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 the District’s economic recovery 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.
Share your b-roll and visual assets with us via the Member Asset Uploader. Help us discover quality content from your business by uploading photography and vertical and horizontal video footage. Content may be used in marketing to promote Washington, DC. Please do not include low-res photography or images with graphics or text.
Media Coverage
Domestic
One of DC’s most uplifting attractions, the newly reopened National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), received coverage from CNN, MSN, Yahoo!, AOL, The New York Times, Thrillist, Artnet and 14 other publications. With the NMWA as a centerpiece, Forbes spotlighted 10 places in DC that celebrate and promote women’s empowerment. Sixteen members were featured across two Thrillist articles pointing to Georgetown as a destination for group trips this fall. Vacationer Travel named DC one of 18 LGBTQ+ friendly big cities in the USA, while Pride Journeys spotlighted seven members in its roundup of Halloween happenings. Local stations WTOP, NBC 4, FOX 5, WJLA and DC News Now featured the Capital City Africa Cup and its weeklong cultural festival.
International
DC was named one of the top five places to visit in the U.S. by India’s World Destination. DDC’s new brand campaign was featured in the UK’s Travel Bulletin and Travel News, China’s Voyage, India’s TTJ, Outbound and Travel Daily Media. Following a UK/Australia group Pride trip, 15 members were featured in a Gay Times (UK) article explaining why Washington, DC is the perfect host for WorldPride 2025. A trip to London’s Brand USA Travel Week resulted in quotes from Elliott in Germany’s fvw and Australia’s Travel Weekly.
Trade
Meetings Today named DDC the best DMO on the East Coast and Skift Meetings spotlighted DDC’s Global Destination Sustainability Award for Innovation. The award recognized DDC's DEI Business Fellowship program as an innovative solution to drive sustainability performance. During a press conference at IMEX America, Melissa Riley (SVP, convention sales and services) and Robin McClain (chief marketing officer) unveiled DDC's new brand marketing campaign and shared strategies for attracting international meetings. DDC’s efforts at IMEX were featured in AMI Magazine and Conference & Meetings World.
Marketing Highlights
There's Only One DC on washington.org
Campaign creative connects to washington.org, where potential travelers across all target audiences will find curated, content-rich landing pages featuring special offers from member businesses, attractions and hotels. Content includes inspirational articles, seasonal content, itineraries and a social video gallery showcasing specific audience interests. Users are driven to take important actions like signing up for emails, viewing member deals and booking hotels. Social media complements the campaign messaging primarily through user-generated content and the #Only1DC hashtag. Social media videos of unique DC experiences will be shared on Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts and may contain audio and editing styles that are trending and relate to a broad audience. Influencers will help drive brand awareness by generating content with the #Only1DC brand.
How Members Can Engage with There's Only One DC
- Send major updates about your business to [email protected]. The content and communications teams access this email address and may consider including your big news in content or pitches.
- Upload your #Only1DC-inspired deals and special offers to the Member Extranet.
- Tag your social posts with the #Only1DC hashtag.
- Tag DDC’s social accounts on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for potential amplification.
- Visit the campaign toolkit for more assets and tips for engaging with the campaign.
Social Highlights
Leisure Social
DDC featured the Beyond the Light exhibit at ARTECHOUSE, explored budget-friendly options with local content creators and celebrated the reopening of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. October also brought a spooky twist as we showcased DC's local creativity with the mesmerizing #HatsOnTheHill in Capitol Hill and the enchanting Halloween decorations that adorned Georgetown. Our top posts included morning strolls with great views, adventures at the Old Post Office Tower and the beauty of the gardens at the Washington National Cathedral.
Industry Social
Industry channels highlighted Senior Manager of Sustainability Shelby Luzzi‘s efforts at recent industry events and meetings, in addition to bringing home the GDS Innovation Award. Staff highlights included the marketing and communications department retreat and DDC’s in-person stand up meeting. Our channels also honored World Thrombosis Day and celebrated our latest Employee of the Quarter, Erika Jones. DDC also promoted the DEI Business Fellowship (applications are now open), an industry job board and the Washington Wizards’ home opener. Member Spotlights featured Calico, G7 Marketing, DC Ghosts, Dog Tag Bakery and District Winery.
Partner Content