FROM THE PRESIDENT

From Black History Month to Valentine’s Day, Washington, DC is still celebrating. A myriad of restaurants are offering special romantic dinners; the Adams Morgan Heritage Trail was unveiled; the city’s first ‘Theatre Month’ has opened; and Warm Up to a Museum, a city-wide celebration of the arts, begins February 4.

The first half of February also brings several important events to the Washington Convention Center, including the Washington Home and Garden Show and the Washington Travel Expo/Washington Luxury Show.

Arena Stage Presents Clifford Odets’ Awake and Sing!

“A finely tuned revival…an intriguing merger of the spirits of a pioneering dramatist and visionary director.” Washington Post

It’s the 1930s. In New York City, the Bergers—a proud Jewish family—struggle under the weight of the Great Depression, attempting to balance a dire financial situation with their need for peace within the family. In a time when each day seems more difficult than the last, the Bergers maintain ties to their storied culture while sticking closely together. Clifford Odets’ Awake and Sing! explores the fundamental human belief that a better life is always within reach. For this performance, Arena Stage welcomes back its founding director, Zelda Fichandler, for her first production at her home theatre in 10 years. Part of WCTC's Come Out to Play promotion—offering getaway packages that include hotel accommodations, theatre tickets, special restaurant offerings and pre- and post-theatre discussions with cast members and directors—Awake and Sing! is on stage in the Kreeger through March 5. To purchase a Come Out to Play getaway, click here.

Image above, right: Courtesy Arena Stage; Miriam Silverman as Hennie and Adam Dannheisser as Moe Axelrod

Cezanne in Provence Now Open at National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is marking 2006 as the 100th anniversary of the death of artist Paul Cézanne, a key impressionist figure who’s often seen as the father of modern art. On view through May 7, Cézanne in Provence is comprised of 100 of the artist’s most renowned oil paintings and watercolors demonstrating his emotional relationship with the countryside and town of Aix-en-Provence—the place of his birth and the site where he painted some of his engaging landscapes, portraits and the monumental Bathers, found at the National Gallery in London. Displayed works depict such scenes as Chateau Noire, Mont Sainte-Victorie, Cézanne’s family home of Jas de Bouffan, the Mediterranean coast at L’Estaque, and others. Cézanne in Provence is made possible by a generous grant from the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, and is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. After its time in Washington, DC, Cézanne in Provence will travel to Aix-en-Provence’s Musée Granet. More information is available here.

Image above: Paul Cézanne, Bend in the Road, 1900-1906; Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon
1985.64.8

Ford’s Theatre's Trying Features James Whitmore

"[A] full-bodied, fluid performance, gracefully balanced." Theatre and film legend James Whitmore is "a one-man Mount Rushmore." Washington Post

Joanna McClelland Glass’ production of Trying, featuring film and theatre legend James Whitmore, is now on stage at the Ford’s Theatre. Sarah Schorr, a young woman from the Canadian prairie, has been hired by Whitmore’s wife to help him organize his affairs and assist him during the three hours each day that Biddle spends working in his Georgetown home. Instead, she ends up taking on the daunting and difficult task of helping him find dignity and courage as the once vibrant mind and body of the former U.S. Attorney General continue to deteriorate. Also part of WCTC's Come Out to Play promotion, Trying is a moving and poignant portrayal of a prominent man coming to terms with his mortality and assessing his legacy. On stage now through February 26, Trying is made possible by a generous grant from Lockheed Martin Corporation. To purchase a Come Out to Play getaway, click here.

National Geographic Museum Exhibit Explores Mongolia
DC’s National Geographic Museum is celebrating 800 years of Mongolian statehood with a special exhibit exploring the Northern Asian nation’s cultural renaissance. Mongolia: Traditions Reborn features a wide array of antique and contemporary costumes, masks, figures and photographs related to recently-revived Buddhist Tsam ceremonies. Photographer Gordon Wiltsie’s stunning images of the land and its nomadic peoples will also be on display. And while the exhibit's ethnographic dolls offer a detailed look at traditional Mongolian dress, samples of Mongolian calligraphy demonstrate the distinctive script of an artistically fascinating nation.

Special events are also planned in conjunction with the exhibit. On February 10 at 7:30 pm, the aforementioned photographer, Gordon Wiltsie, will give an illustrated lecture. And a Mongolian family festival will take place February 11, featuring films, artists, folk musicians and a fashion show. More information is available here.

back to top

DC Hotel Occupancy Outpaced Only by Los Angeles, New York
The numbers are in. 2005 was a banner year, with an average hotel occupancy rate of 74.5% and an average daily rate (ADR) of $179.09 at hotels citywide —the highest in the history of the city. This compares to a national hotel occupancy average of 63.1% and average daily rate of $90.84. Only Los Angeles, weighing in at 74.6%, and New York, at 82.9%, outpaced DC in hotel occupancy—and only New York had a higher average daily rate ($211.62).

Monthly Hotel Occupancy Report
The Washington, DC hotel occupancy rate continues to outpace the national average. According to Smith Travel Research (STR), hotel occupancy for the District of Columbia ended the week of January 28, 2006 at 65.7%, compared with a national average of 58.8%.

back to top

Wondering what others think of Washington, DC? We've collected recent news coverage so that you can read what reporters and travel editors from your favorite magazines or newspapers are saying about the nation's capital.

“Travel: Exploring World Class Destinations on a Budget”
Washington, DC has no shortage of fun and interesting activities, and the Philadelphia Inquirer knows it. This article focuses on accommodations, dining, entertainment and more.
Special to the Philadelphia Inquirer, January 12

“A Reversal of Fortunes Transforms Washington”
LA Times Staff Writer Johanna Neuman details Washington, DC’s billing as a changed city, focusing largely on our strong economy.
Los Angeles Times, January 15

back to top

WCTC Announces Major Reorganization
Elliott Ferguson, Vice-President of Sales and Services, and Vicki Isley, Vice-President of Marketing and Communications, have been promoted to the positions of Senior Vice-Presidents of WCTC. Isley will keep her primary responsibilities, but WCTC's tourism and development departments will begin reporting to her. Ferguson will continue to sell Washington, DC as a premier convention destination. These promotions are a testament to the extraordinary contributions that Ferguson and Isley have made over the last four years. They have been an important reason for Washington, DC's emergence as one of the preeminent convention and tourism destinations in the world.

back to top

In each edition of Member ENews, WCTC highlights major events at the Washington Convention Center. For a full list of conventions, meetings and gatherings, visit the events calendar page of dcconvention.com.

2006 Washington Home & Garden Show—February 9-12
Now in its 46th year, the Washington Home & Garden Show will feature 800 booths and more than 24 full-sized gardens. As one of the East Coast’s biggest and best home and garden shows, it’s perfect for gardeners, homemakers and those who fall into the “anxiously-awaiting-spring” category.
washingtonhomeandgardenshow.com; Attendance: Public

Destinations Showcase—February 16
As one of the region’s largest meeting planner events, Destinations Showcase Washington features informative conference sessions—featuring one led by Travelocity.com founder Terry Jones—networking opportunities and representatives from more than 200 destinations. Meeting planners can also earn points toward designation as a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP). destinationsshowcase.com; Attendance: 2,000

back to top

Against the Odds, Business Travel Continues to Grow
Despite growing concerns about terrorism, avian flu and airport security hassles, the number of traveling executives continues to grow, according to a January 23 report by the International Herald Tribune which cited a survey of 21,000 business travelers. The survey, conducted by Carlson Wagonlit Travel, a global travel management firm, says 60 percent of companies worldwide expect their business travel expenditures to grow in 2006. Going further, Carlson Wagonlit Travel CEO Hubert Joly predicted that the value of business travel would grow in line with the mid-single-digit increase of 2005. The growth trend is attributed to business travelers’ resilience in the face of world events such as last year’s bombings in London and Madrid, along with coveted travel extras, such as wireless internet capabilities onboard aircraft operated by Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. View the full story here.

Capital Region USA International Tourism Marketing Conference
How can your organization tap into an increasingly lucrative international tourism market? Find out on March 1, when Capital Region USA presents its International Tourism Marketing Conference at the Hotel Washington. In 2004, more than 1.3 million international travelers visited the Capital Region, an area comprised of Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, spending $828 million. Arrivals increased 20% and spending increased 22%. But it didn't stop there. As of last June, 2005's arrivals were up an estimated 11%. And what's more, international travelers stay an average of nine nights once they arrive. Participants will learn about cooperative marketing opportunities, hear about the latest research and market trends, learn best practices for generating international media coverage and network with international tour operators. Additionally, participants will enjoy keynote luncheon remarks by Marcel Fuchs, Managing Director of Sales & Alliances for United Airlines' Atlantic Division. The conference is priced at $75 per delegate, and the deadline for registration is February 15. To download a copy of the registration form, click here. For more information, contact Capital Region USA Executive Director Matt Gaffney at (302) 226-0422, or at mgaffney@capitalregionusa.org.

back to top