Imagine a place where 28 countries ACT together under one roof and there’s mermaids on street corners…that’s Norfolk!

Norfolk is home to the Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT), the only NATO command in North America and the only permanent NATO headquarters outside of Europe.ACT. HQ SACT is NATO’s leading agent for change, driving, facilitating, and advocating continuous improvement of Alliance capabilities to maintain and enhance the military relevance and effectiveness of the Alliance. It focuses on areas such as training and education, concept development, comprehensive approach, experimentation, and research and technology and using NATO's ongoing operations and work with the NATO Response Force (NRF) to improve the military effectiveness of the Alliance.

 

International

As the U.S. economy continues to turn to globalization, Virginia’s Hampton Roads is rapidly becoming a favored location for international companies. It is home to approximately 170 foreign companies representing 27 countries. Largest concentrations are U.K., 20%; Germany, 18% and Japan, 17%. We have 13 consulate offices here representing Belgium, Brazil, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Moldova, Norway, Romania and Sweden. Top export trading partners by total value are Germany, China and the U.K. Top import partners are China, Germany and Brazil.

 

OpSail 2012

Norfolk has been selected as one of five cities to host OpSail 2012. OpSail and the U. S. Navy will bring tall ships, naval vessels, and the Blue Angels flight demonstration team to each port city, beginning in New Orleans in May 2012 and ending in Boston Harbor on July 4, 2012. Norfolk and the Port of Hampton Roads will host the OpSail flotilla from June 6-11, 2012, in conjunction with Norfolk’s annual Harborfest celebration. Nearly 120 nations have been invited to participate. It will commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

 

International festivals –

Festival	Location	Date
ODU International Festival	Ted Constant Convocation Center at ODU	March
Taste of India	Ted Constant Convocation Center at ODU	April
Virginia International Tattoo	Scope Arena	April - May
Cinco de Mayo	Town Point Park	May
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month	Various including Norfolk Libraries and the Pagoda	May
Greek Festival	Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral	May
Annual Parade of Nations & NATO Festival	Town Point Park and various locations	May
Philippine Independence Celebration	MacArthur Memorial and Philippine Cultural Center	June
Norfolk Latino Music Festival	Town Point Park	August