Action Items

• Get Involved: Buy your ticket to American Experience Foundation's (AEF) annual holiday fundraising raffle and auction and bid on exciting packages.
  
  
• Learn more about the Workforce Development Expo at Reagan National Airport, which was attended by more than 150 DC and regional high school students.
  
  
• Check in with Columbia Heights Educational Campus students as they cruise along the Potomac River with City Cruises.
  
  
• Register for the Destination DC (DDC) Member Holiday Party celebrating AEF on Dec. 12 from 4:30-9 p.m. at Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.

It’s that time of year! Purchase tickets for the AEF holiday fundraising raffle and auction.

Find the perfect gifts for friends, coworkers, loved ones or yourself with unforgettable DC experiences. All proceeds benefit AEF’s work-based learning programs, internships and scholarships.

On Oct. 24, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Diversity, Inclusion and Social Impact Team, welcomed over 150 juniors and seniors from 12 DC and regional high schools to Reagan National Airport for the Workforce Development Expo. 

The day was filled with career talks, behind-the-scenes tours and one-on-one networking with professionals in aviation. 

Students also met with recruiters and executives from the airport across culinary, concessions, airlines and public safety. 

Check out the AEF Instagram to see how our AIP intern, Christian Osbourne, documented the experience. 

In October, City Cruises Washington DC supported the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism at Columbia Heights Educational Campus for a lunch and learn cruise to understand the culinary, marketing, logistics and service required to run a cruise.  

AEF, and the Academies we serve, provide experiences for students through the help of generous donations from the hospitality community with partners like D’Mani Harrison Porter of City Cruises. D’Mani also serves on the AEF Student Advisory Board.  

“As a former student at Jackson-Reed High School, Alex Wilson [retired director of the Academy of Hospitality and current AEF Board Member] served as a huge mentor and inspired my support of the student hospitality network. By giving back to our future leaders, every day I lead by the motto ‘choose those who choose you.'”

- D’Mani Harrison Porter, Regional Director of Marketing, Mid Atlantic Region  

AEF looks forward to the DDC Member Holiday Party on Dec. 12. from 4:30-9 p.m.

Bring your holiday spirit for an unforgettable evening in support of our scholars at the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.

The festive event includes a student-led reception, plenty of holiday cheer and an exclusive ZooLights experience.

DDC was named a Gold Winner of Northstar Meeting Group’s 2024 Stella Awards in the category of Best CVB/DMO. The award highlights DDC’s partnership with AEF and how the two entities work together to uplift the DC community and build the next generation of hospitality professionals.

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