Washington DC
Meet and connect at the centre of power , influence and knowhow
MEET IN A WORLD-CLASS MUSEUM , HAVE DINNER AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND LET YOUR DELEGATES BASK IN THE BEAUTY OF THE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL . DO ALL THIS AND MORE IN DC
” P ost-Covid meetings are looking for the kind of value that you can only find in DC ,” says Melissa A . Riley , SVP convention sales and services , Destination DC ( DDC ), “ and that ’ s our connection to strong industries , policymakers , influencers that create more impact for the organiser .”
In 2024 17 citywide conventions are already booked in , with 424,337 room nights all providing an estimated economic impact of $ 382m to DC .
Citywides are typically held at the Walter E . Washington Convention Center , run by Events DC .
“ That world-class facility runs at about 70 % occupancy , so as we grow , we need to diversify the type of business we book ,” says Riley . “ That ’ s where our in-house team , focused on meetings held in hotels , comes in .”
One major booker of business in the city is the Annual Meeting Alliance , which is made up of 15 organisations who have been hosting their annual conferences in DC for years .
Connected Capital positioning DDC says the capital is the only place where customers can find connections to expert speakers , access policymakers ; and benefit from industries with headquarters or regional offices in the city – like Boeing and Raytheon and the defence industry .
“ Whether you ’ re in DC for a corporate event , incentive travel and beyond , our ‘ Connected ’ positioning adds value to your events with expert keynote speakers , educational experiences , and meaningful connections .” Says Elliott L . Ferguson , president and CEO , Destination DC .
Ferguson notes that recent additional tourism funding ( Tourism Recovery District , TRD ) provides new opportunities to create strategic partnerships and attract groups that will yield a higher impact .
Under the TRD parameters , a new 15.95 % hotel tax rate is expected to raise an additional $ 20.7m annually to promote overnight visitation in DC .
One example of the kind of association that DC is made for is a group like the American Bar Association , which had over 65 meetings last year , generating over $ 8.9m and 11,700 total room nights .
International meetings and visitation “ International groups are returning to meetings in Washington , DC ,” says Riley . “ They come to reconnect , collaborate and participate in hands-on workshops with their global teams .”
At the end of August , DC hosted the 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery , which chose DC for its first US meeting in nearly 40 years .
The Association of International Educators Annual National Convention and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Convention also both leveraged the ‘ Connected Capital ’ for keynote speakers .
Riley identifies the UK , Germany , Canada , India France , Brazil , Mexico as the top international source markets for meetings to DC .
National Travel & Tourism Office and the US Department of Commerce , Washington , DC ’ s 2022 forecast is for
1.1m to 1.3 m overseas visitors ( approximately 71 % of 2019 levels .) and the city ’ s international markets are projected to rebound by 2025 . Visitor spending is currently at $ 8.1bn ( 99 % of 2019 ), while each convention visitor spends , on average , $ 507 .
Getting to DC from around the world continues to be a draw with 62 international destinations being served by Dulles International Airport and Baltimore / Washington International serving 12 international outposts . The new Metrorail Silver Line connects Dulles to Downtown DC . The airport will add a LEED Silver-certified , $ 675m 14-gate concourse in 2026 .
Legacy , impact and education The Connected Community positioning extends to the ways groups can leave a legacy in DC .
Home to 21 higher education institutions and hundreds of associations , Washington , DC offers options to build hands-on educational programmes with experts and industry leaders . From meeting with former presidential speechwriters to hearing from astronauts and former espionage experts , groups can tap into a array of customised activities in the nation ’ s capital .
Cate Banfield , chief operating officer of incentives specialist Wynford , says Washington DC ’ s political and bureaucratic environment can pose logistical hurdles , however “ with patience and process the opportunity to leverage its iconic landmarks and educational institutions can foster incredible engagement and learning ”.
Banfield picks out these experience highlights in DC :
1 . Cherry Blossom Festival : Time your event with the National Cherry Blossom Festival to witness the breathtaking beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom around the Tidal Basin .
2 . Monuments and Memorials Tour : Host a guided tour of the iconic landmarks in the National Mall ,
28 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 126