DOMESTIC CONVENTION SALES: Promotions, Sales Calls, Trade Shows and Events
The team’s proactive efforts resulted in 157 presentations, virtual client sales calls and in-person meetings throughout the month of March. Highlights include:
- Access Intelligence
- America's Credit Union
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- American Farm Bureau Foundation
- American Federation of Teachers
- American Mathematical Society
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Water Works Association
- Assent Inc.
- Association for Financial Professionals
- Atlassian
- Competitor Group
- Cornea Society
- Etherio
- McKinsey & Company
- Maritz
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
- National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units
- National Corn Growers Association
- National Education Association
- National League of Cities
- Opus Agency
- Rock N Roll
- Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- United Healthcare Services, Inc.
- Vietnam Veterans of America
Meeting Professionals International Northern California Chapter ACE (March 3-7, Monterey & San Francisco, CA)
DDC Staff: Jenna Wiese, Catherine Fehrens
Co-Op: Hosts Global, The Westin Washington, DC Downtown
Along with our co-op partners, Destination DC (DDC) exhibited at this annual trade show and conference. This 2-day show brought together top customers and suppliers in northern California for exclusive networking and education. Following ACE, DDC staff traveled to San Francisco for sales calls and a client event in partnership with the Philadelphia CVB. The client event brought in several new and returning customers for a night of pasta making with High Street Hospitality to showcase their restaurants in both cities.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- ConferenceDirect
- GAP
- KRCG Sourcing
- Informa Tech
Craft Bar/Cafe Client Event (March 12, Washington, DC)
DDC Staff: Rachel Bomser
DDC hosted a “Create in the Capital” event at craft bar/cafe Merry Pin, where our clients had the chance to tap into their creative side by making their own candles and soap. The evening was capped off with a flavorful dinner from DDC member Rasa. It was a perfect blend of creativity, community and culinary greatness.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies
- Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
- FIRST Agency
- Kellen
- NeighborWorks America
- NTCA- The Rural Broadband Association
- Rose Li & Associates
- Society of American Military Engineers
ConferenceDirect APM 2025 (March 16-20, Philadelphia, PA)
DDC Staff: Kaan Eren
This event brought together key industry partners and over 200 ConferenceDirect Associates. It provided an excellent platform for networking, business development and exploring new opportunities for DC. During one-on-one appointments and sessions, DDC staff engaged with several associates to discuss potential bookings and to extend invitations for a familiarization trip to showcase DC as a premier destination. Additionally, DDC staff hosted 8 ConferenceDirect associates for Tuesday’s lunch, highlighting the city’s iconic cherry blossom season and its appeal for future events.
Informa Pharma Forum (March 23-26, Boston, MA)
DDC Staff: John Sklencar, Megan Fariel
Co-Op: Park Hyatt, Convene
For over 20 years, Pharma Forum has been the premier gathering for meeting and event professionals in the life sciences industry. From groundbreaking discussions and innovative strategies to unparalleled networking opportunities, this conference has consistently evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of pharma, biotech, medical and life sciences planners and partners.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- AstraZeneca
- Bishop-McCann
- Emota
- MedForce
- National Kidney Foundation
- Novartis
- ProHealth
Meetings Industry Council of Colorado Annual Conference (March 24-26, Denver, CO)
DDC Staff: Katherine Russo, Kate Anaya
Co-Op: Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill
DDC staff met with clients, engaged with meeting planners and connected with new clients, generating valuable leads. On the first day of the event, DDC hosted a happy hour at the office corner, inviting clients to discuss upcoming developments in DC and how we can assist with securing business opportunities in the city. Afterward, staff attended the MPI event to continue networking and meeting new prospects.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
- Bespoke
- BOK Financial
- Civica Management
- FCCS
- Leading Age
- Lamont Associates
- Maritz
- Meetings and Incentives Worldwide
- Medical Group Management Association
- Museum Store Association
- National Conference of State Legislatures
- Opus Agency
- The Fellowship of Catholic University Students
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Van Halen Events
Maritz Office Presentation and Sales Call/Prestige Event (March 25-27, St. Louis, MO)
DDC Staff: Bill Adams, Brandon Murray
Co-Op: Hosts Global, The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.
Along with our co-op partners, DDC staff presented to over 90 Maritz associates, highlighting the dynamic offerings of Washington, DC. Following the presentation, DDC hosted an engaging and unique client event at a local glass design studio, showcasing the creativity and innovation that define the nation’s capital.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Soybean Association
- ConferenceDirect
- Maritz
- Prestige
Emmett Till Legacy Foundation – Women of Courage Gala (March 30, Washington, DC)
DDC Staff: Bill Adams
DDC was a table sponsor for this event that celebrated the women who exemplify the strength, resilience and courage of Mamie Till Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials
- National Industries for the Blind
Definite Site Visits
Honeysweet Creative for Edge of Show (Sept. 8-9, 2025)
- 50 peak rooms, 100 total room nights, 1,000 attendees
- Multiple venues
America’s Public Television Stations (Nov. 17-18, 2025)
- 34 peak rooms; 74 total room nights; 34 attendees
- Multiple venues
The Real Estate Roundtable (Jan. 20-21 and June 8-9, 2026)
- 80 peak rooms per month, 160 total room nights per month, 250 attendees per month
- Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill
The Real Estate Roundtable (April 22 and Oct. 20, 2026)
- 50 peak rooms per month, 52 total room nights per month, 100 attendees per month
- Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill
National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (May 2-6, 2026)
- 17 peak room; 99 total room nights; 20 attendees
- Multiple venues
International Coaching Federation (Oct. 27-29, 2026)
- 1,040 peak rooms, 3,260 total room nights, 1,700 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
Electrochemical Society (May 31 – June 3, 2027)
- 694 peak rooms, 3,199 total room nights, 2,000 attendees
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
Confidential (June 3-5, 2029; June 9-11, 2030; June 8-10, 2031; May 23-25, 2032; June 12-14, 2033)
- 5,000 peak rooms per year; 1,7100 total room nights per year; 8,000 attendees per year
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center and multiple venues
National Society of Black Engineers (March 24-26, 2032)
- 3,500 peak rooms, 12,515 total room nights, 10,000 attendees
- 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 March. Highlights included:
- Alpha Events
- American Express Global Business Travel
- Atlassian
- Cavendish Group International
- Electric Power Research Institute
- Elsevier
- Honeysweet Creative
- International Academic Forum
- International Association of Public Transport
- International Microphysiological Systems Society
- International Society for Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Diseases
- Kenes International
- Organization of American States
- Restaurant Brands International
- Scotiabank
Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Global Conference (March 3-6, Tulum, Mexico)
DDC Staff: Patricia Najar
Offers an important platform to connect with key decision-makers, gain insights on emerging trends and position Washington, DC as a leading destination for incentive travel. Through focused discussion on factors influencing destination choice, destination marketing strategies and the broader impact of the incentive travel industry, the event sparked new ideas and strengthened industry relations, generating valuable connections for future lead opportunities.
DDC targeted the following customers:
- Augeo
- BI Worldwide
- Brightspot Incentives & Events
- Creative Group
- Enterprise Events Group (EEG)
- Incentive Travel Group (MGME/ITG)
- Maritz Global Events
- Meetings & Incentives Worldwide (M&IW)
- Opus Agency
- Streamlinevents, Inc.
- The Collective by BCD M&E
Tentative Site Visits
Edge of DC (Sept. 8-9, 2025)
- 50 peak rooms; 100 total room nights; 1,000 attendees
Upcoming Activities:
Domestic Convention Sales
- Operation Cherry Pie Chicago (March 31 – April 4, Chicago, IL)
- Operation Cherry Pie DMV (March 31 – April 4, Washington, DC)
- Financial Insurance Conference Professionals GMID Executive Leadership Summit (April 3, New York, NY)
- Simpleview Summit (April 6-9, San Francisco, CA)
- Destination International Sales & Services Summit (April 8-9, Washington, DC)
- Helmsbriscoe Florida Roadshow (April 8-11, Tampa/Orlando/Miami/Jacksonville, FL)
- Destination Celebration/Destination Reps (April 16, Minneapolis, MN)
- Prestige Partner Conference (April 16-18, Phoenix, AZ)
- Event Service Professionals Association Leaders Meeting (April 23-25, Grapevine, TX)
- Association of Meeting Professionals Golf Tournament (April 30, Alexandria, VA)
Global Convention Sales
- PCMA Convening LATAM (May 4-6, Bogotá, Colombia)
- IMEX Frankfurt (May 20-22, Frankfurt, Germany)
- Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE) ACCESSE Leadership Conference (June 23-25, Philadelphia, PA)
- The Meeting Show (June 25-26, London, United Kingdom)
- Associations World Congress (June 29 – July 1, Hamburg, Germany)
Check out the full Destination DC Member News to learn more about what's going on this month.
