Destination Spotlight: Business Is ‘Blooming’ in Washington, D.C.

April 15, 2022

As the vibrant annual National Cherry Blossom Festival comes to a close this month, Washington, D.C., continues to bloom with a prosperous business events scene—expected to thrive throughout 2022—and a wealth of new developments.

The nation's capital is well on the road to recovery as the industry moves out of the pandemic, and it has a positive outlook for the full return of meetings, conventions and trade shows, according to Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC (DDC).

“In a good year, we host north of 20 city-wide conventions,” Ferguson said. “Last year, we had four, and this year we have 20 on the books with more than 390,000 room nights—a big step in the right direction.”

The city kicked off 2022 with three major city-wide gatherings at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center: the Modern Language Association’s Annual Convention, the Transportation Research Board’s Annual Meeting and the Washington Auto Show, the capital’s largest indoor public event.

“Spring is really the beginning of our major convention season, and I remain optimistic about recovery and the positive economic impact and local jobs that come with meetings and events,” Ferguson said.

Over the past year, DDC has reinforced its “Connected” positioning, an umbrella marketing strategy that is centered on what sets the capital apart and the assets that make meetings and events successful. The campaign includes “Connected Capital,” highlighting the city’s rich intellectual capital, “Connected Campus,” focusing on the use of non-traditional spaces that expand the footprint of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and “Connected Community,” inviting event professionals to leave a legacy in the city by driving social change through connections to certain communities.  

A staple of the campaign is the city’s intellectual capital and thriving industries that help attract conferences and events, including technology, biotech, medical, education, sustainability, transportation and government advocacy.

“Clearly, we have so many different sectors of industry in our own backyard, so we’ve become a hub of innovation, ideas and thought leadership, and conventions and conferences have access to resources that are unique to our destination,” Ferguson said.

Meanwhile, the destination’s major focus on sustainability is another key selling point for event professionals, according to Ferguson.  

“We were the first LEED Platinum City in the world, and efforts under the Clean Energy Act DC aim to move us to 100% renewable electricity by 2032, which is a big deal for groups that are really focusing on sustainability,” he said, pointing to the destination’s growing list of green spaces and eco-friendly venues and hotels.

Budding Infrastructure  

Washington, D.C., was in expansion mode before the pandemic, and the momentum has not waned, with several new offerings unveiled in 2021 and many others set to debut this year and beyond.

“New hotels, museums, parks, monuments and other developments have popped up over the last three years, so there’s a lot for attendees to explore while they are in Washington and a lot more to come,” Ferguson said, pointing to $10.3 billion in development under way in the city that will not only augment its product line, but improve accessibility.

Following are some of the major initiatives:

  • Ronald Reagan National Airport’s Project Journey recently opened with a 50,000-square-foot connector building that provides greater access to new and improved amenities and an easier transfer to connecting gates for travelers after being screened.
     
  • The new Silver Line Metro, set to open this summer, will connect Washington Dulles International Airport to downtown Washington, D.C.
     
  • The city has 29 new hotels and 5,700 additional guest rooms in the pipeline, including new brands in neighborhoods throughout the city. Recently opened properties include AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard, located near Nationals Park; Holiday Inn Express, located less than one mile from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Capital One Arena; and Washington DC NoMa District Curio by Hilton, located in the fast-growing NoMa neighborhood east of Union Station, the hub for Amtrak’s East Coast rail service. Upcoming debuts include citizenM Washington DC NoMa and AC Hotel Capitol Riverfront, both set to open this summer.
     
  • Phase two of District Wharf, a mixed-use development with a waterfront, hotels, restaurants, shops and residences, is slated for completion this fall. Phase two includes a Pendry Hotel, a 1.5-acre park, restaurants and retail establishments.

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact