June 11, 2008

FROM THE PRESIDENT
I hope you enjoy Destination DC's revised member e-newsletter and its new features on industry performance and trends, member-to-member offers and more.

DC's International Arrivals Jump 13% in 2007
The U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI) recently released its 2007 visitation data on overseas travel to destinations in the United States, revealing that DC's international arrivals increased 13% percent last year to 1.2 million. DC held steady as the eighth-most visited city by overseas travelers in 2007. Click here to read more.

Department of Homeland Security Announces New Electronic Authorization System for International Travelers
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced last week that international visitors traveling to the United States must acquire an electronic authorization by registering online prior to departure. The rule applies to non U.S. citizens traveling to the U.S. for temporary business or pleasure and will go into effect January 12, 2009. Log on to cbp.gov/travel to learn more.

JD Power & Associates Ranks Reagan National Third in Overall Customer Satisfaction
In a study by JD Power & Associates, Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) came in third among mid-sized airports for overall customer satisfaction (tied with Tampa International). The study is based on responses from more than 21,165 passengers who took a round-trip flight between April 2007 and March 2008. Click here to read the press release.

The District Grabs No. 7 Spot on Hotwire's 2008 Travel Value Index
Washington, DC claimed the seventh spot on the Hotwire® Travel Value Index for the top ten U.S. places for value vacations this year–jumping three spots from last year. The index ranks 50 major U.S. markets across three categories: discounts on air, rental car, and hotel (25%); low prices on air, rental car, and hotel (50%); and affordable entertainment, overall appeal and choice of accommodations (25%). Click here to read the press release.

Destination Planning Guide Updates Underway
Log on to the Member Extranet to update your company listing for the 2008-2009 Destination Planning Guide at members.washington.org. Designed specifically for meeting planners and travel professionals, the guide is packed with details including hotel capacities and floor plans, convention center specs, sample itineraries, listings of attractions, restaurants, tours and transportation companies and much more. The deadline to enter all updates is July 11. Contact Bela Saini at bela.saini@destinationdc.com with questions. For advertising sales, contact Ellen Levin at ellen.levin@navteq.com.

Registration Open for the June Monthly Forum
Destination DC's Monthly Forum will be held on Tues., June 24 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center from 9-11am. Destination DC takes you on a journey from DC to Maryland then Virginia in 60 minutes during the forum where you'll meet with representatives from the CVBs in our neighboring states as they share new developments and updates occurring in their area. The event also gives partners the opportunity to meet and network with each other and with Destination DC staff. Click here to register. If you are interested in hosting a Monthly Forum or have any questions, contact Ashley Richards at ashley.richards@destinationdc.com or (202) 789-7009.

Submit your Events on Washington.org
Do you have a happy hour, a celebration or weekly event that you would like to promote? In the coming weeks, Destination DC will premiere its new events calendar on the recently re-designed Washington.org. Members can go online to submit events, which will appear on the site following a quick review. The calendar is one of the most popular features for Washington.org visitors. All events posted must be open to the public.

Metro Taking Orders for Free July 4 Metrorail Maps
Metro will deliver free fold-out maps/brochures for its revised July 4 service (current Metrorail maps are not accurate). The special July 4 maps depict security check-points, station closings, and free shuttle service locations to the Pentagon, Fairfax County Government Center and Springfield Mall. Orders must be received no later than June 24 and will be delivered the week of June 28. To order  maps, send the name of the establishment, the full street address and they exact number of maps needed via email to cmaden@wmata.com or fax to (202) 962-6103. Orders may also be placed by phone (202) 962-1576 or (202) 962-1488. Please note that Metro is unable to confirm orders or return calls.

The New York Times: "Polishing for the Inauguration"
May 27, 2008, Impressions: 1,120,420

Travel + Leisure: "Going Chic in Washington, DC"
June 2008, Impressions: 987,513

Sunday Times Travel Magazine (U.K.): "Directions"
June 8, 2008, Impressions: 46,091

The Philadelphia Inquirer: Special Washington, DC Section
June 1, 2008, Impressions: 330,622

New York Daily News: "Surprise! An eco-friendly getaway awaits in Washington, D.C."
June 8, 2008, Impressions: 2,601,281

The New York Times: "Silent Survivors of Afghanistan's 4,000 Tumultuous Years"
May 23, 2008; Impressions: 1,120,420

The Boston Globe: "Spies to presidents on a visit to the capital"
June 8, 2008, Impressions: 360,695

June 12-17: Interstate Battery
National Sales Meeting
Marriott Wardman Park
Attendance: 1,300, Peak Rooms: 1,255

June 15-21: American Society for Bariatric Surgery
Annual Meeting
Citywide
Attendance: 1,500, Peak Rooms: 1,300

June 18-22: Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church
Annual Session
Marriott Wardman Park
Attendance: 2,000, Peak Rooms: 700

New Exhibtion Opens Today at the National Museum of African Art
Running through Dec. 8 at the National Museum of African Art, TxtStyles: Fashioning Identity unveils extraordinary textiles and costumes from Africa. The exhibition includes wrappers, wall hangings, chain mail and accessories, many on view for the first time.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company Stages "The Imaginary Invalid"
Playing at the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Lansburgh Theatre through July 27, "The Imaginary Invalid" is a witty and charming production targeting the medical quacks of 17th-century France.  Click here for ticket information or to learn more.

Sales Team Courts Clients in Key Markets
From June 7-10, Destination DC team members Tiffany Chester, Melissa Riley and Diana Waldroup attended the PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) Leadership Conference in Los Angeles, CA.

National Sales Manager Derek Brinkman will travel to Chicago June 23-27 for sales calls and to deliver beer to clients made at Destination DC's recent "make-your-own beer" event, Access DC.

Fashion, Shoes and Cosmos: Meeting Planner Enjoy "Sex & the City"
The ladies of the Destination DC convention sales team and 20 meeting planners headed to the movies to see one of the first screenings of "Sex and the City" on Fri., June 1. After the movie, the group got the VIP treatment as they sipped cosmos and enjoyed delicious hors d'oeuvres at Indebleu's hip Tantra Lounge.

DC Welcomes International Media
From May 23-27, the Melrose Hotel played host to nine Scandinavian journalists, representing Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway. Click here to view coverage of the visit, including a Segs in the City tour.

Power List: Who's New & Notable

• Gregory O'Dell has been named CEO and General Manager of the Washington Convention Center Authority.
• Erik Moses will serve as CEO of the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission.
• Sarah Crocker has been promoted to Regional Director of Public Relations for the mid-Atlantic hotels of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.
• Barry Colfelt joined the Washington Performing Arts Society as the new Director of Marketing & Communications.
• Thomas Penny is the new General Manager for the Courtyard by Marriott - Convention Center.
• At The Madison, a Loews Hotel, Larry Beiderman is now General Manager and Ellen Gale has been promoted to Regional Director of Public Relations.
• Stacy Shaw was named the new Director of Communications and Marketing for the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
• Lana Ostrander is now the Assistant Director - Live Events for the Washington Speakers Bureau.
• Destination DC's VP of Tourism, Theresa Belpulsi, was reelected to the board of directors and will continue to serve as Treasurer for the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association.
• Telesa Via is the new City Director of Sales and Marketing for DC and VA for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.
• Heather Shaw Menis is now Senior Manager, Marketing and Public Relations for The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel.
• Steve Smith was named the new General Manager for the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.
• Destination DC board member David Wilmot was recognized by the Hotel Association of Washington, DC for his 10 years of leadership services provided to the Hospitality High School of Washington, DC.
• Daniel Giusti has been appointed to Executive Chef at 1789 Restaurant.

Destination DC Prepares to Launch Local Travel and Tourism Job Bank
Attract qualified candidates for a vacant position within your company through Destination DC's job bank. All members will have access to post and self-administer job listings directly through the Member Extranet at no charge. Simply log on to the extranet and click the (add/update job board) link. This will take you through the submission process step by step. We are currently accepting job postings and will launch the job bank for public viewing in late June. Contact Ashley Richards, at Ashley.Richards@destinationdc.com if you have problems accessing the Extranet.