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Dear Members,
The new year is off to travel-worthy start with plenty of noteworthy January happenings in DC, including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Jan. 15), Winter Restaurant Week (Jan. 15-21) and the Washington Auto Show (Jan. 19-28).
Growing international visitation continues to be a major priority based on economic impact to Washington, DC: international visitors stay longer and spend more. Please join us for Global Marketplace on Jan. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center to learn about our efforts. Attendees will:
- Hear from all DDC’s international teams based in the UK, India, Australia, China, Brazil, Mexico and Canada
- Learn about new year-round international marketing efforts
- Understand the impact and tourism recovery forecast
Kind regards,
Elliott L. Ferguson, II
President & CEO
Destination DC
What is Open House? | Feb. 8, 2-5 p.m.
An annual event that Destination DC (DDC) has every year in February. It’s a way to allow our members to explore our offices and see what we've been up to for the previous year and what's coming for the current year. It’s our chance to network with members, partners and each other to gain insight on our industry. Each year there is a theme that allows the event to be unique and memorable. This year’s theme is: There's Only One DDC.
Annual Member Volleyball Tournament | Feb. 16
DDC, Events DC and member teams compete in a friendly volleyball tournament each year to benefit American Experience Foundation. Attend the event as a player or spectator
Where: Convention Center
Career Ready Summer Intern Host Registration Now Open
Help create memorable opportunities for high school juniors in the Academies of Hospitality & Tourism and Culinary Arts as they gain industry experience and you gain entry-level talent for six weeks this summer – all at no cost to your company.
Internship timeframe: June 24 – Aug. 2
Funding Opportunities from the Mayor
Serve DC, the Mayor's office on volunteerism, provides a bi-weekly funding alert to highlight grant opportunities and resources. Pay special attention to the grants on green infrastructure improvements and green jobs.
The Washington, DC Auto Show will feature hundreds of new vehicles from the world’s top manufacturers. The brand-new DC eDrives Experience will offer attendees an exciting journey into the future of transportation, and indoor and outdoor test drives add to the thrill of it all.
Ignite your imagination beyond what is visible and step into the unseen depths of our universe. Returning this month by popular demand, Beyond the Light is an original artistic expression of scientific discoveries and the story of how human innovation has enabled us to see beyond our imaginations and into the furthest reaches of the cosmos.
- Earned media: Washington, DC captivates for the holiday season, gaining recognition from Condé Nast Traveler as one of the most visited cities in the U.S. CNN featured the luxurious Willard InterContinental in its list of decorated hotels, and ESSENCE provided a guide to experience DC during the festive season. Internationally, ELLE (France) showcased luxury options. Media in Germany and the UK featured the city’s holiday activities. Fugues (Canada) highlighted DC’s LGBTQ+ inclusivity. USAE showcased Elliott’s Hall of Leaders award. DC’s new venues were featured in BizBash and Black Meetings and Tourism, and DDC promotions were covered in trade publications.
- Spring Advertising: There's Only One DC advertising continues with the launch of DDC's largest spring advertising buy on Jan. 15. Media placements include paid social, paid search, digital display banners, audio spots and videos. The campaign also includes integrated media packages with custom content articles through premium publishers such as Travel + Leisure, Food and Wine, GQ, Edge and out-of-home advertising in key markets. Consumers will have a chance to engage with additional spring and cherry blossom content on washington.org.
- The social media team marked festive occasions like Hannukah and Christmas and celebrated Virginia Ali's 90th birthday. The team also recapped the best of 2023, showcased holiday experiences like Enchant, ZooLights and Seasons Greenings and previewed exciting January activities in the District. Industry channels recognized both Zoe Roberts as DDC’s Employee of the Quarter and Jenna Weise as a PCMA “20 In Their Twenties” honoree. Channels also showcased the AEF Member Holiday Party, displayed a holiday message from the organization and promoted the DOEE’s District Sustainability Awards.
In December, the team tracked over 23 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings.
Recent activities:
- Customer Holiday Event (Dec. 7, Washington, DC)
- National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals Annual Meeting (Dec. 6-9, Atlanta, GA)
- Southeast Sales Mission and Industry Event Sponsorship (Dec. 13, Atlanta, GA)
- CVB Reps Holiday Event (Dec. 13, Washington, DC)
This month, the team welcomes our international offices to Washington, DC for Global Marketplace and hosts tour operators from the Netherlands. DDC’s group travel and sports teams are on the road with major trade shows and FY2024’s first sales mission is a voyage to Mexico in partnership with Brand USA.
What were visitors asking about last month?
- Where can you ice skate in DC?
- What kind of displays are at CityCenterDC?
- What are the hours of operation and admission prices to the U.S Holocaust Memorial Museum?
Make sure to use #Only1DC
Industry Social Channels: @DestinationDC
Leisure Social Channels: @visitwashingtondc
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