Be on the lookout for major starpower coming to the District next week as the world premiere of “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” takes place on May 14 at the National Air & Space Museum. Stars expected to attend include Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson and Robin Williams.

Destination DC is leveraging the city’s starring role in the film with a citywide promotion highlighting locations featured in the movie, hotel packages, special evening programs and more. Click here to view the press release and to learn more about our efforts.

On another note, be sure to join us next Tuesday at the National Portrait Gallery for the first-ever U.S. Travel Rally Day. We’ll be hosting one of 30 rallies taking place around the country to promote tourism and its value to the local economy. Read on for more details, and I hope to see you there.

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May Monthly Forum
The next Monthly Forum will be at The Dupont Hotel on Thursday, May 28 from 9-11am. The topic will be the Power of the International Market. Be on the lookout for an invitation soon. For more information, contact Ashley Richards at 202-789-7099.

June Member Orientation
The next Member Orientation for new members and new employees will be on June 10 from 2-4pm in the Destination DC boardroom. For more information, contact Alison Rittenberg at 202-789-7034.

June Monthly Forum
The June Monthly Forum will be at the Corcoran Gallery of Art on Tuesday, June 30 from 9-11am. For more information, contact Ashley Richards at 202-789-7099.

Save the Date: 2009 Marketing Outlook Meeting
Destination DC's 2009 Marketing Outlook Meeting is scheduled for July 23 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Stay tuned for more details.

Interested in hosting a Business Exchange?
Please contact Ashley Richards at 202-789-7099 for more information.

Upcoming Member Events
View our Member Events Calendar. It lists all upcoming events and has a direct link to the invites.

Advertise in Official Washington, DC Publications
To purchase advertising space in the Unique Spaces Guide or upcoming Official Visitors Guide, please contact Troy Barton at Essential Media Partners.  The closing deadline for Unique Spaces Guide is coming up, so be sure to reserve your space soon.

Advertise in the Newly Expanded DC Circulator Bus
The DC Circulator has built a loyal following for its existing routes. With new routes, the Circulator now reaches Woodley Park, Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights and the U Street Corridor.  In addition, the bus serves the Capitol Hill, Barracks Row and Capitol Riverfront areas.  The bus has carried over 8 million passengers since its inception in 2005.  For interior bus advertising, please contact Bela Saini at 202-789-7088.

Newsday: "Washington, D.C., in a Weekend"
May 1, 2009

Expressen (Sweden): "Springtime for Washington," "Lunch & Dine Like a President," and "Insider Tips"
May 2, 2009

La Presse (Canada): "Washington in the Obama’s Era"
May 3, 2009

Delta Sky Magazine: "DC: 1 City/5 Ways"
May, 2009

May 11-13: American Dental Association
Washington Leadership Conference
JW Marriott
Attendance: 475    Peak Rooms: 395

May 13-16: Radiological Society of North America
Association of University Radiologists
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Attendance: 550    Peak Rooms: 535

May 17-20: National Postal Forum
Annual National Convention
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Attendance: 8,000    Peak Rooms: 2,000

DC Travel Rally
Join Destination DC as we promote tourism and its value to the local economy on the first-ever US Travel Rally Day. We will meet at noon on May 12 on the F St. steps of the National Portrait Gallery. One of 30 rallies taking place nationally during National Travel and Tourism Week, the DC rally will bring together members of our community who support and represent the hospitality industry. Media will also be invited to attend. We ask that you come in uniform or wear red to show your support for DC and its hospitality community. Read more information and RSVP here.

International Media in DC
Destination DC has been busy hosting international media from around the world to garner media coverage for DC. Recent guests include La Presse, Montreal, Canada; Elite Traveler China, China; Fabulous Magazine, United Kingdom; Expressen, Sweden; and Pagina/12, Argentina. Host hotels include Marriott Wardman Park, Hotel Palomar DC, the Madison Hotel, Hilton Washington, Washington Plaza Hotel, Hotel Helix, DC Guesthouse, Park Hyatt Washington D.C., and St. Gregory.

FIMP Conference
Destination DC Sales Managers Justin Page and Laura Gardner are in NYC for the Financial Insurance Meeting Planners Conference (FIMP) conference, where they’ll get face times with nearly 100 registered meeting planners including the Institute for International Research, DQ Inc. and Kreuter International.

International Pow Wow
May 16-20, Destination DC Tourism and Public Relations representatives will be attending International Pow Wow in Miami, Fl. The event is the largest generator of Visit USA travel with more than $4 billion worth of future business expected to be booked this year. Destination DC members who will join staff at Pow Wow include Newseum; Madame Tussauds Washington, DC; Open Top Sightseeing; On Board Tours; New World Tours; Martz/Goldline; Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority.

Power List

• Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. Chief Concierge Robert Watson has been appointed President of Les Clefs d'Or International.
• Congratulations to Signature Theatre, recipient of the 2009 Regional Tony Award.
• Congratulations to the following winners of the 2009 Mayor’s Environmental Excellence Awards: The Fairmont Washington, D.C.; Guest Services, Inc.; Poste Moderne Brasserie; Restaurant Nora; Willard InterContinental Hotel.