Danville, Virginia is working to reinvent itself as a tourist destination and hopes new contributors will boost the economy. Caesars Virginia opens this week. It is a $650 million project that reflects the growing trend of integrated resorts targeting the business community.
The resort features a 320-room hotel tower and 50,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 2,500-seat live entertainment venue. The resort’s event center covers 29,159 square feet and can accommodate 2,915 people. There is also an outdoor terrace.
The new resort and casino is located approximately 40 miles north of Greensboro and approximately 45 miles from the Greensboro/High Point Airport. Some popular attractions in Danville include the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, Danville Science Center, and Virginia International Speedway.
Partners and amenities
Caesars Entertainment Virginia is a joint venture between Caesars Entertainment Corporation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This was Caesar’s first hotel in Virginia. The company owns other properties in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno, Tahoe and Cherokee, N.C.
In addition to 90,000 square feet of gaming space, there will be a spa, swimming pool, 12 restaurants, including Ramsay’s Kitchen and the 500 Block Food Hall.
Danville city officials estimate the casino will bring $35 million in additional revenue to the local economy annually.
The resort’s launch also spurred the city of Danville and Pittsylvania County to hire a tourism manager. “Caesar is getting ready to put shovels in the ground, but we don’t have a tourism organization,” said new tourism director Lisa Meriwether.
She was hired to promote the region under the new tourism brand Visit SoSi. SoSi is pronounced “so see” and is a play on the geographic region of southern Virginia.
“Danville is in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime transformation. Our big industries are tobacco and textiles, but they have ground to a halt. We are reimagining and reinventing Danville. Caesars is doing this for a community of 40,000 people program to help.
Danville’s target groups
Jennifer D. Collins, CMP, president and CEO of JDC Events, emphasized the value of hosting events in destinations like Danville. JDC Events has managed military events in rural areas near bases.
“The venues we chose are similar to Caesars in Danville because they provide a one-stop destination for our group,” Collins said. “Resorts in such locations can offer groups the advantage of staying in one location while enjoying training and recreation.”
