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Dear Members,
Although a federal government shutdown was avoided in late September, Destination DC (DDC) is still prepared with our DC is Open campaign in advance of another shutdown scenario in November. We’re always ready to remind potential visitors that the city has so much more to offer beyond the federal government. DDC also equips our stakeholders and international offices with the latest information and messaging to ensure the world knows you can always have a great time in the District.
There’s Only One DC advertising launched on Nov. 1 in our top domestic markets. The campaign positions DC as the unique destination that it is and reaches more potential visitors than ever before. Learn more and engage:
Kind regards,
Elliott L. Ferguson, II
President & CEO
Destination DC
DC for the Holidays Webinar | Nov. 16, 10 a.m.
As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to an exclusive webinar: DC for the Holidays – Insider Tips, Insights & Events. Join Jamal Holtz, Enchant Park marketing representative at LINK Strategic Partners, for an exclusive look at the Nationals Park event, followed by Georgia Lucas, visitor experience manager at DDC, who will discuss additional festive happenings across the city this season.
Save the Date: Member Holiday Celebration | Dec. 6, 8 a.m.
Gather with us at the JW Marriott for a holiday celebration in the heart of the city to benefit the American Experience Foundation (AEF).
Holiday 2023 Raffle & Auction Prize Donations
We're looking for donations to the fundraising raffle and silent auction prize packages to raise money for AEF's programs and celebrate the best our city has to offer.
The fundraiser will be featured on social media and at DDC's Member Holiday Celebration on Dec. 14.
Your charitable donation can be tax-deductible - please consult your company's tax professional for more information. In addition to acknowledgment on signage and remarks at the event, you will be recognized as an AEF partner.
Keeping it Cool Grant
The Keeping It Cool Grant program, funded by the Morningstar Foundation, will provide $425,000 in grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to support cold storage infrastructure and equipment needs of food businesses and nonprofits providing food-related goods and services in Washington, DC; Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County, Va.; and Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Md.
Enjoy basketball, live go-go music, and unlimited beer at a Capital City Go-Go game. This experience is only available with this special ticket offer from the NBA G League affiliate of the Washington Wizards. Must be 21+.
The world’s first holiday show incorporating the African American tradition of stepping, Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show returns to Arena Stage this December. Don't miss this joy-filled, family-friendly party.
Before the Washington, DC Auto Show (Jan. 19-28), join automotive industry leaders, government officials and esteemed media contacts to gain an exclusive look at the people and policies shaping the auto industry.
- Earned media: Media coverage in October centered around the reopening of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. CNN, The New York Times and Artnet were among the coverage. Forbes named 10 DC places that promote women’s empowerment, while Thrillist declared Georgetown a fall destination for group travel. Skift Meetings spotlighted DDC’s Global Destination Sustainability Award for Innovation. DDC’s efforts at IMEX were featured in AMI Magazine and Conference & Meetings World. Elliott was quoted in several trade outlets during Brand USA Travel Week, including Australia’s Travel Weekly. DC was named one of the top five places to visit in the U.S. by India’s World Destination.
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There's Only One DC on washington.org: Campaign creative connects to washington.org, where potential travelers across all target audiences will find curated, content-rich landing pages featuring special offers from member businesses, attractions and hotels. Users are driven to sign up for emails, view member deals and book hotels. Social media complements the campaign messaging primarily through user-generated content and the #Only1DC hashtag. Social media videos of unique DC experiences will be shared on Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts and may contain audio and editing styles that are trending and relate to a broad audience. Influencers will help drive brand awareness by generating content with the #Only1DC brand.
- How Members Can Engage with There's Only One DC
- Send major updates about your business to dcmedia@washington.org. The content and communications teams access this email address and may consider including your big news in content or pitches.
- Upload your #Only1DC-inspired deals and special offers to the Member Extranet.
- Tag your social posts with #Only1DC.
- Tag DDC’s social accounts on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for potential amplification.
- Visit the campaign toolkit for more assets and tips for engaging with the campaign.
In October, the team tracked over 32 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings.
Recent activities:
- Pre-/Post- IMEX America #ExperienceDC Client FAM trip (Oct. 9-10 and Oct. 20-23, Washington, DC)
- Helmets to Hardhats with North America's Building Trade Unions (Oct. 13, Queenstown, MD)
- Client Spa Event at Pendry (Oct. 24, Washington, DC)
- Madison Sales Mission (Oct. 26, Madison, WI)
DDC’s tourism team continues to host FAMs from around the world to highlight travel to DC. This month, the team welcomes travel agents from Switzerland, Spain, Australia and New Zealand as well as marketing managers from the UK. The team is also attending three trade shows to conduct appointments with tour operators in the leisure group and Chinese markets.
What were visitors asking about last month?
- When will the pandas leave the National Zoo?
- What safety practices are in place around the U.S. Capitol?
- Where are good places to see Christmas light displays in the DMV?
Make sure to use #ExperienceDC
Industry Social Channels: @DestinationDC
Leisure Social Channels: @visitwashingtondc
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