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Dear Members,
The blossoms have come and gone, but spring is just heating up with more only-in-DC events on the horizon like the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, DC Emancipation Day, the Georgetown French Market and Passport DC in May.
April 1 marked the beginning of temporary Tourism Recovery District legislation, which increases DC’s hotel tax to 15.95% and the portion of the hotel tax that Destination DC (DDC) receives to 1.97% (from .97%). We appreciate the support of the Hotel Association of Washington, D.C., Mayor Bowser, the office of the Deputy Mayor of Planning And Economic Development and the DC Council to pass the legislation.
Why It Matters:
- The small raise in hotel taxes is estimated to increase DDC’s budget by $7 million in FY23 and $20.7 million in FY24.
- The additional funding gives DDC the wherewithal to aggressively compete with top tier destinations outspending DC. Growing visitation creates more visitor spending at your businesses, supports more local jobs and increases tax revenue for city services, benefiting DC residents.
Please be on the lookout for an invitation to our upcoming Travel Rally, May 11 from 8:30-10 a.m., where we’ll celebrate travel and everything visitors do for our city.
Kind regards,
Elliott L. Ferguson, II
President & CEO
Destination DC
Speed Networking | April 20, 8-11 a.m.
Refresh your contacts at this signature networking event and make valuable connections with travel and tourism colleagues. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards!
Travel Rally | May 11, 8:30-10 a.m.
Join Destination DC (DDC), U.S. Travel Association and tourism and hospitality partners for a Travel Rally and press conference during National Travel and Tourism Week.
Where: Franklin Park
Listings are Now Open for the 2023 Fall/Winter Visitors Guide
Preparations for the 2023-24 Fall/Winter Official Visitors Guide are underway. DDC members can now update their 150-character listing through the Member Extranet.
Support AEF Scholarships!
The American Experience Foundation invests in the next generation of industry leaders by awarding scholarships annually to deserving students and alumni from DC's high school Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts and Mass Media.
Join Jamie Lee Curtis, Salman Rushdie and more for an intellectual Saturday, curated across five stages at the FTWeekend Festival. Save $20 off using promo code DCFestival.
Nationals Park has 300,000+ feet of indoor and outdoor space that can be customized to suit your needs. Our team of experts will ensure your event is flawlessly executed, while you enjoy the beautiful DC Capitol Riverfront.
Convene delivers a turnkey experience for in-person and hybrid events. With a beautiful yet intuitive design, fully integrated technology services, and a warm and welcoming environment, we draw people together to bring out their best.
- TIME named DC one of the World’s Greatest Places to travel in 2023. Convention South (pp. 59-74) featured the city in its inaugural event planners guide. DC’s selection to host WorldPride 2025 made headlines in the UK’s Gay Times.
- Summer Advertising: Philadelphia Train Station Takeover
As a part of its summer advertising campaign, DDC will execute a takeover of all signage in the Philadelphia 30th Street Train Station from May 1-28. The large-scale out-of-home media buy features over 140 creative placements throughout the station produced by DDC’s in-house creative team, including six videos highlighting unique DC experiences. All placements highlight the fact that DC is only a two-hour ride from Philadelphia, and select eye-level placements feature QR codes that link directly to washington.org content pieces, including 100+ free things to do, places to stay, DC’s hidden gems and restaurant guides.
- France Media Mission
From April 1-7, Nicole Nussbaum, DDC's international media relations manager, joined Capital Region USA on a media mission to France. Nicole met with top-tier journalists and editors from publications such as Vanity Fair and Le Figaro.
- Share your b-roll and visual assets with us via the Member Asset Uploader. Help us discover quality content from your business by uploading photography and vertical and horizontal video footage. Content may be used in marketing to promote Washington, DC. Please do not include low-res photography or images with graphics or text.
In March, the team tracked over 111 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings.
Recent Activities:
- The Meeting Industry Council of Colorado Education Conference and Trade Show plus Sales Mission (Feb. 27-March 3, Denver, CO)
- Operation Cherry Pie Chicago Client Event and Sales Mission (March 14-16, Chicago, IL)
- CBI Pharma Forum 2023–Informa Connect and Client Dinner (March 19-22, New York City, NY)
- March Madness Client Event (March 23, Washington, DC)
- Sales Calls & XL Venue Customer–Supplier Workshop (March 15-18, Toronto, Canada)
DDC’s tourism team continues to host tour operators and travel agencies from around the world to highlight the benefits of visiting Washington, DC. This month, DDC is partnering with Brand USA and Porter Airlines to welcome travel agents from Japan, the UK, Ireland and Canada. April is also a big month for sports, with events in basketball and eSports.
What are visitors asking about?
- Are the cherry blossoms still in bloom? What are the best places to park?
- What are the best places to stay while experiencing the National Cherry Blossom Festival?
- Are tour buses equipped with handicapped accommodations?
Make sure to use #ExperienceDC
Industry Social Channels: @DestinationDC
Leisure Social Channels: @visitwashingtondc
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