August 13, 2008

FROM THE PRESIDENT
Be sure to join us at the Walter E. Convention Center on August 27th for Destination DC's Annual Marketing Outlook Meeting. We'll provide a full day of sessions and panels and release our 2007 visitor profile statistics.

Read on for industry updates, special offers, recent DC media coverage and more.

Metrorail Breaks All-time Monthly Ridership Record
In July 2008, more people took trips on Metrorail than any other month in Metrorail's 32-year history. Ridership for the month was more than 20 million, and averaged more than 800,000 riders per weekday.

Register Now for Destination DC's Marketing Outlook Meeting
On Wed., Aug 27, please join Destination DC to review annual visitation statistics and take a progressive look at the year ahead during the Marketing Outlook Meeting from 8am-4pm at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. We've taken your suggestions to build an exciting new agenda featuring member roundtable and panel discussions on topics including cooperative opportunities, ways businesses can maximize efforts in today's economy and much more. Interested in sponsoring the event? Please contact Damelia Shaw at (202) 789-7052 or damelia.shaw@destinationdc.com.

Display Your Power as a Destination DC Member
Identify your business as a proud member of Destination DC by displaying this member logo on your website. For online use only, this low-res "widget" must be linked back to DestinationDC.com. Questions? Email Damelia Shaw at damelia.shaw@destinationdc.com.

September Monthly Forum
The monthly forum for August has been replaced by Destination DC's Marketing Outlook Meeting on August 27. The next Monthly Forum will take place Tuesday, September 30, and will be located at the Newseum.

October Business Exchange
Destination DC will host a Business Exchange on October 7, 2008 at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment. Stay tuned for updates and registration information.

Interested in hosting a Destination DC Business Exchange or Monthly Forum? Contact Ashley Richards at 202-789-7009 or ashley.richards@destinationdc.com.

DRAFT Magazine: "Beertown USA"
July/August 2009, Circulation: 230,000

August 17-21: GE Healthcare
User Summit
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Attendance: 7,000; Peak Rooms: 3,100

**Prepare your business for the influx of visitors this convention will bring to DC. For further information and convention specs, click here to view the event resume.

August 19-22: JBS International, Inc.
CSAT National Conference
Hyatt Regency on the Hill
Attendance: 600; Peak Rooms: 600

August 20-22: Pioneer Network
8th National Conference
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Attendance: 1,000; Peak Rooms: 450

Washington, DC Restaurant Week (through Aug. 17)
Washington, DC Restaurant Week continues in the nation's capitol. There's still time to savor three-course, prix-fixe menus at some of DC's top dining spots for just $20.08 for lunch (based on the year), and $35.08 for dinner.

Staff from Destination DC's marketing, tourism, convention sales and partnership departments joined CVB professionals from all over the world at the DMAI Annual Convention, last month in Las Vegas.

Destination DC's media relations team brushed elbows with more than 50 journalists as an exhibitor at the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance's Fifth Annual Media Marketplace, which took place Aug. 4-7 in Annapolis.

Power List: Who's New & Notable

• Brian Barry Austin was recently named conference sales manager for Destination DC.
• Vicki Walker Galindo is the new director of sales & marketing at The Melrose Hotel.

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