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Travel Daily News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Destination DC showcases international strategy at IMEX Frankfurt
Washington, DC strengthens global meetings leadership at IMEX Frankfurt 2025, highlighting record visitation, sustainability, and strategic international event growth. WASHINGTON, DC – As global organizations seek dynamic and influential destinations to convene, Washington, DC stands as the unrivaled epicenter for international meetings. At IMEX Frankfurt 2025, Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC reinforced its commitment to attracting international events that drive economic growth and global engagement. 'Washington, DC is the place where decisions are made, ideas are exchanged and connections shape the future,' said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC. 'With direct access to policymakers, thought leaders and a rich cultural landscape, our city is uniquely positioned to host impactful international gatherings. Now is the time to meet in DC to take advantage of its unrivalled resources and showcase the nation's capital as the world's ultimate host city.' Through strategic investment in international marketing and sales, DDC is ensuring that Washington, DC remains at the forefront of global collaboration, reinforcing its role as the premier destination for transformative events. Record Visitation and Economic Impact Washington, DC's growing appeal as a global destination for meetings and conventions is evident in the steady rise in visitation. Business travel continues to drive industry connections and economic impact, reinforcing the city's role as a hub for international engagement. Record Total Visitors in 2024: 27.2M (up 5% over 2023) International Visitors: 2.2M (up 10% over 2023) Business Travel: 30% of domestic visitors traveled for business (up 7% over 2023) Visitor Spending: $11.4B (up 12% over 2023) Jobs Supported: 111,500K (up 8% over 2023) *Sources: MMGY Travel Intelligence, S&P Global Market Intelligence, National Travel & Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce Driving International Meetings and Events Washington, DC continues to excel in attracting international associations, as highlighted in the 2024 ICCA Ranking Report. In 2024, DC hosted 47 ICCA-qualified international association meetings, securing the top position among U.S. cities and ranking sixth in the Americas. It was an outstanding year for welcoming international associations to the capital, nearly doubling the number of international meetings from 2023. The achievement reinforces DC's leadership in the global meetings industry and underscores its appeal as a premier destination for association events. 'Following a successful 2024 for international meetings in Washington, DC, we recognize the challenges ahead,' said Melissa A. Riley, SVP of Convention Sales and Services. 'Yet, Washington, DC's unique positioning as a global hub for commerce, networking and education remains strong, powered by the intellectual capital in our backyard. By investing in the future, we will ensure DC remains a premier destination for international engagement.' Meetings Outlook In 2025, an estimated 399,409 total room nights will be generated from convention center business, with an additional estimated 349,507 room nights from non-convention center business. The projected citywide economic impact for 2025 is $233,749,587. Washington, DC continues to be the premier destination for high-level gatherings, ranging from exclusive executive summits and board meetings to influential global congresses. By strategically engaging small and diversified market segments, DDC has strengthened its international presence, particularly in key markets such as the United Kingdom and Latin America. As summer approaches, DC will host a diverse range of international association meetings across critical fields that drive global progress: International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) 2025 Congress (June 2025) Estimated economic impact: $17,759,075 International Association of Young Lawyers Congress (August 2025) Estimated economic impact: $1,011,574 International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology Annual Meeting (August 2025) Estimated economic impact: $1,515,173 'The ISTH 2025 Congress marks a significant moment for the global thrombosis and hemostasis community,' said Lisa Astorga, ISTH Director of Meetings. 'With thousands of experts from over 100 countries gathering in Washington, DC and a record-breaking 2,192 abstract submissions, this event reflects an extraordinary level of scientific enthusiasm and international collaboration. Washington, DC provides the perfect stage for meaningful dialogue and cutting-edge discoveries, and we are grateful to Destination DC for their ongoing partnership and support in making this Congress a world-class experience.' Beyond the Ballroom Washington, DC continues to redefine the meeting experience through innovation and flexibility. DDC is leading the charge with its Connected Campus initiative, offering planners dynamic alternatives beyond the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Spanning some of DC's most vibrant neighborhoods, five distinct campuses integrate hotels, creative meeting spaces and supporting venues to accommodate a variety of events. These include Capitol Riverfront, the Wharf, the National Mall, Connecticut Avenue Collection and Downtown DC. New Hotels in Washington, DC The city's robust pipeline of hotels and venues continues to elevate its global appeal. With 23 new hotels or renovations adding 4,000 rooms, meeting planners gain access to exceptional accommodation and event spaces. Recent openings include the Canal House of Georgetown and the Arlo Washington, Sixty DC and CitizenM Georgetown are slated to open later this year. Sustainability Washington, DC leads in sustainability practices for meetings and events. Washington, DC is the first city in the world to achieve the Platinum level LEED for Cities certification. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center has achieved LEED Platinum certification. More than 40 associations, policy groups and advocacy organizations in the Metro area focus on sustainability. DDC's Sustainability District connects meeting planners with 75 local businesses committed to sustainable practices, making it easier to plan environmentally responsible events in Washington, DC.
Travel Weekly
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
Attendance for WorldPride D.C. could fall short of expectations
Destination DC CEO Elliott Ferguson said visitation for WorldPride 2025, a three-week celebration of the LGBTQ community, was pacing more slowly than the city had anticipated. The city had originally projected that 3 million people (2 million overnight visitors and 1 million regional travelers) would attend WorldPride in Washington and generate economic impact of $787 million. The headline event is a Shakira concert at Nationals Park on May 31. "There are some concerns tied to the numbers that were associated with those coming for World Pride," he said. "The numbers still look good, but they're not as good as anticipated. Some of the concerns are tied to the federal government being here, and concerns about the international community being able to gain access to the U.S. and then leave the U.S." Ferguson said he is trying to make sure people understand the difference between the city of Washington and the federal government. "It's a matter of us separating the federal Washington, D.C. from D.C. the city and making sure that visitors understand the dynamics of the two," he said. "Over 14% of the population in Washington identify as LGBTQ. As a community, we're very welcoming and we try to separate ourselves from whatever the rhetoric might be, from a federal perspective." Ferguson is encouraging people to attend WorldPride D.C. even if they are concerned about that rhetoric, so they can advocate for the community. "Now more than ever, since this is WorldPride, we need advocacy," he said. "And there's no better place to focus on advocacy than Washington, D.C., to support all the letters of the LGBTQ+ community and make sure that rights are spoken of at the federal level. ... Now more than ever, the global community should come to support the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S." WorldPride events start on May 17 and run through June 8 and include a parade, international march and rally, two-day street festival and free concerts headlined by Cynthia Erivo and Doechii.
Business Journals
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
D.C. tourism rebounds to near-record levels, but international decline looms
Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC, the city's marketing arm, touted increases in total visitation to the District last year during an annual Travel Rally Tuesday but waved a yellow caution flag over a potential decrease in international visitation this year.
