Destination DC launches new International Business Events Council (IBEC) at IMEX Frankfurt, May 15-17, 2018

(Washington, DC) - Destination DC (DDC), the official tourism organization for Washington, DC, today unveiled its new International Business Events Council (IBEC) program at IMEX Frankfurt. DDC has enlisted an advisory council for several years to support strategic planning and business development and introduces the new organizational structure and goals of the 2018 IBEC during one of the world’s leading international conferences that attracts thousands of meeting and event professionals from all over the world. 

To further engage the advisory group, an IBEC forum will take place in Washington, DC pre-IMEX America from Wednesday, October 10 to Saturday, October 13. The forum will support discussions on experiential design and ideas regarding new business development and DC as a leader in key industries such as tech, biotech/pharma, education and medical.

“As we continue to focus on selling DC differently, the revamped IBEC will allow us to tap into broader international insights from experts that can assist with market development for DDC,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, DDC. “IMEX Frankfurt is one of the world’s largest events for meetings and incentive travel making it the ideal time to launch a program that plays such a central role in increasing business potential for Washington, DC.”

The new IBEC is intended to build on the foundation created over the years, encouraging access to broader international insights regarding current market conditions and engaging with an influential support group to assist with new business in key markets. 

New to the group is Eduardo Chaillo, global general manager for Latin America at Maritz Global Events. As a previous ICCA, CMP, PCMA Foundation and DMAI board member, Chaillo brings insight on trends, statistics and development opportunities in the Latin American regional market.

“I’m honored to be a part of the newly-evolved IBEC and engage in an informative dialogue with other members to help strengthen DDC’s market approach,” said Chaillo. “At Maritz Global Events, we recognize the importance of staying current with trends in the international business events industry and are excited to help DDC and other IBEC members understand global meetings participation and access new market opportunities in our great city of Washington, DC.”

Council members will support the work of DDC’s international convention sales team by advising on the overall business events strategy and macroeconomics that influence international meetings as well as contributing innovative ideas that address the broader professional, economic and social goals for Washington, DC.

“As a current member of the IBEC, I’m excited to see how new and innovative approaches will be applied to evolve the council and contribute to its impact,” said Thomas Reiser, executive director, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. “Among these new formats are ‘think tank’ style discussions during in-person meetings and smaller group sessions to generate more ideas that will support the work of DDC’s international convention sales team and advance the way we think about marketing DC as a meeting destination.”

The advisory council will be comprised of influential industry association leaders, PCO/AMC company representatives, association executives, business-to-business event owners/organizers, major corporate and incentive agencies and heads of event departments that have knowledge of international business events and can assist with market development.

“Our revamped IBEC has the potential to bring broader international insights to assist with booking additional business, especially in our top international meetings markets: the UK, India, Japan and China,” said Melissa Riley, vice president, convention sales & services, DDC.

What’s New

• DDC continues to position Washington, DC as a leading industry knowledge hub where meeting planners can gain unrivaled access to venture capitalists, government leaders, tech startups and cybersecurity experts. Learn more here.
• Washington, DC, continues its expansion into China, Washington, DC’s top overseas market, by becoming the first DMO in the United States to officially partner with WeChat. Read more here.

Recently Opened

• The LINE: Anchored by a converted church in Adams Morgan, the 220-room, art-filled hotel by the Sydell Group boasts an in-lobby Internet radio station and various dining options from renowned chefs. There are 10,000 sq. feet of event space, a rooftop terrace, and grand ballroom.
• The Wharf: The $2.5 billion, mile-long destination along the Potomac River added 3.2 million sq. feet of residential, hospitality, retail and cultural inventory. Phase 1 opened Oct. 12, 2017 adding 690 rooms to the city’s hotel inventory:
  • 278-room InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf
    • 17,000 sq. ft. of meetings and event space; 2 ballrooms with water views
  • 175-room Canopy by Hilton
    • 10th floor rooftop lounge; outdoor terrace private event space
  • 237-room Hyatt House
    • Water views from the 2nd floor meeting rooms and terrace
  • Three new music venues: The Anthem (6,000 capacity), Union Stage (450 capacity) and Pearl Street Warehouse (300 capacity).

Coming Soon: 15 new hotels in the pipeline

• Summer 2018: Hilton Washington DC National Mall is located at L’Enfant Plaza between The Wharf and the National Mall. This renovated property re-opens with 367 rooms, 23,000 sq. feet of meeting and event space, a grand ballroom that can accommodate over 600 guests and a unique Solarium offering a year-round indoor/outdoor ambience and poolside event space with fire pits, cabanas and bar that can accommodate up to 300 people
• Late summer 2018: Eaton Workshop brings 209 rooms and a socially conscious attitude to 12th and K streets NW. The property will contain a 10,000 sq. feet of event space, a wellness center, internet radio studio, 50-seat movie theater, co-working space that can accommodate up to 370 members, a restaurant by Tim Ma and bar from Derek Brown.
• Late 2018: Mob Hotel, a Paris-based chain, expects to open its first of five planned North American hotels in DC near Union Market. The brand embraces neighborhood culture, programs arts talks and regular concerts in its lobbies.
• Early 2019: Phase 2 of CityCenterDC will see the $250 million, 360-room Herzog & de Meuron-designed Conrad Hotel. The highly-anticipated hotel will boast 32,000 sq. feet of meeting space and two second floor ballrooms - both pillar-less and above ground; a unique feature in Washington, DC. The property will also feature three natural light-filled meeting rooms, two boardrooms and a rooftop bar with event space and Capitol views.
• Late 2019: The SLS Hotel, DC’s first SLS-branded property, is expected to open at 5th and Eye Street NW. The design-focused 12-story building will house a 175-room property on floors 2-8. The mezzanine and cellar will include amenities and a 5,500-square-foot ballroom.

Accolades:

DC is a leader in technology, social entrepreneurship and innovation, ranking highest in the U.S. for high-tech employment (Bureau of Labor Statistics) as well as the most educated city in the U.S. (U.S. Census). Meeting planners can support their delegate base and grow their sponsorship dollars and exhibitor footprint with access to DC’s robust assets, making the nation’s capital a go-to destination for a successful meeting, convention or event. DC boasts:

• #1 city in the USA for international association meetings and Top 5 in North America (ICCA Statistics Report, 2018)
• #1 city for women in tech (CBRE Tech Talent Scorecard, 2017)
• Access to NIH’s renowned 27 institutes
• 21 higher education institutions
• “DNA Alley,” home to 170 biotech companies

Washington, DC was named the first LEED Platinum City in the World in August by U.S. Green Building Council because of its environmentally-forward practices. Washington, DC’s government is championing efforts to be among the healthiest and greenest cities in the U.S. by 2032 by focusing on renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and programs that impact DC’s food, water and green space. Meeting planners will find:

• Energy-reducing and recycling programs at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center
• Easy-to-navigate public transportation
• Walkable neighborhoods
• Bike sharing programs, including more than 3,700 Capital Bikeshare bikes and dockless bike options from companies including Mobike and Ofo
• Eco-friendly LEED certified hotels including the new POD DC along with Marriott Marquis Washington, DC and area Kimpton Hotels
• Green Restaurant Association-certified caterers

About Destination DC  
Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. washington.org.

Contact:                                                                                            
Danielle Davis, Destination DC                                                       
202-789-7046
Danielle.davis@destinationdc.com

Rebecca Doser, Destination DC                                                       
202-789-7079
Rebecca.doser@destinationdc.com

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