DOMESTIC CONVENTION SALES: Promotions, Sales Calls, Trade Shows and Events
The team’s proactive efforts resulted in 119 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings throughout the month of August. Highlights include:
- American Cancer Society
- American Society for Radiation Oncology
- Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
- Department of State
- Haitian Ladies Network
- National Black MBA Association
- National Coalition of Black Meetings Professional
- National Kidney Foundation
- Proforma Print Marketing
- Siemens
- The Center for Association Leadership
Corporate 3 Day FAM (Sept. 10-12, Washington, DC)
DDC Staff: Melissa Riley, Dianna Waldroup, Bill Adams, Jenna Wiese, John Sklencar, Megan Fariel
Co-Op: Westin Washington DC Downtown, Washington Hilton, Marriott Marquis Washington DC, PRA DMC, Access DMC
Destination DC hosted 13 third party corporate planning clients to experience DC outside of the meeting space. Destination DC showcased historic DC such as the National Mall and the US Capitol, while highlighting DC’s cultural impact at the Kennedy Center and a DC Street Art walking tour. We educated planners about our largest DC hotels and the convention center, while giving them an idea of how their clients would truly benefit from bringing their programs to DC.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Enterprise Events Group
- Etherio
- First Agency
- Helmsbriscoe
- HPN Global
- Meetings Made Easy
- Prestige Global Meetings
Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Philadelphia Education Day & Trade Show (Sept. 12, Philadelphia, PA)
DDC Staff: Shirley Del Carpio, John Sklencar
Destination DC proudly sponsored the tradeshow bags for this event which brought together over 100 association meeting planners and 50 exhibitors for a day of insightful sessions. Industry leaders, including Joshua L. Grimes from Grimes Law Offices, LLC, discussed the latest trends in contracting, while Kimberly Hardcastle Geddes from mdg, A Freeman Company shared invaluable insights on strategic planning, campaign execution, and enhancing the onsite experience. The day concluded with a delightful dinner hosted by Destination DC, offering an opportunity for clients to connect and unwind.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Association of Cancer Research
- American College of Physicians
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
- Helmsbriscoe
- Lamont and Company
Freeman Golf Classic (Sept. 17, Dulles, VA)
DDC Staff: Dianna Waldroup, Bill Adams, Priscilla Alvarez, Kate Anaya, Emily Ogorzalek
Co-Op: The Embassy suites by Hilton Washington DC Convention Center
Destination DC sponsored the 14th Annual Freeman Charity Golf Classic at the 1757 Golf Club. This event brought together over 140 guests from across the industry. Our sponsorship featured both a margarita station and a grill station, which quickly became popular spots throughout the day. DDC staff had the opportunity to connect with many potential clients, engaging in productive conversations and discussing future collaborations. The event was not only a great opportunity to give back but also to build lasting connections with industry members.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Society of Hematology
- HelmsBriscoe
- National Defense Industrial Association
Prestige Partner Events and Sales Calls (Sept. 19-20, Minneapolis, MN)
DDC Staff: Jenna Wiese
DDC recently attended the event as part of our ongoing partnership with Prestige. This event provided an excellent opportunity to connect with industry professionals and showcase what Washington, DC has to offer. In addition to the event, Destination DC also met with several customers in the Minneapolis area, strengthening our relationships in the region.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- IDeaS
- Land O’Lakes
Prestige Partner Events (Sept. 25-26, Dallas, TX)
DDC Staff: Jenna Wiese
This event not only provided an opportunity for Destination DC to reinforce our partnership with Prestige but also highlight the unique offerings of Washington, DC. This gathering allowed us to engage with key industry professionals and share insights about our destination. DDC staff also took the opportunity to have one-on-one meetings with customers, further building connections and expanding our reach.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Cardinal Health
- Riveron
- Tyler Technologies
Hospitality Industry Crab Feast (Sept. 25, Arlington, VA)
DDC Staff: Shirley Del Carpio, Brandon Murray, Priscilla Alvarez
DDC hosted clients at this highly anticipated annual feast. Guests savored a mouthwatering array of freshly caught blue crab, perfectly paired with refreshing beverages and appetizers. It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect and build new relationships and exchange ideas in a vibrant, inviting atmosphere.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Multistate Tax Commission
- National Business Aviation Association
- National Education Association
- National Federation of Republican Women
- National Industries for the Blind
Definite Site Visits
Cardiovascular Research Foundation (Oct. 26-29, 2024)
- 4,175 peak rooms; 19,948 total room nights; 12,000 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
American Geophysical Union (Dec. 8-12, 2024)
- 8,800 peak rooms; 48,424 total room nights; 24,000 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
American Veterinary Medical Association (Jul. 18-20, 2025)
- 3,200 peak rooms; 14,848 total room nights; 4,000 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
American Academy of Dermatology (Mar. 16-19, 2028)
- 7,500 peak rooms; 33,825 total room nights; 18,000 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
Tentative Site Visits
National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Science (Jun. 13-14, 2026; Jun. 12-13, 2027)
- 146 peak rooms per year; 420 total room nights per year; 300 attendees per year
- Multiple venues
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Mar. 25-27, 2027)
- 1,310 peak rooms; 4,223 total room nights; 7,000 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
Laird Norton (Jun. 24-26, 2027)
- 205 peak rooms; 747 total room nights; 350 attendees
- Multiple venues
American Academy of Dermatology (Mar. 27-30, 2031; Mar. 23-26, 2034; Mar.26-29, 2037)
- 7,500 peak rooms/per year; 34,575 total room nights/per year; 18,000 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 prospective accounts and tentative leads throughout the month of September. Highlights included:
- Alzheimer's Association
- Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis
- Baker Tilly Canada
- Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
- International Association of Public Transport
- International News Media Association
- Kao Corporation
- Lions Clubs International
- Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
- One10
- Safety Pharmacology Society
- Strategic Site Selection
- World Bank Group
International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Future of Healthcare Meeting (Sept. 2-4, Zurich, Switzerland)
DDC Staff: Tara Miller
Healthcare professionals, healthcare association leaders and meeting suppliers came together to collaboratively explore how healthcare meetings should evolve to stay relevant and engaging for future generations. Destination DC’s participation provided one-to-one meetings and relationship building with key medical association executives.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- International Brain Injury Association (IBIA)
- International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society (ICRS)
- International Confederation of Contamination Control Societies (ICCCS)
- International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT)
- International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)
- Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)
- Parthenon Management Company
- World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM)
- World Physiotherapy
Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Convening EMEA (Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Barcelona, Spain)
DDC Staff: Melissa Riley
This annual flagship event is an immersive three-day program for the global business events industry from PCMA’s Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region. In addition to engaging with association and corporate customers throughout the program, Destination DC led a conversation about aligning meeting agendas with destination values and participated in the BestCities Global Alliance breakfast. Co-located with PCMA Convening EMEA was Convene 4 Climate, an inaugural meeting to discuss how the business events industry can create more responsible and sustainability-focused events.
Upcoming Activities:
Domestic Convention Sales
- Turkish Cultural Night (Oct. 2, Washington, DC)
- Helmets to Hardhats (North America's Building Trade Unions) (Oct. 11, Queenstown, MD)
- Ravens/Commanders Game (Oct. 13, Baltimore, MD)
- Far Hills Race Meeting Tent (Oct. 19, Far Hills, NJ)
- Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Rocky Mountain Chapter Fall Meeting & Client Event (Oct. 24-25, Denver, CO)
- Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Greater New York Board Retreat (Oct. 27-30, Atlantic City, NJ)
- Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Exhale (Oct. 30-Nov. 2, Austin, TX)
- Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Greater Midwest Chapter Fall Meeting (TBD, Oct., Chicago, IL)
International Convention Sales
- IMEX America (Oct. 8-10, Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Post-IMEX America Familiarization Trip (Oct. 10-13, Washington, DC)
- International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress (Oct. 20-23, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
- City Nation Place Global Conference (Nov. 6-7, London, United Kingdom)
- IBTM World (Nov. 19-21, Barcelona, Spain)
Check out the full Destination DC Member News to learn more about what's going on this month.
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