Washington, DC Announces Special Events During IPW 2017

Held in DC for the first time, IPW will generate $1.7 billion for the city within three years

(Washington, DC) – Destination DC (DDC), announced plans today for an incredible lineup of special events to showcase DC during the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2017, which will be held in the nation’s capital for the first time, June 3-7, 2017. Washington, DC will welcome 6,000 delegates from 70 countries for the travel industry’s premier international marketplace, which is the single largest generator of travel to the U.S.

The international audience of thousands will experience the city in a new way during IPW, whether they’re first-time or repeat visitors. DDC is working with the National Park Service and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to hold a spectacular indoor/outdoor Opening Ceremony on Sunday, June 4. The Press Brunch, also on June 4, will be at the Newseum, giving hundreds of international journalists exclusive access to the museum dedicated to freedom of speech. The Closing Ceremony will be held at Nationals Park on June 7, incorporating America’s favorite pastime into a memorable finale.

“Through our DC Cool campaign, we bring the unexpected side of Washington, DC to life: our diverse neighborhoods, delicious restaurants, incredible arts and culture, theater, nightlife, shopping and more,” said Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC. “We are excited to give the delegation an unforgettable DC Cool experience both on and off the National Mall.”

Washington, DC welcomed a record 20.2 million total visitors in 2014. The city received record domestic visitation in 2015 (19.3 million people), and DDC will announce total visitation for the year later this summer. DC’s dining scene is thriving with more than 2,000 restaurants, and the city will have its first Michelin Guide this fall. Navigating the neighborhoods within the four quadrants of the city is easy to do via public transportation, including more than 3,000 rentable Capital Bikeshare bikes and a new streetcar on H Street NE. DC was named “America’s Coolest City” by Forbes in 2014 and was named “Best Place to Travel in 2015” by Lonely Planet.

“IPW allows us a great opportunity to showcase the best of Washington, DC,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Tourism is one of our strongest sectors, creating jobs for our residents and generating dollars for our local economy. There’s something for everyone in our city, and we look forward to welcoming millions of visitors from across the country and across the world in the years to come.”

DDC is also working with its members and partners to host delegate tours that offer unique insight into DC, from the lesser-known to the iconic. Capital Region USA will help encourage IPW attendees to extend their trips into the two states that border the District, enjoying everything from sandy beaches and coastal towns to mountains and scenic drives throughout Maryland and Virginia.

Washington, DC will enjoy a significant boost to visitation and the local economy because of hosting IPW. According to Rockport Analytics, in the three years following IPW, the host city is expected to receive an additional one million international visitors. The additional visitors are expected to create $1.7 billion in economic impact, generate $84 million in local taxes and directly support 5,300 jobs.

“IPW will also have an immediate economic impact,” said Ferguson. “In the year following the event, the impact is expected to be $12 million for DC. Overseas visitors are only 9% of our visitation but make up 27% of visitor spending. They tend to stay longer, therefore spending more, so the opportunity to engage this audience will benefit residents.”

Information about IPW 2017, including participating hotels, tours and destination information is available starting today on the dedicated IPW microsite at washington.org/IPW2017.

Thank you to the many partners that have joined with DDC to produce IPW 2017, including Brand USA, Capital Region USA (Visit Maryland & Virginia Tourism Corporation) and Dulles International Airport, a part of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; Leadership Partner United Airlines; and Supporting Partners Big Bus Tours and International Spy Museum. Hosting Partners are Events DC, the National Park Service, Newseum and the Washington Nationals.

IPW brings together travel professionals from every corner of the country, including representatives of hotels, destinations, attractions, museums, amusement parks and other travel businesses. These groups market themselves to the world's top international tour operators and wholesalers that sell travel to the U.S. At IPW, buyers and sellers are able to conduct business that would otherwise be generated only through an exhaustive number of around-the-world trips.

About Destination DC: Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of nearly 850 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. www.washington.org.