Read the latest updates from Destination DC's tourism team
New Hire/Promotion Announcements
It is with great pleasure that we announce several promotions in the tourism, sports & visitor experience department:
- Letizia Sirtori: Vice President, Tourism and Global Development
- Lindsay Hill: Director, Visitor Experience & Tourism
- Erica Riddle O’Neill: Senior Manager, Global Tourism Strategy
- Halia Ellis: Tourism & Sports Program Manager
- Bianca Corallo: Global Development Manager, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, India
- Jennifer Porter: Visitor Experience & Group Tour Coordinator
The Washington, DC Welcome
Destination DC (DDC) launched the official destination training course designed for the DC area hospitality community in October. The Washington, DC Welcome provides a 10-minute video highlighting the vital information you need to know about the city and offering suggestions to amplify the #Only1DC experience. Congratulations to the staff at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, DC in Portuguese and Travelers Aid who have already completed the course. You can check out the video and resources for you and your colleagues on the Washington, DC Welcome landing page.
ILTM Cannes (Dec. 2-5, Cannes, France)
Attendees: Theresa Belpulsi & Lindsay Hill
The tourism team promoted the city’s elevated product and luxury offerings at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM). The team had 81 matched appointments, and they were joined in their booth by the Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill, St. Regis and USA Guided Tours.
Los Angeles Sales Blitz & Brand USA Japan RTO Mixer (Dec. 2-5, Los Angeles, CA)
Attendees: Darren Gan
Darren held product meetings with seven receptive operators and conducted training sessions for over 30 agents based in the LA area. He also participated in the Brand USA Japan RTO Mixer, engaging with stakeholders, partners and clients with a focus on the Japanese market.
American Airlines Sell Your Way FAM - New Zealand (Dec. 1-7, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Erika Jones & Bianca Corallo
In partnership with American Airlines (AA), DDC’s Australia office hosted three top-performing travel agents from New Zealand on a FAM trip to Washington, DC. The agents earned their spots by selling the most trips for AA’s “Sell Your Way to the USA” competition.
4th Annual Women of Inspiration Awards (Dec. 4, Washington, DC)
Attendee: Holly Rattanakone
WISE DC (Women in Sports & Events) honored three dynamic women of the DC sports and events community: Cathy Jerome, Washington Wizards; Shanell Mosley, DC United and Gina Scott, NFL Players, Inc. The awards also celebrated the launch of DC’s newest art gallery and exhibition, Harry Benson: Iconic Photographs for the Nation’s Capital, presented by Monumental Sports & Entertainment.
G2 Travel World Sales Team FAM (Dec. 10, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Erika Jones & Bianca Corallo
G2 Travel World brings sales managers and directors from their offices worldwide to Washington, DC, to help familiarize them with our destination so they can better sell their North American product. The staff will be from Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan.
WorldPride Reveal (Nov. 14, Washington, DC)
Attendees: DDC TSVE Team
A celebration hosted by Capital Pride Alliance. The event will include the announcement of the WorldPride 2025 theme, updates on WorldPride 2025, Capital Pride Alliance news and much more.
Army-Navy Block Party Tabling (Dec. 13, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Lindsay Hill, Nick Price, Georgia Lucas & DDC staff
The Visitor Experience and Sports teams will be on hand at Yards Park to provide maps, guides and visitor information to attendees of the Army-Navy Block Party ahead of the football game.
125th Army-Navy Game (Dec. 14, Washington, DC and Landover, MD)
The Army and Navy will host various events in Washington, DC, and then square off in the final football game at Northwest Stadium. This legendary rivalry will air on CBS. The winner will take home the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and earn bragging rights.
Visitor Services Holiday Luncheon (Dec. 19, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Lindsay Hill, Georgia Lucas
The Visitor Experience team will host its annual luncheon for DC’s visitor service leaders at Boqueria Penn Quarter. Visitor service and customer experience managers from the city’s top attractions will discuss training best practices and preparations for America 250 in 2026.
Go Bowling Military Bowl (Dec. 28, Washington, DC and Annapolis, MD)
DDC will welcome teams and attendees participating in this Military Bowl at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The National Capital Region’s college football postseason game will feature a match-up between teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the American Athletic Conference.
November Visitor Experience Stats
Publications distributed: 76,841
Online requests: 2,663
Calls: 175
Top visitor questions last month:
- Which museums and businesses will be open during the holidays?
- Do I need tickets to inauguration?
- Can you recommend a reasonably priced hotel in a convenient area?
Check out the full Destination DC Member News to learn more about what's going on this month.
