The Virginia Marine Debris Summit will be held at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, just minutes from the Norfolk Airport. We have reserved a hotel room block at The Delta Norfolk Airport Hotel with rooms costing $129 per night. Please book your room through this link by March 4th. There are several alternative choices in the area if needed. We will be providing shuttle rides to and from The Delta for the Tuesday evening reception and Wednesday conference. The Wednesday "Night in the Norfolk Eco-District" bus will also be picking up from The Delta.  

We've got lots of extras planned for you at the 2025 Virginia Marine Debris Summit! Some of these events require an RSVP so please be sure to add any extras to your ticket when you register. 

Tuesday Night Reception: Join us after our first day of talks for food, drink, networking and more. We'll be gathering in Baker Hall at the Norfolk Botanical Garden from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. If you would like to check into your room at The Delta before the reception, there will be a shuttle available to bring you back to the Norfolk Botanical Garden for a safe ride before and after the event. Your registration includes 2 drink tickets, hors d'oeuvers and a fun time! Please be sure to let us know you are going to join us when purchasing your registration. 

Wednesday Field Trip: During our extended lunch break on Wednesday, the Norfolk Botanical Garden has generously offered to take all summit attendees on a tram ride around the garden. We will stop to view a new sculpture by Angela Haseltine Pozzi, called ReUPit. According to the artist: “ReUPit: Less Waste. More Art., was created to go upstream and stop consumer waste from reaching waterways and the sea.  After turning over 40 tons of marine debris into over 85 works of art with Washed Ashore, I was tired of only using what had already been polluting the ocean. I want to stop the waste before it gets to sea and start using discarded items in innovative ways that can attract attention to our overconsumption and careless waste of resources. I also want to educate the public about the connection between plastic usage and climate change.”

Wednesday Night Out: We are planning a night out in Norfolk's Eco District. All plans are still tentative, but we are planning on a narrated bus ride to the Eco District from The Delta Hotel. Participants will be dropped off in the district to wander around and enjoy one of the District's local restaurants. Meal expenses to be paid by participants. Stay tuned for more details. Please RSVP for this event during registration. 

Duke Riley Exhibition Tour at Museum of Contemporary Arts (MOCA): After the VMDS wraps up, we invite you to join us at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Virginia Beach for lunch and a tour of the Duke Riley Exhibit. You will have some time to enjoy lunch on your own in the ViBe Creative District, then we will meet at MOCA for a tour of this amazing exhibit "O'er The Wide and Plastic Sea". Please RSVP for this event during registration.