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Dear Members,
Destination DC (DDC) wrapped up FY24 at 1,035 members, edging out our pre-pandemic record of 1,014 for the highest total in its history. Thank you for your commitment to our organization as well as the role you play in bringing visitors to our city and welcoming them to our vibrant community.
With the U.S. Presidential Inauguration approaching in January, DDC is working very closely with the city to prepare for this major event. We’ll provide regular updates as details of the celebration are announced. Please be sure to add any of your Inauguration-themed deals and hotel packages via DDC’s Member Extranet.
While the fall foliage settles in, we’re already reminding potential visitors of what makes DC a great winter destination on washington.org, showcasing holiday displays, seasonal shows and much more.
Kind regards,
Elliott L. Ferguson, II
President & CEO
Destination DC
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.
Webinar: Advance Your Business Using AI – Featuring Miles Partnership | Wednesday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m.
Join Destination DC and Justin Gibbs (Director of Strategy & Insights, Miles Partnership) as he delves into the fundamentals of AI and its real-world applications, tailored specifically for the tourism and hospitality industries. Discover the impact AI is having on marketing and visitor engagement strategies and how you can capitalize on this tool as a resource for your business.
Winter Essentials Webinar | Thursday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m.
Tune in to learn about the most exciting events happening in DC this winter. Plus, you'll gain access to DDC's training resources ahead of the holiday season.
Certified Business Enterprise Workshops | Nov. 18 & 20
Join DDC and Marcus A. Williams of MW Consulting, LLC for an impactful, two-hour workshop sharing the process of becoming a Certified Business Enterprise in Washington, DC. Williams will outline how fellow small business owners in DC's travel and hospitality industry can transform their businesses with this certification.
Choose from two sessions:
- Monday, Nov. 18, 3-5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 20, 9-11 a.m.
AEF Member Holiday Celebration – Wonderland in the Wild | Thursday, Dec. 12, 4:30-9 p.m.
Join us at DDC's annual Member Holiday Celebration. Marvel at the magic of ZooLights and celebrate DDC's affiliated non-profit: The American Experience Foundation (AEF). Join us at the Zoo's new Pavilion, a heated tent that will provide a warm oasis in the midst of chilly winter fun! Be prepared for festive bites and desserts, music from a local DJ and the sparkle of ZooLights.
Where: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
What: Support local high school students and raise money for AEF.
As a one-stop partner, Convene offers holiday event packages – including signature cocktails and a festive menu – that are curated to help planners spread holiday cheer with the perfect end-of-year celebration.
Did you know that hearing a story increases retention from 10% to 70%? Boost your impact by unlocking the power of audio. Click for simple ways to captivate audiences, enhance your storytelling and create memories.
Revolution Event Design & Production crafts unforgettable galas, celebrations and activations, fully immersing guests in your brand's story and creating lasting and emotional connections.
- Content-filled hub coming to washington.org: In an effort to increase user engagement and better-present the website's inspirational content, DDC will launch "The District Blog" in November. The blog landing page will serve as a multimedia-rich content hub where users can more easily interact with washington.org content, from filtering by tags to scrolling through featured, trending and new articles to watching social videos. The team expects The District Blog to drive a 15% increase in editorial pageviews, a 5% increase in sitewide average engagement time and a top-10 pageview ranking.
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Timely content strategy paying off: As part of an effort to engage consumers before and during the 30-60 day booking windows, optimize paid social and connect more content with future seasonal campaigns, the content team began publishing "Things to Do" by month articles up to four months in advance. The tactic led to thousands of sessions on washington.org that the site wasn't previously earning and will continue as results have shown how the event-focused content is a valuable resource for planning trips.
- Social Media: In September, we shared an exciting recap of the DC JazzFest with Brian Oliver, highlighted Black Broadway Tours with Anela Malik and promoted TheatreWashington’s Theater Week Kickoff Fest. We also collaborated with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association on a three-day itinerary in preparation for WorldPride 2025 and featured the newest exhibit at ARTECHOUSE, Twilight Zone: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean. Industry channels featured a photo roundup from this summer’s conferences, congratulated the Employee of the Quarter, celebrated September milestone anniversaries and recapped DDC's Marketing Outlook Meeting and The Collective events.
In September, the team tracked over 119 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings.
Recent activities:
- International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Future of Healthcare Meeting (Sept. 2-4, Zurich, Switzerland)
- Corporate three-day FAM (Sept. 10-12, Washington, DC)
- Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Philadelphia Education Day & Trade Show (Sept. 12, Philadelphia, PA)
- Freeman Golf Classic (Sept. 17, Dulles, VA)
- Hospitality Industry Crab Feast (Sept. 25, Washington, DC)
DDC’s tourism team continues its global missions to highlight travel to DC. This month, the team will host a familiarization tour for Austrian tour operators and journalists. The team will also travel to promote DC’s fall offerings in Virginia, raise awareness in Atlanta for WorldPride 2025 and complete its first sales and media mission to Japan. In addition, the Visitor Experience team is proud to introduce The Washington, DC Welcome toolkit for hospitality workers to members.
Top visitor questions last month:
- Can you take the Metro directly from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) into Washington, DC?
- Are there any major events scheduled for Hispanic Heritage Month in Washington, DC?
- Where can I store my luggage or bags while touring DC?
Make sure to use #Only1DC
Industry Social Channels: @DestinationDC
Leisure Social Channels: @visitwashingtondc
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