Conference Site, Transportation, Restaurants, Local Events

Conference Site

  • The 2024 Virginia Area Research Conference (VARC) will be held at the VCU School of Business. The School of Business is located in Snead Hall at 301 W Main Street, Richmond VA, 23284. The Business School and the Engineering School share a building. The Business School resides in the west wing of the building (Snead Hall), while the Engineering School is in the east wing.

  • Snead Hall’s main entrance is located on Main Street within a circular area where vehicles can pull up to drop off visitors. Rear entrances are accessible within the courtyard, which is accessible from Madison Street. Signs will be posted at the entrances directing conference participants to the registration desk in the Snead Hall Atrium.

  • The sessions will be in room B1121, which is the auditorium next to the Atrium.

Transportation

  • The conference site, hotels, and recommended restaurants (information below) are all within walking distance.

  • Parking is available at the conference hotels (see below) and at the JL Lot on the VCU campus (200 W Cary St). If you plan to commute to Richmond for the day, you are welcome to park in the JL Lot, courtesy of the VCU School of Business. We will provide information on parking via email. We ask that those staying at a hotel use hotel parking. JL Lot spaces are limited and reserved for those without access to hotel parking.

  • Those who travel by train may also find Amtrak to be a convenient travel option. Richmond is serviced by two stations: Staples Mill Road (RVR) with 20 daily departures, and Main Street Station (RVM) with 5 daily departures. The Staples Mill Station is about 15 minutes from downtown by car, and the Main Street Station is only a few miles from the conference site.

Restaurants

The area around VCU’s campus abounds with a variety of local cafes and restaurants. Below are a few local favorites that conference attendees may enjoy. Also within the VCU Campus area are several Starbucks locations, fast-food options, food trucks, and convenience stores.

Lemaire (located in The Jefferson Hotel)

Fine dining serving Americana fare in an upscale setting (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Chez Foushee

New Orleans-inspired restaurant with a quiet, intimate atmosphere (Dinner).

Perly’s Diner

Relaxed diner renowned for its Kosher deli options (Breakfast, Lunch).

Tarrant’s Cafe

Warm and relaxed restaurant serving American menu options in a tavern setting (Lunch, Dinner).

Lift Coffee Shop

Trendy coffee shop serving coffee, bakery items, and breakfast/lunch sandwiches (Breakfast).

Blanchard’s Coffee

Great local coffee roaster - small meal items can be purchased in addition to coffee (Breakfast).
Main dining room in Chez Foushee in Richmond, VA
Entrance to Perly's Diner
Inside of Tarrants Cafe in downtown Richmond
Lift Coffee Shop on Broad Street in Richmond
Blanchard's Coffee close to the VCU campus

Events for the Conference Weekend