Thank you to the many of you who chose to attend last week’s annual Marketing Outlook Meeting. We have received excellent feedback regarding the content of the meeting overall, and this year’s event marked the highest attendance numbers to date. We are looking forward to developing new partnerships as well as further collaborating with existing partners and members to ensure a sound future for tourism in DC. I encourage you to view the content of the meeting via our member extranet at www.members.destinationdc.com.

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

Elliott L. Ferguson     

      

DC Insider
Advertising opportunities are available in the recently launched DC Insider, a consumer eNewsletter focused on promotions and special events in the city. For more information, contact Damelia Shaw at 202-789-7052.

See the world’s best in a spectacular week of tennis and fun at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic

The Legg Mason Tennis Classic presented by GEICO, an ATP World Tour 500 event and member of the Olympus US Open Series, is recognized as one of the top 20 tennis tournaments in the world. See 3-time champion Andy Roddick, defending champion Juan Martin Del Potro, former champion James Blake, and an unprecedented list of tennis superstars, including four of the top 10 and 11 of the top 20 players on tour. Matches run Aug. 1-9 at the Fitzgerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park. Sponsorship, premium ticket packages, suites and corporate hospitality opportunities are still available. For information call 202–721–9500 or visit www.leggmasontennisclassic.com.

Additionally, Destination DC will host a hospitality suite at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic and members are invited to attend for the Aug. 4 matches. Register here if you would like to attend.

American Express® Summer Savings Program
Don’t forget to take advantage of the summer savings program exclusively for American Express® cardmembers. Take advantage of these offers before Sep. 7 and receive discounts on lodging, dining and retail.

Washington Mystics Travel and Tourism Expo
The Washington Mystics will be hosting a Travel and Tourism Expo during their weekend games on Aug. 14 (7 pm vs. Connecticut Sun) and Aug. 16 (4 pm vs. New York Liberty). The expo will provide companies in the tourism industry with an opportunity to get in front of thousands of fans at the Verizon Center. Table space is limited and only costs $500 for both weekend games. For information about the Travel and Tourism Expo please call 1-877-DC-HOOP-1.

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August Member Orientation
The next Member Orientation for new members and new employees will be on Aug. 12 from 2-4pm in the Destination DC boardroom. Be on the lookout for an invitation. For more information, contact Alison Rittenberg at 202-789-7034.

August Monthly Forum
The August Monthly Forum will be at D’Acqua Ristorante on Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 9-11am. Be on the lookout for an invitation. For more information contact Ashley Richards at 202-789-7009.

Host a Business Exchange
Interested in hosting a Business Exchange? Please contact Ashley Richards at 202-789-7009 for more information.

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

Correio Popular (Brazil): "DC? Yes, You Can"
July 5, 2009

Russian-American Weekly: "Independence Day in the Capital"
Art and Entertain Me (accompanying blog): "Love Letter to Washington, D.C. 4th of July" Page 1, Page 2, Page 3
July 9, 2009

Washington Business Journal: "Philippe Chin Fuses Asian-French Cuisine at Washington Convention Center"
July 17, 2009

The New York Times: "Travel Deals: An Affordable D.C. Getaway"
July 21, 2009

Aug. 1-6: American Statistical Association
Annual Convention
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Attendance: 5,000     Peak Rooms: 1,200

Aug. 4-8: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated
79th Annual Convention
Marriott Wardman Park
Attendance: 3,000     Peak Rooms: 1,500

Aug. 8-18: Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity
47 Grand Chapter Congress
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Attendance: 1,000     Peak Rooms: 340

Aug. 11-13: Association For Unmanned Vehicle Systems International
Unmanned Systems North America
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Attendance: 2,500     Peak Rooms: 950

FAM Trip from Moscow
On Aug. 4-5, Team America, one of the main receptive tour operators based in New York, will sponsor a DC familiarization trip for KMP Tour Operator from Moscow, Russia. The two-day stay in DC will be part of a multi-city U.S. visit for the group, and is a result of Destination DC's recent exploration of Russian markets. Destination DC's International Tour Sales Manager Letizia Sirtori will host ten members of KMP, including top agents and product managers, on a city tour as well as visits to several hotel properties.
Partners: The Madison, A Loews Hotel; Capitol Hilton; McCormick & Schimcks

DMAI
Destination Marketing Association International's 95th annual convention is currenlty underway in Atlanta. Destination DC President Elliott Ferguson and Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Communications Victoria Isley are present to represent DC, and will have the opportunity to attend training and learning sessions hosted by leading industry experts, as well as networking and business exchanges.

Power List

• Arena Stage recently celebrated several outstanding achievements. For the first time since 1979, two productions that were recently produced by Arena Stage were on Broadway at the same time: 33 Variations and Next to Normal. The Broadway production of 33 Variations won a Tony for Best Scenic Design of a Play, while the Broadway production of Next to Normal took home three Tony awards including Best Score, Best Performance of a Leading Actress in a Musical and Best Orchestrations. Additionally, International Ticketing Association (INTIX) selected Arena Stage as the recipient for the 2009 Outstanding Box Office Award.
• Taberna del Alabardero’s Executive Chef Dani Arana has been selected as Master Chef to lead a 10-day Travel Dynamics International Great Lakes cruise, Aug. 22-29.