August 28, 2008

FROM THE PRESIDENT
Thanks to those of you who were able to join us yesterday for this year's Marketing Outlook Meeting at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The year's meeting was our most successful yet, with numbers reaching almost 450 attendees. We look forward to receiving your feedback on how to make this great event even greater in years to come.

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

DC Posts Best July Hotel Occupancy Ever
In July, DC posted impressive hotel occupancy numbers, ending the month 85% (compared to 79% for July 2007) and reaching the 80th percentile for the first July in history. ADR was also up to $184, compared to $174 for the same time period last year.

Destination DC Releases 2007 Visitor Statistics and Forecast
Destination DC released its 2007 visitor statistics and 2008-2009 forecast during its annual marketing outlook meeting yesterday. Visitor spending surged past $5.5 billion in 2007, thanks to a 7% increase in overall visitation to Washington, DC. Significant gains in higher-yielding international visitors and business travelers helped to boost visitor spending from $5.24 billion in 2006 to $5.54 billion in 2007, generating nearly $600 million in tax revenue for the District alone. To view the full press release, click here.

September Monthly Forum
Destination DC's next Monthly Forum will take place Tues., Sep. 30, and will be located at the Newseum. Stay tuned for the evite, which will be sent out next week.

October Business Exchange
Save the date for Destination DC's next Business Exchange, which will take place Oct. 7 at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment. Further detail and evite to come.

October Breakfast with Bill
Join Destination DC's president and CEO, Bill Hanbury, for breakfast at 15 Squares Restaurant in the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel. Space is limited and RSVPs are required. To RSVP, contact Ashley Richards at 202-789-7009 or ashley.richards@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.

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

8/24/08
Washington Times: "A nice place to visit, at last"
By Whitney Stewart, reporter

8/27/08
USA Today: "D.C. tourism rises, though experts predict downturn"
By Brett Zongker, Associated Press writer

8/27/08
News4 at 6 (NBC4): "D.C. tourism rates rise; experts predict downturn"
Reporting by Tom Sherwood, NBC4 news anchor

September 4-6: AARP's Life @50+
National Member Event
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Attendance: 25,000+; Peak Rooms: 37,230

** 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.

September 4-6: National Fraternal Congress of America
122nd Annual Meeting
Hyatt Regency on the Hill
Attendance: 500; Peak Rooms: 1,550

September 10-13: T.D. Jakes Ministries
Pastors & Leadership Conference
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Attendance: 10,000; Peak Rooms: 2,180

Destination DC's Bill Hanbury, Elliott Ferguson, Melissa Riley and Nancy Umansky joined association executives from all over the world at the ASAE & the Center for Association Leadership Annual Meeting and Exposition, August 16-19 in San Diego.

Power List: Who's New & Notable

• Barry Biggar was recently named the new CEO of Visit Fairfax.
• Koelling Borneman is the new communications specialist at Destination DC.
• Alison Rittenberg is the new partnerships & alliances coordinator at Destination DC.
• Sarah Biersack joined Destination DC's marketing team as graphic designer.
• 1789 welcomed two new culinary professionals, Executive Chef Daniel Giusti and Pastry Chef Travis Olson.
• Michelle Soto will join Destination DC on Sep. 8 as convention sales manager handling the DC/northeast association market; 300-2,500 rooms on peak.

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