May 14, 2026

10300 Eaton Place
Suite 235
Fairfax, VA 22030

media contact

Brittany Jones 

Public Relations and Marketing Manager 

Fairfax City Economic Development 

(571) 459-8626 

brittany.jones@fairfaxcityecondev.org  


for immediate release



FAIRFAX CITY, VA, May 14, 2026— Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED) received a $15,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC)’s Marketing Leverage Program for its new tourism marketing efforts. 

In celebration of National Travel & Tourism Week, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) awarded more than $2.2 million in matching grant and sponsorship funds to 143 tourism programs across the Commonwealth. These awards are funded through VTC’s Marketing Leverage and Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) Marketing Programs. 

These programs pair local marketing investments with matching state funds to increase visitation, extend overnight stays, and grow traveler spending across the Commonwealth. This funding cycle, local partners will commit more than $4.3 million to match the VTC grant funds, generating more than $6.5 million in new marketing and event production initiatives focused on increasing overnight visitation to Virginia across all nine GO Virginia regions. In total, the awards will support 143 marketing programs and impact 858 tourism partners statewide. 

Tourism plays an important role in supporting Fairfax City’s small businesses, restaurants, hotels, and cultural destinations. This grant allows us to strengthen how we tell Fairfax City’s story and better position the city as a welcoming destination for visitors seeking unique dining, shopping, events, and overnight experiences in Northern Virginia.

Stephanie Gerson
Tourism Specialist

Effective tourism marketing is key to turning interest into visitation and visitation into economic impact. These programs give our partners the tools to tell more compelling stories about their destinations, connect with travelers in meaningful ways, and inspire deeper exploration across Virginia.

Rita McClenny
President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation

VTC’s tourism marketing and sponsorship programs are designed to maximize limited marketing dollars through public-private partnerships, stimulate new tourism promotion initiatives, and extend the iconic Virginia is for Lovers brand to drive visitation and increase visitor spending.  

These grant programs assist tourism-oriented applicants by matching their marketing commitment with additional funding to reach new markets and engage both new and repeat visitors: 

  • The Marketing Leverage Program is a reimbursable grant program that helps Virginia travel industry partners—including small businesses, DMOs, attractions, accommodations, and events—expand their marketing efforts. 

A full list of funding recipients for both grant programs can be found  here. 

VTC will open a Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program grant round in summer 2026, which is designed to assist small tourism-oriented businesses and organizations with fall and winter marketing initiatives. The Virginia Special Events and Festivals Program will open in late 2026 for events occurring between January 1 and December 31, 2027. The next round of the Marketing Leverage Program and the Virginia DMO Marketing Program will open in February 2027. Organizations and businesses interested in applying for these grant opportunities may visit  vatc.org/grants for more information. 





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About Fairfax City Economic Development

Fairfax City Economic Development is a collaboration between the Fairfax City Economic Development Department and the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority, an independent agency administered by a commission appointed by the City Council to promote economic development activity within Fairfax. Fairfax City Economic Development helps attract businesses to the city, encourages and develops programs that foster connections among businesses, residents, and visitors of Fairfax City, and spearheads innovative programs and strategies to position Fairfax City as an ideal location to start, grow, and scale a business. It is a founding member of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance. Learn more at gofairfaxcity.com.





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About Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC)

Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most iconic and recognizable travel brands in the world. Using that powerful brand equity, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is charged with promoting the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination by showcasing all there is to love in a Virginia vacation. The dollars spent by travelers fuel the economy, provide jobs for Virginians, and improve communities across the state. Simply put, tourism helps make Virginia a great place to live, work, and vacation. Learn more at virginia.org.



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