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Dear Members,
Thank you to all who joined us at our 2022 Marketing Outlook Meeting at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC. I’d also like to thank our wonderful speakers: Mayor Muriel Bowser, U.S. Travel Association President & CEO Geoff Freeman, STR President Amanda Hite and Waldorf Astoria General Manager Senih Geray. Please download all the presentations from the event and find co-ops for the year ahead on the Member Extranet.
Fall is very busy in the District with all kinds of exciting events and openings: a new exhibit dedicated to JFK opens at the Kennedy Center (Sept. 17), Theatre Week (Sept. 22 – Oct. 9), the return of fall sports, the International City Food Festival (Oct. 13-15), the reopening of the National Air and Space Museum (Oct. 14) and the launch of the second phase of The Wharf are just a few highlights. Visit washington.org for more and upload your seasonal deals via the extranet.
Finally, Destination DC appreciates the more than 50 members and sponsors who joined us to host the Student Youth Travel Association’s annual conference and 25th anniversary celebration last month. The student group market is an important component of tourism to Washington, DC and we enjoyed showcasing the many new and quintessential options for students and teachers as they return to group trips.
Kind regards,
Elliott L. Ferguson, II
President & CEO
Destination DC
Marketing Outlook Meeting Follow-Up Sessions
Join Destination DC (DDC) online for more information about what our teams are doing to set the nation's capital apart from the competition. This virtual series is an opportunity to learn how we continue to benefit our wonderful members.
Touch Base with Tourism, Sports & Visitor Services | Oct. 5, 10-11 a.m.
Meet with Marketing & Communications | Oct. 12, 10-11 a.m.
Check In with Convention Sales & Services | Oct. 19, 10-11 a.m.
Plug In with Partnerships & Alliances | Oct. 26, 10-11 a.m.
Connect with American Experience Foundation | Nov. 2, 10-11 a.m.
Check Out the 2022 Marketing Outlook Meeting Recap
Get the latest on the top sales and marketing strategies to set DC apart, updates on visitation to DC and STR's hotel data and forecast.
Take the Marketing Outlook Meeting Attendee Survey for a Chance to Win Washington Nationals Tickets
Did you attend Marketing Outlook Meeting? We want to hear about it. Provide feedback in the attendee survey for a chance to win two (2) tickets to see the Nationals vs. the Phillies on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7:05 p.m. at Nationals Park.
Sign Up for a Co-op
Build your business at affordable prices through DDC co-op opportunities.
Stay in the Loop With Industry Buzz
Find out what's happening in the Washington, DC tourism and hospitality industry.
Give the Gift of Gathering This Holiday
Plan a holiday party that’s designed to allow you to celebrate your team and clients with dedicated planning services, five-star service and remarkable culinary experiences. Focus on ringing in the new year with your team, and we’ll do the rest.
Save Up to 60% On Small Group Travel
Amtrak Share Fares make it easy to bring the whole crew by helping you save with each plus one. The more family, friends and loved ones you bring, the more you all save.
DDC made local and national headlines following its annual meeting about 2021 total visitation and sales and marketing initiatives for the year ahead. Anchoring coverage: a syndicated story in the Washington Post that ran in more than 20 publications (D.C. sees a boost in visitors, but full recovery remains elusive). International travelers are finding easy ways to get to DC again, as highlighted in Bon Voyage’s Union Station, Washington DC (UK), TeleFórmula’s Learn about the best routes to visit the Capitol in Washington DC (Mexico), and United’s new nonstop flight between Washington DC and Cape Town, featured in Look Travels (France).
The content team updated a suite of inspirational fall content, including Washington Ghost Tours That Are Sure to Spook You, the Hottest Exhibits This Fall and more. The social team successfully collaborated with influencers from a women's travel community who embarked on adventures around the city. As for industry social, the DDC team welcomed the Student and Youth Travel Association’s annual conference and celebrated 25 years of student travel all weekend long with night tours, receptions and networking.
The sales team once again focused on a new proactive engagement plan for client outreach, with an emphasis on personalized touchpoints, program restructuring and rebooking, and customer engagement. The team tracked over 38 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings throughout the month of August.
Upcoming & Recent Activities:
- IBTM Americas; (Aug. 24-25, 2022; Mexico City, Mexico)
- Concert at Ravinia Music Festival and Chicago Sales Mission (Aug. 28-30, 2022; Highland Park & Chicago, IL)
- World Meetings Forum (Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 2022; Los Cabos, Mexico)
- Maritz Next& (Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2022; Tampa, FL)
DDC's tourism team continues to host and attend events for group tour operators from around the world to highlight the benefits of visiting DC. This month, DDC is partnering with Capital Region USA (CRUSA) and Air New Zealand on welcoming travel agents. September is also a big month for sports with events in soccer, lacrosse and the return of the DC Bike Ride.
What three things are visitors asking about?
- Are the museums open on Sundays?
- How much are JazzFest tickets?
- When will the leaves change in DC?
Make sure to use #ExperienceDC
Industry Social Channels: @DestinationDC
Leisure Social Channels: @visitwashingtondc
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