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Dear Members,
As I reflect on another incredible Marketing Outlook Meeting, I appreciate representing Destination DC (DDC) and our wonderful members and city. Held at the impressive Washington Hilton, the event attracted its highest attendance ever, covered trends and forecasts for tourism to DC and highlighted There’s Only One DC campaign successes. Performances by Cirque du Soleil’s Ovo and DC’s Different Drummers were captivating and we raised more than $30,000 for the American Experience Foundation.
As autumn arrives, we’re excited to cheer on our fall sports teams in the DMV. The Washington Spirit look poised for a postseason run, while the Washington Commanders, Wizards and Capitals will all be in action in the coming weeks.
Read and share our fall content on washington.org, which includes events like Theatre Week (Sept. 26 – Oct. 13), festivals, museum exhibits, shows and concerts, as well as free things to do and the area’s breathtaking foliage.
Finally, know that we are closely monitoring a federal government budget deadline by the end of the month. We’ll be prepared with DC is Open messaging across all channels if needed.
Kind regards,
Elliott L. Ferguson, II
President & CEO
Destination DC
Catch the Recap of the Marketing Outlook Meeting
You can find the presentations and videos from the 2024 Marketing Outlook Meeting on the Member Extranet. Don't forget to take the survey, you'll be entered to win a prize of two (2) Terra Club tickets to see the Washington Nationals vs. the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 27 at 6:45 p.m. at Nationals Park.
Save The Date: Crack the Code to Fun | Oct. 22, 5-7 p.m.
Join fellow DDC members for an evening of networking, code cracking and fun at Beat the Bomb. Meet other industry professionals while experiencing the ultimate escape room. Your task awaits you.
AEF Member Holiday Celebration – Wonderland in the Wild | Thursday, Dec. 12, 4-9 p.m.
Put it in your calendar now. DDC will hold it's annual holiday celebration at Zoolights! This is an exclusive event for DDC Members and their families.
Where: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
What: Support local high school students and raise money for the American Experience Foundation.
Sustainability District Application
Share how your business is meeting the demand for sustainability with our visitors and meeting attendees. Learn more about the Sustainability District recognition program and consider joining.
Join Amtrak on our high-speed Acela service and grab a bite off our new cafe menu, featuring reimagined and delicious flavors. We’re proud to offer an expanded selection of fresh foods and premium beverages, now available onboard.
Founded in the heart of Washington, DC in the 1940s, Hargrove has expanded to become a world-class, end-to-end event production company. We create immersive experiences for events, conferences, expos, galas, exhibits and more.
Industrious is DC's best co-working with on-demand meetings and private offices. Book your next meeting with us and experience all-inclusive amenities and 5-Star service at one of our 15 DMV locations.
- New content on washington.org: As fall approaches, the content team will entice potential visitors through storytelling about where to get ice cream in the city, competitive socializing spots for visitors to enjoy, reasons to check out the upcoming Theatre Week and a Capitals game, how to plan the perfect bachelorette party in DC, dog-friendly places in the District, brand new restaurants and hotels in the city and more. The team has also launched a landing page dedicated specifically to inspiring visitors to stay and play in DC over the Thanksgiving holiday.
- The Social Media Team: August featured a collaboration with @devourdc to spotlight RAMW’s Summer Restaurant Week, with the account sharing its top picks from Shaw, Georgetown and Adams Morgan. The team celebrated the 2024 Summer Olympics by showcasing the newest exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bridge by Glenn Kaino. DDC also took a deeper dive into the love for the District, capitalizing on a social media trend. Industry channels welcomed the Narcotics Anonymous World Convention, announced DC as the host city for ASAE’s Annual Meeting in 2029 and celebrated Destination Day at ESTO. Staff highlights included a spirited goodbye to our summer interns, the celebration of August milestone anniversaries for DDC staff and a look back at the team’s Pride activations with Linder Global Events.
In August, the team tracked over 48 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings.
Recent activities:
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Convene (July 30 – Aug. 2, Hawai’i, Hawaii)
- CVB Reps Summer Client Event Sponsorship (Aug. 7, Alexandria, VA)
- Mexico Sales Mission + IBTM Americas Trade Show (Aug. 18-22, Mexico City, Mexico)
- Maritz Activate (Aug. 26-28, National Harbor, MD)
- International Business Events Council (IBEC)/Annual Meeting Alliance (AMA) Collective (Aug. 26-29, Washington, DC)
DDC’s tourism team continues global missions to highlight travel to DC. This month, the team will welcome 85 travel agents from around the world, including Germany, France, India, Latin America, Mexico, Spain and the UK. The team is also participating in Capital Region USA’s Global Travel Exchange, TEAMS sports conference, and the WACA DMV Annual Showcase. Register for next month's VA Welcome Center Takeover.
Top visitor questions last month:
- What are the differences in ticket prices, and how do you purchase ADA tickets for the DC JazzFest?
- Where is the best place to have a picnic in DC?
- What is the best way to visit George Washington's Mount Vernon?
Make sure to use #Only1DC
Industry Social Channels: @DestinationDC
Leisure Social Channels: @visitwashingtondc
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