For immediate release:
April 3, 2009 

     WILLIAM A. HANBURY, PRESIDENT OF DESTINATION DC
TAPPED TO LEAD UNITED WAY OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA 

(Washington, DC) – William A. Hanbury announced he will be departing as President & CEO of Destination DC, the city’s destination marketing organization, to become President & CEO of the United Way of the National Capital Area effective July 1.  Hanbury has been the leader of Destination DC since the spring of 2001, when the organization was created from the merger of the Washington, DC Convention and Visitors Association and the DC Committee to Promote Washington.  Destination DC is the lead marketing organization for the District, responsible for marketing the city as a premiere destination for conventions and tourism.

“It’s been a great honor to represent the District and in some cases the nation as the CEO of Destination DC,” said Hanbury. “I love this city and what it represents to the country and the world.” He added, “I’m convinced the legacy of any leader is the type of organization and team that you build. We’ve created a world-class organization driven by world-class talent that is well-prepared to continue the mission of Destination DC.” On his next endeavor he noted, “I’m proud and very excited that I will continue to work for the well-being of this city both socially and economically in a new capacity as the leader of the United Way of the National Capital Area.”

Under Hanbury’s leadership during the last eight years, Destination DC galvanized the hospitality industry’s recovery post September 11, increased convention sales bookings from 700,000 hotel room nights annually to more than 1.3 million, significantly increased private investment in sales and marketing activities, and coordinated the development and launch of the city’s new brand strategy. He has been a seminal leader on the national tourism scene, serving as chairman of Destination Marketing Association International and board member of the U.S. Travel Association. He’s also been an active leader locally, serving on the boards of the Federal City Council, Greater Washington Initiative, Washington Ballet, Helen Hayes Awards, Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Greater Washington Cultural Alliance and the Greater Washington Sports Alliance.

"Bill has been a dynamic leader in building an impressive body of work for this organization and our city,” said Dan Amato, the current Chairman of the Board of Directors for Destination DC. “We appreciate Bill’s eight years of dedicated service to the convention and tourism industry for DC, and wish him success in his future as CEO at the United Way.”

Amato added, “We have a seasoned senior management team in place and are fortunate to have the time with Bill to ensure a flawless transition.” In the coming months, Destination DC is launching an aggressive summer marketing campaign, conducting strategic sales efforts to increase the lucrative convention market and partnering with other community organizations to land major events including the Army-Navy Football Game and the International Gay Games.

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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.