Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, D.C., shared its commitment to attracting international groups at IMEX Frankfurt.
“As we continue to focus on selling DC differently, our ‘Connected’ sales positioning enables us to tap into international insights from D.C.’s numerous associations while providing experts and experiences that can elevate the profile of an organization meeting in the city,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, DDC. “IMEX Frankfurt is one of the world’s largest events for meetings and incentive travel, making it the ideal time to reconnect with planners and showcase all that we have to offer in increasing business potential and accessing new market opportunities for Washington, D.C.”
DDC is also focusing on the benefits of meeting in the city, which include access to policymakers, experts and leaders in key industries such as tech, sustainability, medical, biotech/pharma and education.
“Connected Capital continues to be an added value for groups coming to Washington, D.C.,” said Melissa Riley, vice president of convention sales and services. “Whether listening to a dynamic keynote speaker talk about advances in technology or being guided through meaningful experiences and hands-on workshops, corporate members benefit from the knowledge and expertise of the city’s intellectual capital.”
DDC is committed to growing the international meetings market. The organization is partnering with Association World to engage the association community during the Washington Information Association Forum (WIAF) in Washington, D.C. from September 27-28. Representatives of international and American associations and non-profit organizations will gather for the first time outside of Europe to provide a peer-to-peer exchange, share best practices and design joint initiatives and strategies. Aligning with DDC’s Connected Capital priorities, WIAF’s meeting will include expert speakers from D.C.’s associations.
In 2022, there are 19 citywide conventions (defined as meetings bringing 2,500 room nights to the city on peak), with an estimated 394,000 total room nights and an estimated economic impact of over $265 million.
Sustainability is among D.C.’s leading sectors, as the city helps its businesses reduce their carbon footprints. Among many initiatives, the local government is committed to being the greenest city in the U.S. with the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act, which sets a mandate of 100 percent renewable energy by 2032. Additionally, as a participant of the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index), DDC continues collaborating to drive recognition of sustainable practices across the global events industry. Washington, D.C. was named the first LEED Platinum City in the World in August by U.S. Green Building Council because of its environmentally forward practices. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. is also the first convention center in the world to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute.
The ease of travel continues to add to D.C.’s appeal for business travelers. A $1 billion investment called “Project Journey” added new security checkpoints and a 14-gate concourse to replace busing operations at Reagan National Airport in 2021. Construction is nearing completion on the Dulles Corridor Metrorail project by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, connecting Washington Dulles International Airport to downtown D.C. Plans for a $675 million, 400,000-square-foot concourse with new amenities are set to begin in 2023.
Dulles International Airport provides daily nonstop service from over 50 international destinations with new nonstop air service launching from Spain (Iberia), Togo (Ethiopian Airlines) and Jordan (United Airlines).
For more information, visit washington.org.
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