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October 20, 2009
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Will Dan Brown's Book Make DC Money?
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| Sign up now for our next event, Oct 28: “Is K Street the New Wall Street?" Federal Stimulus Tsar Earl Devaney; former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff; Carlyle co-founder and tech guru Ed Mathias; Trump Organization EVP Eric Trump; former NAM president Jerry Jasinowski; and Lazard defense banker William Farmer. Reagan Building. Sign up here! |
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| We know DC is the coolest city ever, but it's Destination DC CEO Elliott Ferguson's job to tell the world. Three months ago, Elliott took the reigns of the former Washington, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation. We stopped by his Chinatown office to see what he's up to in his new position (and what he's reading). |
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Elliott tells us Destination DC, whose members include more than 1,000 local tourism-minded businesses and organizations, is trying to "capital"ize on Dan Brown's new DC-based The Lost Symbol. It's promoting landmarks mentioned in the book through its website, Washington.org and will also use Lost Symbol themed-booths at trade shows. In the past, it's co-sponsored star-studded events for films like Night at the Museum. (We're crossing our fingers for a Lost Symbol film and event.) In the meantime, Elliott still needs to finish the book.
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The economic downturn means Destination DC is focusing more on wooing international travelers, who make up 8% of visitors, yet generate 24% of the city's direct spending. Elliott says he's on the brink of hiring an int'l convention sales manager. In addition, DDC has a London representative and an int'l tourism manager originally from Milan who speaks five (and a half) languages and promotes DC at trade shows from South American to Europe. Locally, Elliott is hoping to get elected officials at more trade shows, museums, and restaurants. He meets with Mayor Fenty for the first time in his new position next week.
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FACEBOOK PAGES ARE ASSOCIATIONS?
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Higher Logic COO Andy Steggles thinks so. To raise the question of what really constitutes an association, the former Risk & Insurance Management Society CIO tried an experiment. He took a Facebook group for people interested in social media, gave it a website and AMS with the help of sponsorships, and declared it the Social Networking And Media Association. It has no dues, bylaws, or non-profit status—just an executive committee of volunteers who meet virtually.
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In a year, SNAMA has grown to 1,000 members. Andy believes online communities can be a threat to many associations that rely on dues because they provide networking, education, and news without the cost. They're also nimble enough to adapt, which is something many associations struggle with, mitigating the risk of becoming obsolete. Even SNAMA's mission statement can be continuously edited through a Wiki page. He says many people are watching "to see if this is a viable Association 2.0 model."
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| Force Behind the Force |
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Lois Frankel and Meghan McDonough are the two woman force behind the DC Police Foundation, a 2-year-old non-profit that supports DC's Metropolitan Police Dept. (The two cubicles you see here comprise their office.) The foundation is funded by 55 dues-paying members, ranging from local businesses to corporations like Target and Motorola. But next week, it's launching its first community-driven fundraising campaign, "Friends of the Force" (not to be confused with the Luke Skywalker Fan Club). To kick it off, they snagged best-selling author David Baldacci for a launch event of his new DC-based crime thriller True Blue.
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The duo says they've hooked 15 new members in the past year. Their secret: helping members to recruit and hold events on their behalf. In a tough economy, they've found it’s effective to ask people to donate services, not just cash. A PR firm has volunteered to help MPD create a communications strategy, and an architectural firm is helping to create the blueprint for a hands-on training facility where officers could learn how to enter a building or deal with a hostage situation. They also invite prospective members to board meetings, which have been held in the police evidence and ballistic units. (And we thought Vegas was exotic.)
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| UPCOMING EVENTS |
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October 28 - Bisnow Breakfast & Schmooze - "Is K Street the New Wall Street?" Federal Stimulus Tsar Earl Devaney; former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff; Carlyle co-founder and tech guru Ed Mathias; Trump Organization EVP Eric Trump; economist, former NAM president Jerry Jasinowski; and Lazard defense and aerospace banker William Farmer. Reagan Building. Info.
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Send story ideas to Jessica Sidman, jessica@bisnow.com
List your events in our Event Marketplace.
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This newsletter is a journalistic news source which accepts no payment for featured interviews. It is supported by conventional advertisers clearly identified in the right hand column. You have been selected to receive it either through prior contact or professional association. If you have received it in error, please accept our apologies and unsubscribe at bottom of the newsletter. © 2009, Bisnow on Business, Inc., 1323 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036. All rights reserved.
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