Felt this event needed a review! First time attending this event I was told it's an annual event, not sure how many years but let's share my experience! The write up for this event was very persuasive, it really sparked my interest! So much so I bought tickets the day they went on sale. Purchased early bird VIP TICKET day the ticket went on sale! Was the VIP Ticket worth it? Arrived early they were very much prepared for people to arrive they had security outside you had to get wanded before entering. There was a little hiccup with my ticket, but very quickly resolved. Once you make it through security and get your wrist band, then pick up your swag bag with your food and drink tickets. VIP you received early entrance one hour before General Admission, a swag bag which had a nice glass, a cookie, a little tiny brownie bite, a pen, a rubber bracelet thing, a few stickers (2), a cardboard coaster. As a VIP you received 5 food sampling tickets, and five beverage sampling tickets. And a very nice VIP section. The VIP section had lots of things to do like pool tables, video games, pin ball machines, little seating areas, and tables, a bar where you can purchase drinks, the best part to me which I will get into further actually they might get their own review, there was casino game tables roulette, graps, and blackjack. The VIP section had a chocolate fountain which honestly was the only chocolate you could enjoy that was included with your ticket. There was other chocolate but it was for purchase. Like any event they have vendors, vendors were set up in the hall way areas it was nice the way they were set up. ( I wished the people at the entrance area where we picked up the vip swag bag would have mentioned that they have vendors and where they were. ) again some cute vendors that went along with the theme. Moving on to the food samplings that you can use your tickets to sample. Not a lot of options only 4 or 5 two of the same vendor at different locations in the room with the same menu. Not a big variety to sample most of the vendors had just pork options with your food ticket. Pulled pork, and macaroni and cheese at 4 of the vendors. There was a vendor with chicken but for purchase not included with the wristband or tickets. Most of the vendors had a small sampling and then an option to purchase. The VIP section had a table that was included with your wristband for 3 sampling's. (Again I wish that I was told about the VIP Section and that this was included with your ticket/ wristband. Okay I know you're waiting for the bourbon selection lots of bourbon this was definitely the stand out fitting considering it's the first word in the title of the event. I'm not a big fan of bourbon or whiskey but I really love sampling events like this. I love small distilleries. I'm a big fan of small batch liquors. I tasted a few standouts there was a maple bacon bourbon, a peach bourbon, a gingerbread whiskey I believe a premier bourbon and I tasted a gin. Yes, I did say gin that was really good very unique. There were others, but those were my standouts again. Remember, I am not a big bourbon fan so if you noticed I like ones that have other flavor profiles added to them. You can definitely taste a difference in small batch compared to massively produced the quality is top-notch. I did walk around quite a bit. I walk through all the vendor tables. There were a few bakeries that were there set up with tables that were selling baked goods. I did purchase from one bakery that I will be doing a separate Yelp review. Be sure to follow me so you can see. I will tell you most of my time was spent over in the VIP section at the blackjack table to me that was the best part of the event. The dealer was professional, engaging,and very friendly. I will be doing a separate Yelp review for them as well. Be sure to follow me so you can see. So was the VIP ticket worth it I would say based on having the VIP section I would say it is downfalls for this not enough trash cans very, very few hard to locate, NOT ENOUGH food options, not enough VARIETY definitely not enough chocolate and can we please get a bottle of water with a VIP bag. WHERES THE BRISKET? WHERES the CHICKEN? WHERES the BACON? Better communication with guests to let them know what they have available. Had no idea that there were food trucks outside until after I was getting ready to leave. It would've been nice to know ahead of time that there was food trucks outside maybe offer a little handout that tells all the vendors where they're located, including all the sampling tables, and food trucks. Just a suggestion. Well I go back again next year most likely if they have the black check tables if so, I would definitely get a VIP ticket again. See you on my next review. Sorry not a lot of photos I didn't think to take photos I did some streaming and vlogging. read more

Chesapeake Conference Center - Bourbon Bacon BBQ & CHOCOLATE SHOWCASE EVENT - Caterers Near Me - Chesapeake, Virginia

The Chesapeake Conference Center is a very nice event space conveniently located in the Greenbrier section of Chesapeake. They are capable of handling large events or small events, they can do multiple events at the same time as they have a large hall and smaller private rooms. The spacious private parking lot has multiple access points but with a large group it may take a few minutes to exit the lot at the conclusion of your event. I've been to several events at the conference center over the years and it's always been a good experience. My most recent visit was a large breakfast banquet and program. Event staff did a wonderful job of preparing the hall and serving our meal with two buffet stations and two omelet stations. There were a lot of people but the lines moved swiftly. The food was good and plentiful, the service was excellent from beginning to end. If you want to plan an event or just have questions check out their detailed website. Be aware they are currently closed for renovations from June 1, 2023 to November 1, 2023. read more

Chesapeake Conference Center - Caterers Near Me - Chesapeake, Virginia

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Definitely a great place for a large even! In a easy good location in greenbrier. Lots of parking. Bathrooms on both sides. Good size and clean. I noticed other rooms that were being used for a party. It was nice we didn't even run into that group. And parking was still not an issue. We were in the large main room. It had lots of room for space and chairs. They had a stage up front with rows and rows of chairs with still room to move and walk around. With some good lighting as well. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food they provided. Over all it was a perfect place for a ceremony that we attend with at least 200 people. read more

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Went to an event here, it was really nice and pretty! I definitely enjoyed it! The servers were nice and attentive and I wouldn't mind returning for another event. I did have there food there too and it was enjoyable! The place our event was held was very spacious! read more

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Had a "All Employee Meeting" here today. Wish I could say it was my first visit, and or my last. What I will say is this... Uh... No. Terrible box lunch that consisted of a bun with 2 paper thin slices of turkey and a piece of lettuce. Topping that off was a packet of mustard and packet of mayo, two stale cookies and a small bag of chips. Terrible value for my employer's dollar. The Founders Inn took much better care of us when we went over there. read more

Chesapeake Conference Center - The box lunch from Hell. - Caterers Near Me - Chesapeake, Virginia

This place is not what it use to be when the city of Chesapeake owned it. My club had a Xmas luncheon there and there were several issues. We requested white table cloths with red and white napkins. They put black tablecloths on the tables. We asked for holiday centerpieces and we had the most ugly spring centerpieces that you could imagine. The food was just ok... we had chicken and the sugar container on the table had packets of sugar that had been wet and dried and had mold on them. When I requested more packets of sugar I was told they didn't have any... asked another server and she did nothing so I called for the manager. This should have never happened. This facility is just a big structure with no class when it comes to events. They use to have a system where there would be built in music selections... we were told they don't have that anymore. If you want class, good food and a business that cares more about first class service and not jus making money then you need to go elsewhere. read more

What a beautiful conference center transformed into the ultimate gala event!!!! Kudos to the team who put together the 2015 Bra Ha Ha event!!! The food was good, the lighting was gorgeous, live band sounded great even the tables looked good. We had a wonderful time tonight at the award and auction gala event. There was even free valet parking. The only downside was the long lines for the little cocktail bars where you could buy beverages. It took about 15-20 mins to get a drink being that there was only one person behind each little bar section. Also, the wait staff that was supposed to clear tables and empty glasses was definitely on some kind of "Island Time". No sense of urgency to take away cluttered dirty dishes from our tables. All in all it was a marvelous night and one I'll never forget. I won 2 auctions and went home with 2 beautiful paintings by Helen Mosher. Thanks!! read more

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The Chesapeake Conference Center is your basic conference facility. It's not especially large or fantastic. It's location near Greenbrier can hardly compete with the Virginia Beach Convention Center next to the Oceanfront. If you are looking to hold a local event, the facilities are clean, the catering is decent (not great) and the location is central to Hampton Roads. The parking is easy, free and convenient. But if you are looking to bring in out-of-towners for a conference, they are going to be bored in the middle of suburbia. Better to host an event in Virginia Beach or Norfolk. The service at the Chesapeake Conference Center is great, but nothing beats location, location, location. read more

Chesapeake Conference Center - Caterers Near Me - Chesapeake, Virginia

Hubby and I attended the Sweet Tooth Dessert Bazaar: Fall Edition this afternoon. There was enough parking. The inside was clean and well designed. The restrooms were clean and nicely decorated. The foyer was large enough for any check in process you have to go through. The main room we were in was large enough. It was a bit confusing at first when they told us to line up. After everyone was in line (and it was forming fast) they then told us to separate in lines of people who have purchased tickets and a line for those that need to purchase tickets. This made some people a bit aggravated but it was fine. The location works well. read more

This was the location for my niece's Gymnastics States Meet. Parking was easy. There are plenty of near by hotels from the Staybridge to a full service Marriott. If you can't find parking in the immediate lots, there's a nearby office complex that doesn't appear to use their lots on the weekends. The restrooms are nice and clean. The floor space for the meet was a bit tight but was able to accommodate all the various equipment. read more

I was here for the 2014 Safe Harbor Awards. While the event itself was wonderful, the food was ehhh. The chicken reminded me of the shake and bake stuff I had as a kid. Normally this would be alright but when you add a boat load of gravy and then throw some french fried onions on it, well you can imagine my confusion. The desert made up for the dinner 10 fold because the cheese cake was amazing. Maybe the dinner was a fluke but next time I'll eat something before hand to be on the safe side. read more

I've been have been here for at least 3 events. In the past year I've attended Taste of Hampton Roads and the Brahaha event. The location has adequate parking. Events sometimes offer valet service. The bathrooms are clean and well designed. The foyer serves as an Ideal check-in area for event-staff. Tables can be lined up on both sides of the hallway adding to the usable event space. The ballroom, which can be sectioned off, is huge. And it can be transformed into just about anything with the right set-up, lighting, floor-plan. I've been to two events where parts of the set-up was very similar. Food stations to the right and left of the door. Round tables scattered throughout. Stage to the back of the room with the band to the left of the stage. I enjoyed the events here and I think the location works well. read more

I am not a fan of conference centers. It's not about them, it's about me and my experiences with them. They are typically cookie-cutter, bland, oversized business centers that pass themselves off as being trendy, hip places to have events that are memorable or life-changing. The staff is usually underpaid and untrained in the ways of proper service and the food is almost always as rubbery as tr. Additionally, they are usually located in an area where they are the only game in town. So, I had pretty low expectations for this conference center, it met right with my assumptions regarding the location. Right in the middle of....other hotels. Party NOT over here. The parking was spacious, which saves the frustration of having to either pay or beat down a bridesmaid. The usual placard was placed at the front door, instructing the visitors to go to a particular conference room. Upon entering the room (15 minutes late), I was greeted with...nothing. No people, no staff, nothing. The room was mislabeled, which I find to be typical when I go to conference centers and hotels. I get it that assignments get moved around because of room efficiency and optimization, but they need to consider that those who blindly follow directions will find these last minute deviations to be a horrible way to start off a gathering. The plated meals were decent, which is saying a lot for a place that turns out meals in the same succession as a frozen dinner factory. The staff was friendly enough, but their general attitude was stiff and less than jovial. The room itself was well suited for our event, but the absence of pictures on the wall seemed a little strange, considering that the hangers were still in the wall. All being said, I found the experience amenable to our needs. It wouldn't be my first choice, due to my predisposition, but it was still worthwhile. read more

Inadequate (although free) parking. Limited access (a real problem for the hundreds trying to drive out to get a quick lunch - see below). Went to 3 day uncatered event. No place to eat without driving, -the restaurant at the Marriott (next door) didn't open until 2:00 PM for lunch. There aren't even vending machines at the conference center. read more

Great venue! We hosted an event here, and the staff was friendly and helpful! I look forward to working with Theresa Peterson (Event Manager) again. Parking is good. The venue is tastefully decorated. No complaints! read more

I've been here for a couple of events. My husband and I brought our daughter for a college info night last year. Last week FEMA had information on the new flood zone maps. I went with a group of 5th graders from my younger daughter's school. The conference center is clean and well kept. There is a decent amount of parking and it's easy to find. read more