DDC Announces Ron Bracco as New Board Chairperson

(Washington, DC) – Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, today announced Ron Bracco’s appointment as board chairperson. Bracco is currently vice president of events at Hargrove by Encore and previously served as Vice Chairperson of the DDC board.

“I’m pleased to work alongside the DDC staff and fellow board members as we all focus on the recovery of the tourism and hospitality industry and economic importance of our industry,” said Bracco. “My priorities include working with DDC to secure a dedicated funding source, the continued return of meetings and events, as well as our industry’s role in sustainability and furthering diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Bracco is a visionary leader in the events industry with nearly 25 years at Hargrove, a full-service events company dedicated to an extraordinary client experience. His experience includes the sales, management and design of the last five presidential inaugurations. Prior to joining Hargrove in 1998, Bracco worked in the theater industry.

“What we do is economic development, so Ron’s leadership and experience in our industry will serve Destination DC during a critical time as we look to build visitation and create more local economic impact, tax revenue and jobs for DC residents,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of DDC.

During DDC’s annual board meeting, held at the LEED-Platinum DC Water building along the Anacostia River, additional board officers and members were confirmed:
CHAIRPERSON: Ron Bracco, vice president of events at Hargrove by Encore
VICE CHAIRPERSON: Laura Schofield, General Manager, Conrad Hotel
SECRETARY: Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities
TREASURER: Carmen Pigler, Deputy CFO and Treasurer, District of Columbia Office of the CFO
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRPERSON: Stacy Smith, Associate Director, Division of State Initiatives, District of Columbia Department of Employment Services

New board members:
•  Majed Dawood-Farah, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Washington
•  Kori Johnson, General Manager, Renaissance Hotel
•  John Snedden, Owner, Rocklands
•  Kristen Barden, Executive Director, Adams Morgan BID
•  Danita Johnson, President, Business Operations, DC United
•  Donna Westmoreland, Chief Operating Officer, I.M.P/9:30 Club

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.
 

Contacts

Danielle Davis, director of communications 202-603-2093 (c); [email protected]
 

Susan O’Keefe, media relations manager, trade
202-789-7079; [email protected]