DOMESTIC CONVENTION SALES: Promotions, Sales Calls, Trade Shows and Events
The team’s proactive efforts resulted in 62 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings throughout the month of June. Highlights include:
- Amazon Web Services
- American Academy of Neurology
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Association of American Law Schools
- Government Finance Officers Association
- Immunocore
- Industry Insights
- Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
- International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
- Les Dames d'Escoffier
- Maritz
- Performedia
- The American Institute of Architects
- The United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology
Totally Y2Gay – Client Pride Event (June 8, Washington, DC)
DDC Staff: Dianna Waldroup, Melissa Riley, Jerry Joseph, Kaan Eren
This event provided an exclusive experience for over a hundred of our local clients to celebrate Pride with a nostalgic 90s/00s theme. Totally Y2Gay is a pre-game event leading into the DC Pride Parade.
Labor of Love (North America's Building Trade Unions) (June 8-10, Williamsburg, VA)
DDC Staff: Jared Kolleh
North America's Building Trade Unions annually hosts its Legislative and Tradeswomen Build Nations conference at the Washington Hilton. The combined room night is over 6,000. Destination DC (DDC) sponsored the event.
Cvent Connect (June 10-13, San Antonio, TX)
DDC Staff: Jared Kolleh, Rachel Bomser
Co-Op: Swingers
This event welcomed over 3,000 in-person industry professionals, including supplies and event planners. DDC met with over 100 meeting planners and anticipates potential leads. We also created new working relationships by hosting a private dinner for meeting planners.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Catholic University
- Consumer Technology Association
- International Finance Corporation
- SINC USA
A Destination DC Exclusive Yacht Experience: Soiree on the Potomac (June 12, Washington, DC)
DDC Staff: Melissa Riley, Shirley Del Carpio
DDC recently hosted an exclusive client gathering aboard the Patriot, a luxurious yacht operated by Nautiste. The clients were treated to an unforgettable evening elevated by Michelin-starred chef Troy Knapp. Against the dazzling backdrop of DC's skyline, guests indulged in chef-curated delicacies and immersive tastings, fostering connections and celebrating partnerships.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American College of Cardiology
- Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- National Education Association
Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals (FICP) Summer Forum (June 12-14, Chicago, IL)
DDC Staff: Bill Adams, Jenna Wiese
DDC's attendance at the FICP Education Forum showcased our commitment to the financial and insurance meetings sector. We participated in informative sessions covering meeting planning trends, innovative solutions and strategic thinking. DDC’s presence highlighted Washington, DC as a premier destination for impactful and successful events. DDC engaged in extensive networking with FICP members. By learning about the latest trends and challenges in the financial and insurance meetings sector, we are better equipped to tailor our offerings and enhance the quality and appeal of meetings held in the nation's capital.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Aflac
- BlueCross BlueShield
- MetLife
- New York Life Insurance
Experience the Migration, Arena Stage Event (June 20, Washington, DC)
DDC Staff: Melissa Riley, Bill Adams, Christen Miller, Ashley Gloster, Yvette Downs, Courtney Scott
Co-Op: Arena Stage, Step Afrika and the Phillips Collection
This event was hosted with our Co-Op partners to highlight Step Afrika’s signature performance work. The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence at Arena Stage included guest speakers and an exclusive pre-show reception for local meeting and event planners to highlight an #Only1DC experience. Through Jacob Lawrence’s iconic painting series, currently on exhibit at the Phillips Collection in DC, the dance performance charts the story of African American migrants moving from the South to the North in the early 1900s.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Psychological Association
- American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
- Council on Social Work Education
- National Bar Association
Prestige Partner Event (June 20-21, Denver, CO)
DDC Staff: Jenna Wiese
The event was hosted by the Prestige Global Meeting Source as part of our partnership contract. The gathering successfully attracted local Denver area meeting planners, fostering valuable connections and networking opportunities. Attendees enjoyed a well-organized reception, engaging with select supplier partners in a relaxed and professional setting. The event highlighted the strength of our partnership and underscored the benefits of collaborative networking.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- CoreNet Global
- DISH Network
- National Cattlemen's Beef Association
- Obesity Medicine Association
PCMA EduCon (June 23-26, Detroit, MI)
DDC Staff: Melissa Riley, Dianna Waldroup, Bill Adams, Brandon Murray, Shirley Del Carpio, Murray Ryan
PCMA edUcon is the premier educational conference for event industry professionals. It provides the opportunity for industry peers and meeting planners alike to connect and collaborate via networking events and educational programming. DDC hosted a client reception and dinner to cultivate new business opportunities and strengthen past relationships with customers.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics
- American Psychiatric Association
IAEE Young Professional Summer Networking (June 26, Washington, DC)
DDC Staff: Catherine Fehrens, Emily Ogorzalek, Megan Fariel
This event was sponsored by DDC and Caesars. IAEE hosts tailored programs, educational opportunities and events designed to bolster future leaders in the exhibitions and events industry with social and professional networking support.
Definite Site Visits
Magnet Schools of America (Oct. 1-2, 2025)
- 85 peak rooms; 239 total room nights; 150 attendees
- Multiple venues
Tentative Site Visits
American Institute of Physics (Nov. 20-21, 2024
- 25 peak rooms; 50 total room nights; 25 attendees
- Multiple venues
Planview (April 27-28, 2025)
- 607 peak rooms; 1,328 total room nights; 750 attendees
- Multiple venues
Biological Products Industry Alliance (Feb. 22-23, 2026)
- 325 peak rooms; 740 total room nights; 375 attendees
- Multiple venues
American Bar Association (April 22-24, 2026)
- 150 peak rooms; 505 total room nights; 150 attendees
- Multiple venues
National School Boards Association (April 2-4, 2027)
- 3,300 peak rooms; 11,742 total room nights; 5,000 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
Internet2 (May 17-19, 2027)
- 400 peak rooms; 1,430 total room nights; 500 attendees
- Multiple venues
Confidential (June 3-5, 2029; June 16-18, 2030; June 15-17, 2031; May 23-25, 2032; June 12-14, 2033)
- 5,000 peak rooms per year; 17,100 total room nights per year; 8,000 attendees per year
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and 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 prospect accounts and tentative leads throughout the month of June. Highlights included:
- AstraZeneca
- CFA Institute
- Cordis
- The Combustion Institute
- Inspired Minds
- Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
- International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
- International Pharmaceutical Federation
- Platinum Productions Pty Ltd
- Nutanix
- veSpace International Ltd
- With Intelligence
- World Bank Group
Associations World Congress (June 9-11, Graz, Austria)
DDC Staff: Emma Stubblefield
This was DDC’s first time participating in AWC, Europe's leading conference for international association executives, so there was strong interest in Washington, DC as a leading hub for association meetings. Organized by the Association of Association Executives, AWC was a vital opportunity for networking, addressing critical issues and generating valuable connections for future opportunities.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Association of Certified Sanction Specialists
- Association of International Accountants and Auditors
- Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges
- International Au Pair Association
- International Bar Association
- International Cartilage & Joint Preservation Society
- International National Trusts Association
- Liquid Gas Association
- Praxity Global Alliance
- World Heart Federation
- World Administrators Alliance
FIEXPO Latin America (June 10-13, Panama City, Panama)
DDC Staff: Patricia Najar
FIEXPO is a trade show in Latin America for the meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions (MICE) market. Latin America represents an important market for corporate events and incentive travel for Washington, DC, and there is strong interest in the nation’s capital. DDC conducted over 20 one-on-one appointments with meeting planners from Latin America and hosted a breakfast presentation with 45 clients. In addition to the activities on the show floor, we participated in ICCA Association Day and the Corporate Forum organized by PCMA Latin America.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Astra Zeneca
- ATS Group
- BCD Meetings & Events, Colombia
- Click Latam
- Flight Center Mexico
- Grupo RAC
- International Nursing Network
- Kawatec, IEEE Asia
- MCI Brazil
- MICE Experiences
- Viajes el Corte Ingles, MICE Division
The Meeting Show (June 19-20, London, UK)
DDC Staff: Natalie Beagle
DDC had the opportunity to promote Washington, DC to 1,272 buyers in attendance at London’s premier tradeshow for the events industry. By fostering connections and positioning DC as a top destination for business events, DDC’s participation not only strengthened existing relationships but also opened doors to generate new leads.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- A&K Events
- Natalia Events
- Oddity Events & Marketing
- PAC Events
- Viva Esprit
- Zia Bia
Definite Site Visits
Nutanix (May 6-8, 2025)
- 2,400 peak rooms; 9,210 total room nights; 4,500 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Marriott Marquis, Westin Washington, DC Downtown and multiple venues
Tentative Site Visits
Mozilla (Aug. 10-14, 2025)
- 1,100 peak rooms; 5,660 total room nights; 1,100 attendees
- Marriott Marquis, Westin Washington, DC Downtown, Washington Hilton and multiple venues.
Upcoming Activities:
Domestic Convention Sales
- Nats Game Client Event (July 13, Washington, DC)
- Destinations International Annual Meeting (July 16-19, Tampa, FL)
- GMC-PCMA Golf Event (July 22, Itasca, IL)
- World Destination Cooking Class (July 23, Washington, DC)
- ACCESSE Leadership Conference (July 23-25, Toronto, Canada)
- MPIGNY Golf Outing - NYC Sales Mission (July 27-28, New York, NY)
- AMCs Engaged (July 30-31, Montreal, Canada)
- FLEX Summer Camp (July 31, Leesburg, VA)
International Convention Sales
- A Capitol Fourth Client Familiarization Trip (July 4-7, Washington, DC)
- United Kingdom Sales Mission (July 22-26, London & Greater England, UK)
- 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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