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Meeting News from Washington, DC October, 2008 Greetings from Destination DC, the official convention and tourism corporation for Washington, DC. This fall brings a host of new restaurants, exhibits, and updated hotels for your next meeting or convention. We hope you find this newsletter helpful as you plan your next event, and we look forward to welcoming you to DC. Sincerely,
Destination DC Convention Sales and Services Department
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DC News: New Places and Exciting Spaces
On Nov. 21 the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History will reopen after undergoing extensive renovations. In addition to major architectural enhancements to the center core, which included construction of a state-of-the-art gallery for the Star-Spangled Banner and update of the building's infrastructure, the facility now includes seated dinner space for up to 500 people and reception space for up to 3,500. For more information, call the Museum's Office of Special Events at 202 633 3306. Downtown Development The District has selected a development team led by the Donohoe Cos. to build a 260-room luxury hotel, new London-based jazz club, neighborhood retail, restaurants and multiple apartments on a city-owned site at Fifth and Eye streets in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The 475,000-square foot project, called Arts at 5th & I, will be anchored by a ME by Melia, a high-end Spanish hotel. It will also include a music venue called the Boisdale Jazz Club, a bike shop, a hardware store, book store, café and Zenith Art Gallery. The development will also feature 166 apartments and the developer has proposed a 238-space underground parking garage. The neighborhood surrounding the Walter E. Washington Convention Center has seen a bustle of activity lately. A new "urban lifestyle" Safeway grocery store recently opened, which features both a Starbucks and Bermann's Cleaners inside. A 5th Street Hardware Store and Results, The Gym are also on the horizon. Additionally, the site boasts the newest Busboys & Poets, a DC staple for casual dining and friendly gatherings. The new neighborhood hangout is based around a large mezzanine overlooking a 30-foot-high open space, and includes a large bar area. Keeping in tune with the artsy atmosphere these hotspots are known for, a private room with seating for up to 50 people is dedicated to Countee Cullen, the poet and playwright. An additional 2nd story loft area seats 65, with room for 100 standing.
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Convention Update: DC Books Big Business
Destination DC booked more than 1.2 million hotel room nights during its 2008 fiscal year, which ended September 30. Here’s a look at some of the major associations and corporations that have selected DC in just the past few months: Convention Center Bookings: - GE Healthcare (8/2009): 12,957 room nights
- Intercontinental Hotels Group (11/2009): 9,875 room nights
- U.S. & Canadian Acadmey of Pathology (3/2010): 5,318 room nights
- National Urban League (7/2010): 9,522 room nights
- Questex Media Group (3/2011 and 2/2012): 31,320 total room nights
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (1/2013): 5,000 room nights
- National League of Cities (3/2013-2017): 45,000 total room nights
- American Roentgen Ray Society (4/2013): 6,138 room nights
- Oncology Nursing Society (4/2013 and 4/2018): 30,648 total room nights
- American Academy of Physician Assistants (5/2013): 20,178 room nights
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons (5/2015): 16,695 room nights
Hotel Bookings:
- National League of Cities (March 2013-2017): 45,000 room nights
- American Roentgen Ray Society (4/2013): 6,138
- US & Canadian Academy of Pathology (3/2010): 5,318
- Federal Aviation Administration (8/2008): 3,000 room nights
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Hotel Updates: Magnificent Makeovers 
Several of DC’s most notable hotels are sprucing up and making major updates, taking comfortable hotel stays to a whole new level.
The Jefferson Hotel is in the midst of a full-scale renovation, slated for completion in mid-2009. After its renovation, the hotel will feature 99 luxury guest rooms, a lounge and bar area, modern meeting spaces, an upscale dining venue, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a private spa for guests.
The Four Seasons Washington, D.C., the District's only five-star property, will reveal the results of a $40 million renovation at the end of the year. The hotel's West Wing has been entirely redesigned and 11 new rooms have been added, as well as the hotel's sixth and largest Presidential Suite. In addition, the lobby is being transformed by French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon and Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak restaurant is being added to the scene.
The historic Hotel Washington is currently undergoing a complete overhaul. The hotel is scheduled to re-open in June 2009 as the W Hotel Washington, D.C. featuring 317 guest rooms including 32 suites, a spectacular rooftop bar and terrace, as well as more than 13,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space.
The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill has given its lobby a $7 million makeover. Guests now enter into a redesigned space with a modern glass grand staircase, marble flooring, cherry wood, copper accents, and enhanced lighting. The hotel’s business center has been replaced with a Fedex/Kinko's and the gift shop will be expanded to offer additional convenience store items.
Capitol Hill Suites unveiled its new look on Sept. 18. The hotel has undergone an extensive makeover just in time for election and Inauguration season in DC. The result of the renovation is a 95,000 square foot, all-suite upscale boutique hotel in the heart of the Capitol Hill neighborhood that combines the classic feel of the Hill and modern comforts travelers expect.
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DC Dish The St. Regis Hotel and James Beard award-winning Chef Alain Ducasse recently introduced Adour (923 16th St., NW, 202-509-8000) to the nation's capital, featuring contemporary French cuisine against the warm backdrop of beautiful black, silver, brown, cream and gold hues. The restaurant also offers a semi-private dining area for a maximum of 12 people.
The Liaison Hotel, Capitol Hill's new Affinia property, has snagged James Beard Award recipient and frequent Oprah guest Chef Art Smith, who opened Art and Soul (415 New Jersey Ave., NW, 202-434-0126) inside the hotel. The restaurant, which offers private dining space for up to 44 guests, features indoor and outdoor patio seating, built-in conversation areas, contemporary lighting, 16-foot rolling glass walls and stainless steel curtains to create an atmosphere of stylish urban sophistication.
The Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown (2800 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-342-0444) will debut a new restaurant in mid-December when California chef Michael Mina (famous for his four-star dining room in San Francisco) introduces Bourbon Steak to the nation's capital. The restaurant, with locations in Detroit, Miami and Scottsdale, offers beef that is slow-poached in clarified butter and herbs before it's grilled over a wood fire. Heading up the kitchen is newly appointed Executive Chef David Varley, a veteran of the restaurant scene whose culinary talents have been displayed at such establishments as Trump International Hotel and Tower in Las Vegas and Caesar's palace hotel and Casino. Bourbon Steak offers private dining space for approximately 20, and will replace the hotel's Garden Terrace lounge.
Aditionally, Article One has opened inside the Hyatt Regency Washington (400 New Jersey Ave. NW, 202-737-1234). Set in a remodeled open-air atrium lobby, the restaurant serves upscale American cuisine and libations from Executive Chef Michael Barber. Ample room is available for small private dining events or meetings, including two private lounges that seat up to twelve each, and two private dining rooms that fit up to 16. The lounges and private dining rooms can be combined to accommodate 24 and 36 people, respectively.
But DC’s hotels aren’t the only ones upping the ante. Commissary (1443 P St. NW, 202-299-0018), near the Dupont Circle neighborhood, calls itself DC’s “neighborhood place,” and offers a menu that agrees. This recently-opened casual eatery offers an extensive menu with everything from sautéed snow peas to meatballs in marinara, and features a lounge area, outside café, take-out menu and free wi-fi. Commonwealth Gastropub (1400 irving St. NW, 202-265-1400) has been a welcome addition to the Columbia Heights neighborhood. This British-inspired pub features American-bred, seasonal, local, and humanely raised foods, not to mention a plethora of imported U.K. beers. The menu includes such modernized Brit staples as fish and chips and bangers and mash. An enclosed private dining area in the center of the restaurant offers seating for approximately 20 guests. If you're looking for an innovative, eco-conscious restaurant that gives new meaning to “earth-friendly” eating, be sure to try Founding Farmers (1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 202-822-TRUE), which opened near the White House in September. With sustainable agriculture at the heart of its menu and environmentally safe measures built into the 8,500-square-foot space, Founding Farmers is LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) and meets Certified Green Restaurant operational standards. Executive Chef Graham Duncan serves up classic American meals with modern versions of old farm recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant's mezzanine level is an excellent space for private dining and seats up to 121 people.
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What's New at Destination DC
New Resources:
Need help planning your next meeting or event in the District? Our Destination Planning Guide and Unique Spaces Guide are available to help you find the perfect space and service providers for your upcoming event. Looking for ways to boost attendance? Our newly designed website, destinationdc.com, features videos, images, promotional copy, and other services. Trying to find a place to host your next event? American Express has recently launched their new Meetings & Events Electronic Planning Guide to help you search for lodging and facilities. Search by property type, number of guest rooms, star rating or any number of options to help make booking a cinch. New Staff, Awards and Accolades: - Two of Destination DC's own have been selected to serve with the PCMA Capital Chapter. Senior National Sales Manager Melissa Riley was chosen as a member of the Board of Directors, and National Sales Manager Caroline Gardner will serve as a Committee Member.
- Convention Sales Manager Michelle Soto recently joined Destination DC and will be assisting DC associations, bookings from Northeast United States, and events with 300 - 2,500 guest rooms on peak night. Contact Michelle at
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or (202) 789-7011.
To receive any of these items, or for additional assitance, please contact the Destination DC Convention Sales and Services Department:
Elliott Ferguson, Senior VP, Convention Sales and Services
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(202) 789-7014 Tiffany Chester, Director of Convention Sales
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(202) 789-7075
Dianna Waldroup, Director of Convention Services
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(202) 789-7036
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202-789-7000 FAX 202-789-7037
