Hospitality | Tourism 2024: BRUCE L. THOMPSON

One of Hampton Roads’ most prominent developers and hoteliers, Norfolk native Thompson is best known for developing the Cavalier Resort, which includes the restored historic Cavalier Hotel as well as two new hotels, restaurants and residences on 21 acres at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The $435 million project is the culmination of nearly four decades of work by Thompson to reposition Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads into an exclusive area with high-end hotels and residences.

Thompson opened his first hotel in the early 1980s. Under the name Professional Hospitality Resources (PHR), Thompson’s hotel empire grew. He founded Gold Key as a timeshare company, along with marketing and finance companies to assist with timeshare sales. The privately owned Gold Key | PHR has annual revenues in excess of $140 million and employs more than 2,400 people.

Thompson, Virginia Business’ 2021 Person of the Year, has had a long and colorful career, working as a concert promoter and ski trip organizer before entering the hospitality industry. He has also been active in community service, often raising money for ALS care and research in honor of his son, Josh, who died from
the disease.