Dear Members,
May is a banner month for the travel industry and, as planned, Destination DC’s (DDC) annual Travel Rally coincided with National Travel and Tourism Week. This year, we gathered in the Lincoln Theatre on May 6 (and many of us gathered afterward at the peerless, newly re-opened Ben’s Chili Bowl) to celebrate travel’s essential and profound impact on the District. The 2025 records speak volumes:
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- Total visitors | 27.2M | record ↑ 0.1%
- Visitor spending | $11.9B | record ↑ 4%
- DC tax revenue | $2.4B | record ↑ 4%
- Local jobs supported | 114,000 | record ↑ 2%
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DDC also hosted a successful Speed Networking event for members on April 29 at Nationals Park. Thank you to the 240 members that joined us at both of these wonderful markers of spring in DC.
Of course, spring is in bloom all over the city. As we turn our attention to the centerpiece celebrations of DC250, washington.org has all the essential information. Passport DC continues through May, with Fiesta Asia this Saturday. Memorial Day takes place on May 25, and this year, it's one of many poignant ways to honor America’s 250th birthday.
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Join NEXTDC, Educated Eats and the Washington Area Concierge Association to celebrate the future of our industry and award over $50,000 in scholarships.
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Make your mark on Capital Pride. Register to participate in the parade and festival, apply to host a partner event and join citywide festivities.
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TikTok and Bmore Studio help generate awareness, content and trackable bookings via free creator partnerships and coordinated campaigns on its new platform, TikTokGo.
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Celebrate your All-Star team at Nationals Park. Host a team-building picnic and deliver big-league memories fit to 'wow’ a crowd.
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Space is limited. Book today.
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Explore how CVBs help hotel partners attract planners, increase exposure and secure more group business. Learn strategies to strengthen partnerships and maximize bookings.
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Chef-driven menus crafted onsite, flexible layouts and stunning architecture – from board meetings to 700-person galas, steps from the White House.
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- Popular Leisure Content
- Popular Industry Content
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In April, the team tracked 61 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings.
Recent activities:
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- Operation Cherry Pie DMV – April 7-9, Washington, DC
- Operation Cherry Pie Chicago and Client Engagement – April 6-9, Chicago, IL
- National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals CEO Summit – April 22-24, Clearwater, FL
- HelmsBriscoe Annual Business Conference – April 27-30, Los Angeles, CA
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This month, DDC's tourism team continues to promote travel to DC. The team will:
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- Host travel agents from Brazil and Colombia to explore the city
- Provide personalized destination trainings and the Washington, DC Welcome to members and their frontline staff
- Say thank you to motorcoach drivers at DC Loves Buses Day
- Attend IPW, one of the largest inbound travel trade shows, to promote the city and negotiate future business
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- How can I participate in the Freedom 250 events (vending, sponsorship, etc.)?
- Can I receive more information regarding the Great American State Fair?
- What should I expect for America’s 250th anniversary celebration on July 4th?
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Industry Social: @DestinationDC
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Leisure Social: @visitwashingtondc
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