Action Items

• Get Involved: Donate a holiday raffle or silent auction prize. Your tax-deductible donation will help fund work-based learning programs for students. 
  
  
• AEF interns attended the August Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA) Conference in New York City. Explore what they learned. 
  
  
• Register for the Destination DC Member Holiday Party celebrating AEF on Dec. 12 from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.

Destination DC’s Marketing Outlook Meeting annually benefits AEF’s programs. This year, students from Jackson-Reed High School Academy of Hospitality & Tourism joined to network and learn about the exciting upcoming opportunities in Washington, DC.

Thank you to all the industry leaders who joined and provided support for the next generation of young professionals.

If you weren’t able to attend this year, you can still invest in students.

Four of AEF’s Career Ready Interns hit New York City to experience student travel on the global stage. In partnership with SYTA, the SYTA Youth Foundation and Your Big Year, interns participated in the Global Citizen’s Challenge and the SYTA Annual Conference. The immersive program allowed for over 200 young people to interact with leaders from travel and tourism and explore New York City.

“Your interns were confident, engaging and eager to learn. It’s clear that their experiences with AEF have led to enthusiasm for hospitality.”  - Holly Williamson, Public Affairs Specialist, Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

As the holiday season nears, it’s time to get ready to win big.

Donate a prize by Oct. 15 to be featured in AEF’s annual Holiday Raffle and Auction. Your donation is tax deductible and supports fundraising for work-based learning activities in 2025.

Students from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore hospitality program spent time in DC this summer. They met with leaders from two hotels: The Moxy Washington, DC Downtown and Cambria Hotel Washington DC Navy Yard/Waterfront. The young hospitality leaders also connected with AEF Career Ready Interns to share insights on degrees in hospitality and the college experience.

AEF is looking forward to celebrating the season together.  

Save the date for the Destination DC Member Holiday Party on Dec. 12 from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.

The exciting event will feature an exclusive Zoolights experience, student programming and holiday cheer.

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