Read the latest updates from Destination DC's tourism team
DC250: How to Participate – Member Overview
It is not too late to participate in this busy year of special DC250 events! They will take place not only through the summer, but until the end of the year. Take a look at this informational video from the Visitor Experience team to craft ways for your organization to join in the offerings for this milestone year.
DC250: Consumer Overview
Feel free to share this 13-minute inspirational video with your guests and travelers coming to Washington, DC for America’s 250th birthday. The video outlines marquee and sporting events, exhibits, hotel packages and resources.
The Washington, DC Welcome & Special Agent Academy
The Washington, DC Welcome is a new hire training program that provides an introduction to DC as a tourist destination. You can incorporate the 10-minute orientation video into new hire onboarding, and/or further your staff’s knowledge with the in-depth Special Agent Academy. Please make your HR managers aware of these resources, now available in English and Spanish.
Congrats to member Cherry Hill Park for graduating from the Special Agent Academy in April.
Tourism Co-Op Opportunities
DC250 Welcome Center Takeover (June 11): DDC’s Visitor Experience team takes over the Biden Welcome Center in Newark, DE. Visitors driving south to DC will encounter giveaways, games and crafts themed around America’s 250th anniversary in DC. The team will also answer visitor questions and recommend member organizations. Register today for this excellent opportunity to reach hundreds of inbound customers making their way to our city.
Clipper Around the World Race Booth Inclusion (June 18-20): In partnership with Events DC, DDC will have a booth in the Clipper Around the World Fanzone at The Wharf, one of the host ports of the 2026 yacht race. Register now to take advantage of the FREE opportunity to meet racers and enthusiasts face-to-face with an event deal to drive visitors to your business.
Spotlight
Brand USA Colombia Product Development FAM (May 2-5, Washington, DC)
Team Leads: Patricia Najar, Erika Jones, Frances Golla
In collaboration with Brand USA, DDC hosted product development managers from top tour operators from Colombia including Aviatur, Bestravel, Colaereo, Global Mercado del Turismo, VDT/Tropitours and Santur. These partners play a key role in packaging and promoting DC with strong distribution channels across leisure and corporate segments.
Embassy Suites Convention Center Destination Training (May 5, Washington, DC)
Team Lead: Georgia Lucas
Visitor Experience manager Georgia Lucas provided a customized destination presentation to the hotel’s frontline staff, highlighting the Washington, DC Welcome training program and our other resources.
Travelers Aid Briefing (May 6, Washington, DC)
Team Lead: Georgia Lucas
Visitor Experience manager Georgia Lucas presented a customized destination training and update for staff from Dulles International Airport’s Travelers Aid desk. The presentation focused on upcoming DC250 events, new attractions and common visitor questions, and highlighted the Washington, DC Welcome training program as well.
RRBITC Concierge Training (May 7, Washington, DC)
Team Lead: Georgia Lucas
Visitor Experience manager Georgia Lucas provided a customized destination presentation to the Ronald Reagan Building International Trade Center (RRBITC) concierge staff, highlighting the Washington, DC Welcome training program and our other resources.
U.S. Civil Rights Trail Site (May 12-14, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Theresa Belpulsi, Lindsay Hill
In 2025, DDC joined the U.S. Civil Rights Trail Marketing Alliance which promotes the U.S. Civil Rights Trail (USCRT), a collection of churches, courthouses, schools, museums and other landmarks in the Southern states and beyond that played a pivotal role in advancing social justice in the 1950s and 1960s, shifting the course of history. An advisor for the USCRT reviewed current sites for the Trail, as well as brainstormed ways the Trail can better support our city’s Civil Rights story.
DC Loves Buses Day (May 14, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Elliott Ferguson, Lindsay Hill, Georgia Lucas, Jennifer Porter
DDC will be out around the city as part of our annual “thank you” to motorcoach bus drivers who help DC become one of the top group tour destinations in the country. Members will enjoy one-on-one face time with these drivers and associations while passing out 200 gift bags and lunches from Ben’s Chili Bowl, Pinstripes, Chopt and Dos Toros Taqueria.
IPW (May 17-21, Fort Lauderdale)
Attendees: Elliott Ferguson, Theresa Belpulsi, Letizia Sirtori, Erica Riddle O’Neill, Darren Gan, Bianca Corallo, Patricia Najar
The global team will participate in IPW, the leading international inbound travel trade shop in the U.S., bringing together U.S. destinations with top global buyers and media. The team will be joined by seven members and will conduct pre-scheduled 1:1 appointments to promote Washington, DC, strengthen relationships with key international partners and generate future business opportunities.
BestBuy Brazil FAM (May 25-28, Washington, DC)
Team Leads: Patricia Najar, Erika Jones, Frances Golla
DDC will host a FAM trip in collaboration with BestBuy Travel, a tour operator that exclusively serves more than 4,000 travel agents throughout Brazil. The top five agents who sell the highest number of DC packages for this entire year will participate in the FAM.
April Visitor Experience Stats
Publications distributed: 19,151
Online requests: 4,757
Calls: 268
Chatbot engagements: 436
What three major questions have visitors asked?
- How can I participate in the Freedom 250 events (vending, sponsorship, etc.)?
- Can I receive more information regarding the Great American State Fair?
- What should I expect for America’s 250th anniversary celebration on July 4th?
Check out the full Destination DC Member News to learn more about what's going on this month.
