About
Our Impact
The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival is a private, non-profit 501-C3 organization, producing over 40 events per year. Not only are we proud to have a positive economic impact on the City of Virginia Beach, we strive to take impact beyond the boardwalk by benefiting other non-profit and charitable organizations.
Economic Impact
Building Sandcastles and Community
Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend alone annually generates $23.5 million in economic impact, $16.9 million in direct impact by Boardwalk Weekend visitors, and $1.19 million in direct municipal taxes. Investing in and partnering with other regional businesses whenever possible, the Neptune Festival spends in excess of $1,000,000 with local businesses, service providers, vendors, and suppliers annually.
$23.5M
Economic Impact for The Area
$16.9M
Impact from Boardwalk Weekend
$1.19M
Impact in Direct Municipal Taxes
$1M+
Spent in Local Partnerships
By the Numbers
More Than Sand Dollars
An economic impact study conducted by Choice Communications Systems, Inc. revealed the following:
- $23.5 million economic impact by the Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
- $16.9 million in direct impact by Neptune Festival visitors
- $1.19 million in tax impact by Neptune Festival visitors
- 405,400 attendees over the Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
- 52% of attendees are visitors from outside of Virginia Beach
- 26,500 room nights generated by overnight hotel attendees
- $170 per day spent by overnight hotel attendees
- 1 in 4 residents visit Neptune Festival at least one day
- 80% of attendees have visited Neptune Festival in the past
- 8 average past visits attendees have made to Neptune Festival
- 98% of attendees say they will return or may return next year
- 4 in 5 visitors came to Virginia Beach specifically to attend the event
Community Impact
Beyond the Boardwalk
The Neptune Festival goes beyond the boardwalk to give back to the City that we love.
In addition to producing events, the Neptune Festival provides exposure and fundraising opportunities for nonprofit, civic, and charitable organizations.
Each year, nonprofit organizations collectively earn over $100,000 from their involvement with the Festival.
Not only are we sharing funds, but organizations given space on the boardwalk have much to gain — animals adopted, donations received, and awareness raised!
Revenue-Sharing Program
Giving Back to Our Community
The Neptune Festival has established and maintained a distinctive program of cooperation with local charitable organizations – acting as a force multiplier for good by providing unique exposure and fundraising opportunities. Each year, participating non-profits earn much needed funds and exposure through their direct affiliation with the Festival. Here are the organizations Neptune Festival was proud to partner with last year:
Marketing Space Program
Share Your Mission
The Neptune Festival helps other non-profit organizations promote their cause to over 400,000 attendees by providing booth space free of charge during Boardwalk Weekend.
Organizations given space on the boardwalk have much to gain – animals adopted, donations received, and awareness raised! In 2019 and 2021, the Neptune Festival was proud to share space with:
- Al-Anon Family Groups of Tidewater
- Asian Community Service Center
- Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum
- Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety
- Collars for Causes
- Equi-KIDS/Equi-VETS
- Every Snout Counts
- Give Thanks For Life
- Marine Corps League
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Pugs U Gotta Save
- Samaritan House
- Sierra Club
- Southeastern VA Golden Retriever Rescue
- StandUp for Kids, Hampton Roads
- Thousand Tree Fund/Planting Shade
- VFW Post 4809
- Virginia Beach SPCA
- VisitNorfolk
- Weighted Angels
