’s iconic Mount Vernon estate, gain a deeper understanding of the people and ideals that shaped early America, and experience how the region’s acclaimed dining scene reflects centuries of international influence and innovation. Along the way, discover how Virginia plays a central role in the lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary through the enduring spirit of creativity and craftsmanship.
This isn’t just a tour—it’s an invitation to walk in the footsteps of America’s founders while enjoying the comforts and sophistication of modern life in Northern Virginia.
FAM Tour
Monticello Wine Week in Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Number of Guests
3
Number of Nights
FAM Start time/location
3
Friday, June 26, 6 PM Marriot Richmond – Please note you will miss the TBEX Closing party if accepted on this FAM Trip
FAM End time and location
June 29, departure from Charlottesville to Richmond
Notes
Description (see full description below)
Walking will be required, Comfortable footwear for walking. Some historic sites have uneven terrain. Charlottesville and Albemarle County features inclines and hills, so footwear that allows for stability in these conditions is required.
Explore and celebrate the winemakers and vineyards of the Monticello American Viticultural Area during this regional celebration of excellence. Meet winemakers producing wine in the heart of Virginia and hear about the special grapes and terroir of this incredible wine region, which was named Wine Enthusiast‘s Wine Region of the Year in 2023. Explore the history, culture, and natural beauty of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains and just 1 hour from Richmond.
FAM Tour
Oysters & Old Virginia: A Coastal Heritage Journey – Gloucester – the is a PRE FAM
Number of Guests
4
Number of Nights
FAM Start time/location
3
June 20th 11 AM Pick up from Richmond
FAM End time and location
June 23rd, arrive in Richmond approx. 12:00pm
Notes
Description (see full description below)
This FAM is not ADA accessiable
Gloucester’s charm is rooted in history, beauty, and fun, inviting travelers from all backgrounds to enjoy an immersive coastal getaway that reconnects the soul to the grounding rhythm of the tides. Over three unforgettable days, guests will savor Main Street’s hometown hospitality, explore local heritage through guided history and vibrant arts, and unwind with an evening concert and dinner. The adventure continues along the waterfront with engaging exhibits, fresh local seafood, and a behind-the-scenes oyster processing visit paired with an on-the-water tour. Each day blends relaxation and discovery, ending with a stunning sunset dinner by the water, capturing the culture, flavor, and spirit of Gloucester’s coastal life.
Activities:
Day 1
Lunch on Main Street with hometown feel
Explore Main Street (Track 1: Guided history tour & Gloucester Museum of History, Track 2: Boutique shopping and Gloucester Arts Festival’s Village Arts Day)
Lodging Check-In
Flat Iron Crossroads Concert & dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Waterfront exhibit tour (Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Buck’s Store Museum/Guinea Heritage Association)
Lunch with local seafood
Oyster Processing Facility and on-the-water tour (Matheson Oyster)
Break at lodging
Sunset waterfront dinner
Day 3
Morning nature exploration
Breakfast
Return
FAM Tour
Prince William
Number of Guests
6
Number of Nights
FAM Start time/location
2
June 27th, 9 AM from the Marriot Richmond
FAM End time and location
The FAM will end after breakfast on June 29. You will be dropped off at the Dulles Airport.
Notes
Description
Did you know that the most diverse location in Virginia is Prince William County? Join us to experience the many cultures that make this part of Northern Virginia truly unique. From cultural immersion activities to unique culinary experiences, prepare to see the world through the diverse locals of Prince William, Virginia
FAM Tour
The Revolution is here – Visit Williamsburg
Number of Guests
8
Number of Nights
FAM Start time/location
3
June 27th – pick up at 10 a.m. Richmond Marriott
FAM End time and location
June 30th – drop off 10 a.m. Richmond Marriott
Notes
Description (see full description below)
This FAM is ADA accessible.
Step into the story on a 3-Day Experiential History FAM. This immersive trip brings America’s past to life with hands-on experiences in Colonial Williamsburg, powerful storytelling at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, plus a thrilling evening at Busch Gardens—where history and adventure meet.
FAM Tour
Anchors Aweigh: Discovering Norfolk at Sail250® Virginia
Number of Guests
10
Number of Nights
FAM Start time/location
2
June 20th, please arrive NO later than 12:00PM, you will be picked up from either the Norfolk Airport (ORF) or the Norfolk Amtrak station
FAM End time and location
June 22nd in Richmond approximately 2:00 pm. Please note: hotel on June 22nd is not provided.
Notes
Description (see full description below)
Portion of the FAM Trip and some of the ships will not be ADA accessible. The Sail250 Festival is ADA compliant but given the history and design of the ships we cannot guarantee that all ships are ADA accessible to tour. We are working on confirming which, if any, ships are compliant and will be sure to accommodate attendees as best as we can to ensure they have a memorable experience.
Norfolk is a city of mermaids anchored by a vibrant downtown and steeped in maritime history. Experience maritime history like never before at Sail250® Virginia, a spectacular display of more than 60 tall ships from 20 countries docked along Norfolk’s beautiful coastline. A weekend where art and culture meet history, with live music, local cuisine, and a true celebration of maritime.
While celebrating Sail250® Virginia, explore how the arts add vibrancy to Norfolk with a visit to the Perry Glass Studio, where you will learn more about glass art, how it’s made and how it has shaped the art scene in Norfolk. Nature and art collide with a visit to the Norfolk Botanical Garden where beautiful Chihulys can be found in the new Garden of Tomorrow. This expansion highlights art in nature and invites you to explore endangered plant species in their two-story greenhouse then continue to see native Virginia plants alongside curated gardens in the 175-acre garden.
FAM Tour
Newport News: The Unexpected Side of Coastal Virginia
Number of Guests
4
Number of Nights
FAM Start time/location
3
June 26th 6PM – Please note you will miss the TBEX Closing party if accepted on this FAM Trip
FAM End time and location
Monday, June 29th, after breakfast can be dropped off in Richmond airport ( 1.2 hours) or Norfolk airport (35 -45 min trip)
Notes
Description (see full description below)
This FAM is not ADA accessible
Set along the scenic James River, Newport News is where waterfront views meet rich American history, vibrant green spaces, and a thriving local food scene. Explore immersive museums, expansive parks and trails, and coastal dining experiences that highlight the flavors of Virginia. This curated FAM tour invites creators to discover a destination layered with story, scenery, and standout moments ready to be shared.
FAM Tour
Visit SoSi: Brick, Beauty, and a Bold New Chapter for Virginia’s Southern Gateway
Number of Guests
8
Number of Nights
FAM Start time/location
2
June 27th at 8am at The Marriott
FAM End time and location
June 29th, arriving back in Richmond around 5 p.m
Notes
Description
Danville and Pittsylvania County, Virginia, have taken the state by storm. Just 18 months after launching its first tourism brand, the SoSi region was named the fastest-growing destination in the Commonwealth. This is an area on the rise and, now, you’re invited to see why.
On this fam tour, you’ll explore a reimagined mill district where time-faded brick warehouses now house chef-driven restaurants, craft beverage hubs, indie boutiques and vibrant arts and entertainment spaces that border the historic Dan River. Photograph the grand, restored mansions of Millionaires’ Row and meet the visionaries behind the revival of Danville’s industrial-era mystique. Tour the historic Schoolfield campus, now anchored by the new $750 million full-service Caesars Virginia resort and flanked by the Laurel Hotel, a stylish new boutique. Both are powerful symbols of the area’s confident and historically sensitive reinvention.
From the region’s rural roots and industrial leadership to an elegant modern revival, SoSi is Virginia’s Southern Gateway, and a place where American history is still very much in motion.
Paddle quiet rivers by morning. Bike the riverfront trail after breakfast. Sip local wine at sunset. Shop the award-winning River District’s boutiques and galleries or wander 1,000+ acres of parks, lakes and riverfront trails that frame this vibrant Southern story.
It offers bold architecture, layered history, arts, culture, and food worth writing about.
Come see for yourself, and share the SoSi story before everyone else does.
