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Marketing & Communications Highlights
Highlights Marketing Outlook Meeting The 2021 Marketing Outlook Meeting is scheduled for Sept. 29 from 8:30-11 a.m. at Capital Turnaround. The meeting will be held in-person and is free to attend, with registration, coffee and networking beginning at 8:30 a.m. and programming kicking off at 9:30 a.m. The event will focus on sales and marketing recovery strategy and be themed Experience DC, a nod to the organization's latest marketing and advertising campaign with Events DC. STR will join to share hotel data and forecasts for the nation's capital. Make sure to register online today if you have not already. A streaming option will be available. Washington.org Update The latest content rounds out ways to experience DC this fall, including a piece on ghost tours, outdoor trails to explore, upcoming autumn museum exhibits and other seasonal content. Experience DC landing pages attracted 110,000 unique visitors to the site in August, which represents the third most popular page on the site over that time. DDC's advertising efforts and personalization strategy helped drive traffic to recovery campaign pages, where users can interact with a variety of content. Social Media Update As summer winds down in the District, DDC is using its social channels to inspire a wide range of end-of-summer and beginning-of-fall activities including things to do this September, reopened museums, outdoor events, the return of music festivals and more. In addition to promoting things to do over Labor Day Weekend, DDC also partnered with DC JazzFest to give away two passes to the festival's signature event on Sept. 5 through DDC's Instagram stories. Recent Advertising Performance for Experience DC Overall, DDC's integrated media advertising campaign for Experience DC is pacing at 62% of its engagement goal with 32% of the campaign budget spent. The overall cost per engagement is currently $0.05, far exceeding the goal of $0.10. The paid social media campaign garnered nearly 10 million impressions across Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest in July, with New York, Philadelphia and Raleigh as the top-performing drive markets. DDC's campaign with Instinct, an LGBTQ+ lifestyle publication and website, began in mid-July. The video component of the campaign has driven significant interactions, leading to a 1.34% video click-through rate to washington.org, which is high when compared to Instinct's site average of 1.11%. Domestic Media Larry Bleiberg for USA Today write a round-up of cities where you can see ‘hipsters’ in their natural habitat. For DC, this includes local music venues, breweries and bars. USA Today, Aug. 2: 10 cities where you can see hipsters in their natural habitat Shayla Martin of The New York Times covered what to do in DC this summer, highlighting the Logan Circle, West End/Foggy Bottom and Dupont Circle neighborhoods as well as new restaurants, shops and galleries. The New York Times, Aug. 31: What to Do This Summer: Washington, D.C. Trade Media Group Tour Magazine spoke with Destination DC’s (DDC) Elliott Ferguson about the National Mall and the can’t-miss monuments, museums and memorials that line “America’s Front Yard.” Group Tour Magazine, August 2021 Issue: Experience DC’s classics on the National Mall Meetings Today explored the ways planners can take advantage of DC’s presence in four major professional sports leagues (MLB, the NHL, the NFL and MLS) when planning memorable meetings and events. Meetings Today, Aug. 9: 4 Sports Venues for Memorable Events in Washington, D.C. International Media France’s Le Point covered the Capital Region by highlighting the iconic backdrop of the National Mall and the Natural History Museum. Le Point (France), Aug. 3: Washington DC et sa région crèvent l’écran! (Washington DC and its region are cracking the scene!) India’s Retropop Lifestyle magazine featured Washington, DC across a four-page spread that covered the iconic monuments and memorials as well as museums, music, nightlife, dining and water activities. Retropop Lifestyle (India), Aug.-Sept. 2021 Issue: Washington, DC – A fun Capital
Marketing Highlights and Media Coverage
Media Coverage Domestic Elliott is quoted in The Washington Post about DC’s post-pandemic recovery and spoke with FOX 5 about the U.S. Open sponsorship. Travel + Leisure named DC one of the 15 best places in the world to visit this December and reported on José Andrés’s plans for a Georgetown hotel. Glamour ranked DC among the top 25 best solo trips for women. Garden & Gun spotlights the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, while GayCities makes DC its destination of the month and highlights WorldPride 2025. Axios recognized 13 members in its roundup of fall festivals and Forbes heaps praise on DC’s dining scene. International The People’s House opening generated over 200 placements in the Germany market with an ad value of $1.2 million. India highlighted DC’s robust arts and culture in multiple publications like India Blooms, CurlyTales and TourismQuest. Two inflight magazines from Australia and New Zealand, Kia Ora and Qantas Magazine, featured various arts and culture hot spots. CNN Viagem & Gastronomia and several other Brazilian publications covered the new OSGEMEOS exhibition at the Hirshhorn Museum. Brazil’s O Globo featured DC as a monumental destination to visit ahead of the elections and Mexico’s Donde Ir highlighted new attractions in the nation’s capital. Trade Coverage included record visitation announced at DDC's Marketing Outlook Meeting and the Collective Advisory experience in articles from Northstar, Boardroom and USAE. Conference and Meetings World and Meetings Today highlighted DDC’s “Connected” positioning. More than 40 hotels, venues and attractions were featured in the Washington, DC location report for Mid-Atlantic Meetings and Events. Marketing Highlights Timely content marketing strategy paying off As part of an effort to engage consumers before and during the 30-60 day booking windows, optimize paid social and connect more content with future seasonal campaigns, the content team began publishing "Things to Do" by month articles this summer up to four months in advance. The tactic led to thousands of sessions on washington.org that the site wasn't previously earning and will continue as results have shown how the event-focused content is a valuable resource for planning trips. Content-filled hub coming to washington.org In an effort to increase user engagement and better-present the website's inspirational content, DDC will launch "The District Blog" in November. The blog landing page will serve as a multimedia-rich content hub where users can more easily interact with washington.org content, from filtering by tags to scrolling through featured, trending and new articles to watching social videos. The team expects The District Blog to drive a 15% increase in editorial pageviews, a 5% increase in sitewide average engagement time and a top-10 pageview ranking. Social Highlights Leisure Social In September, we shared an exciting recap of the DC JazzFest with Brian Oliver, spotlighted Black Broadway Tours with Anela Malik and promoted TheatreWashington’s Theater Week Kickoff Fest, showcasing the best of DC’s theater scene. We also collaborated with IGLTA on a 3-day itinerary in preparation for WorldPride 2025 and featured the best things to do this fall in the District. Finally, we highlighted the newest exhibit at ARTECHOUSE, Twilight Zone: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean—a must-see for ocean lovers and art enthusiasts alike. Popular posts included a peek inside the Renwick Gallery, pastel views of the city and a peaceful cruise through Rock Creek Park. Industry Social Industry channels honored 9/11 and World Tourism Day. Staff highlights included a photo dump from this summer’s conferences, congratulating our Employee of the Quarter and celebrating our Sept. milestone anniversaries, plus recaps of Marketing Outlook Meeting and Collective events. Member Spotlights featured Chopt and Dos Toros, American University Conferences, the Smithsonian Zoo, National Press Club, the Freedom Forum, Steadfast Supply and the Lego Discovery Center.
Member Resources
Member Extranet Training Destination DC’s Member Extranet is where you control your account listings, photos, deals, events calendar, contacts and respond to leads. Join our new monthly Member Extranet training webinar to learn useful tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the member extranet and maximize your membership. Email membership@washington.org to receive a training video. Post Your Event or Deal Add your own tourism-related events to our event calendar, one of the most popular features on the site. Additionally, post special deals and discounts on our site. To learn how to post events or deals visit our Member Extranet training videos. Member Directory Exclusively available through the Member Extranet, the Destination DC Member Directory is now available to help you connect and communicate with one another. Social Media Engagement You have a lot of exciting things happening, and Destination DC wants to help you promote them. Here are helpful ways to engage with us on social media. Publications Your membership includes listings in Destination DC official publications. If you would like official Destination DC publications for your reference or to distribute to your customers, please email the visitor services team. Sponsorship Opportunities A partnership with Destination DC enhances the image, brand and identity of partners and can offer ROI in the form of sales, awareness, influence, connections and more. Partners will benefit from access to city assets and information, authentically integrated marketing messages and unique programs designed to meet your goals. To learn more about partnerships please contact the partnerships team. Advertise With Us Members receive discounted advertising rates in official publications and on washington.org. To learn more, explore our media kits and email advertise@washington.org. Media & Press Releases Email our media relations team your press releases so we know your key message points, successes and updates to include in media pitches to domestic, international and convention trade as appropriate. Visitor Statistics Visitor Statistics provide additional and historical information about the Washington, DC hospitality industry. Please note that our statistics are released annually; full data will be published the following fall.
Membership: Free Trial Sign-up
About the free trial: Membership begins once DDC receives the completed enrollment form and runs through June 2021. During the trial, businesses will enjoy all member benefits, except listings in print publications. Businesses will not be charged during the free trial. Unless notified in advance in writing, you will be automatically upgraded to a paid annual membership plan on July 1, 2021. Cancellations are required in writing a minimum of thirty (30) days before July 1, 2021 and subsequent annual renewal dates. As the city’s economic development engine through tourism and meetings, our goal is to help the community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Please complete the interest form below and an account representative from the membership team will be in touch. *Eligibility qualifications for businesses include the following: Must be within the hospitality industry Cannot offer accommodations Must be a first-time member Only businesses in DC, Maryland and Virginia can participate Interest form: !function(o,t,e,a){o._aoForms=o._aoForms||[],o._aoForms.push(a);var n=function(){var o=t.createElement(e);o.src=("https:"==t.location.protocol?"https://":"http://")+"marketing.washington.org/acton/content/form_embed.js",o.async=!0;for(var a=t.getElementsByTagName(e)[0],n=a.parentNode,c=document.getElementsByTagName("script"),r=!1,s=0;s
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As you return to traveling this year, Washington, DC should be at the very top of your list. The nation’s capital offers more than 100 free things to do, but it should come as no surprise that museums are some of the most popular attractions. We’ve gone into deep detail on four of the city’s most popular museums (including one dedicated to living animals), none of which charge admission. Find the latest updates on visiting museums, including Smithsonian's plans to have all of its museums open by the end of August 2021, mask mandates for all indoor museums and the latest ticketing requirements. Book your next vacation to the nation’s capital and visit these only-in-the-District museums, free of charge. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category. In the heart of the nation’s capital lives a portal to wildlife from around the world. Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a firsthand, family-friendly experience through a 163-acre urban park in the Woodley Park neighborhood teeming with roughly 2,700 animals that represent more than 390 species. The zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a non-public facility located in Front Royal, Va.), a global effort to conserve species and train future conservationists. This focus on preserving endangered animals extends to the zoo, as one-fifth of its exhibited species fall into this category.