VIRTUAL WEBINAR | JANUARY 16TH | 12 NOON EST
Connecting with convention bureaus can be important for various reasons, especially if you are involved in the events and meetings industry. Convention bureaus, also known as convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) or destination marketing organizations (DMOs), are organizations that promote and support events and tourism in a specific destination or city. In shaping your event planning business, your access to
CVB’s/DMO’s have in-depth knowledge and valuable information/insight of their respective cities or regions in regards to local venues, hotels, transportation options, local attractions, local culture, demographics, and visitor profiles, which can help you tailor your event to better suit the audience and ensure a successful experience. Connecting with convention bureaus can be extremely resourceful to your business when you want to streamline the planning process, saving you time and effort by centralizing information and resources related to your events.
So, join us on January 16th with Elliott Ferguson, President & CEO of Destination DC, who is going to give us the insights of how Destination DC impacts tourism and business in Washington, DC.
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding the relationship of a CVB/DMO
- Logistical Support
- Understanding the local economy and KPI’s
- Sustainability and Responsible Tourism
- Tourism outlook for Washington DC
- How to connect with your local Tourism Board, CVB, DMO
- Meet the right industry professionals to help you grow your business.
- How to leverage the relationship to benefit your business
NSBWEP Members – Complimentary | Non-Members $35.00
About Our Speaker:
Elliott Ferguson is President and CEO of Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC.
A 34-year veteran of the travel and hospitality industry, Ferguson leads DDC’s efforts to generate economic development opportunity for the District through meetings and tourism, overseeing the organization’s convention and tourism sales, marketing, finance and business development operations.
Ferguson celebrated his 20-year anniversary with DDC in December 2021. He began his tenure in December 2001 as the Vice President of Convention Sales, became Senior Vice President of Convention Sales and Services in 2005 and has served as President and CEO since 2009. Prior to DDC, he was Director of Sales and Vice President of Sales at the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and Director of Sales at the Savannah CVB.
Advancing the tourism and hospitality industry is a priority for Ferguson and his efforts span diversity, equity and inclusion, advancing conversations about racism and creating opportunity for people of color at every level. He served as Board Chair of Tourism Diversity Matters, an organization focused on opportunities for the hospitality workforce through a DEI lens. He currently chairs the Event Leaders 100, where he guides the group’s efforts to advance initiatives related to the importance of events.
He was National Chair of the board of directors for the U.S. Travel Association from February 2019 to February 2021 and is a current board member. He is treasurer on the board of Brand USA, the official destination marketing organization for the U.S. His board appointment is from December 2021-December 2024.
Ferguson is on the board or a member of: Advisory Board of the Smithsonian National Zoo; DC Jazz Festival; the United Way of the National Capital Area, the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter and the Samaritan Inns. He represents DDC as part of the Hospitality Alliance of Washington, D.C.
Ferguson received a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Business Administration from Savannah State University. He served in the Air Force National Guard from 1985-1992. His many industry memberships include Professional Conference Management Association, International Association of Exhibition Executives, Destinations International, National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, Meeting Professionals International and American Society of Association Executives.
Ferguson and his wife, Telesa Via, also a hospitality industry veteran, are longtime residents of Capitol Hill. He is active with Capital Partners for Education, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Delta Sigma Pi.
