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Meetings and Conventions In the News
Destination DC’s tech initiative and other sales efforts have been generating buzz throughout the meetings and conventions industry.
Recently, leading industry publications such as Swift, Meetings Today and Smart Meetings have run stories showcasing the District as an innovation capital and a technology and development hub.
Greg Oates of Skift highlights DC in a report on “Inclusive Innovation,” and references Destination DC’s white paper on Washington, DC’s status as a technology hub.
Skift, March 22: Behind The Rise of Diversity in the Meetings Industry – Meetings Innovation Report
Washington, DC and its tech initiative were used as a case study in this report from Skift and Meetings Mean Business.
Skift & Meetings Mean Business, April 2017: Defining Conventions As Urban Innovation and Economic Accelerators
Meetings Today talked with Destination DC President and CEO Elliott Ferguson about efforts to attract more tech meetings.
Meetings Today, April 2017: DC Makes Push for Tech Meetings
Elliott Ferguson also conducted a Q&A with Smart Meetings that touches on recent developments in the District, as well as other features that make the city ideal for meetings and conventions.
Smart Meetings, April 2017: First Person Q&A: Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC
DC is highlighted as a “tech-savvy” meeting site in this piece from Smart Meetings.
Smart Meetings, April 28: Creating Onsite Video Content
Boardroom chats with Elliott Ferguson about DC’s work with the global associations industry.
Boardroom, May 2017: Elliott Ferguson Helping Associations Grow Their Bottom Line
Convention Sales & Services Adds New Talent
Destination DC’s (DDC) convention sales and services department has recently recruited the industry’s best and brightest to fill six key staff positions. Learn more about these new hires who will help customers experience the Washington, DC difference. For convention sales and services contact information, visit this page.
Nick Cechak is DDC’s new executive meetings manager – Midwest/West. Nick most recently worked for Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas as national meetings and events marketing coordinator.
Katelyn Diehl is the new conference sales manager – Midwest/West for DDC. Katelyn most recently worked at the Embassy Suites Chevy Chase as executive meetings/catering sales manager.
Dan Fitzgerald has joined DDC as its new convention services coordinator. Dan previously worked as a tourism representative at the South Jersey Tourism Corporation.
David Iselin is DDC’s newest executive meetings manager – East Coast. David has been DDC’s convention sales and services intern for the last several months. He is a graduate of Vassar College and recently received his MBA from American University.
Tara Miller is DDC’s new senior manager of international sales. Tara spent the last three years with CSI, and prior to that, worked as international convention development coordinator with DDC.
Jenna Williams has joined DDC as its new convention sales assistant. She previously worked as a legal assistant with Dickinson Wright PLLC and is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington.
Destination DC to Host Chinese MICE Buyers FAM
With China's rapid economic development and continued internationalization, Chinese MICE tourism to foreign destinations is drastically increasing: the U.S. received 2.6 million mainland Chinese visitors last year. In 2015, Washington, DC welcomed 300,000 Chinese visitors who spent more than $159 million during their visits.
To provide a fresh experience to potential buyers that may organize corporate meetings and incentive trips in Washington, DC, Destination DC, in partnership with DC China Center and Air China, will host a MICE Buyers FAM consisting of 20 senior corporate representatives from Southeast China between April 8-13 and 19-21.
The educational itineraries will showcase only-in-DC experiences including the U.S. Capitol Building, Smithsonian museums, the National Mall and Georgetown. This tour will enable the potential buyers to assess the MICE potential, especially in the incentive travel segment. The visit will also help industry members establish contact with these representatives.
International Sales Team to Attend World Meetings Forum in Mexico City
Latin America has a rich history, vibrant culture and a large consumer base that includes a growing middle class. The largest economies in the region include powerhouses like Brazil and Mexico, as well as Chile and Peru – economies that have grown impressively in just the past few years. Mexico is the second largest source market for inbound travelers to the U.S., behind only Canada. Most notably, in 2014, arrivals from Mexico jumped 19%.
With these facts in mind, Destination DC’s international sales team will be attending the World Meetings Forum in Mexico City from July 11-13. The purposes of this mission are to obtain insightful information for accelerating marketing efforts in the region and to cultivate important relationships with meeting planners, corporate-end users and travel trade media.
In partnership with Connect Worldwide Mexico, Destination DC will hold private networking functions during tradeshow days to further explore business opportunities, generate new leads and strengthen partnerships with leading MICE players in Mexico. The team will also conduct face-to-face sales calls with corporate meeting planners, association clients and meetings and incentive agencies.