DOMESTIC CONVENTION SALES: Promotions, Sales Calls, Trade Shows and Events
The team’s proactive efforts resulted in 92 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings throughout the month of July. Highlights include:
- AbleMaxx
- American Psychological Association
- Cleveland Clinic
- CVBReps
- GainingEdge
- Life Sciences Research Foundation
- Puttery
- STR
- American Bar Association
- American Water Works Association
- Canadian Meetings + Events Expo
- Corporate Event Marketing Association
- Conference Management Services
- DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
- International Society for Computational Biology
- Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
- National Association for State Community Services Programs
- National Education Association
- Association of Language Companies
- American Society of Association Executives
- Bullpen
- GROWMARK, Inc.
- International City/County Management Association
- National Association of Realtors
- PGIM
- Swann House
- 21st Century Expo Group
- American Association of Teachers of French
- American Association of Tissue Banks
- American Medical Association
- Appian
- Billington CyberSecurity
- Encore DC
- FuturePace
- Heritage Chocolate Society
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- International Association of Exhibitions and Events
- Lions Clubs International
- Lufthansa
- Maritz
CVBReps Summer Social (Aug. 6, Alexandria, VA)
DDC Staff: Brandon Murray, Daniela Fazoli
Destination DC attended the CVB Reps Summer Social, one of the local CVB Reps chapter’s two premier annual events, with more than 250 clients in attendance. The event provided valuable face time with association and 3rd party planners from across the DMV region, with conversations focused on upcoming sourcing opportunities, strengthening relationships, and keeping Washington, DC top of mind for future meetings and events.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- American Alliance of Museums
- Transportation Research Board
- American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics
- American Association of Physicists in Medicine
- National Industries for the Blind
- National Council for Social Studies
- National Education Association
STR Hotel Data Conference (Aug. 5-7, Nashville, TN)
DDC Staff: Emily Ogorzalek
DDC attended the Smith Travel Research Hotel Data Conference, the premier data event for hoteliers, bringing together more than 850 hospitality executives, analysts, and revenue strategists to explore performance analytics, domestic travel trends, and economic forecasts for 2027. The team gained valuable insight into hotel priorities and strategies heading into the new year while networking with industry and destination peers to exchange best practices, discuss shared challenges, and identify emerging opportunities across the hospitality landscape.
Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) Summit (Aug. 9-11, Toronto, Canada)
DDC Staff: Jenna Wiese
Destination DC attended CEMA Summit 2026 in Toronto, an exclusive event designed specifically for corporate event marketers, providing a non-selling environment focused on meaningful, targeted networking and professional development. Our team connected with corporate event professionals through curated networking opportunities and education sessions exploring topics such as using AI to enhance attendee experience data collection, demonstrating brand value versus budget, and emerging strategies shaping the future of corporate events. The Summit provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships, gain industry insights, and bring new ideas and connections back to Washington, DC and our members.
DDC connected with the following customers:
- Salesforce
- Okta
- Appian
- streamlinevents, inc.
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting & Expo (Aug. 15-18, Indianapolis, IN)
DDC Staff: Elliott Ferguson, Melissa Riley, Dianna Waldroup, Shirley Del Carpio, Daniela Fazoli, Courtney Scott
Destination DC attended the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Indianapolis, Indiana, connecting with association executives, meeting professionals and industry partners from across the country. Through one-on-one conversations and networking opportunities, the team strengthened key relationships, identified future business opportunities and showcased Washington, DC as a leading destination for association meetings and conventions.
Maritz Activate (Aug. 24-26, Kissimmee, FL)
DDC Staff: Kate Anaya
DDC attended Cvent CONNECT in Nashville, where the team connected with more than 30 existing and prospective clients through scheduled appointments, networking events and conversations throughout the conference. The team highlighted Washington, DC’s diverse meeting options, complimentary planning support and Connected Campus experience. The strong level of engagement and detailed questions from meeting professionals demonstrated significant interest in Washington, DC as a destination for future meetings and events. Follow-up efforts have already generated multiple RFPs, service referrals and promising opportunities for continued business development.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Maritz
- AstraZeneca
- Salesforce
- American Society of Human Genetics
- International Society for Technology in Education
- Billington Cybersecurity
- National Association of Realtors
- American Geophysical Union
- National Corn Growers Association
- National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
- Society for Chemical Hazard Communication
- American Translators Association
- American Philosophical Association
Connect Marketplace (Aug. 24-26, Tampa, FL)
DDC Staff: Priscilla Alvarez, Daniela Fazoli
Destination DC attended Connect Marketplace, where our team had the opportunity to connect with industry partners and showcase Washington, DC as a premier destination for meetings, events, and group travel. Over the course of the event, our sales team held nearly 100 appointments, building new relationships, strengthening existing partnerships, and sharing all that makes DC a dynamic and memorable destination. The meaningful conversations and valuable connections made throughout the event have us excited about the opportunities ahead.
Tentative Site Visits
The Life Sciences Research Foundation (April 30 - May 2, 2027)
- 70 peak rooms; 140 total rooms; 100 attendees
- Multiple hotels
National Association for State Community Services Programs (March 2-4, 2027)
- 250 peak rooms; 975 total rooms; 350 attendees
- Multiple hotels
Association of Language Companies (Sept. 13-17, 2027)
- 101 peak rooms; 349 total rooms; 175 attendees
- Multiple hotels
Prudential Financial (Aug. 1-4, 2027)
- 80 peak rooms; 308 total rooms; 90 attendees
- Multiple hotels
Appian (March 19-20, 2029)
- 1,400 peak rooms; 3,797 total rooms; 2,000 attendees
- Multiple hotels
Association for Advancing Tissue and Biologics (Oct. 1-6, 2030)
- 1,000 peak rooms; 3,245 total rooms; 1,000 attendees
- Multiple hotels
Mars, Inc. (July 27-30, 2031)
- 65 peak rooms; 113 total rooms; 150 attendees
- Multiple hotels
American Humanist Association (Sept. 16-18, 2027)
- 128 peak rooms; 417 total rooms; 250 attendees
- Multiple hotels
Definite Site Visits
National Education Association (June 30 - July 4, 2028)
- 5,000 peak rooms; 37,465 total rooms; 8,000 attendees
- Multiple hotels
American Academy of Neurology (May 1-5, 2027)
- 5,525 peak rooms; 11,830 total rooms; 12,000 attendees
- Multiple venues
National Association for the Education of Young Children (Dec. 5-7, 2026)
- 5,500 peak rooms; 24,750 total rooms; 7,500 attendees
- Multiple venues
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:
Domestic Convention Sales
- CDX 2026 (ConferenceDirect) (Sept. 1-4, Anaheim, CA)
- Destination Reps Destination Celebration (Sept. 29, Minneapolis, MN & Kansas City, MO)
- Freeman Golf Classic (Sept. 22, Washington, DC)
- Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Philadelphia Education Day & Trade Show (Sept. 17, Philadelphia, PA)
GLOBAL CONVENTION SALES: Sales Calls, Bid Development, Strategic Programming, Familiarization Tours, Site Visits and Tradeshows
With a continued focus on proactive client outreach, personalized touchpoints and international bid development, the team engaged prospective accounts and tentative leads throughout the month of August. Highlights included:
- American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc.
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Burk & Associates Inc.
- Clarion Events
- Dayforce
- Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
- Engineers Nova Scotia
- Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation
- House of MC Sourcing
- International Association of Ministers' Wives and Ministers' Widows
- International Data Links Society
- International Events Inc.
- International Society of Hypertension
- Kong Inc.
- Meeting Encore
- Strategic Site Selection
- TP Corporate _ Teresa Perez
- World Association of Chefs' Societies
- World Energy Council
Canadian Meetings + Events Expo (Aug. 11-12, Toronto, Canada)
DDC Staff: Emma Stubblefield
To maintain visibility in the Canadian business events market, DDC joined CMEE, the largest and longest-running tradeshow for meeting and event professionals in Canada. A calming booth and activation encouraged customers to find their DC tea blend persona, drawing strong engagement and reinforcing DC’s reputation as a welcoming and multi-faceted destination.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- AstraZeneca
- Baker Tilly Canada Cooperative
- BCG
- Bond Brand Loyalty
- CSA Group
- Deloitte
- Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
- Managing Matters
- RBC
- RBI
- Sherweb
- Strategic Site Selection
- Sun Life
- TD Bank
- Wynford
Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings (IBTM) Americas (Aug. 19-20, Mexico City, Mexico)
DDC Staff: Melissa Riley, Patricia Najar
IBTM Americas offered an important opportunity to engage directly with key meeting and events professionals from across Latin America. During the show, DDC conducted 48 appointments with clients from Mexico, Brazil., Argentina, Colombia, Canada and The United States. DDC also hosted two client events, a cooking class activation in partnership with United Airlines Mexico and a networking reception with PCMA Mexico, providing additional opportunities to build relationships with key clients and partners and strengthen DC’s positioning in the Latin American market.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Accento Incentives
- American Express GBT Mexico
- BCD Meetings and Events Mexico and Argentina
- Engineers Nova Scotia
- Grupo Rutas
- Merck
- Once Group
- Mundo Joven
- Procesa Incentives
- Raybourn Group International
- RSD Meetings
- SAT Mexico
- Senik Inc
- Serra International
- TP Corporate
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:
Global Convention Sales
- ICCA Congress (November 8–11, 2026, Panama City, Panama)
- IBTM World (November 17–19, 2026, Barcelona, Spain)
Check out the full Destination DC Member News to learn more about what's going on this month.
