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Dear Members,
I said it in an email to you on Monday, I posted on social yesterday and I’ll say it again today. After navigating the pandemic together since March 2020, DC reopens at full capacity for most activities May 21. I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to Mayor Bowser for this news, which will help our city welcome visitors en masse once again. Now, let’s do our part in getting the city vaccinated. As a reminder, federal U.S. Small Business Administration grants are also available for restaurants and shuttered venues, so please apply if you haven’t already. Read more in the Mayor’s letter to me and our industry.
Find out more about the latest travel status and plans for a full reopening by June 11, as well as what’s open and reopening.
On the recovery front, thank you for tuning in last week as Destination DC (DDC) hosted our virtual Travel Rally focused on moving forward. I appreciate our hosts at Audi Field, Mayor Bowser, Tori Emerson Barnes of U.S. Travel Association, Danita Johnson of D.C. United, Greg O’Dell of Events DC and Quinn Feike with City Cruises for speaking at the event. I’m grateful to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo for taking time out of her schedule to focus on our industry. In only two months in office, she’s made travel a clear priority which will benefit tourism and hospitality industry workers and businesses. View her video here, and the full recording on YouTube.
During Travel Rally, we also introduced the “Still Connected” initiative, a collaboration between Destination DC, Events DC, Hotel Association of Washington, D.C. and Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. The goal is to let customers know that DC is committed to bringing in-person meetings back successfully across the hospitality industry. The approach is two-fold: first, we’re dedicated to the health standards that will facilitate safer in-person meetings. Second, DC is a place where commerce thrives, due to its strong industries and access to top speakers, sponsors and exhibitors – ultimately making the convention appealing for attendees and successful for planners.
Read on for more information about current events and programs, recent media coverage and more, and take time to review the latest visitor research to help you plan.
Kind regards,
Elliott L. Ferguson, II
President & CEO
Destination DC
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