DOMESTIC CONVENTION SALES: Promotions, Sales Calls, Trade Shows and Events
The team’s proactive efforts resulted in 49 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings throughout the month of July. Highlights include:
- American Gastroenterological Association
- Association of Meeting Professionals
- Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
- Dental Trade Alliance
- Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum
- International Association of Exhibitions and Events
- Meeting Professionals International
- National Academy of Sciences on behalf of Transportation Research Board
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- National Education Association
- Otakon
- Recycled Materials Association
- Retirement Industry Trust Association
- Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers
- Vanderbilt University Institute for Software Integrated Systems
Washington Nationals Client Event (July 13, Washington, DC)
DDC Staff: Dianna Waldroup, Shirley Del Carpio
The sales and services team hosted clients and their families at Nationals Stadium for an exciting Savannah Bananas game, where they got to network in style. The Bananas’ unique Banana Ball blend of fast-paced action and entertaining antics—from choreographed dances to epic scoring celebrations—made for an unforgettable evening. It was a perfect mix of fun and professional connection.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Infectious Diseases Society of America
- National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
- The Association of the United States Army
- Zero to Three
Destinations International (DI) Annual Meeting (July 16-19, Tampa, FL)
DDC's Senior Leadership
DI is the world’s largest association of destination organizations with approximately 600 member organizations and including almost 6,000 destination professionals from around the globe. DI’s annual convention was an opportunity to connect with peers and thought leaders from inside and outside the industry and explore the latest tools and trends in hospitality.
The Greater Midwest Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association (GMC-PCMA) Summer Golf Tournament (July 22, Itasca, IL)
DDC Staff: Murray Ryan, Catherine Fehrens, Jared Kolleh
The sales team distributed beverages and golf themed giveaways, and held a drawing for a Bluetooth speaker at this well attended event at Itasca Country Club. DDC also hosted a golf foursome to entertain more than 30 customers.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- American Dental Association
- American Osteopathic Association
- Lions Club International
Passport to Flavor: A Culinary Journey Across Borders Client Event (July 23, Washington, DC)
DDC Staff: Dianna Waldroup, Shirley Del Carpio, Megan Fariel
The sales and services team hosted an engaging event at the DC Cooking School, where clients had the opportunity to network while preparing shrimp ceviche, paella and churros from scratch. This event offered an enriching exploration of global cuisine, seamlessly blending networking with a memorable, interactive cooking experience.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American British Global Meetings and Events
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Society of Landscape Architects
- Association of International Educators
- Hemophilia Federation of America
- National Electrical Contractors Association
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
- Society of American Military Engineers
Chicago Sales Mission (July 23-24, Chicago, IL)
DDC Staff: Jared Kolleh
During this mission, we strengthened DDC’s relationship with SMERF accounts in Chicago. We rebuilt previous connections and established new ones.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Theological Library Association
- International Mr. Leather
- Labor and Employment Relations Association
- Moose International
- Rotary International
ACCESSE Leadership Conference (July 23-25, Toronto, Canada)
DDC Staff: Brandon Murray
Co-Op: Washington Hilton
DDC sponsored the pre-night welcoming event for this annual fundraising outing of the MPI Greater New York Chapter. 130 attendees (80:50 planner to supplier ratio) at José Andrés’ Nubeluz in the Ritz Carlton NoMad New York City made the evening memorable. Following the reception, DDC participated in the golf outing and brought Bluejacket beers for attendees to enjoy.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- HelmsBriscoe
- IEEE ComSoc
- Kirkland
- KPMG
- Morgan Stanley
- National Kidney Association
AMC Institute’s AMCs Engaged (July 30-31, Montreal, Canada)
DDC Staff: Catherine Fehrens, Kate Anaya
This event provided valuable education and practical strategies for AMCs, while engaging in meaningful networking sessions. The conference targeted partners within association management companies and offered insight on what they prioritize when sourcing cities and venues for their meetings.
Fairfax Loudoun Event Executives (FLEX) Summer Camp (July 31, Leesburg, VA)
DDC Staff: Kaan Eren
Co-Op: Visit Loudoun
DDC connected with local planners in a relaxed environment at the “summer camp.” The organizers ensured a balanced ratio of planners to suppliers, facilitating meaningful interactions at the DDC booth. This setup allowed DDC to gather several service referrals, new leads and valuable contacts. Lansdowne Resort, which hosted the event and is our hotel member, helped us establish relationships, discuss potential future leads and plan a site visit.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Gear Manufacturers Association
- Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association
- ConferenceDirect
- Delightful Plans
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
- Shepard
- Society of American Military Engineers
- The Scientific Association Dedicated to Analytical Excellence
Definite Site Visits
Association for Behavior Analysis International (May 22-25, 2025)
- 1,750 peak rooms; 8,218 total room nights; 5,000 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (Sept. 28-30, 2025)
- 3,800 peak rooms; 13,490 total room nights; 11,000 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Tentative Site Visits
HPN Global (April 27-28, 2025)
- 60 peak rooms; 145 total room nights; 60 attendees
- Multiple venues
Dental Trade Alliance (April 29-30, 2025)
- 50 peak rooms; 100 total room nights; 75 attendees
- Multiple venues
Lippman Connects (May 27, 2025)
- 110 peak rooms; 189 total room nights; 260 attendees
- Multiple venues
American Soybean Association (Feb. 9-11, 2026; Feb. 8-10, 2027)
- 129 peak rooms per year; 416 total room nights per year; 200 attendees per year
- Multiple venues
National Association of Social Workers (June 24-26, 2026)
- 815 peak rooms; 2,938 total room nights; 2,000 attendees
- Multiple venues
American Soybean Association (July 13-15, 2026; July 19-21, 2027)
- 149 peak rooms; 486 total room nights; 200 attendees per year
- Multiple venues
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 July. Highlights included:
- Atlassian
- Benevity
- Blast TV
- Check Point Software Technologies
- EMC3
- Emota
- Hanson Wade
- Innovation Zero
- International Association of Public Transport
- International Baccalaureate
- International Conference on Machine Learning
- International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Oddity Events & Marketing
- Ozum
- Taiwan Trade Center
- Terrapinn Ltd.
- The Institute of Internal Auditors
Destination Discovery: A Capitol Fourth Client Familiarization (FAM) Trip (July 2-5, Washington, DC)
DDC Staff: Tara Miller, Patricia Najar, Emma Stubblefield
In partnership with United Airlines, DDC hosted a successful FAM trip with eight meeting and event planners from Mexico. They experienced DC’s exceptional accessibility, unique venues and the variety of cultural and recreational activities available. Mexico is an important market for corporate and incentive groups, and this trip effectively showcased DC’s appeal as a premier destination for such events.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Altertour Viajes Palacio
- AMEX Global Business Travel
- BTC Price Travel Holding/MICE Business Unit
- Creatividad
- Incentivos y Convenciones
- NUBA
- PCO Meetings Mexico – B.P. Service
- RSVP & VIP Desk MICE
United Kingdom Sales Mission (July 22-26, London, UK)
DDC Staff: Melissa Riley, Tara Miller, Natalie Beagle
Co-Ops: Linder Global Events & Lore Group
During this annual summer sales roadshow, DDC hosted 12 events across key cities in England and connected with over 113 clients representing event agencies, associations, corporations and commercial conference organizers. A customer advisory retreat focused on gaining client input on the value proposition of a CVB/DMO and DDC’s evolving Connected Campus initiative. An #Only1DC dinner engaged the five senses during an immersive experience that progressed through DC’s distinct seasons.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Allen & Overy
- Alliott Global Alliance
- American Express Meetings & Events
- Argus Media
- ATPI
- BCD Meetings & Events
- BI Worldwide
- Conmed
- Eventful
- Informa
- Jack Morton Worldwide
- Nteractive Consulting & Events
- Nucleus Global
- Praxity Global Alliance
- RSM Global
- The Appointment Group (TAG)
- Top Banana
- Viva Esprit
- Worldspan
- WRG
Upcoming Activities:
Domestic Convention Sales
- Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) Summit (Aug. 4-6, Seattle, WA)
- CVB Reps Summer Client Event Sponsorship (Aug. 7, Alexandria, VA)
- ASAE Annual Meeting & Expo (Aug. 10-13, Cleveland, OH)
- Air and Water Show (Aug. 11-13, Chicago, IL)
- Usher Concert (Aug. 20, Washington, DC)
- Kellen Leadership Summit (Aug. 20-22, Louisville, KY)
- Maritz Activate (Aug. 26-28, National Harbor, MD)
- Maritz Activate+ (Aug. 26-28, Washington, DC)
- Connect Marketplace (Aug. 27-29, Milwaukee, WI)
International Convention Sales
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Convene (Aug. 1-2, Waikoloa Village, Hawai’i)
- Canadian Meetings + Events Expo (Aug. 13-14, Toronto, Canada)
- IBTM Americas (Aug. 21-22, Mexico City, Mexico)
- International Business Events Council & Annual Meeting Alliance Collective (Aug. 26-29, Washington, DC)
- International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Future of Healthcare Meeting (Sept. 2-4, Zurich, Switzerland
Check out the full Destination DC Member News to learn more about what's going on this month.
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