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GENERAL OVERVIEW
The Washington Convention and Sports Authority (WCSA) creates economic and community
benefits for the District through the attraction and promotion of hospitality, athletic,
entertainment and cultural events. The Authority owns and manages the Walter E. Washington
Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that generates
over $400 million annually in total economic impact for the city. The Authority also manages the
Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, the DC Armory
and the surrounding Festival Grounds, and is the owner of Nationals Park. The WCSA is
organized into two distinct business units: Convention Center Operations and Sports,
Entertainment and Special Events. Both divisions are committed to bringing top-notch events to
Washington, D.C. along with providing first-rate service to customers and visitors.
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an extraordinary 2.3 million square foot
convention and meetings facility, is equipped to handle events of all sizes, from small groups and
break-out meetings to events for 500 to 42,000 attendees. One of the most energy-efficient
buildings for its size, the Center includes 703,000 square feet of prime exhibit space, 150,000
square feet of meeting space with a total of 66 break-out rooms and a 52,000 square foot
ballroom, the largest in the region. Whatever the size of the event, the service of the Convention
Center staff is second to none.
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, the historic D.C. sports venue that has entertained
spectators with its crowd-pleasing sightlines since 1961, is affectionately known as “RFK” around
the globe. The home turf for professional, collegiate and high school games during its history,
RFK was the first major stadium designed specifically as a multisport facility for both football and
baseball and is the current home for Major League Soccer’s D.C. United and the Military Bowl
presented by Northrop Grumman. The host of top-selling concerts, charitable events and
international sporting events, RFK Stadium has a capacity for 45,000+ visitors, features a natural
grass playing field and has modern locker rooms, lounge areas and club rooms for private and
group affairs.
Opened in 1941, the DC Armory is Washington, D.C.'s auditorium, arena, big top and ballroom
and one of the most versatile venues in the mid-atlantic region. Under its huge dome, visitors to
this landmark showplace enjoy a year-round parade of events as wide-ranging and diverse as the
people who come through its doors. The DC Armory can host conventions, circuses and
inaugural balls as well as concerts, expos, sporting events and trade shows and much more. The
Armory can be adapted to audiences of varying sizes from 10 to 10,000 people and its interior
features nearly 70,000 square feet of exhibition space. The Armory is the home of the DC
National Guard and the DC Rollergirls, a female flat-track roller derby league currently in its
fifth season.
Nationals Park, located in Southeast Washington along the fast-developing Capitol Riverfront
adjacent to the Navy Yard, opened in March 2008 and is the home of Major League Baseball’s
Washington Nationals. The exterior façade of the 41,546 seat venue features an innovative
design of steel, glass and pre-cast concrete to create a facility that uniquely reflects the
architecture of Washington, D.C. Visitors witness panoramic views of the riverfront, Navy Yard
and the surrounding city and landmarks such as the Capitol and the Washington Monument.
Nationals Park is equipped with state-of-the-art video and audio technology, including a 4,500
square foot high-definition scoreboard. Nationals Park, which features four large club spaces,
luxurious suites and 8,000 square feet of conditioned meeting space, is the nation's first major
professional stadium to become LEED Silver Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.
SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SPECIAL EVENTS DIVISION
From concerts and festivals to sporting events and galas, the
Washington Convention and Sports Authority (WCSA) is
involved in every aspect of sports and entertainment in the nation’s
capital.
Amidst Washington, D.C.’s iconic landmarks and world-renowned
attractions, the WCSA Sports, Entertainment and Special Events
Division brings world-class sports, entertainment, cultural and
hospitality events to the District while promoting the metropolitan
region as a premier destination. Additionally, the WCSA supports
citywide community events and programs involving sports and
entertainment properties.
The Authority’s venue portfolio includes the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the
Stadium-Armory campus which features RFK Memorial Stadium, the DC Armory and the
surrounding Festival Grounds, and Nationals Park ~ a diverse mix of historic, versatile and
accessible properties closely associated with the Washington, D.C. community and each equipped to
handle events of all sizes.
True to its mission, the Sports, Entertainment and Special
Events Division actively engages in the attraction of new and
diverse activities to the District. The Authority played a
critical role in bringing Major League Baseball back to the
nation's capital in 2005. The Washington Nationals played
at RFK Stadium for three seasons before moving into state-
of-the-art Nationals Park along the Anacostia waterfront in
2008. The Authority led the contracting effort for the
ballpark, the first LEED-certified green stadium in the United
States. For its efforts, the Authority received the ‘2008
Achievement Award’ from the DC Building Industry Association, the ‘Economic Impact Award’
from the DC Chamber of Commerce and the ‘Project of the Year’ for the National Capital region
from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The goal of bringing compelling city-wide events to the
nation’s capital is ongoing. The WCSA is working with local
organizers to bring the opening stages of the 2012 Giro
d’Italia to Washington, D.C. This historic bid would bring one
of the world’s three grand cycling tours to the United States for
the first time, positioning the international media spotlight on
Washington, D.C. The Authority is also a key partner in the
U.S. bid to bring the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup back to
the United States. Washington, D.C. is one of 18 host cities
representing the U.S. bid.
When the idea of bringing an NCAA postseason bowl game
to Washington, D.C. first surfaced, the WCSA was ready to
help make it happen. As a founding partner in the historic
effort, the Authority has hosted the Military Bowl
presented by Northrop Grumman at RFK Stadium since
2008 and is instrumental in planning and executing a variety
of Bowl week events throughout the city including the
popular Official Tailgate Party at the DC Armory and the
Teams Luncheon at the headquarters hotel. The bowl game
is scheduled to feature a team from the Atlantic Coast
Conference against Navy, Army or a Conference USA team
in rotating years, pending bowl eligibility.
Major League Soccer’s D.C. United has called RFK Stadium
home since the team’s inception in 1996. Since that time,
United have won four MLS Cup Championships and is
regarded as the most successful professional soccer
organization in U.S. history. United’s loyal fan base enjoys
the stadium’s legendary bouncy seats and electric soccer
atmosphere. The stadium has hosted games for world-class
soccer events including the 1994 World Cup, the 1996
Olympics and the 2003 Women’s World Cup and regularly
hosts the U.S. Men’s National Soccer team, which has won
more games at RFK Stadium than any stadium in the world.
The Authority was also successful in recruiting an all-
female roller derby league, the DC Rollergirls, to the DC
Armory in 2007. Since that time, the Rollergirls have
become local favorites, attracting ever increasing crowds to
each competition and bringing family-friendly
entertainment to thousands each season. The Rollergirls are
a member of the national Women’s Flat Track Derby
Association.
The Authority’s city-wide efforts extend to a wide range
of cultural and entertainment events including the
internationally renowned National Cherry Blossom
Festival, an annual two-week festival which features arts,
theatre and live performances along the scenic tidal basin
and surrounding areas each spring and Jazz in the ‘Hoods
presented by the Washington Convention and Sports
Authority, a major program of the annual DC Jazz
Festival. Jazz in the ‘Hoods is a series of nearly 80 live
performances in clubs, restaurants, hotels and galleries
throughout the District.
And the fun doesn’t end there. Each year, events such
as ShamrockFest and the DC101 Chili Cook-Off
have become can’t miss dates on the social calendar.
These events attract thousands of music lovers from
around the city and across the region to the RFK
Stadium Festival Grounds for a day-long celebration
of music, culture, food and fellowship. Top talent such
as the Stone Temple Pilots, the Roots, Train, Third
Eye Blind, Puddle of Mudd, Mary Mary and local
favorites Ginuwine and Chuck Brown have graced the
stage.
The WCSA is dedicated to supporting citywide
community events and programs involving youth,
amateur and professional sports. Recent events
supported by the Authority include the Washington
International Horse Show, the Washington Kastles,
D.C.’s 2009 champion Team Tennis squad, the
SunTrust National Marathon, held annually in the
spring at RFK Stadium, the Capital Criterium, D.C.’s
premier pro cycling race on Pennsylvania Avenue and
the Nation’s Triathlon to Benefit the Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society, the fastest growing triathlon in the
nation. Previous events supported by the Authority
include the All City Bowl, an annual high school all-star football game featuring players from D.C.
public, private and charter schools and the Congressional Bank Baseball Classic, featuring public
and private high school baseball teams from around the District.
Avid supporters of health and fitness, the Authority participates in sport and fitness expos throughout
the year. The SunTrust National Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, the Army Ten-Miler Race
Expo and the Marine Corp Marathon Health & Fitness Expo are among the many expos the
WCSA hosts on the Stadium-Armory campus each year.
Whether in our venues or around the nation’s capital, the Washington Convention and Sports
Authority is the Authority on sports and entertainment in Washington, D.C.
SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SPECIAL EVENTS
PREMIER EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH WCSA/WCSA VENUES
SPORTS
Military Bowl presented by Northrop
Grumman Held annually in December
RFK Stadium
www.eaglebankbowl.org
D.C. United
MLS season runs March-October
RFK Stadium
www.dcunited.com
Washington Nationals
MLB season runs April-October
Nationals Park
www.nationals.com
Washington Kastles
WTT season held annually in July
CityCenterDC
www.washingtonkastles.com
DC Rollergirls DCRG season runs October-May
DC Armory
www.dcrollergirls.com
SunTrust National Marathon
Held annually in March
RFK Stadium
www.nationalmarathon.com
Capital Criterium
Held annually in September
Pennsylvania Avenue
www.capcrit.com
Capitals Convention
Held annually in October
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
www.washingtoncapitals.com
Nation’s Triathlon
Held annually in September
West Potomac Park
www.nationstri.com
Washington International Horse Show
Held annually in October
Verizon Center
www.wihs.org
Health & Fitness Expos
National Marathon, Army Ten-Miler &
MarineCorp Marathon
Held annually in March, October & October
DC Armory
MCM: In Convention Center for 2010 only
ENTERTAINMENT/SPECIAL EVENTS
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Held annually in spring
Multiple venues throughout D.C.
www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
Jazz in the ’Hoods
Held annually in June; part of DC Jazz Festival
Multiple venues throughout D.C.
www.dcjazzfest.org
DC101 Chili Cook-Off
Held annually in May
RFK Stadium Festival Grounds
www.dc101.com
ShamrockFest
Held annually in March
RFK Stadium Festival Grounds
www.shamrockfest.com
SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SPECIAL EVENTS DIVISION
2010 EVENT DATES
MARCH
Shamrock Festival March 13 RFK Festival Grounds
SunTrust National Marathon March 20 RFK Stadium
National Cherry Blossom Festival March 27-April 11 Various Locations
APRIL
Washington Nationals (season opener) April 3 Nationals Park
D.C. United (season opener) April 3 RFK Stadium
D.C. Rollergirls Championship Bout April 10 DC Armory
MAY
DC101 Chili Cook-Off May 22 RFK Festival Grounds
JUNE
Jazz in the ‘Hoods June 1-13 Various Locations
JULY
Washington Kastles July 5-22 Kastles Stadium
Capital Criterium July 11 Pennsylvania Ave
SEPTEMBER
Nation’s Triathlon September 12 West Potomac Park
OCTOBER
Capitals Convention October 2 Convention Center
DC Rollergirls (season opener) October 2 DC Armory
Army Ten-Miler Expo October 22-23 DC Armory
Washington International Horse Show October 26-31 Verizon Center
Marine Corp Marathon Expo October 31 Convention Center
DECEMBER
Military Bowl presented by Northrop December 29 RFK Stadium
Grumman
STAFF LISTING
EXECUTIVE
Gregory A. O’Dell
President / Chief Executive Officer
Sports, Entertainment and Special Events Division
ADMINISTRATION
Erik A. Moses
Senior Vice President and Managing
Director
Meredith Hawkins
Executive Assistant to Senior Vice
President
Patricia Wiseman
Receptionist
SALES AND SPONSORSHIP
Sam Cole
Director, Sales and Sponsorship
Amy Weinstein
Sales Manager
COMMUNICATIONS
Teri Washington
Director, Communications
Amber Johnson
Communications Manager
LEGAL
Nicole Jackson
Deputy General Counsel
EVENT OPERATIONS
Troy D. Scott
Director, Event Operations
Adelle Chenier
Event Manager
Rebecca Stirrett
Event Manager
Kellie Cavalier
Project Coordinator
RFK STADIUM GROUNDS CREW
Willie Leak
Jeff Hunter
Anthony Jones
Pablo Blanco
WCSA EXECUTIVE BIOGRAPHY
Gregory A. O’Dell
Washington Convention and Sports Authority
President and Chief Executive Officer
Gregory A. O’Dell serves as the president and chief executive
officer of the Washington Convention and Sports Authority, which
owns and operates the Walter E. Washington Convention Center
and the historic Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The
Authority also operates the non-military functions of the District of
Columbia Armory and serves as owner/landlord of Nationals Park.
The Government of the District of Columbia created the quasi-public Authority in October 2009
through the merger of the Washington Convention Center Authority and the D.C. Sports and
Entertainment Commission. Mr. O’Dell has the unique experience of leading both organizations
as part of his public service in the District of Columbia.
As president and CEO, Mr. O’Dell oversees the Authority’s two lines of business: Convention
Center Operations and Sports, Entertainment and Special Events. His primary responsibilities
include oversight of the development and promotion of hospitality, athletic, entertainment and
cultural events that generate economic impact and create community benefits for the District of
Columbia.
Prior to the merger, Mr. O’Dell served as chief executive officer and general manager of the
Washington Convention Center Authority, where he was responsible for the operations of the
2.3-million-square-foot Convention Center, an award-winning facility that sees approximately 1
million visitors per year and has generated nearly $2.2 billion in direct delegate spending since
opening in 2003. Mr. O’Dell was also responsible for the Authority’s development efforts,
having led negotiations with the selected private developer in the public-private partnership for
the proposed 1,100-room Washington, DC Marriott Marquis Convention Center hotel.
Before joining the Washington Convention Center Authority, Mr. O’Dell was the president and
chief executive officer of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, where he led the team
that completed – in record time and within the legislatively mandated cost cap – the 41,888-seat
Nationals Park, the nation’s first LEED-certified green professional sports stadium. Before
heading up the Commission, he was the chief development officer for the Government of the
District of Columbia, where he was responsible for stimulating and promoting economic
development within the District.
Preceding his move to District government, Mr. O’Dell worked for the former management and
IT consulting firm BearingPoint. While there, Mr. O’Dell advanced to senior manager and
practice lead for Construction Advisory Services, responsible for construction and development
services to both public and private clients. After leaving BearingPoint, he served as a principal
and owner of the Clemens Consulting Group, where he continued to provide consulting services
to clients throughout the lifecycle of their development projects.
A resident of Ward 2, Mr. O’Dell serves on the boards of the Children’s National Medical
Center; the Washington Hospitality Foundation/Hospitality High School; the Washington, DC
Economic Partnership; DC Surface Transit, Inc.; the Downtown DC BID; Destination DC; the
Historical Society of Washington, DC and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. He received a
bachelor’s degree in finance and government from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South
Carolina.
WCSA EXECUTIVE BIOGRAPHY
Erik A. Moses
Washington Convention and Sports Authority
Senior Vice President and Managing Director,
Sports, Entertainment and Special Events Division
Erik A. Moses has directed the operations of the Washington
Convention and Sports Authority‟s Sports, Entertainment and Special
Events Division since June 2008. The Washington Convention and
Sports Authority (WCSA) attracts sports, entertainment, cultural and
hospitality events to Washington, D.C. while promoting the
metropolitan region as a premier destination. The Authority‟s venue
portfolio includes the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the
Stadium Armory Campus, which features RFK Memorial Stadium,
the DC Armory and the surrounding Festival Grounds, and Nationals Park.
As Managing Director of the Sports, Entertainment and Special Events Division, Mr. Moses is
responsible for setting the strategic vision and managing the overall operations of the division,
including the departments of administration, legal, event operations, sales, sponsorship,
marketing and public relations.
The WCSA was established on October 1, 2009 through the merger of the Washington
Convention Center Authority and the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission (DCSEC). Prior
to the merger, Mr. Moses was the Chief Executive Officer of the DCSEC from June 2008
through September 2009. In addition to leading the Commission‟s successful effort to merge
with the Washington Convention Center Authority, Mr. Moses oversaw the closeout of the
Nationals Park construction project, the development and launch of the EagleBank Bowl, the
first-ever college football bowl game in Washington, D.C. and now called the Military Bowl
presented by Northrop Gruman, and the introduction of the DC Armor indoor football team. In
2009, Mr. Moses was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Military Bowl presented
by Northrop Grumman.
During his tenure, the Authority expanded its footprint within the entertainment scene by
sponsoring Jazz in the „Hoods, a series of over 80 live music performances in venues throughout
the District and a major program of the annual DC Jazz Festival, and a multitude of
entertainment events on the Stadium-Armory campus. Mr. Moses also led the Authority to
broaden its support of citywide community events and as a result the organization received the
“Positive Choices Community Impact Award” in March 2009.
Prior to joining the WCSA, Mr. Moses served as the Director of the District of Columbia's
Department of Small and Local Business Development. In this capacity, Mr. Moses managed the
agency charged with fostering the economic growth, development, and retention of District-
based businesses. As agency director, Mr. Moses served as the District‟s chief advocate for local
businesses, advising the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and the Mayor
on all programs, policies, and issues related to or affecting the local business community.
Mr. Moses is the recipient of the 2009 Commitment to Diversity Award from the DC Chapter of
the National Association of Minority Contractors, the 2008 Small Business Advocate of the Year
Award from the Greater Los Angeles African-American Chamber of Commerce, and the 2007
Small Business Initiative Best Bar Project from the District of Columbia Bar.
Mr. Moses began his career in private practice in Washington, D.C. with the law firm of Dow
Lohnes PLLC representing several large media and communications companies in merger and
acquisition transactions as well as regulatory and compliance matters following the passage of
the landmark Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Mr. Moses left private legal practice to join the America Online division of AOL Time Warner.
At AOL, he served as the primary legal counsel to several business units including MapQuest,
Moviefone, AOL Entertainment and Digital Media Services, Inc., among others. Mr. Moses later
served as a director of business development for the International & Web Services division
where he was responsible for building strategic alliances and other commercial partnerships
related to the development and distribution of new products and services. He is the co-founder of
Legacy Holdings LLC, a private investment partnership.
Mr. Moses received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the Duke University School of Law. Mr. Moses is a member of the
Maryland Bar and the District of Columbia Bar. Mr. Moses is actively involved in the
community and has served on boards of various nonprofit organizations.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our eleven-member Board of Directors is appointed by the mayor, and with the exception of two
ex-officio members, confirmed by the Council of the District of Columbia. The Board members
represent specific business segments of the community.
Beverly L. Perry Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy
Pepco Holdings, Inc.
Chairman, Board of Directors
Member, Development Committee
Member, Finance Committee
Member, Operations Committee
Member, Sports and Entertainment Committee
Mitchell Schear President
Vornado/Charles E. Smith
Vice Chairman, Board of Directors
Member, Development Committee
Linda Greenan Assistant Vice President for External Relations
Georgetown University
Secretary, Board of Directors
Member, Operations Committee
Member, Sports and Entertainment Committee
Emily Durso President
Hotel Association of Washington, D.C.
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Member, Development Committee
Member, Finance Committee
James Abdo President & CEO
Abdo Development
Chairman, Development Committee
John Boardman Executive Secretary-Treasurer
UNITE HERE Local 25
Member, Operations Committee
Dr. Natwar Gandhi*
Chief Financial Officer
Government of the District of Columbia
Chairman, Finance Committee
Jay Haddock Ortiz President
Capital Hotels
Member, Operations Committee
Member, Sales and Marketing Subcommittee
Member, Finance Committee
William N. Hall Partner
Winston and Strawn
Chairman, Sports and Entertainment Committee
Member, Finance Committee
Valerie Santos*
Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
Government of the District of Columbia
Member, Development Committee
* Denotes ex-officio members
WASHINGTON, D.C. CAPITAL CITY FAST FACTS
GEOGRAPHY: Location: 90 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, south of Maryland, north of Virginia. Carved
out of land donated by the state of Maryland. DC is not a state, nor is it part of any state. It is a
federal district created specifically to be the seat of government for the United States.
Elevation: 409 ft.; lowest point: sea level
Size: 68 square miles
Orientation: Divided into four quadrants: Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast. The U.S.
Capitol marks the center where the quadrants meet.
Metro Area: The Metro Area refers to D.C. plus five Maryland counties (Charles, Calvert,
Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George's), five Virginia counties (Arlington, Fairfax,
Loudon, Prince William and Stafford) and five Virginia cities (Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax
City, Manassas and Manassas Park).
Climate: Generally temperate, with four distinct seasons. Spring, early summer and fall are the
most comfortable seasons, although moderate winters are not uncommon, with more rain than
snow.
HISTORY: Founded: 1791
Named for: President George Washington and Christopher Columbus. The “Columbia” in
District of Columbia refers to Christopher Columbus.
POPULATION/ DEMOGRAPHICS: Population: 588,373 (metro region population: 6.1 million)
Demographics: 54% Black/African-American, 36% white, and 8% Hispanic/Latino. 47% male
and 53% female
Median age: 35
Median household income: $67,308
Education: Greater Washington has the largest percent of adults with advanced degrees (21%)
in the U.S., more than twice the national average. 43.9% of local women have a Bachelor’s
degree or higher, the highest percentage in the nation.
International DC: 88,000 DC residents (15%) speak a language other than English at home;
76,000 DC residents (13%) are foreign-born
INDUSTRY: Major industries: DC’s primary industry after the federal government is tourism, which
generates more than $5.5 billion in visitor spending.
Other important industries: Trade associations (home to more associations than any other U.S.
city); law, higher education, medicine/medical research, government-related research, publishing
and international finance.
Major corporations: The region serves as home base to large corporations and organizations as
Marriott International, Hilton Hotels Corporation, AMTRAK, AOL, Gannett News, Exxon
Mobil, Sprint Nextel, Discovery Communications and the International Monetary Fund.
ATTRACTIONS: Notable: Many of DC’s cultural and historical attractions, and historic monuments and
memorials are free and open seven days a week.
Most visited (2008): National Museum of Natural History (7 million visitors); National Air &
Space Museum (7 million visitors); Lincoln Memorial (4.7 million visitors); National Gallery of
Art (4.5 million); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (4.2 million visitors); World War II Memorial
(4.2 million visitors); Arlington National Cemetery (4 million); Korean Memorial (3.7 million
visitors); FDR Memorial (2.6 million visitors); Jefferson Memorial (2.4 million visitors);
National Zoological Park (2.1 million visitors); Rock Creek Park (2 million visitors); National
Museum of the American Indian (1.5 million visitors).
Neighborhoods: Include Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill/Riverfront,
Anacostia, Downtown, Woodley Park, U Street/Shaw/Logan Circle, Columbia Heights,
Cleveland Park and more, all of which have a variety of attractions, restaurants, shopping and
nightlife.
SALES TAX: DC: Sales tax is 6%. Total hotel tax including sales tax is 14.5%. Food and beverage tax is 10%.
Maryland: Sales tax is 6%. Hotel tax varies by county with most counties averaging between
5% and 8%.
Virginia: Sales tax is 5%. Hotel tax varies by county with most counties averaging between
9.5% and 10%.
SYMBOLS: Official Flower: American Beauty Rose
Official Bird: Wood Thrush
Official Tree: Scarlet Oak
Motto: Justitia omnibus (Justice to all)
Flag: Adopted in 1938; based on shield from George Washington’s family coat of arms.
HOTELS:
Statistics: There are 116 hotels and 27,800 hotel rooms in DC proper. There are approximately
620 hotels and 101,200 hotel rooms in the metro area.
RESTAURANTS
Fast Facts:
There are more than 100 restaurants located in downtown Washington, DC alone, not
including fast food, delis and take out.
Forty restaurants in the metropolitan region received Zagat scores of 25 or higher (out of a
possible 30).
Called “one of the most exciting restaurant cities on the East Coast” by Travel + Leisure, DC’s
culinary distinctions include James Beard award-winning chefs, AAA Five Diamond ratings
and restaurants included on Esquire’s list of the “Best New Restaurants in America.”
TRAVEL & TOURISM
2008 Facts and Figures:
DC welcomed 16.6 million visitors (a 2% increase from 2007), including 15.2 million
domestic visitors and 1.4 million international visitors.
DC was the 8th-most visited U.S. destination for international travelers in 2008.
54% of 2007 -domestic visitors traveled to DC for leisure.
For overnight visitors, the average length of stay is 3.0 nights.
Approximately 1.4 million international visitors come to DC annually. Top countries of origin
include: United Kingdom, Germany, Latin America (Brazil, Mexico), Japan, India, South Korea,
Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden), Australia, Italy, France China, Benelux
(Netherlands, Belgium) and India.
DC's hospitality industry generated an estimated $5.64 billion in visitor spending on hotels,
dining, shopping, transportation and entertainment in 2008, a 1% increase over 2007.
Although international visitors represented only 8% of total visitation in 2006, this market
accounted for 24% of all spending.
TRANSPORTATION
Airports: Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport
(IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), handling
more than 62 million passengers each year, providing direct service from every major U.S.
airport and more than 40 international cities.
Rail Service: The metro area’s mass transportation system includes more than 450 miles of rail
line. MARC commuter trains connect DC and Baltimore, MD. VIRGINIA RAILWAY
EXPRESS trains connect several outlying Virginia communities with DC. AMTRAK passenger
rail service is headquartered in DC and connects major cities throughout the entire region with
the rest of the country.
Metro: Five rail lines and an extensive bus system connect the District with the Maryland and
Virginia suburbs. Train lines are named for colors: red, yellow, blue, green, and orange. Station
entrances are marked by brown pylons, capped with the letter “M” and colored stripes indicate
which lines are available. Visit wmata.com for hours and fares.
Taxis: DC’s taxi cabs have now transitioned from a zone system to a meter system. The base
fare is $3 plus a 25 cent increase for each one-sixth of a mile traveled thereafter. Other
surcharges for rush hour and additional passengers still apply.
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