Washington, DC – Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, today announced key promotions at the executive level. Claire Carlin has been named senior vice president, partnerships & alliances and Tara Miller is director of global sales.
"I'm fortunate to lead a group of exceptional individuals who have navigated our organization through numerous challenges," said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president & CEO, Destination DC. "With the infusion of additional funding for marketing and sales through the Tourism Recovery District legislation, Claire and Tara play a pivotal role in executing our strategy to expand and strengthen our membership, as well as draw global meetings to Washington, DC. I take pride in their dedication."
Claire Carlin – SVP, Partnerships & Alliances
Claire is a proven leader focusing on the needs of DDC’s partners, members and the American Experience Foundation. Claire joined DDC in 2015 as VP, Partnerships & Alliances. She leads a strong team that manages nearly 1,000 members, plus 30 sponsors and strategic partners. In addition, a successful DEI Business Fellowship program was created under her leadership. The program offers free membership and technical training to businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups. In the first two years of the program, 50 businesses have participated.
Concurrently, Claire is the Executive Director of Destination DC’s affiliated charity, the American Experience Foundation (AEF). The foundation enriches the lives of students through inspirational travel experiences and educational opportunities to cultivate the next generation of hospitality industry professionals. AEF serves hundreds of students annually through field trips, internships, workforce development experiences and scholarships. Since 2015 under Claire’s leadership, AEF has:
• Awarded more than $130,000 in scholarships
• Engaged students with more than 3,500 work-based learning experiences
• Hosted over 130 high school interns
• Hired four AEF program participants as full-time staff at DDC
• Enlisted local businesses to donate more than $700,000 in goods and services to students
Outside of DDC, Claire is treasurer of the Rorschach Theatre Board of Directors, serves on the Theatre Washington Development Committee and was a founding board member of the Capital Fringe Festival. She was honored as a German Marshall Fund Marshall Memorial Fellow and named hospitality industry partner of the year by the DC Office of the State Superintendent for Education.
"I enjoy getting to understand Destination DC’s member businesses and our school partners,” said Carlin. “I see that they can benefit from our connections and education and the sales and marketing opportunities our teams create. I'm focused on building strong partnerships, connecting with our members and working to support their business goals in Washington, DC. Just like the success of our DEI Business Fellowship program, I'm dedicated to growing the Sustainability District. Our goal is to highlight and support local initiatives that showcase achievements and help and preserve our city for future generations.”
Tara Miller – Director of Global Sales
As a destination expert, Tara uses her vast experience in destination marketing to highlight what sets Washington, DC apart while promoting the city’s global access, intellectual capital and world-class amenities for business events in the city. Her work in “Connected Capital” has positioned DC on the global meetings stage for its network of federal policymakers, prospective industry sponsors and expert speakers. With “Connected Community,” Miller has aligned associations with legacy projects that connect and impact local communities. She develops and executes the strategy to attract international meetings and global business events to Washington, DC. She rejoined DDC in 2017 as the senior manager of international sales, after originally helping to launch its international convention sales program in 2012. Miller now leads global event sales, marketing, business development and strategic programs, including Washington DC’s influential Ambassador Circle and International Business Events Council.
After graduating from Temple University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Tara started her career at a global association management company supporting the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and later expanded her knowledge of corporate events and incentive travel at a leading destination management company in Washington, DC. As DC’s dynamic landscape continues to evolve, Tara remains committed to promoting the benefits and impact of international meetings.
“As we expand our sales efforts, I’m excited to grow international meetings and help associations and corporations leverage the benefits of DC’s strong sectors and valuable assets that truly set the city apart,” said Miller. “I’m looking forward to closer collaboration with clients and exploring greater ways to make their meetings valuable and impactful in the nation’s capital.”
Note: download hi-res headshots
About Destination DC: Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization 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.
December 18, 2023