Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Member Holiday Celebration. The annual event celebrates another successful year of work-based learning and professional networking opportunities for Academy scholars. 

More than 25 Academy students had active roles at the event, including:

And of course, thank you to our generous event partners: 

Five scholars have joined NEXTDC as interns for the school year.
Learn who they are and what they hope to accomplish.

In December, 12 scholars from Ballou High School and Maya Angelou Public Charter School visited Salamander Washington, DC. They learned firsthand about luxury hotel properties with the executive team, received a tour led by the Salamander sales team.

The highlight of the trip was a sit-down conversation with Sheila Johnson, Founder & CEO of Salamander Collection.  

Thank you to Bertrand Mangeot, Managing Director and Joy Kosmela, Director of Sales & Marketing, for organizing the experience.  

City Cruises hosted 30 Academy of Hospitality & Tourism students from Columbia Heights Educational Campus and Ballou High School.

The experience included a back-of-house operations tour and a lunch-and-learn cruise to understand the culinary, marketing, logistics and service required to run a cruise.   

Thank you to D’Mani Harrison Porter, Regional Director of Marketing, City Cruises and NEXTDC Student Advisory Board Member, for your leadership.

NEXTDC’s annual rooftop celebration returns for DC250. Experience one of DC's most iconic rooftops overlooking the National Mall on the American Pharmacists Association Potomac View Terrace. Enjoy elevated bites, signature cocktails and festive music on July 4, 7-10 p.m. 

Become a 2026 sponsor to showcase your company’s support and receive group packages. All proceeds directly support scholarships and work-based learning for DC high school students.