Murray Ryan has joined the convention sales and services Chicago office as the national account director. Murray handles association and SMERF leads with 1,350+ rooms on peak for Midwest and West markets.
Patricia Najar, Global Sales Manager will now handle 10-2,499 rooms on peak international based and or globally rotating business, while Tara Miller, Director of Global Sales will now handle 2,500+ rooms on peak international based and or globally rotating business.
DOMESTIC CONVENTION SALES: Promotions, Sales Calls, Trade Shows and Events
The team’s proactive efforts resulted in 94 presentations, client sales calls and in-person meetings throughout the month of April. Highlights included:
- American Association for the Study of Liver Disease
- American College of Surgeons
- American Hotel & Lodging Association
- American Society of Human Genetics
- Association of Meeting Professionals
- Destination Reps
- HLTH Inc.
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
- International Association of Young Lawyers
- Kellen
- Linder Global Events
- Major League Pickleball
- Marine Military Expositions
- Meeting Professionals International
- Momentum Events
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
- National Association of Realtors
- Oncology Nursing Society
- Online News Association
- Singapore Tourism Board
- Skift
- Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
- Visit Alexandria
Washington Nationals Opening Day Event (April 1, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Bill Adams, Jared Kolleh, Brandon Murray, Courtney Scott & Ariana Hines
While taking in the Nats’ opening day game, the sales team networked with clients, showed appreciation for partners and also generated new leads.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Association of the United States Army
- Elite Parties & Events
- EventNoire
- National Industries for the Blind
- The Brand Xperience Lounge
- Transportation Research Board
Prestige Annual Partner Conference (April 1-3, Frisco, TX)
Attendee: Jenna Wiese
The conference was a three-day gathering attended by leading Prestige associates and supplier partners. DDC’s participation emphasized the city's exceptional venues, amenities and infrastructure tailored to hosting successful business events. Through targeted discussions and networking, the team aimed to bolster Prestige’s presence in DC and promote the District as a premier destination for corporate gatherings and conventions.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Hashicorp
- Medtronic
- National Federation of the Blind
- Out and Equal
Destinations International Sales & Service Summit (April 8-9, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Bill Adams, Dianna Waldroup, Tara Miller, Katherine Russo & Jerry Joseph
The Summit was a cross-functional gathering of sales and services professionals dedicated to helping clients plan and execute successful meetings and events. It was set to provide opportunities for professional development within education, mentorship and peer-to-peer networking.
ConferenceDirect Annual Partner Meeting (April 8-10, Arlington, TX)
Attendee: Priscilla Alvarez
ConferenceDirect offers suppliers in the hospitality industry opportunities to connect with associates who plan thousands of meetings and events annually. This year’s Annual Partner Meeting provided an opportunity to meet and conduct business with more than 200 qualified ConferenceDirect Associates. DDC also met with a handful of representatives to go over new happenings in DC.
Business Event Industry Week & Destination Showcase (April 9-11, Washington, DC)
Attendee: Bill Adams
The annual event gathers professionals from various sectors to explore, discuss and innovate within the events industry. Throughout the week, attendees engaged in workshops, seminars, panel discussions and showcases, all aimed at addressing the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving landscape of business events.
North Carolina Sales Mission (April 11, Charlotte, NC)
Attendee: Brandon Murray
Brandon attended the Meeting Professionals International Carolinas Chapter 2024 Business Exchange and Global Meetings Industry Day event. The annual trade show provides opportunities for suppliers to meet with meeting planners from all over the Carolinas. Educational sessions included “Airlines and the Economic Impact of Meetings Travel” and “AI Revolution: Elevating Events with Smart Strategies for Planners and Suppliers.” Designed breakouts and receptions offered networking opportunities.
Amy Martell (Helmsbriscoe) Spa Event (April 17, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Bill Adams, Shirley Del Carpio & Jerry Joseph
Shirley, Bill and Jerry networked with members of Amy Martell’s team as well as their DC area-based customers and shared the latest happenings/developments in the District including new hotels, attractions and restaurants.
Boston Sales Mission (April 18-20, Boston, MA)
Attendees: Dianna Waldroup, Shirley Del Carpio & John Sklencar
DDC connected with the American College of Physicians (ACP) during their annual conference at the Boston Convention Center. Having last met in DC in 2016 and with plans set for 2028, ACP is eyeing the District as a potential venue for their 2033 conference (projection: roughly 18,000 room nights).
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Meteorological Society
- International OCD Foundation
- Markets Group
Experiential Marketing Summit (April 24-26, Las Vegas, NV)
Attendee: Jenna Wiese
During the three-day summit, Jenna engaged with brand-side event executives, exchanged ideas in the Hall of Ideas and addressed challenges to thrive in the evolving landscape of experiential marketing. By joining discussions on the forefront of industry innovation, DDC demonstrated its commitment to the best possible meeting and convention experience for its clients.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Speech Language Hearing Association
- ConocoPhillips
- DICK’S Sporting Goods
- Isolved
- JLL
Maritz Elevate (April 29 - May 2, Vancouver, Canada)
Attendees: Jenna Wiese & John Sklencar
DDC aligned with Maritz as partners to envision and enable change within the events industry. Together, the two teams explored dynamics shaping event adaptation, emphasized community collaboration for innovation and strategized on sustainability and inclusivity for future events. DDC also engaged in strategic discussions with Maritz account executives during the learning excursions and immersive workshops, fostering peer-to-peer dialogue to develop actionable strategies for advancing event portfolios.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American Dental Association
- Edward Jones
- Red Hat, Inc.
Definite Site Visits
The Institute of Internal Auditors (July 14-16, 2024)
- 1,048 peak rooms; 4,021 total room nights; 2,500 attendees per year
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
- American Society of Landscape Architects (Oct. 5-8, 2024)
- 2,082 peak rooms; 10,604 total room nights; 6,000 attendees per year
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) (March 31-April 1, 2025)
- 100 peak rooms; 260 total room nights; 1,000 attendees per year
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
- The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (April 30-May 2, 2025)
- 842 peak rooms; 3,032 total room nights; 2,000 attendees per year
Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
Tentative Site Visits
American Psychological Association (March 13-15, 2025)
- 185 peak rooms; 512 total room nights; 250 attendees
- Multiple venues
Greenbook (May 13-14, 2025)
- 415 peak rooms; 1,075 total room nights; 1,000 attendees
- Multiple venues
American Bar Association (April 14-15, 2026)
- 160 peak rooms; 350 total room nights; 250 attendees
- Multiple venues
National Guardianship Association (Oct. 24-26, 2026)
- 356 peak rooms; 1,327 total room nights; 500 attendees
- Multiple venues
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SALES: Sales Calls, Bid Development, Strategic Programming, Familiarization Tours and Site Visits
Cherry Blossom Activation & Lunch and Learn (April 12, London, United Kingdom)
Attendee: Natalie Beagle
Event agencies were treated to an exclusive lunch at RAILS restaurant as part of DDC’s cherry blossom consumer activation in the highly visible Kings Cross station. Springtime in Washington, DC offered the perfect theme for networking, a destination presentation and an #Only1DC-inspired game of Bingo to showcase the city for business events and incentive travel. These new client connections will lead to more opportunities and further strengthen DDC’s presence within the United Kingdom events market.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- CI Group
- CWT
- IQPC Ltd.
- Legacy Events
- Nova Prive
- Shore Events Limited Shore Events Limited
- WhiteWall
- Your Event Solutions
Destination Discovery: Springtime in Washington, DC United Kingdom Client Familiarization Trip (April 18-21, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Tara Miller, Emma Stubblefield & Natalie Beagle
Familiarization trips and destination discovery tours offer a valuable opportunity to showcase DC to prospective clients. In partnership with All About Flights, the Global Sales team welcomed eight meeting and event planners from the United Kingdom for a customized three-day itinerary. Clients experienced #Only1DC firsthand, learning why they should place future meetings, events and incentive travel programs in the nation’s capital.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Agiito
- DRPG
- EMC3
- Financial Times Live
- Lime Blue Solutions
- Rockitfish
- The Event Book
- veSpace International
- ZiaBia
- Tentative Site Visits
- National Homeland Security Association (Aug. 24-27, 2025)
- 900 peak rooms; 3,700 total room nights; 1,600 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
Upcoming Activities:
Domestic Convention Sales
- Association of Meeting Professionals Golf Tournament (May 3, Woodbridge, VA)
- Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) National Education Conference (May 7-9, Omaha, NE)
- Atlanta Sales Mission (May 8-10, Atlanta, GA)
- City Nation Place Americas (May 14-15, Houston, TX)
- HelmsBriscoe ABC (May 14-17, Las Vegas, NV)
- Unique Venue Fam (May 15, Washington, DC)
- Rooftop Event (May 16, Washington, DC)
- Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress (May 21-23, Louisville, KY)
- Professional Convention Management Association Philadelphia Event (May 23, Philadelphia, PA)
- Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (May 29, Washington, DC)
International Convention Sales
- City Nation Place Americas (May 14-15, Houston, TX)
- IMEX Frankfurt (May 14-16, Frankfurt, Germany)
- Associations World Congress (June 9-11, Graz, Austria)
- FIEXPO Latin America (June 10-13, Panamá City, Panamá)
- The Meetings Show (June 19-20, London, UK)
Check out the full Destination DC Member News to learn more about what's going on this month.
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