Washington, DC’s Industry Knowledge Hub is Thriving

It is an exciting time for Washington, DC as the city offers a value-added approach for meetings and conventions, especially for organizations within the technology, biotech/pharmaceutical, education and medical spaces. The nation’s capital is a leader in technology, social entrepreneurship and innovation, ranking highest in the U.S. for high-tech employment. It’s also the most educated city in the U.S. Meeting planners can support their delegate base and grow their sponsorship dollars and exhibitor footprint with access to DC’s robust assets, making the nation’s capital a go-to destination for a successful meeting, convention or event.  “We invite planners to think about the nation’s capital differently, associating Washington, DC with a flourishing tech hub or leader in the biotech industry,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination DC. “Aside from DC’s strong industries, new hotel inventory, special events venues and $11.5 billion in development, such as the recently opened Wharf, are continuously adding to our city’s appeal.” What’s the one thing Washington, DC has that no other city will ever have? The federal government. Entrepreneurs and investors can learn more about regulations in their respective industries, make their voices heard on Capitol Hill and learn how to form better partnerships between their businesses and local and federal governments. With the opportunity to access Fortune 500 tech companies and the most cybersecurity startups – more than 27,0000 – in the country, selecting DC for your next meeting will benefit attendee, exhibitor and sponsor bases alike. DC boasts:

• #1 for high-tech employment (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• #1 city for women in tech (CBRE Tech Talent Scorecard, 2017)
• #1 most educated city in the U.S. (S. Census)
• Access to NIH’s renowned 27 institutes
• 21 higher education institutions
• “DNA Alley,” home to 170 biotech companies

Detailed information is available on washington.org/meetings, including white papers that examine the nation’s capital as a leader in technology, biotech/pharmaceutical, education and medical spaces. The papers feature DC rankings and statistics, industry leaders and the city’s commitment to fostering innovation. The local government champions many initiatives that help these industries grow. “Organizations are often surprised to learn about the depth of DC’s technology industry and how it aligns with their customer base. Destination DC can help facilitate inroads with the startups, innovators, major companies and government that have created a local ecosystem worthy of global attention,” said Melissa A. Riley, vice president, convention sales and services.