MEMBER NEWS

Dear Members, 

Summer is just around the corner and DC is having a spectacular May. Passport DC continues this weekend with the European Union Open House on Saturday and the District has plenty of things to do to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday. We’re also excited to cheer on the Washington Nationals, D.C. United, the DC Defenders and the Washington Mystics (who start their season on May 14) throughout the coming months.
 
Mark your calendar: Destination DC (DDC) hopes to see all members at Travel Rally on May 29. The event is an annual opportunity to focus on the economic impact of our industry with national and local leaders. It will be held at the National Museum of the American Indian in honor of the museum's 20th anniversary at 8:30 a.m.
 
In a spring full of conventions focused on growing international travel, DDC participated in IPW this week to reach leisure travel buyers and media, and coming up is IMEX Frankfurt to influence high-impact meetings.
 
Plans are underway to promote and host World Pride 2025 in Washington, DC – a major event which you’ll see highlighted at next month’s Capital Pride celebrations, including the parade on June 8.

Kind regards,

 

Elliott L. Ferguson, II
President & CEO
Destination DC

July 4 Ticket Packages and Sponsorships

Save the Date for the Frontline Staff Webinar: Summer in DC | May 22 at 11 a.m.

The visitor experience team presents a webinar for frontline professionals working in DC hospitality and tourism. The team will answer common visitor questions about key summer events like Capital Pride and Independence Day.  

You're Invited to Travel Rally | May 29, 8:30-10 a.m.

Join us Wednesday, May 29 at the National Museum of the American Indian. DDC joins local and national partners to discuss efforts to bring visitors to Washington, DC.

Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index 

DDC is currently completing the annual GDS-Index assessment, which helps us tell the sustainability story of our destination internationally. To do that better, we need to know your story. Keep an eye out for emails this month and help us increase our position among global competitors.

AEF Hospitality Scholarships

Support the next generation of hospitality professionals through the AEF Scholarship Fund.

Introducing Amtrak’s Flex Fares

Escape the Real World and Immerse Yourself in a 21st Century Story!

• Earned media: The Boston Globe highlights kid-friendly activities in the nation's capital, while DC is ranked a top foodie city in Food & Wine. Internationally, Outlook Traveller (India) names DC a top destination for the spring and Carreio Brazilense (Brazil) showcases female empowerment throughout the city. Skift Meetings celebrates Business Events Industry Week and Meetings Today (p.40) spotlights DC Connected Capital.

• Macy Dolton is a 30-Under-30 Honoree: Content Marketing Specialist Macy Dolton has been selected to Destinations International's 30-Under-30 Class of 2024. Macy, who's been with DDC since 2019, elevates the organization's brand voice on its industry social media accounts and inspires travel to DC through compelling advertising, web and email content. Macy also co-leads DDC's Employee Action Committee to balance the needs of the staff and organization. "I'm so appreciative of this honor from Destinations International," Macy said. "I'm passionate about my work at DDC and to be recognized in this way is an absolute joy."
   
• Travel Rally 2024: DDC, along with the U.S. Travel Association, hosts this annual event at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) to discuss the economic importance of tourism to DC and growing visitation. Mayor Bowser and several local and national leaders will provide remarks as DDC shares the latest statistics on domestic visitation, visitor spending and local jobs. After the program, guests are invited to an exclusive preview of NMAI’s new exhibition, Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains, which opens June 1. See how Great Plains artists depict family life, battles and pop culture on hides, muslins and accounting ledgers through historic and contemporary works from the National Museum of the American Indian’s collection.
  
  
• The social media team buzzed with highlights of the Washington Nationals' opening day and National Pet Day. DDC also partnered with local creators to spotlight sustainability in the District, including As Told By Dom, Wonderpunkthrift and Emily Goes Places, who provided insights into the city's green spaces and initiatives. The team also hosted a group of seven content creators from New York City, Atlanta and Chicago to experience spring in DC. Industry channels welcomed the Oncology Nursing Society Congress and celebrated International Day of Pink, Global Meetings Industry Day, DC Emancipation Day and Earth Day.
  
  

In April, the team tracked over 94 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings.

Recent activities:

• Nationals Opening Day Event (April 1, Washington, DC)
• ConferenceDirect Annual Partner Meeting (April 8-10, Arlington, TX)
• Business Event Industry Week and Destination Showcase (April 9-11, Washington, DC)
• Cherry Blossom Activation and Lunch and Learn (April 12, London, United Kingdom)
• Destination Discovery: Springtime in Washington, DC United Kingdom Client Familiarization Trip (April 18-21, Washington, DC)
  
  

The team attended IPW in Los Angeles, our biggest international trade show, to reunite and rebuild the global travel industry. DDC welcomes travel agents from the UK as well as meeting tour operators and travel agents in China. The team is going out in the community with tablings, destination trainings and our annual DC Loves Buses Day.

What were visitors asking about last month?

1. Which hotels have the best view of the national fireworks during Independence Day?
2. Why is it so hard to get tickets to the Washington Monument?
3. Is June a good time to come to DC, since schools will be out and students aren't on field trips?
   
   

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

Leisure Social Channels: @visitwashingtondc