Black Meetings and Tourism

March / April 2021

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WA S H I N G T O N , D C WASHINGTON DC SLOWLY REOPENING AS SAFE MEETING DESTINATION B Y C Y N T H U A M O L U S K The nation's capital is home to America's "front yard," world-class museums and countless businesses that help make the memories visitors and locals cherish for a lifetime. With dozens of world class Museums to visit and national Monuments to explore there is no reason anyone would have a dull moment in "the District." DC responds to Coronavirus with an eye toward the new normal. While the tourism industry hits the reset button, DC Convention and Visitors Bureau P r e s i d e n t / C E O Elliott Ferguson and his team pre- pares for travel and tourism along the path of the national monu- ments. Also, the appeal of local neighborhoods is a viable lens through which to see and enjoy the nation's capitol. Whether one enjoys jazz in the neighborhoods, the mul- titude of restaurants, cultural venues or hidden treasures in the city DC is a visi- tor's paradise. As the meetings industry evolves, Washington, DC's hybrid capabilities merges the best in virtual and on-site experiences that allow you to connect with your attendees, near or far. The city is connected to experts and policy mak- ers across many industries and subse- quently has the infrastructure in place to accommodate a mix of virtual and in-per- son meetings. Host your meeting in one of DC's exceptional venues, choosing from iconic attractions and more than 135 hotels, many of which feature historic and mem- orable meeting spaces with natural light or amazing waterfront views of the city. In addition to a variety of distinctive spaces, the nation's capital is home to over 32,000 hotel rooms with a view, Michelin-starred restau- rants and vendors ready to make your next meeting, event or convention have a lasting impact. It's no surprise that DC is one of the top destinations to host a meeting. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is home to sq. ft. feet of space for virtual events, with more than 100 adaptable lighting designs. For hybrid settings, the theater capacity accommodates 128 people in- person, dependent on current group size restrictions. Aisles are 12 ft. apart and meetings feature "remote audience" view screens, among many other techni- cal capabilities. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is a 2.3 million-sq. ft. facility with 77 meeting rooms that is located between the his- toric Arts District/U Street/Shaw district and the revitalized Downtown/Penn Quarter/-Chinatown district. While the seamless technology ensures success, Washington, DC stands apart from other destinations offering virtual solutions. DC's award-winning hotels are as well known for their attentive service as for their must-have amenities. With near- ly 30,000 hotel rooms in the city, there's a style and price point for every visitor. If you're interested in learning about DC's African-American heritage, start your exploration with a visit to the Smithonian Institution's Anacostia Community Museum. Located in a his- toric African-American neighborhood southeast of the Capitol, the museum houses a collection of approximately 6,000 objects dating back to the early 1800s. The history of this neighbor- hood—home to orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass—is explored throughout the museum. After you've visited the Anacostia Community Museum, pay a visit to the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, located at his home, Cedar Hill. When Douglass bought the nine-acre estate, he became the first African- American to buy a home in the Old Anacostia neighborhood. Tour the 21- room Victorian mansion or take part in a program to learn about Douglass' efforts to abolish slavery. Set high in the hills, the house and its grounds also open up onto one of the most breathtak- ing views of the city. The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and the Washington Dulles International Airport all provide both national and inter- national flights to the Washington DC/Baltimore area. • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown 807 Omni Shoreham Hotel 834 Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center 146 W Hotel Washington, DC 317 Grand Hyatt Washington 897 The Ritz-Carlton Washington, DC 300 Washington Hilton 1,070 Marriott Marquis Washington, DCs 1,175 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Washington Convention Center Exhibit Space: 703,000 sq. ft.. Meeting Rooms: 77 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Destination DC – (800) 635-MEET www.washington.org The National Black Chamber of Commerce – (202) 466-6888 AREA GUIDES B M & T ••• March/April 2020 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 53 Philadelphia Skyline Photo Credit: National Black Chamber of Commerce

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