Industry Updates from Washington DC.

The DDC team returns from IMEX America with new strategies and impactful in-person conventions taking place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
IMEX America launches new booking agreement
During IMEX America held Nov. 9-11 in Las Vegas, the DDC team provided an update on convention sales strategies to attract more meetings and conventions to Washington, DC to support the tourism industry’s recovery. In a commitment to the return of in-person events, DDC worked with Destinations International’s Convention Sales and Services Committee, Large Market Roundtable and DMO counterparts for more than two years to create a standard destination booking agreement once citywide bids are won. The new approach aims to stress the importance of mutual accountability for both destination and customer and was launched during IMEX.
Walter E. Washington Convention Center Hosts Professional Citywide Meetings
This fall, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center hosted three in-person professional citywide meetings. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention was held Nov. 18-20 with about 15,000 attendees. The Association for Financial Professionals met Nov. 7-10 with about 3,500 attendees, and in October, the Association of the United States Army held its annual meeting with approximately 20,000 attendees. In 2022, DDC expects 20 citywide conventions or major events.
Elliott L. Ferguson II, President and CEO, DDC, receives Smart Meetings 2021 Catalyst Award
Elliott was named one of the Smart Meetings 2021 Catalyst Awards: Momentum winners. The Catalyst Awards recognize leaders who impact the meetings industry in meaningful ways and the Momentum category specifically recognizes the force of nature that animates these leaders.
Walter E. Washington Convention Center Honored for Excellence
Exhibitor Magazine has named the Walter E. Washington Convention Center as one of the 2022 Centers of Excellence. It is touted as one of the best convention centres in America for trade shows and events as well as for health and safety protocols for executing a safe return to live events. Applicants were evaluated using a variety of criteria in five categories: facility and functionality, location and accommodations, service and execution, expansions and upgrades, and honours and awards.
Susan O’Keefe joins DDC as trade media relations manager
In her role, Susan supports the convention sales and services department’s Connected messaging through editorial and content channels to reiterate why business meetings and events thrive in Washington, DC. She also promotes Washington, DC to travel trade audiences and supports DDC’s American Experience Foundation.
American Experience Foundation
In partnership with the American Experience Foundation (AEF, the 501(c)(3) charity affiliated with DDC) and DC NAF Academies of Culinary Arts, students from Frank W. Ballou and Theodore Roosevelt high schools created and unveiled DC-themed gingerbread displays with the Willard hotel’s culinary team. Celebrity judges selected their favourite display and the student team winner received a gift for their school’s culinary academy. The festive event supported AEF’s efforts to enrich the lives of students through educational opportunities to cultivate the next generation of hospitality industry professionals.
This season, give and Experience DC by supporting DDC’s 501(c)(3) affiliated charity, the American Experience Foundation. Enter AEF’s holiday raffle for a chance to win wonderful prize packages that showcase the best of the DMV. All proceeds support educational opportunities to cultivate the next generation of hospitality industry professionals.
DDC announces the DEI Business Fellowship
A new program offers membership benefits and sales and marketing programs to support small businesses in the local travel and tourism industry owned by people of colour, LGBTQ+ persons, women, disabled persons and their allies. The program will continue showcasing DC’s diverse and inclusive community for potential travellers. DDC is Hiring Interested in helping promote the nation’s capital to the world? Check out current openings at DDC.
PCMA Capital Chapter Awards
DDC’s Katelyn Campbell Katelyn Campbell, convention sales manager at DDC, has been awarded PCMA Capital Chapter’s 2021 Emerging Professionals Committee Star. PCMA recognizes and honours excellence throughout the global business meetings and events industry.
Edited by: Stephen Morton