Paul Colston Go-Gos along to the DC showcase in London and meets Destination DC’s president
Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC, alongside Washington DC’s deputy mayor for planning and economic development, John Falcicchio, as well as representatives of Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and US Guided Tours, spearheaded a Washington DC roadshow for travel and event buyers in the UK and Ireland in December.
During the tour, Ferguson sat down with CMW at the London showcase at Lalaland in London’s Shoreditch and outlined the destination’s plans for the international MICE market. “Like so many cities everyone is focusing on recovery, although the economic development continued in DC despite Covid,” he said.
“We have new hotels and properties opening in Union Market and a new phase of the Wharf opening in DC, among numerous developments,” Ferguson said, adding that, “in terms of labour, we are trying to ensure we have adequate numbers working in the industry to meet demand”. Of the hotels, some are reflagged, like the Waldorf Astoria, while other private brands like Salamander are emerging strong.
DC is responding to haemorrhaging of jobs during Covid for the events sector, with a big push on to get people returning to this industry, while Howard University was creating a new hospitality school, he added.
Convention confidence returning
In 2022, there were 19 citywide conventions, Ferguson noted, similar to the pre-Covid figure. That sounds very healthy although he tempered the optimism by noting that not all events had so many delegates show up.
The association market has roared back in terms of demand and desire to meet again in person, the Destination DC chief said. “Some organisers no longer offer a virtual option. Either you meet in person or you won’t be able to participate,” he added. The Destination DC team was also in Europe to visit Scotland and Manchester and then went on to Dublin. They brought up plenty of discussion points:
“We’re here with our airport authority and looking at the expansion at Dulles and Reagan airports and over $900m being invested, as well as the Silverline now going from Dulles Airport to the city. That is a game changer – you can do the trip for $6,” Ferguson said.
The international market stays longer and spends more in DC than the national events and their delegates and it is clear that the deputy mayor’s presence in the delegation indicates that the DC politicians ‘get it’ as regards events impacting local economies. “For us to get our mayor and stakeholder to realise the importance of why we are here is a big deal,” Ferguson noted.
“The UK is currently Washington, DC’s number one overseas travel market,” Ferguson added and likened Shoreditch to the neighbourhood of Washington, DC’s Adams Morgan.
“We look forward to our continued commitment to the UK market, and to welcoming travellers in 2023 and beyond,” he concluded, adding that verticals such as tech, quantum physics and burgeoning industries provided a brain trust of individuals in DC’s backyard – all ready to be connected with meeting planners.
So, do Go-Go to see the Destination DC website for this one-stop shop for the MICE market.
