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Dear Members,
The U.S. government has made travel to the U.S. easier by cutting down visa wait times, which is a big deal for our industry as we work to welcome more international visitors. Over the past month, I’ve marketed the nation’s capital around the world. Growing overseas visitation has been a focus in all my recent sales and media missions, which have included Brand USA’s CEO Summit and IMEX America. DDC also held its first sales and media mission with new representation in Japan. I was joined in Tokyo by the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Kimberly Bassett, as well as representatives from DC JazzFest and the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
It’s a wonderful time of the year in the District as we approach Thanksgiving and end-of-year holidays. Make sure to check out the DowntownDC Holiday Market and other holiday displays and shows throughout the city.
During this crucial time between the election and inauguration, DC is prepared and ready to welcome visitors. We appreciate the regular communication from local officials about their planning and are looking forward to the first in-person inauguration since 2017. Please upload relevant deals and events and we will provide another update about preparations for inauguration soon.
Kind regards,
Elliott L. Ferguson, II
President & CEO
Destination DC
Join Us in Congratulating DDC’s Elliott Ferguson & Shelby Luzzi
President & CEO Elliott Ferguson was recognized as one of Washington Business Journal’s Power 100 business leaders in DC for the incredible work he does for the city. Elliott, along with Senior Manager of Sustainability Shelby Luzzi, was also named one of the 100 most influential people in the events industry by Eventex. Congratulations to Elliott and Shelby on these outstanding awards!
Certified Business Enterprise Workshops | Nov. 18 & 20
Did you know: A Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) receives preferential treatment in government contract bids in order to promote economic growth and job creation.
Join DDC and Marcus A. Williams of MW Consulting, LLC for an impactful, two-hour workshop sharing the process of becoming a CBE 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.
Last Chance: DEI Business Fellowship Applications | Dec. 2
Selected fellows will receive complimentary membership (valued at $1,500), exclusive networking opportunities and training in sales and marketing. Refer a small business that could benefit from tapping into the travel and tourism market.
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). Guests will get to enjoy the Zoo's new pavilion – a heated tent that will provide a warm oasis in the midst of chilly winter fun – as well as 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.
Save the Date: Lunch with an Expert – Maximize the Power of Your Google Business Profile | Jan. 9, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join DDC and Miles Partnership at Industrious H Street, where you can work closely with digital marketing experts to learn how to optimize your presence on Google and other internet search engines.
Key Goals of the Workshop:
- Foster and achieve readiness in your Google business profile
- Promote a positive perception of your business and the destination
- Amplify vibrancy and visibility to destination visitors
The Washington, DC Welcome: Resources for the Hospitality Community
DDC launched the official destination training course designed for the DC area hospitality community in October. The Washington, DC Welcome provides valuable resources, including a 10-minute video highlighting the top things you need to know about the city and offering suggestions to amplify the #Only1DC experience.
Experience innovation at the 2025 Washington, DC Auto Show. From Jan. 31 – Feb. 9, discover the latest models, cutting-edge tech and interactive displays. Don’t miss the ultimate automotive showcase.
MSE, Ted & Lynn Leonsis and Jeff Skoll present Harry Benson: Washington DC Iconic Photographs for the Nation’s Capital. Located steps from Capital One Arena, the gallery showcases images by the legendary photojournalist.
Step into a world of serenity and sensory wonder this holiday season with ARTECHOUSE’s Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special. Immerse yourself within the digital exhibition designed to soothe your senses and warm your spirit.
- Awards season for DDC's advertising: DDC's advertising team recently won a gold Travel Weekly Magellan Award for a collaboration with AFAR's Sofar Sounds in the spring of 2024. The initiative included concerts in New York City and Miami and a content hub on AFAR's website. The Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts also recognized DDC's There's Only One DC commercials with two awards for travel and tourism video series: a gold Davey (which go exclusively to small production teams) and a silver w3 (these honor excellence in digital content; other winners include Paramount, ESPN Films and Walt Disney Studios).
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Inauguration content on washington.org: With the U.S. Presidential Inauguration quickly approaching, DDC's web team has updated its dedicated landing page with a bevy of content to promote the event in person for the first time in 8 years. Readers can discover presidential experiences at attractions and restaurants and learn about what to expect on Inauguration Day.
- Social Media: In October, we worked with partners to promote Theatre Week and show off a solo staycation in Adams Morgan. We also shared our highest-performing Instagram reel in the past six months: Love is Blind-inspired date ideas. The pandas touched down in the District, creating a buzz on TikTok and Instagram. We celebrated 50 years of the Hirshhorn Museum and the Washington Capitals, we rounded up events for Halloween and Día de los Muertos and we shared DC-inspired costume ideas. Industry channels also had plenty to celebrate, including a Northstar Meetings Stella Award, a Meetings Today Best Of Award, exciting GDSI results and more.
In October, the team tracked nearly 70 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings.
Recent activities:
- IMEX America (Oct. 8-10, Las Vegas, NV)
- Destination Discovery: Post-IMEX America Familiarization Trip (Oct. 10-13, Washington, DC)
- Ravens/Commanders Client Event (Oct. 13, Baltimore, MD)
- Far Hills Race Meeting Tent (Oct. 19, Far Hills, NJ)
- International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress (Oct. 20-23, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
DDC’s tourism team continues to meet with clients worldwide to highlight travel to DC. This month, the team will partner with Brand USA, Capital Region USA, Lufthansa Airlines and United Airlines to host travel agents from Brazil, Switzerland, Germany and Korea. DDC will also travel to Mexico, Canada and parts of the U.S. to conduct trade show appointments, industry panels and consumer activations, rounding out the month with the WorldPride reveal announcement and celebration back in DC.
Top visitor questions last month:
- Will the election affect museum hours of operations?
- How can I get tickets to the Washington Monument?
- Are there any buses to Luray Caverns from Washington, DC?
Make sure to use #Only1DC
Industry Social Channels: @DestinationDC
Leisure Social Channels: @visitwashingtondc
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