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including the Lincoln Memorial , Washington Monument , and Vietnam Veterans Memorial .
3 . White House Garden Party : Organise a garden-themed event with a private tour of the White House gardens .
4 . Museum Night Extravaganza : Arrange a private evening event at a renowned museum like the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum , featuring interactive exhibits .
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Ambassador Circle DDC runs an Ambassador Circle , a programme which partners with top innovators and scholars to target international meetings . The network of experts showcases the city as a business hub for an international community .
There are plans in hand to expand DC meetings marketing to Brazil , Mexico and Canada in FY24 ( Oct ).
In terms of challenges for the CVB , DDC recognises ongoing issues with visa waits , while the China market remains slow to return . And Riley acknowledges that it is not always easy to evaluate markets and segments with strong ROI / demand and invest in those markets .
Recent events In April , the Walter E . Washington Convention Center hosted the 35th Annual Papillomavirus Conference & Basic , Clinical and Public Health Scientific Workshop ( IPVC ). IPVC organisers reported 1,700 attendees from 105 countries . The 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery ( 27 August 27-1 September , 2023 ) brought 4,600 attendees .
Venues and investments The city ’ s flagship venue , The Walter E . Washington Convention Center boasts 2.3 million sq . ft of events space and shows a lead in environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives . These include a colour-coded recycling programme , water efficiency and green product purchasing .
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The convention centre partners with local sustainable businesses including DC Central Kitchen , Capital Area Food Bank and the District of Columbia Department of Public Works , which recylces an average of 50 pallets per month from the centre .
All paper products throughout the centre are made from 100 % recycled fibre , ECOLOGO Certified and compostable verified .
The centre is also Metro accessible ( Green and Yellow lines ) with a dedicated Mt . Vernon-7th St-Convention Center stop and walkable to the restaurant scene and downtown ’ s museums and nightlife .
World class hotels have a footprint in DC , from large convention properties like the Gaylord National , to smaller more boutique luxury properties like Rosewood positioned in the heart of Georgetown .
Washington DC has 19 hotels in the pipeline and 3,572 rooms .
The city is packed with exceptional venues , the Library of Congress – the world ’ s largest library – being just one and many available for booking meetings and events .
The National Air & Space Museum is re-opening in phases ( 2022-2025 ) with 23 transformed 23 exhibition and presentation spaces .
Other major attractions include The National Women in the Arts , The Folger Shakespeare Library ( reopening in 2024 with event venue space ) and the Capital Jewish Museum .
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The Lincoln Memorial , photo Courtesy of Washington . org |
After session options in the city include cruising the Potomac or the vibrant city music scene , or why not take in some top level baseball at Nationals Park or hockey or hoops at the Capital One Arena . Audi Field is home of the D . C . United and Washington Spirit MLS soccer teams .
In October a new marketing campaign launches positioning the city as there ’ s ‘ Only One DC ’.
Sustainability is very much part of that One DC DNA and , in July , in a first for urban destinations , DDC announced Shelby Luzzi ’ s appointment as senior manager , sustainability . She will lead on a sustainability strategy across meetings , conventions and leisure travel . A member recognition programme will be part of the strategy .
An Internal Sustainability Task Force is part of the plan , as is support for Net Zero Carbon Events .
Wharf neighbourhood DC now boasts a vibrant Wharf neighbourhood and Mobility Innovation District . Phase two of the Southwest Waterfront development opened in October 2022 , adding more luxe residences and a Pendry Hotel with 131 rooms .
11th Street Bridge Park will open in 2024 , the city ’ s first elevated public park over the Anacostia River , visitors can expect an amphitheatre , picnic gardens , interactive art , and waterfalls among other attractions and events . As they now say , ‘ There ’ s Only One DC ’. n
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