Find out where DC has been in the news this month and what's new with the marketing team.
Destination DC's (DDC) marketing and communications strategy supports economic development through tourism by reaching potential visitors and inspiring them to travel to the nation’s capital. The current cross-channel promotional efforts are focused on fall travel across editorial and content development.
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Media Coverage
Domestic
Southern Living mentions more than 20 members in its list of holiday festivities in the nation’s capital and Axios declares downtown DC a holiday village. The Points Guy names the Embassy Chef Challenge one of the best culinary adventures for foodie travelers in 2025. Food & Wine recognizes a DC restaurant and Thrillist lists iconic DC food experiences. 20 members are included in Time Out’s list of the best things to do in DC with kids. Elliott is honored as part of the Washington Business Journal Power 100 and quoted in the Washington Post.
International
France’s Masculin outlines top free things to do in DC, while India celebrated the city’s culinary excellence in ELLE and Hindustan Times. The UK shifts focus from election news to spotlight DC’s appeal as a travel destination in The Sunday Post and Metro. Australia showcases the city’s luxurious offerings in a Luxury Escapes episode and Japan’s Blues & Soul Magazine focuses on DC’s music scene. Brazil’s Panrotas and Brasilturis spotlights holiday attractions and winter activities in the city, while Mexico’s The Happening and Pasillo Turistico covers Destination DC’s consumer activation at the NBA Mexico City game.
Trade
Trade supports Partnerships and Alliances with a press release announcing the Sustainability District's 50-plus members, gaining coverage in Travel and Tour World. Skift and MeetingsNet names Nationals Park one of the MLB's top ballpark venues for events. BizBash covers DC's venues, including AKA Washington Circle and Grand Hyatt, for fall meetings. Convention South features DC's top outdoor and music venues and recognizes the city one of the top six MICE destinations.
Marketing Highlights
More awards for DDC's advertising
DDC's advertising team continues to accumulate awards for its outstanding and creative campaigns. The HSMAI Adrian Awards, which honor excellence in travel marketing, recognized their work with the following accolades:
- Gold, Best of Category - A Chosen Family: THEM Campaign
- Digital: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Marketing
- Silver, Best of Category - There's Only DC: Overall Brand Campaign
- Advertising: Brand Campaign
- Silver - One Weekend, One DC: New York Times Campaign
- Digital: Video - Single Entry
- Bronze - There's Only One DC: Campaign Videos
- Advertising: Television
America's 250th: Upcoming press conference & microsite
Along with numerous other organizations across the city, DDC will build anticipation for America's 250th anniversary events in 2026 with a press conference on Jan. 28, 2025. In tandem with the event, the content team will launch a new microsite that aims to inspire trips to the nation's capital to celebrate the milestone anniversary.
Social Highlights
Leisure Social
In November, we honored Veterans Day, Native American Heritage Month and Día de los Muertos. Fall foliage took over the city, “leaving” major impressions on Instagram. On TikTok, we spotlighted #Only1DC green spaces. For Thanksgiving, we spent an afternoon with turkey duo Peach and Blossom before their pardoning ceremony and showed off local entrepreneurs for Small Business Saturday. DC influencer partners shared their best budget days in NoMa and Union Market, Capitol Hill and the National Mall.
Industry Social
Industry channels celebrated Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Giving Tuesday. Plus, our President & CEO Elliott L. Ferguson, II and senior manager of sustainability Shelby Luzzi are among this year's 100 Most Influential People in the Events Industry in the U.S. as named by Eventex. Staff highlights included November milestone anniversaries, a sustainability challenge and the tourism and visitor experience department’s publication blitz.
