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Everything You Need to Know About Inauguration Day in Washington, DC
The Presidential Inaugural Committee asks that Americans stay home and celebrate this year's inauguration virtually. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an order that pauses museum operations and indoor dining until Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 at 5 a.m. Even for those activities that are not paused by order, the Mayor strongly encourages residents and visitors to be cautious and to limit their exposure to other people so as to limit the spread of COVID-19. Note the latest travel safety information before planning any visit to DC. Witness history from home as the United States of America welcomes a new commander-in-chief on Jan. 20. If you’re looking for more information about celebrating the presidential inauguration, then check out these commonly asked questions. Where can I see the swearing-in ceremony? Tune in to the Biden Inaugural Committee YouTube channel to watch official Presidential Inauguration events. Live events include: COVID-19 Memorial | Tuesday, Jan. 19 - 5:30 p.m. - A memorial to remember and honor the lives lost to COVID-19 in cities and towns across the country. A Washington, D.C. ceremony will feature a lighting around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. We Are One | Tuesday, Jan. 19 - 8:30 p.m. - A celebration of the accomplishments of the African-American and black community and the historic inauguration of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Celebrating America hosted by Tom Hanks | Wednesday, Jan. 20 - 8:30 p.m. - The primetime special hosted by Tom Hanks will feature remarks from President Biden and Vice President Harris and performances that represent the rich diversity and extensive talent America offers. The Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris | Wednesday, Jan. 20 - Starts at 10 a.m. - The United States of America's historic 59th inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will take place from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. When and where is the swearing-in ceremony? The 46th President of the United States will be sworn in on Wednesday, Jan. 20 on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Both the vice president-elect and president-elect will take Oaths of Office, which usually takes place at noon, followed by an inaugural address. In-person attendance is limited to Congress due to safety protocols. Instead of a traditional inaugural parade, the Bidens will arrive at the White House with a presidential escort consisting of representatives from every branch of the military. A “virtual parade” showcasing communities across the country will be televised. A virtual lighting ceremony honoring American lives lost due to COVID-19 will take place on Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Communities across the country are invited to join by lighting buildings and ringing church bells. There will be a primetime television program hosted by Tom Hanks at 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 20 titled “Celebrating America” instead of traditional inaugural balls. Participating artists include Ant Clemons, Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Lovato and Justin Timberlake. More information can be found via the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Mayor Bowser's office also has a dedicated website for the event. How can I view the new president’s parade route? Plan to watch the procession from home this year. After being sworn in, the president typically goes on a ceremonial parade down Pennsylvania Avenue from the U.S. Capitol to the White House. In the past, the parade has begun at approximately 3 p.m. on Inauguration Day. This year, the Bidens will arrive at the White House with a presidential escort consisting of representatives from every branch of the military. A “virtual parade” showcasing communities across the country will be televised. The parade will begin at approximately 3 p.m. on Inauguration Day. Visit the website of the Presidential Inauguration Committee for more information. Now that you know the ins and outs of the presidential inauguration, check out more Presidential Inauguration content such as what's open, things to do this winter and more.
Everything You Need to Know About The DowntownDC Holiday Market 2024
Where is the DowntownDC Holiday Market? What’s nearby? This year's edition of the DowntownDC Holiday Market will be on the street, centered on 8th and F Streets, NW. Now in its 20th year, its bright lights bring Penn Quarter and Chinatown to life, providing a holiday spark to the neighborhood. The DowntownDC BID has partnered with The Makers Show to revitalize the market. The spacious, open-air village is free and open to the public, opening just ahead of Thanksgiving on Nov. 22 (closed on Thanksgiving Day) and closing for the season on Dec. 23. After you peruse the market, you can check out the free-to-enter Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, both housed in the same building nearby. Dinner and cocktails can be enjoyed at nearby restaurants like Jaleo, Zaytinya, Clyde’s of Gallery Place and Carmine’s, or you can get your food to-go. What will I find at the DowntownDC Holiday Market? The DowntownDC Holiday Market's roster features more than 100 vendors, many of them new to the event this year. With The Makers Show now involved, this year's edition promises upgraded vendor kiosks, even more vendors in total, community and family activations, an expanded food and beverage program and more sponsor collaborations. Visitors can expect a range of family-friendly offerings including emerging artisan makers, returning favorite vendors, festive decor and lights. What else will I find there? Anticipate a fresh lineup of rock, jazz, soul, country, world and contemporary artists, and of course you’ll be able to hear your favorite holiday songs of the season. Kimpton Hotel Monaco DC and Dirty Habit are right next door; the property features fun and festive holiday décor, outdoor fire pits, blankets and specialty cocktails at Dirty Habit's Winter Chalet. What’s there to eat and drink at the DowntownDC Holiday Market? Food and drink vendors include Old Blue BBQ, The Capital Candy Jar, S'MORES N'MORE, Baked Cheese Haus and many others.
Everything You Need to Know About Washington Monument Tours & Tickets
If you’re looking to get tickets to the top or learn more, read below for some helpful tips for both groups and individuals to keep in mind when visiting the iconic monument built to honor George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the first president of the United States. Where can I reserve tickets in advance? Advance reservation tickets can be reserved online through recreation.gov up to 30 days in advance (up to six tickets per transaction). While visiting the Washington Monument is free, a convenience fee of $1 USD will be charged for each ticket. This fee is non-refundable. There are also a limited number of tickets made available at 10 a.m. each day for the next day's visits (for example: On May 7 at 10 a.m., tickets will become available for visits on May 8). How do I acquire next-day tickets to the Washington Monument? Inventory for the next available day becomes available at 10 a.m. each morning. During peak season (March-August, late December-early January), demand for tickets is very high. Advance tickets may sell out within seconds. How do I acquire same-day tickets for the Washington Monument? Day-of walk-up tickets are distributed each morning at 8:45 a.m. at the Washington Monument Lodge, located on Madison Drive on the east side of the monument grounds. During peak season (March-August, late December-early January), demand for tickets is very high and the line begins forming as early as 7 a.m. Walk-up tickets are not available for groups. What are the ticketed time slots and how many tickets are available per time slot? The Washington Monument is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except for Dec. 25, July 4 and part of July 3 and one day per month for scheduled maintenance. Tickets are scheduled every half hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. How will the tickets be delivered? Visitors can access purchased tickets via confirmation email. All visitors must print their tickets in advance or have their tickets available to view on a mobile device. Please ensure you have these tickets ready to present prior to your arrival at the Washington Monument. Can tickets be returned? Yes, tickets can be cancelled until 2 p.m. the day prior to the tour. The convenience fee for purchase is non-refundable. In the case that the Monument must close, tickets will not be exchanged or refunded. What time should visitors arrive before their ticketed time? Visitors must arrive by the time on their ticket. If late, National Park Service staff has discretion to limit/deny monument entry. What is security like at the Washington Monument? Recent Washington Monument renovations have led to adjustments in security procedures. Please keep in mind: It is best to bring as little to the Washington Monument as possible. Water is only allowed in clear plastic bottles. Individuals do need to pass through a security area similar to an airport. Park Rangers will direct you to the security screening area in small groups. All visitors are subject to security screening. Weapons, strollers and bulky items are prohibited. Wheelchairs are permitted. Check online for a full list of restricted items. What is the tour flow after security? Visitors will be directed to the Washington Monument's ground floor lobby. Approximately 15 people will be allowed onto the elevator from the hallway by a National Park Service Ranger. The express ascent to the top floor (500 feet above the ground) lasts approximately 70 seconds. Groups may remain on the Observation Level for as long as they like. At the end of the visit, a park ranger will help you board the elevator for the descent, during which some of the commemorative stones on the monument’s interior walls will be visible. Is there still a stairway tour? No, stairway tours are no longer available. Will the Washington Monument have extended hours during the busy season? Not at the moment. During peak season (March-July), demand for tickets is very high. Advance tickets may sell out within minutes. Continue discovering the history of our nation's capital by exploring DC's other monuments and memorials.
Everything You Need to Know About WeChat
In order for local attractions and destinations to maximize the potential of these travelers, it’s important to look beyond traditional B2B marketing such as sales missions, exhibitions and road shows to understand China’s digital landscape. Facebook and Instagram, two of the greatest vehicles for advertising in the U.S., are banned in China, along with Google. Brands must therefore navigate the world of Chinese social media, including WeChat and Weibo, in order to market to travelers directly. In this post, we will dig into WeChat, the biggest platform and phenomenon in the Chinese market, as well as look at how you can leverage it to promote your brand. WeChat Though only launched in 2013 by Chinese internet company Tencent, WeChat has already grown to become an indispensable tool in China. In simple terms, WeChat can be thought of as a mix of WhatsApp, Google, Facebook and Apple Pay. Through this all-in-one platform, users can do almost everything they need, including pay their bills, call a cab, read a novel, get takeout, conduct business and share memories with their friends, all without ever leaving the app. Let’s break it down for you in numbers*: Over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide 800 million monthly active WeChat Pay users 50% of users spend 90 minutes per day on WeChat Typical user born in the 1980s and 1990s, living in urban areas Average user reads seven articles per day 36% of users open WeChat 30 times or more per day 35% of total time on mobile devices is spent on WeChat *Based on Tencent’s most recent numbers. (2016 and 2018 reports) This diverse app offers a range of services, including but not limited to: Text messaging Video and voice calling Group messaging and calling WeChat moments This feature functions like the Facebook Wall and allows users to share their thoughts and photos in a social media feed. WeChat Pay WeChat Pay is extremely popular throughout China and is essentially a mixture of Apple Pay and Venmo. Users can link their bank cards to the system and scan barcodes to complete transactions within a second. They can also send and receive money from friends in their chats. WeChat Pay has completely penetrated the Chinese market, so much so that it is rare to find a store or restaurant, even makeshift ones on roadsides, that doesn’t accept it. Accepting WeChat Pay here in the U.S. can help facilitate transactions with Chinese consumers and encourage spending. We will provide a separate tutorial on this topic at a later date. Coupons and membership cards Users can store their coupons and membership cards easily through their “Card Wallet” in the app. Coupons can also be sent and exchanged through messages. When WeChat Pay is available, consumers can directly purchase their goods through the app, making for a smooth transaction. Translation services WeChat provides translation services from Chinese to English and vice-versa. Users can activate by pressing and holding text messages and use as a means of easy communication with Chinese friends and clients. Mini program Mini programs are a more recent phenomenon and are essentially mini apps within WeChat that can be instantly launched without pre-installation. DDC is a pioneer among destination marketing organizations in this field. See details of our own mini program below for examples of how they work, as well as how your brand can get involved. WeChat is also compatible with the following operating system platforms: iOS (iPhone/iPad) Android Windows MacOS Web browsers How you can promote your business on WeChat As WeChat becomes an inseparable part of people’s lives, how can companies leverage its resources to connect to their customers? The easiest and most affordable way to promote your DC brand in the Chinese market is to join DDC’s WeChat City Experience Mini Program. The program is FREE for DDC members and can help Chinese travelers discover your brand! DDC is proud to be the first city in the U.S. to launch its own mini program in conjunction with the WeChat team. Our mini program is designed to be an interactive guide that helps tourists make the most of their visit. The map-driven layout highlights the top attractions, restaurants, shopping experiences, etc. and helps travelers explore the city. Our mini program is unique among destinations in that it also includes a coupon section, which drives visitors to specific destinations using coupon codes exclusive to WeChat users. Key features of DDC’s WeChat mini program: General information for restaurant, attraction and shopping destinations in and around Washington, DC, including opening hours, fees, contact information, etc. Information in both Mandarin and English City map and walking directions Coupons See the screenshots below to get an idea of how the mini program looks and be sure to add it to your phone. Image 1. DDC WeChat account QR code Each account has its own unique QR code. Users can scan these codes to easily add friends and follow accounts. To find our account, 1) you can download the app in your device’s app store, or go to: http://www.wechat.com/en/; 2) create your own personal account; 3) log into your WeChat and scan this QR Code, which will take you directly to the DDC official WeChat City Experience mini program landing page (image 2). Image 2. DDC WeChat landing page Image 3. Map-driven page Ready to explore! The map-driven layout highlights the top attractions, restaurants, shopping experiences and more. Image 4. Sample attraction page on map-driven page This personalized attraction page lays out all information specific to your business, including an introduction, opening hours, address and navigation features. Image 5. Coupon master page Click the bottom tab on the right (the one resembling a giftbox) to see the coupon page. All available offers are listed. Image 6. Coupon sample page Click any of the available coupons on image 5 and each one will lead you to this personalized coupon page, which includes valid dates, the discount offer and the redemption method. See screenshot of Bike and Roll DC page as an example. How do I get involved with the DDC WeChat? There are two ways for DDC members to promote their brand through our WeChat, both FREE of charge: Create a brand page for our Map Page The map page, seen above in image 3, displays the map of DC and nearby attractions. By creating a page here, you can educate the Chinese market on your business, including an introduction, operating times, location, photos, etc. Translation services are provided by our team for free to ensure the page is effective. Add a coupon to our Coupon Program Once your Map Page is setup, we recommend joining our Coupon Program (see image 5 and 6). Based on our WeChat monthly metrics report, our program is rapidly gaining momentum. To set up these pages, contact me at ang@washington.org I hope you enjoyed this WeChat overview and now feel better equipped to join Chinese social media marketing with DDC. Be sure to look out for our next blog, where we’ll discuss another Chinese digital giant, Weibo. Connect with me on WeChat by scanning this QR code: References: China National Figures for Intro- http://finance.huanqiu.com/gjcx/2019-01/14016514.html Introduction- https://jingtravel.com/number-of-potential-chinese-outbound-tourists-double-by-2020/ “WeChat – A Global Platform?”, HBS Case studies by Willy Shih, Howard Yu, and Fang Liu, https://hbr.org/product/wechat-a-global-platform/615049-PDF-ENG Tencent’s 2018 Report: https://support.weixin.qq.com/cgi-bin/mmsupport-bin/getopendays WeChat mini programs and official account application website: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/?lang=en_US
