Dear Members,
As fall gets into full swing, the Sports Capital is buzzing. The District is in high gear for hockey after the Capitals’ home opener on Oct. 7, and the Wizards bring basketball back to Capital One Arena on Oct. 21. The 2026 National Women’s Soccer League Championship comes to Audi Field right here in DC on Nov. 21 – especially appropriate as the city’s own Washington Spirit are poised to enter the playoffs.
Destination DC (DDC) brings its own excitement into the season. I’m thrilled to say we ended FY26 with 1,060 members: the highest in DDC’s history. Thank you so much for being part of our mission and part of what makes this city a world-class destination. I’m attending IMEX (Oct. 13-15), one of our industry’s most impactful conferences, to meet with customers and amplify the message that there’s no better place in the world to host a meeting or event.
Stay up-to-date on all things fall at washington.org. As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close on Oct. 15, look ahead to Día de los Muertos celebrations Nov. 1-2. From Boo at the Zoo to ghost tours to porch decor and much more, we have you covered for spooky season. Find fall festivals and don’t miss the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden’s grand reopening on Oct. 31.
Start the week off right with delicious drinks, sparkling conversation and congenial connections. Meet us at Moxies Restaurant for a Monday of mixing, mingling and moxie at the Member Mixer.
Join DDC and UK market representatives for the next installment of the International Deep Dive webinar series. Gain insights on the British traveler, current market trends and opportunities to better attract visitors from this key market.
Join DDC and Enchant as they guide you through dazzling winter festivals, unforgettable nighttime spectacles and creative ways to make the most of this magical time of year.
Join DDC & Miles Partnership for a deep dive into how AI is changing travel discovery, marketing performance and brand visibility.
Support NEXTDC programs this school year through the Annual Holiday Raffle & Auction. Your experience, gift card or hotel stay give back and are tax-deductible.
From company outings to holiday celebrations, Audi Field is the perfect place to bring your team together.
Step inside 14 immersive digital worlds at ARTECHOUSE DC. SUBMERGE brings together visionary artists in a boundary-pushing digital art experience.
Surround yourself with bubbles at Bubble Planet. Explore VR, themed rooms and fantastical landscapes. Experience every space with all five senses.
Marketing Highlight
- In partnership with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and United Airlines, the DC Sports Capital brought the NFL to England’s capital with the Commanders in London on Oct. 4, and DDC's one-week out-of-home advertising went with it. The campaign included large-format digital screens, London Tube and train station placements and bus shelters along key routes to Tottenham Stadium. The campaign leveraged the existing visibility generated by the Commanders in our number one overseas inbound market, the UK, and among the game's international audience.
Earned Media
- Domestic
- 15 fall-foliage trips—no car required – TripAdvisor
- Michelin Teases 4 Additions to the D.C. Guide – Eater
- International
- Destination DC concludes three-city India sales mission – Travel Trade Journal (India)
- What to do in Washington DC for 5 days? Try this itinerary with free attractions. – Viva USA (Mexico)
- Trade
- The Boutique Advantage (p. 16) – Convention South
- A capital for connecting on the East Coast of the United States (p. 44) – LatinAmerica Meetings
Social Media
- Popular Leisure Content
- Top post: A look at DC’s monuments at night
- Followers loved celebrating the first day of fall
- Popular Industry Content
- Top post: Recapping DDC’s Marketing Outlook Meeting
- Recapping our hosting of The Collective
- DDC staff outing to a Washington Nationals game
In September, the team tracked over 115 presentations, client sales calls, industry events and in-person meetings.
Recent & upcoming activities:
- ConferenceDirect (CDX) 2026 – Sept. 1-4, Anaheim, CA
- Afternoon Tea and Hillwood Mansion Tour – Sept. 29, Washington, DC
- IMEX America – Oct. 13-15, Las Vegas, NV
- Professional Convention Management Association Exhale – Oct. 28-31, Tucson, AZ
This month, DDC's tourism team continues to promote travel to DC. The team will:
- Host travel agents from Australia, Brazil, Germany and New Zealand
- Build relationships and sell our product through sales calls, trainings and events in China and Mexico
- Connect with industry leaders and decision makers in sports and civil rights tourism
- Provide insights into the leisure UK traveler and the city’s winter festivities through informational member webinars
Top visitor questions:
- How can I rent an electric scooter in Washington, DC?
- Where can a motorcoach park near the White House?
- How do I get to Downtown DC from Baltimore?
Industry Social: @DestinationDC
Leisure Social: @visitwashingtondc
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