Destination DC Announces New Slate of Officers

(Washington, DC)…Washington, DC hospitality industry veteran Sheila Stampfli assumed the role of chairwoman of Destination DC, the city’s official convention and tourism corporation, at the organization’s May 28 board meeting. A member of Destination DC’s board of directors since the tourism group’s founding in 2001 and a past chair of its predecessor organization, the Washington, DC Convention & Visitors Association, Stampfli brings a seasoned leadership perspective to Destination DC as the organization continues its search for a new CEO.

“Running a convention and tourism corporation in the nation’s capital is an enormous responsibility,” said Stampfli. “It’s our priority to find the right person for the job, and to do everything we can to support his or her success.”

Stampfli’s term also begins as Destination DC launches an integrated marketing campaign to boost business and bring economic benefits to DC during the summer travel season. “These are challenging times, but we’ve got to remember that we’re all in this together,” added Stampfli. “We need to strengthen our partnerships with the Office of the Mayor, the DC City Council, the Washington Convention Center Authority and the Washington, DC Hospitality Alliance. It’s critical for the financial health of the city.” As the city’s largest private sector economic generator, travel and tourism generated nearly $600 million in tax dollars for the city in 2007 and supported nearly 70,000 jobs.

A Georgetown resident and self-proclaimed “culture vulture,” Stampfli moved to DC more than 40 years ago to take a junior meeting planner position with Courtesy Associates. She rose through the ranks and became president of the company in 1997, stepping aside in January 2009 to create the position of Courtesy Associates’ Chief Business Development Officer.  She is a member of PCMA, a former chair of the PCMA Foundation, a member of the board of the Hospitality High School, a past board member of the Greater Washington Board of Trade and is the only non-doctor serving on the board of the World Gastroenterology Organization Foundation. Stampfli’s love for arts and culture make her a regular at the National Gallery of Art, The Phillips Collection, the Washington National Opera, the Shakespeare Theatre Company and other venues. 

Destination DC also named the officers to the board of directors: George Terpilowski, general manager of the Fairmont Washington, DC Hotel; Gregory McCarthy, vice president government and municipal affairs, Washington, Nationals Ballpark Club; Brad Edwards, general manager of the Washington, DC Renaissance Hotel; Daniel J. Amato, general manager of the Grand Hyatt Washington; and Paul J. Cohn, senior executive officer, Capital Restaurant Concepts. All of the officers have served on the board of directors in years past in different capacities. Exiting the Immediate Past Chair and The American Experience Foundation Chair positions are Dan Mesches and Gerard Gabrys, respectively, but will still remain on the board of directors.

Destination DC Officers to the Board of Directors: 2009-2010

Chair: Sheila Stampfli, Courtesy Associates
Vice Chair: George Terpilowski, Fairmont Washington, D.C. Hotel
Treasury: Gregory McCarthy, Washington Nationals Baseball Club
Secretary: Brad Edwards, Washington, DC Renaissance Hotel
Immediate Past Chairman: Daniel J. Amato, Grand Hyatt Washington
The American Experience Foundation Chairman: Paul J. Cohn, Capital Restaurant Concepts.

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About Destination DC:  Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Destinationdc.com.