Richmond named top business travel destination by Amex
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Richmond is increasingly a business travel destination, according to a new report from American Express.
Why it matters: Business travel can be a key driver of tourism dollars and corporate relocations, which often translates into more local jobs.
Driving the news: The credit card giant recently named Richmond one of five U.S. cities seeing the greatest jump in hotel and airline transactions tied to business trips.
- The Amex Trendex report called Richmond "a developing economic center" that's becoming a major hub for business travel, in part because it's already home to multiple Fortune 500 companies.
- Per Amex, that's partly due to state programs focused on workforce development and incentivizing businesses to relocate or expand here.
The intrigue: Amex also noted projects like the Diamond District and the City Center Innovation District as "significant economic developments" making Richmond "an ideal location for businesses."
- Yes, but: The City Center project, which has the Coliseum's demolition at the forefront of it, has been slow-moving and in limbo for years.
What they're saying: Richmond landing major economic development projects has helped fuel interest, says Jennifer Wakefield, president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership.
- Those include CoStar's research center, Lego's billion-dollar plant, Henrico's Iron Mountain data center, Chesterfield's nuclear fusion plant and more.
By the numbers: Consideration of the Richmond area as a business location has risen from 2021 to 2025, per Wakefield.
- Among C-suite execs: 2% ➡️ 57%
- Site location consultants: 20% ➡️ 90%
The bottom line: Richmond is only getting hotter.
Go deeper via Amex for the four other U.S. cities