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The exterior of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on a bright day with crowds walking along the street.

Convention Sales and Services

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DOMESTIC CONVENTION SALES
Promotions, Sales Calls, Trade Shows and Events

The team’s proactive efforts resulted in 78 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings throughout the month of May. Highlights include:

  • American Academy of Dermatology
  • American College of Surgeons
  • American Urological Association
  • BestCities Global Alliance
  • Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
  • ConferenceDirect
  • Events Industry Council
  • Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • International Fiscal Association USA Branch
  • International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
  • International Microphysiological Systems Society
  • International Right of Way Association
  • Magnet Schools of America
  • Maritz
  • National Association of Realtors
  • National Catholic Forensic League
  • Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
  • SAFE Summit
  • Simpleview
  • Sysco

     

The Devil Wears Prada 2 Premier (May 1, Washington, DC)

DDC Staff: Dianna Waldroup, Melissa Riley, Shirley Del Carpio, convention sales and services team

DDC hosted a client appreciation event with a special screening of The Devil Wears Prada 2, providing an opportunity to engage with customers and industry partners in a unique and memorable setting. The event created a relaxed environment for networking and relationship-building while reinforcing Washington, DC's position as a premier destination for meetings and events. DDC thanked valued partners and clients for their continued support and collaboration.

DDC connected with the following customers and partners:

  • Association and corporate meeting professionals
  • Existing and prospective customers across the meetings and conventions industry
  • Destination partners and hospitality stakeholders

 

Marriott Meet with Momentum (May 4, Washington, DC) 

DDC Staff: Melissa Riley, Shirley Del Carpio, Daniela Fazoli

The Marriott Marquis Washington, DC hosted its Meetings with Movement event, bringing together meeting and event professionals to explore innovative approaches to attendee engagement and meeting design. The program highlighted ways planners can incorporate wellness, movement and interactive experiences into their events while creating more impactful and memorable attendee experiences.

DDC connected with the following customers and partners:

  • Association and corporate meeting professionals
  • Industry partners and hospitality stakeholders
  • Existing and prospective customers exploring innovative meeting and event experiences

 

Unique Venue Familiarization Tour (May 13, Washington, DC) 

DDC Staff: Melissa Riley, Dianna Waldroup, Rachel Bomser

DDC welcomed 26 local meeting planners for an exclusive familiarization tour showcasing some of the city’s most distinctive and inspiring event spaces. The day began with a networking breakfast at Nationals Park and concluded with a sneak peek and happy hour at the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration. Planners explored standout venues including Supply House, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, a.kitchen+bar, the Kreeger Museum, the Phillips Collection and O Museum in the Mansion.

DDC hosted the following customers:

  • Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy
  • American Apparel & Footwear Association
  • ASCENT Management, LLC
  • Association of American Universities
  • Association of the United States Army
  • Computing Research Association
  • Consumer Bankers Association
  • FIRST Agency
  • General Federation of Women’s Clubs
  • Heart Rhythm Society
  • HelmsBriscoe
  • Infectious Diseases Society of America
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • k8 events
  • Life Sciences Trainers and Educators Network
  • National Electrical Contractors Association
  • Plastics Industry Association
  • Scoop News Group

 

Simpleview Summit (May 4-6, Atlanta, GA)

DDC Staff: Alison Ricketts, Yousef Auer, Calvin Morgan, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Carlie Smith, Noah Rosendorf

This annual industry tech conference hosted by Simpleview, DDC’s CRM, brings together DMO professionals and Simpleview users from around the world. DDC joined learning sessions and workshops, shared success stories, discovered new tech with hands-on product training and networked with industry peers.

 

Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Visionary Awards (May 5, Washington, DC)

DDC Staff: Melissa Riley, Dianna Waldroup, Shirley Del Carpio, Daniela Fazoli

The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Visionary Awards brought together leaders from across the business events industry to recognize innovation, excellence and impactful contributions to the meetings and conventions profession. The event celebrated individuals and organizations shaping the future of the industry through leadership, creativity and forward-thinking initiatives. The event also reinforced Washington, DC’s presence within the broader business events community and supported ongoing engagement with key industry stakeholders.

 

ConferenceDirect Annual Partner Meeting (APM) Conference (May 17-21, Houston, TX)

DDC Staff: Derrick Collins

DDC participated in the ConferenceDirect Annual Partner Meeting (APM) in Houston, engaging in one-on-one appointments, networking events and educational sessions with ConferenceDirect Associates from across the country. The team strengthened relationships with key partners who regularly source meetings and conventions to Washington, DC, including citywide, association and corporate planners. 

DDC hosted clients for lunch and receptions while maximizing opportunities for individual appointments and meaningful conversations. Discussions focused on future meeting and convention opportunities, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center campus, Washington, DC’s hotel offerings and support services available for programs of all sizes.

 

Maritz Elevate (May 11-14, Scottsdale, AZ)

DDC Staff: Jenna Wiese

DDC participated in Maritz Elevate, an annual event for Maritz associates, supplier partners and clients to explore emerging trends and best practices in the meetings and events industry. The program featured educational sessions, networking opportunities and collaborative discussions focused on attendee engagement, event design, wellness and the evolving needs of meeting planners.

DDC targeted the following customers:

  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
  • Equifax
  • Little Caesars Enterprises

 

Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) (May 27, Washington, DC)

DDC Staff: Shirley Del Carpio

DDC participated in the Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum (ECEF), an annual gathering of industry leaders focused on trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of exhibitions and events. The forum brought together organizers, suppliers and destination representatives for educational sessions, industry updates and networking opportunities. 

 

Tentative Site Visits

Magnet Schools of America (various programs)

  • 70 peak rooms; 192 total rooms; 150 attendees
  • Multiple hotels

 

Sysco (Nov. 2-6, 2026)

  • 350 peak rooms; 1,165 total rooms; 350 attendees
  • Multiple hotels

 

 Center on Budget & Policy Priorities (Dec. 1-4, 2026)

  • 600 peak rooms; 1,815 total rooms; 600 attendees
  • Multiple hotels

 

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (May 4, 2027)

  • 69 peak rooms; 161 total rooms; 400 attendees
  • Multiple hotels

 

International Right of Way Association (June 1-4, 2030)

  • 850 peak rooms; 4,020 total rooms; 1,400 attendees
  • Multiple hotels


 

Definite Site Visits

American Academy of Dermatology (various programs)

  • 7,500 peak rooms; 34,575 total rooms; 18,000 attendees
  • Multiple venues

 

Upcoming Activities

Domestic Convention Sales

  • Rooftop Event (June 3, Washington, DC)
  • Mahjongg Event (June 17, Washington, DC)
  • IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) Leadership Forum Institute (June 17, Baltimore, MD)
  • MPI WEC (Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress) (June 1-4, San Antonio, TX)
  • PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) Business Events Summit (June 21-24, Fajardo, Puerto Rico)
  • The Meetings Show (June 24-25, London, England)
  • FICP (Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals) Education Forum (June 24-26, Québec City, Canada)

 

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 May. Highlights included:  

  • Alzheimer's Association
  • American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology
  • American Crystallographic Association
  • Argenx
  • BCD Meetings & Events
  • Chill Out Event Management
  • Experian
  • Fairfest Media
  • HeadBox
  • HelmsBriscoe
  • International Council on Archives
  • International Fiscal Association
  • International Microphysiological Systems Society
  • International Society for Stem Cell Research
  • Jack Morton Worldwide
  • Kenes Group
  • MCI Group Canada
  • Norton Rose Fullbright
  • Nteractive Consulting
  • Podium Conference & Association Specialists
  • Saleient
  • Venuesworld.com 
     

 

IMEX Frankfurt (May 19-21, Frankfurt, Germany)  

DDC Staff: Melissa Riley, Robin McClain, Tara Miller, Elizabeth Sheridan, Emma Stubblefield 

Co-Ops: The Royal Sonesta Washington, DC Capitol Hill, Hosts DC, LINE DC, Events DC 

This tradeshow is DDC’s largest opportunity to engage with clients across the global business events sector. DDC exhibited with a DC festival-themed booth and activation, hosted within the Brand USA Pavilion. Along with four co-op partners, the team had more than 70 individual client appointments and delivered 7 destination presentations, reaching an additional 60+ customers. 

DDC also maximized interactions by participating in surrounding activities including the BestCities Global Alliance and International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) board meetings and strategic planning sessions, the IMEX Place Leaders Forum and the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Young Leaders Conference. Melissa Riley spoke on a panel about inclusion, and DDC hosted a “Thinking Salon” event for media and industry leaders to unveil Meetings Capitalized, an evolved approach to marketing and selling Washington, DC as a destination for outcomes-focused meeting design. 

 

Upcoming Activities

Global Convention Sales 

  • The Meetings Show (June 24-25, London, England) 

Check out the full Destination DC Member News to learn more about what's going on this month.

 

 

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