Destination DC (DDC) has announced its inaugural Ambassador Circle Award recipients.
Honorees include medical experts based in the region and one of the city’s leading venues. The awards recognise leaders, innovators and researchers who position Washington, DC as a MICE destination.
These ambassadors have helped to attract business events to the greater Washington, DC region with an impact of $51m (including the forecast for meetings booked through 2029). The recipients were recognised during a luncheon at the Riggs Hotel in downtown Washington.
Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, DDC, comments: “These ambassadors help connect Destination DC to the networks for their organisations and associations. The result is more international conferences in the nation’s capital, significantly impacting the local economy.”
Founded in 2010, the Ambassador Circle program partners with local experts, top innovators, researchers and scholars in a variety of sectors (medical, biotech/pharma, technology, sustainability, education, transportation, financial and tech) to target international meetings.
The 2024 awards and awardees:
Business Attraction Ambassador Award
Awarded in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.
Recognises the contributions and support of an ambassador for the District’s business attraction, retention, and expansion activities.
- JLL
Partner Award
Recognises a DDC member business (or team of businesses) that has leveraged resources to attract visitation to DC from around the world.
- Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Impact Award
Recognises an ambassador leading a bid or program associated with a recent or upcoming conference that will have a positive impact on the city.
- Andrew B. Wolff, MD | Orthopedic Surgeon | Washington Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Chairman of the Annual Scientific Meeting for ISHA-The International Hip Preservation Society
Connector Award
Recognises an individual in the community who helps DDC make connections through their existing networks.
- Cattleya Wongkongkatap, CMP, M.B.A. | Director, University Events | The George Washington University
Leadership Award
Recognises an ambassador who has demonstrated outstanding guidance, strategic vision and impactful leadership in the organisation of a conference.
- Mitchell Cohen, MD, FACC, FHRS | Co-Director of the Heart Center and Chief of Pediatric Cardiology | Inova Children’s Hospital Clinical Professor of Pediatrics | University of Virginia School of Medicine Chair Scientific Committee, 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
Ambassador of the Year
Recognises an ambassador who has excelled in chairing a major conference.
- Gil Wernovsky, MD, FAAP, FACC | Cardiac Critical Care Physician and Pediatric Cardiologist | Children’s National Hospital, Professor of Pediatrics | George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Co-Chair, 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
