Find out where DC has been in the news this month and what's new with the marketing team.
Destination DC's (DDC) marketing and communications strategy supports economic development through tourism by reaching potential visitors and inspiring them to travel to the nation’s capital. The current cross-channel promotional efforts are focused on fall travel across editorial and content development.
Share your b-roll and visual assets with us via the Member Asset Uploader. Help us discover quality content from your business by uploading photography and vertical and horizontal video footage. Content may be used in marketing to promote Washington, DC. Please do not include low-res photography or images with graphics or text.
Media Coverage
Domestic
DDC proactively supported “DC is Open” through earned media. FOX News prominently featured the campaign; The Washington Post, Afar and NPR highlighted open attractions and Forbes wrote that the shutdown presents a perfect time to visit DC. Elliott talked to CNN and Fortune about the impact of the shutdown, while NBC 4 and FOX 5 highlighted increased interest in alternative attractions and neighborhood tours. DC receives mention in Frommers’ “Best Places to go in 2026” and AAA Magazine names the National Cherry Blossom Festival a can’t-miss experience for 2026. Forbes highlights the wave of trendy bar openings and Food & Wine includes DC restaurants in its list of impactful dishes. Following a hosted visit, The Saturday Evening Post raved about the new Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream and five members that also show the U.S. is a nation of immigrants.
International
Mexico’s Vive USA, Jet News and Brand PR covered the “DC is Open” campaign during the government shutdown. In Brazil, Catraca Livre highlighted ways to celebrate Halloween in DC, while Turis News featured iconic libraries in the city. Beijing News in China showcased exciting things to do in the fall. The Australian market spotlighted the myriads of new and upcoming hotels in eGlobal, and The Irish Sun recognized DC as a global sports hub. India raved about DDC’s first Reverse Sales Mission with over 21 members featured in Travel Trade Journal and the Economic Times.
Trade
At IMEX America, DDC’s press conference generated coverage in Meetings Today, Smart Meetings and Conference and Meetings World. The “DC is Open” campaign was featured in Prevue, Travel Pulse, USAE and Trade Show News Network. Destinations captured DC for the cover of America's 250th issue and shared ways to celebrate the anniversary in Washington, DC.
Marketing Highlights
At the UK’s JRNY America Awards 2025 in London, DDC was thrilled and honored to win first place for Accessible Destination of the Year. We also took home Bronze for Best Food City.
On Oct. 16, DDC's largest ever out-of-home placement went live: a 139 x 56 foot billboard on Beijing’s main airport highway, visible from over 5 kilometers away as travelers approach the central business district. It’s the team's first placement of this scale in China.
Social Highlights
Top Liked Post: Animal Enrichment at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Leisure
- #DCisOpen: We reminded travelers that DC remains vibrantly open to tourism during government shutdowns by explaining the impacts of a government shutdown, spotlighting operating attractions and sharing special deals for furloughed federal workers.
- Seasonal Inspiration: October kicked off cozy fall vibes on our channels through itineraries, foliage updates, Halloween and Día de los Muertos events and festive decor from across the city.
- Arts & Culture: We spotlighted Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA and DC’s iconic architecture. Fans joined the conversation around the Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl release with related DC attractions, while our mini print vending machine roundup and the Capitals’ home opener added local flair and excitement.
- DDC's We The People video series continued humanizing Washington, DC with creators Albert Ting and Austin Graff.
- Food & Beverage: We explored DC’s global cuisines, date night restaurants, hotel bars and fall flavors.
- Community: We featured local favorite neighborhoods like Logan Circle, Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill and Mount Vernon Square – plus creative concepts like “Describing DC neighborhoods in three emojis.”
Industry
- In October, we reaffirmed that #DCisOpen during the federal government shutdown and shared how we’re supporting tourism during this time.
- DDC’s President & CEO Elliott Ferguson and Senior Manager, Sustainability Shelby Luzzi celebrated Eventex nominations.
- The team joined partners in Las Vegas for IMEX America, where DC took center stage with the Love Letters to DC theme.
- We continued Member Spotlights and welcomed major citywide events, including the American Dental Association and AUSA, across the destination.
