Destination D.C. 2024 Global Marketplace

Destination DC (DDC) and TCMA collaborated in hosting the 2024 edition of “Global Marketplace,” DDC’s signature program highlighting the international leisure and business travel trends to Washington, DC.  Allyson delivered the welcome remarks to an audience of over 300 travel and tourism industry professionals that attended the event. Destination DC serves as the lead organization to manage and market Washington, DC as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination, with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historical communities. Destination DC brought in their international representatives from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, and the United Kingdom to discuss their markets and to attract international visitors to Washington from these countries.

OFFSITE EVENTS

§  Nollaig Na Mban (Women’s Christmas): Women’s Leadership Celebration, Jan. 9, 2024

Nimal attended the “2024 Nollaig Na Mban (Women’s Christmas): Women’s Leadership Celebration” organized by the Boston-based Irish-American Friendship at Cosmos Club, Washington DC on Jan. 9, 2024.  The event was to honor Her Excellency Claire Cronin, the U. S. Ambassador to the Ireland for her leadership in fostering stronger relations between the two countries.

§  “Holland on the Hill” New Year reception by the Dutch Embassy, Jan. 10, 2024

Nimal attended “Holland on the Hill” New Year reception hosted by Her Excellency Birgitta Tazelaar, Ambassador of the Netherlands to the U.S. on January 10, 2024.  The reception was a useful networking event, and has already brought us two new contacts, The BWI Business Partnership, a diverse group of local and regional businesses in Maryland, and the Economic Affairs and Innovation, Technology & Science Wings of the Dutch Embassy itself.  Both these contacts are now in touch with us for possible collaboration on any future projects.

§  Destination DC | Global Marketplace Reception | January 23, 2024

Allyson and Karen Shao Coberly attended the Destination DC reception welcoming their international representatives to Washington. Part of a week-long series of programs highlighting the DC’s international marketing and promotional efforts for Washington DC, it was a great opportunity to network with DDC’s international representatives, and learn firsthand the economic and marketing trends that drive visitors and international business to Washington.

§  Destination DC | Global Marketplace | Sales and Marketing Collaboratory Workshop | January 25

Allyson and Karen Shao Coberly joined a group of key public and private sector stakeholders convened by Destination to get impressions on their new marketing campaign for city, “There is Only One DC.” Also included in the conversation were the Destination DC’s international representatives from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico and the United Kingdom who shared insights on the competitive advantages and challenges that DC faces in attracting international visitors to the city. The Smithsonian and the Cherry Blossom Festival were among the cultural advantages mentioned during the 3-hour presentation and discussion. Challenges included the current rise in crime, political dysfunction and time lag in getting visas into the United States.