July 9, 2008

FROM THE PRESIDENT
Check out our latest media hits in Outside Magazine, NBC Nightly News and other outlets.  Read on for news about Alpha Kappa Alpha's Centennial Boulé.

DC Named Best Town in America
Outside Magazine has declared our nation's capital the town in America in its August 2008 issue. The article highlights DC's great outdoors, Nationals Park, U Street hangouts and its flourishing arts scene. Click here to read the full article.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's 100th Anniversary Paints DC Pink and Green
From July 11-18, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center will welcome the nation's oldest Greek-letter organization, the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, for the celebration of its 100th anniversary. More than 23,000 event-goers will represent their pink and green while participating in general sessions, workshops, exhibits, luncheons, tours, galas, concerts, a Unity March to Capitol Hill and more during the Centennial Boulé. Click here to learn more about the celebration.

Registration Now Open for Destination DC's Marketing Outlook Meeting
Register now for Destination DC's Annual Marketing Outlook Meeting, which takes place Wed., Aug. 27 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Now in a new full-day format, the meeting will include member sessions and panel discussions with Destination DC senior leadership and industry experts on visitor statistics and demographics, meetings and tourism forecasts, international sales and marketing strategies and major upcoming events and openings. Breakfast and lunch will be included. For more information, stay tuned to Washington.org and Destination DC's member enews. Interested in sponsoring the event? Click here to view available opportunities or contact Damelia Shaw at (202) 789-7052 or Damelia.Shaw@destinationdc.com.

Sign Up Now for Restaurant Week
Destination DC and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's (RAMW) semi-annual Restaurant Week promotion will return Aug. 11-17. The popular culinary program is available exclusively to Destination DC and RAMW members in the metropolitan area. Participating restaurants agree to offer a prix fixe 3-course lunch for $20.08 (to correspond with the year) and dinner for $35.08 (prices exclude tax and gratuity). A minimal investment of $500 is required to defray advertising and publicity costs. Return your participation form along with payment to RAMW by Mon., July 14. Click here to download the form. Please contact Ishi Patterson or Jennifer Lehman at (202) 331-5990 with questions.

Deadline Extended to Update Destination Planning Guide
There's still time to update your company listing for the 2008-2009 Destination Planning Guide on the Member Extranet. The final deadline to enter all updates has been extended to Fri., Aug. 1. Contact Bela Saini at bela.saini@destinationdc.com with questions. For advertising sales, contact Ellen Levin at ellen.levin@navteq.com.

Register Now Open for the July Monthly Forum
Destination DC's Monthly Forum will be held on Tues., July 29 at The Caucus Room from 9-11am. Learn how Destination DC is tapping into the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) market through research, tradeshows and other planned initiatives. 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 questions, contact Ashley Richards at ashley.richards@destinationdc.com or (202) 789-7009.

News & Observer: "Across the U.S., deals aplenty"
June 29, 2008, Impressions: 213,124

NBC Nightly News: "Daytrippers dominate holiday weekend"
July 3, 2008

Wall Street Journal: "Home of the Free Stuff"
July 3, 2008, Impressions: 2,069,463

New York Times: "Saving on a Visit to Washington"
July 6, 2008, Impressions: 1,077,256

Outside Magazine: "Best Towns 2008"
August 2008, Impressions: 672,918

Additional Broadcast Coverge
Bill Hanbury has made televison appearances on several shows including Today on NBC, Live Tonight on News Channel 8, ABC 7's News at 6 and WRC-TV's News 4 at 5 speaking on international visitation and July 4th holiday travel to DC.

July 7-12: League of United Latin American Citizens
Annual Convention
Hilton Washington
Attendance: 1,000, Peak Rooms: 850

July 11-18: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Centennial Boulé
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Attendance: 23,000, Peak Rooms: 5,150

July 20-22: Christians United for Isreal
Washington Isreal Summit
Marriott Wardman Park
Attendance: 2,000, Peak Rooms: 700

July 20-22: Direct Marketing Association of Washington
2008 Bridge Conference
Hilton Washington
Attendance: 1,000; Peak Rooms: 200

Capital Fringe Festival Kicks Off Year Three
The fun, funky Capital Fringe Festival returns for its third showing July 10-27 to once again break the boundaries of traditional art and theatre. Throughout the festival, audiences can choose from more than 500 audacious and inventive performances of theatre, dance, music, poetry and puppetry, performed by more than 120 local, national and international artists.

Dig It! The Secrets of Soil Debuts at NMNH
The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) opens its major exhibition, Dig It! The Secrets of Soil, on July 19. The display examines the study of soil science and demonstrates the vital role soil plays in human lives through dioramas, soil cross-sections, cultural artifacts and hands-on activities.

Water Lily Festival & Founders Day

Also on July 19, visitors and locals alike are invited to enjoy more than 75 varieties of blooming lilies and lotuses at the annual Water Lily Festival & Founders Day event. Nature-lovers can take part in workshops on water gardening, tour the greenhouses and participate in a photography contest.

WACA White Garden Gala Tickets on Sale
The Washington Area Concierge Association's (WACA) 24th annual charity gala will be held on Aug. 10 at Aria Trattoria from 6:30-10:30pm. This year's event will support the John B. Campbell Scholarship Fund, the Les Clefs d'Or Foundation and Metro TeenAIDS. Guests can sample a variety of white and sparkling wines, signature cocktails from Mount Gay Silver Rum and SurReal Vodka, check out a fashion show featuring fashion by local designers, and enjoy live music and dancing with talented local DJ Eric Moss. Click here for more information.

Destination DC Staff Members Lend a Hand a DC Central Kitchen
Members of the Destination DC staff recently showed off their culinary skills while contributing to a great cause by volunteering at DC Central Kitchen. Destination DC's convention sales and services team helped with meal preparations and serving as part of their annual department retreat.

Communications Team Secures More Coverage for DC
Last week, Destination DC's PR team hosted a journalist from Home & Away Magazine, a AAA publication, who enjoyed accommodations at Hotel Palomar, checked out the city's attractions on a tour by Open Top Sightseeing and dined at Jaleo.

Sales Team Seeks Clients in Key Markets
From July 14-18, Destination DC sales manager Derek Brinkman will attend the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE) in Detroit, MI to network with clients and conduct sales cales.

Power List: Who's New & Notable

• Susan Norton was named 2009 chair of the board for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
• Russell Allen is the new Executive Director for the Washington Ballet.
• Ashley Richards was promoted to Partnerships Specialist at Destination DC.

Restaurant Winners Are ...
Congratulations to the Destination DC restaurant partners who earned distinctions at this year's RAMMY Awards from the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW):

• Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year: Hank's Oyster Bar – DC
• Power Spot of the Year: The Oceanaire Seafood Room
• New Restaurant of the Year: The Source by Wolfgang Puck
• Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Equinox
• Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Poste Moderne Brasserie
• Chef of the Year: Eric Ziebold, CityZen
• Restaurant Employee of the Year: Joel Guagliano, Zaytinya
• Restaurant Manager of the Year: Molly McWhorter, Chef Geoff's Downtown

Know of a new hire or promotion? Email Chrissy Sutphin at Chrissy.Sutphin@destinationdc.com

To view past editions of Destination DC's member e-newsletter, click here.