U.S. Travel Association Selects Washington, DC as Host City for IPW 2017

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, joined the U.S. Travel Association today to announce that Washington, DC has been selected as the host city for International Pow Wow (IPW), the travel industry's premier international event, in 2017. The four-day global marketplace for buyers and suppliers of travel products and services is expected to attract more than 5,500 delegates to Washington, DC, June 3-7, 2017.

"I'm delighted that International Pow Wow, the top international travel industry event in the United States, has selected the District as its home for 2017. This is an unmatched opportunity to showcase our nation's capital, and it will help generate more than $13.3 million in revenue for the District," said DC Mayor Vincent Gray. "Given the economic impact experienced by other host cities and the fact that this will be the first time hosting IPW in the District, it is an important opportunity for us to highlight our international visitor market."

More than $3.5 billion in future travel to the U.S. is generated each year as a result of IPW, according to data supplied by the U.S. Travel Association, which owns and operates the annual event.

"We are honored to be selected as the host city for IPW 2017 and to have the extraordinary opportunity to engage with more than 1,200 international and domestic buyers from more than 70 countries," said Elliott L. Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC. "In addition to generating 15,000 total hotel room nights during those four days, Washington, DC is estimated to benefit from more than $350 million in future bookings."

IPW is the largest generator of travel to the U.S. During one-on-one appointments, travel supplier organizations from every U.S. region conduct business negotiations with buyers from around the world.

"The U.S. Travel Association is proud to bring IPW to the nation's capital in 2017 for the first time in its 40-plus year history," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel. "Washington, DC is a remarkable destination with a strong identity worldwide. Serving as host site to IPW will only further DC's efforts to attract more visitors from abroad and showcase the developments that have truly transformed the capital city in recent years."

At IPW, buyers and sellers are able to conduct business – through more than 80,000 appointments - that would otherwise be generated only through an exhaustive number of around-the-world trips. All of these pre-scheduled appointments, and IPW's Media Marketplace which allows destinations to meet with more than 500 domestic and international journalists, will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in 2017.

"Events DC is pleased to welcome IPW 2017's thousands of travel and tourism professionals from around the globe to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center," said Gregory A. O'Dell, president and CEO of Events DC, the official convention and sports authority of the District of Columbia. "Hospitality is the lifeblood of our city, and we look forward to working with Destination DC and our industry partners to provide a truly world-class experience against the backdrop of our nation's historic capital city."

In addition to its unparalleled convention facility, Washington, DC will showcase more than $8.5 billion in new development projects currently underway. Delegates will experience new hotel facilities such as the 1,175-room Washington Marriott Marquis Hotel, mixed-use development CityCenterDC, electric streetcars along the trendy H Street NE corridor, the new Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and an expanded Metrorail line connecting DC visitors to Washington Dulles International Airport.

"IPW delegates will be astounded at the significant development and revitalization taking place in Washington, DC's neighborhoods and on its National Mall," said Anthony Williams, former DC Mayor and Chief Executive of the Federal City Council. "We look forward to showcasing the very best of our city in 2017 and engaging strategic partners to ensure IPW in Washington, DC is a success."

The economic impact of IPW will be felt throughout the city by all sectors of the hospitality industry from hotels and attractions to transportation services and restaurants.

"Hosting IPW in 2017 makes economic sense for our city, especially in terms of exposing new visitors to all of the attractions and amenities we have to offer," said Paul Cohn, Destination DC board chairman. "Over the last few years, Washington, DC has become the number one-ranked museum destination in the world, as well as a leading culinary city attracting an impressive roster of celebrity chefs and restaurateurs."

In fiscal year 2013, Destination DC received an additional $3 million allocation from the city council to market the city around the world and increase DC's presence as a leisure and convention destination.

"The DC City Council appropriated funds for a marketing effort, so Destination DC can compete with other cities to attract both domestic and international travelers.  The Council understands the nature of our competition and returns to the city in terms of tax revenue and jobs," said Gregory McCarthy, vice president of the Washington Nationals and former Destination DC board chairman. "IPW will be a wonderful platform to capitalize on the benefits of this funding and elevate the District into the top tier of destinations for foreign visitors."

For more information about Washington, DC, please visit www.washington.org. For more information about International Pow Wow, please visit www.ustravel.org.

About Destination DC: Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 850 businesses committed to marketing the District as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Visit Washington.org for more information. 

SOURCE Destination DC