Jennifer Kohms

Jennifer Kohms is the newest Destination Development Manager on Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Partnership Marketing Team. Her region includes Southern Virginia, as well as parts of Central and Coastal Virginia.

Jennifer has a rich background in hospitality, from her earliest days in her grandparents’ restaurant to a former position at The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk as the Special Events Manager, where she oversaw over 200 events a year. She also assisted in opening a brewery and restaurant in Smithfield.

For the last year, Jennifer served as the Tourism Development Coordinator for Visit Newport News, spearheading the city’s AACE (African American Cultural Experiences) campaign, as well as connecting with local and regional tourism partners, and writing successful grants to fund future initiatives.

Jennifer is also excited to bring her museum experience to VTC, having worked at five cultural institutions over the years - in the departments of education, development, marketing, and events. In 2023, Jennifer was a presenter at the Virginia Association of Museums annual conference, and is currently working on her Museum Management certification.

A resident of Virginia since 1994, Jennifer has called Smithfield home for 27 years and has watched its growth from a sleepy rural hamlet into a vibrant community – showcasing exactly what tourism can do for a town. She looks forward to applying her skills to assist partners in her region, and learning all their communities have to offer.