MEMBER NEWS

Dear Members, 

Spring is in full swing in DC. I hope you’ve enjoyed your fill of the cherry blossoms and the city’s surrounding festivities, which continue for several more days. At Destination DC (DDC), we’re excited for the next spring extravaganza: Passport DC, a celebration of all things international that includes two chances to visit embassies for free, the International City Food Festival, the vibrant Flower Mart at Washington National Cathedral and more. Don't miss this showcase of only-in-DC experiences.

It's an important time for tourism, which is why we can’t wait to host Travel Rally 2024 on May 29 at the National Museum of the American Indian. We’ll discuss the economic impact of our industry and major trends. Stay tuned for more information.

Our team attends IPW from May 3-7, one of the year’s most essential events for global travel and tourism leaders. I’ll be holding a press conference for hundreds of international journalists, meeting with customers and talking about major happenings in the District like World Pride 2025.

Kind regards,

 

Elliott L. Ferguson, II
President & CEO
Destination DC

Baseball Season is Here

Get ready for an exciting season with the Washington Nationals. Show your support for the Washington Nationals by securing your tickets today. Use code VISITDC at checkout for an exclusive discount of up to 20% off.

National Museum of Women in the Arts Member Event | April 24, 8-10 a.m.

Visit the recently reopened museum before its regular operating hours and make connections with other members of the travel and tourism industry.

Advertising Deadlines: Book Your Spot Today! 

• Official Visitors Guide (Fall/Winter): sales close June 24 
• Official Visitors Map: sales close May 31

July 4 Ticket Packages and Sponsorships

Experience the Financial Times Come to Life

Get the Springtime Party Started!

Tacos & Tequila Tasting at Nats Park

• Earned media: NBC4 provides a guide on where to grab afternoon cherry blossom tea around DC and Good Housekeeping recommends the city for a perfect girls weekend. Internationally, Wanderlust (UK) lists where tourists can learn about African American history and US Traveler Magazine (Mexico) spotlights museums dedicated to women. Skift highlights how planners can incorporate DEI in their DC meetings. Conference & Meetings World covers DDC’s first sustainability summit.

• Awards season for M&C: The American Advertising Association’s ADDY’s honored DDC’s in-house creative team with awards for its “There’s Only One DC” commercials and campaign photography. DDC was pitted against the area’s top advertising agencies and was one of only two in-house teams awarded. The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International also awarded DDC an “Adrian” for its takeover of Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station in partnership with MMGY Global, which included more than 140 print and digital placements.

• Summer content update: Summer advertising launched April 1, so the content team updated and added a wide range of summer pieces to washington.org. Users can discover things to do Memorial Day weekend, during July 4th (including where to watch fireworks) and over Labor Day weekend as well as seasonal events and festivals, free things to do, outdoor recreation, off-the-Mall and kid-friendly museums, waterfront revelry and national parks in the area.
  

• The social media team shared the beauty of the cherry blossoms’ peak bloom. After the exciting official announcement of the dates, DDC captured memorable moments like Stumpy’s last dance and strolls by the Tidal Basin. Influencers such as Chloe in DC, Your DC Bestie and Zoozoowalla attended the Pink Tie Party, sharing their delightful experiences in partnership with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Industry channels welcomed the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development’s Annual Conference and the ACC Tournament mascots to Washington, DC. Staff highlights included celebrating our March staff milestone anniversaries and recaps of the Sustainability Summit and Operation Cherry Pie. 
  
  

In March, the team tracked over 92 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings.

Recent activities:

• Meeting Professionals International Northern California ACE Tradeshow (March 4-8, San Francisco, CA)
• National Cherry Blossom Pink Tie Party (March 15, Washington, DC)
• Operation Cherry Pie (March 18-21, Washington Metropolitan Area)
• Informa Connect Pharma Forum (March 24-27, Tampa, FL)
• The Meeting Industry Council Colorado (March 25-27, Denver, CO)

DDC’s tourism team is traveling domestically and internationally to meet with clients focused on bringing travel to DC. This month, the team will partner with Brand USA, Capital Region USA and several airlines to welcome travel agents from Canada, Ireland, Mexico and Switzerland. Our tourism and sports teams will also be traveling in the U.S. as well as Germany, Italy and the UK to foster business relationships and future DC bookings.

Join us as we interact with bus companies and group tour operators May 16 for DC Loves Buses Day.

What were visitors asking about last month?

1. Which area of DC has the best nightlife for senior citizens?
2. What hotel has the best view of the National Mall?
3. What restaurant has the best Parisian food in DC?
   
   

Make sure to use #Only1DC
Industry Social Channels: @DestinationDC

Leisure Social Channels: @visitwashingtondc