Find out where DC has been in the news this month and what's new with the marketing team.
Destination DC's (DDC) marketing and communications strategy supports economic development through tourism by reaching potential visitors and inspiring them to travel to the nation’s capital. The current cross-channel promotional efforts are focused on fall travel across editorial and content development.
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Media Coverage
Domestic
The press event announcing DC’s plans for America’s 250th is covered extensively by The Washington Post, NBC 4, WTOP, Washington Business Journal and more. For pandas and WorldPride, The New York Times puts Washington, DC on its prestigious list of 52 Places to Go in 2025. Forbes lauds DC’s buzzy new hotels and restaurants, Travel + Leisure features upcoming additions to DC’s museum scene and Condé Nast highlights what’s new in the city. Forbes and Axios highlight DC hotels with panda-themed deals. Elliott talks inauguration with Fox News, The Washington Post, WTOP, NBC 4, Fox 5 and WGN Radio (Chicago). Gay Cities calls WorldPride a can’t-miss event
International
The UK’s Channel 4’s Travel Man covered the top places to see in the city and The Times lists DC as one of the 24 Best Places to visit in March 2025. As a result of a hosted visit, Switzerland’s DISPLAY spotlights World Pride. The Travel (Canada) mentions 13 members to visit for DC’s diversity. China Tourism News focuses on hotel packages for inauguration. Brazil’s Style Almanac showcases DC’s accessibility and inclusivity. Mexico’s Debate lists the best restaurants in the city.
Trade
Elliott was interviewed and featured in Meetings Today and recognized as a PCMA Visionary Awardee in Conference and Meeting World and USAE News. DDC announces the 2025 DEI Business Fellowship cohort, earning attention in Event Industry News, Travel Pulse and Travel and Tour World. Hotel members, venues and visitor attractions are highlighted in Group Leisure and Travel, Going On Faith, BizBash and Group Travel Leader.
Marketing Highlights
During a launch press event in the Rotunda Galleries of the National Archives Building on Jan. 28, DDC and a growing list of more than 70 participating organizations announced plans for a year-round celebration in 2026 on the National Mall and throughout the city’s cultural institutions, museums, attractions, restaurants and hotels. DDC also unveiled a dedicated microsite that showcases why the nation's capital is the best place to celebrate America's 250th anniversary and also includes member and partner events, inspirational content and much more.
Spring-Summer 2025 Official Visitors Guide
Beginning March 3, DDC will distribute 250,000 copies of its new Official Visitors Guide, which goes in-depth on what potential visitors can expect to see during a spring/summer 2025 visit to the nation's capital. Major events like WorldPride Washington, DC 2025 are highlighted as well as the city's neighborhoods, dining, arts and culture, free things to do, sustainability and accessibility. An electronic version will also be available.
Social Highlights
Leisure Social
DC’s holiday spirit lit up our leisure social channels in December! Hotel holiday decor, trees at the Canadian Embassy and the U.S. Capitol and the National Mistletoe stole the show. We spotlighted #Only1DC winter activities, like ice skating at The Wharf or the National Building Museum, attending the Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker and exploring dazzling holiday light shows and events around the city. Our influencer partner @cass_andthecity shared her DC holiday bucket list. To wrap up the year, we collected our top 10 most-loved DC moments of 2024 on Instagram and bade farewell to the year with a special TikTok send-off.
Industry Social
Industry channels welcomed the American Geophysical Union to Washington, DC and rang in the holiday season with a staff celebration, spirit days and member event. Staff highlights included celebrating our Employee of the Quarter, December milestone anniversaries and executive team and senior staff promotions. We also hosted a Chinese delegation and promoted our 2025 Event Planning Guide. Plus, our President & CEO Elliott Ferguson has been appointed the 2025 Board Chair for Brand USA.
