Member News: July 2024

MEMBER NEWS

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Dear Members,

At the end of June, I attended Pride month celebrations in London and continued promoting WorldPride 2025 in DC. We anticipate up to two million visitors for the global event and look forward to showcasing our city’s status as a major destination and our community’s welcoming and accepting nature.

On the 4th of July, Destination DC (DDC) held our annual celebration in support of the American Experience Foundation, our affiliated 501(c)(3) charity. The event reminds me every year that there’s only one DC as we get to enjoy a stunning monumental backdrop for the fireworks while supporting hospitality and tourism education for local public school students. Please consider supporting the foundation.

We welcome NATO’s 75th Anniversary Summit and its dignitaries and thousands of delegates in the nation’s capital this week. Remember to text NATODC to 888-777 for real-time updates from the city.

There are still a lot of exciting events in the city to look forward to this summer, including Broccoli City Festival (July 27-28), the Mubadala Citi DC Open (July 27 – Aug. 4), Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s Summer Restaurant Week (Aug. 12-18) and DC JazzFest (Aug. 28 – Sept. 1). Learn about all these events and more on washington.org.

Kind regards,

Elliott L. Ferguson, II
President & CEO
Destination DC

Sustainability Roundtable | July 25

Register to participate in DDC’s next Sustainability Roundtable event. Interactive workshops give you a chance to share new ideas, successes and challenges around implementing sustainability initiatives in your business while learning from your peers.

Pickleball Tournament | Aug. 8, 3-7 p.m.

Join us for an inaugural Pickleball Tournament. All proceeds go to DDC's affiliated 501(c)3, the American Experience Foundation.

Where: Kraken Kourts & Skates | 514 Rhode Island Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002

Individual player: $25
Pair: $50

Save the Date

Marketing Outlook Meeting | Aug. 27, 8-11 a.m.

Watch the Make the Connection Webinar

DDC’s convention services team ensures that meetings and events offer an incredible experience in the city, and that they take full advantage of the city’s vast resources and small businesses. Listen and learn how you can benefit from our sales efforts.

The team will discuss best practices for:

Responding to service requests and referrals from our team
Utilizing convention resumes and identifying opportunities for your business
Enhancing the competitiveness of your business listings on washington.org

Watch Now

How to be an A+ Convention Service Provider

Learn how to increase sales with conventions in Washington, DC. Discover direct business opportunities from DDC clients and how to respond effectively.

Promotional image for TodayTix offering up to 40% off on theatre tickets in Washington, DC, featuring a nighttime view of the Kennedy Center.

Save Big On Theatre Tickets

With TodayTix, you can save up to 40% or more on tickets to the hottest musicals, plays and events across DC. Plus, get unbeatable day-of deals and earn rewards on every purchase. See what’s on stage.

Get Tickets Now

Promotional image for Nationals Park events, inviting people to host unforgettable holiday celebrations at the venue.

Celebrate the Holidays at Nationals Park

Host your holiday party at Nationals Park with exclusive event spaces, gourmet catering and stunning views. Make this season unforgettable. Book your event today.

Book Now

Promotional image for the American Series international rugby match between Scotland and the USA on July 12, 2024, at Audi Field in Washington, DC.

Scotland vs. USA Rugby | July 12

An epic Friday of sport and culture come to Audi Field during Scotland vs. USA Rugby. Enjoy cultural food, music and unforgettable experiences, including traditional Scottish pipes and drums.

Get Your Ticket

Earned media: DDC is recognized as one of the Best DMOs of 2024 by Smart Meetings. WorldPride 2025 is covered by several news outlets, including New York’s ABC 7 (WABC) and Los Angeles’ KTLA 5, and Canada’s Toronto Star. Internationally, Band News Radio (Brazil) highlights DC as a city that combines politics, culture, and diversity. The German Iwanowski travel guide features 56 members in a guide to the US East Coast.
WorldPride 2025 (May 23 – June 8) Support: DDC has ramped up its support. Promotion for the landmark event includes but is not limited to:
- On-site activations at other Pride celebrations all over the world, including Los Angeles, London, New York City, Toronto, Madrid, Sao Paulo and Mexico City, as well as domestic and international out-of-home and digital advertising
- Media exposure at Pride celebrations, local press events and journalist hosting.
- Hosted 27 creators and members of the media who captured the essence of the event. Creators included Pride is Totally Radical with Ravi, Capital Pride Parade with Kirstie and Christine, Road to WorldPride with Fercha and more. Reporters from Brazil, Canada, the U.S. and Germany attended.
- Social media collaborations with RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars and the Capital Pride Alliance
- A dedicated landing page, a listicle guide and options for hotel booking live on washington.org
The social media team proudly honored all things Pride month and spotlighted LGBTQ+-owned businesses. We recognized June holidays such as Father's Day and Juneteenth. Industry channels welcomed the AIA Conference to Washington, DC and celebrated Pride Month with a Big Bus in the Capital Pride Parade.

In June, the team tracked over 62 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings.

Recent activities:

Totally Y2Gay – Client Pride Event (June 8, Washington, DC)
Associations World Congress (June 9-11, Graz, Austria)
FIEXPO Latin America (June 10-13, Panama City, Panama)
A Destination DC Exclusive Yacht Experience: Soiree on the Potomac (June 12, Washington, DC)
Experience the Migration, Arena Stage Event (June 20, Washington, DC)

DDC’s tourism team continues to host and attend events around the world to highlight the benefits of visiting DC. This month, the global team has a sales mission in Brazil and is partnering with Brand USA in Japan and South Korea. The group travel team welcomes domestic tour operators from the adult group market. The Visitor Experience team is also back on the road for a welcome center takeover in Delaware.