• DEI Business Fellowship Application

  • Welcome to Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC.

    As a private, non-profit membership organization with nearly 1,050 businesses, DDC markets the nation’s capital as a premier global destination for conventions, tourism and special events.

    Through membership, businesses gain access to tools and opportunities to grow, connect and play a key role in DC’s $8.1 billion travel and tourism economy. As the city’s destination marketing organization, we are committed to:

    • Showcasing the rich diversity of our community
    • Promoting and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across our industry
    • Supporting sustainable growth through the Sustainability District, which focuses on People, Purpose and Place - ensuring tourism benefits the entire community. 

    The DEI Business Fellowship Program is your invitation to partner with our team and amplify your business’s visibility. Fellows receive a complimentary membership, tailored sales and marketing training and exclusive networking opportunities—a package valued at over $1,500.

  • I would like to:*

  • PROGRAM OVERVIEW

    • Complimentary DDC membership for one calendar year (value: $1,100)
    • Full suite of member benefits (excluding listings in print publications and mention in enhanced visibility programs like Sustainability District and Welcome Asia)
    • Two (2) complimentary tickets to the annual Marketing Outlook Meeting (value: $100/each)
    • Content inclusion on washington.org and the DEI District, as appropriate.
    • A comprehensive return-on-investment (ROI) report at the end of the cohort year.
    • Opportunities to engage with and receive training from each DDC department:
      • In-person events
        • Breakfast with the President & CEO, Elliott L. Ferguson, II
        • Cohort building activity/outing
        • DDC member events throughout the year
        • Exclusive webinars covering topics like:
          • Public relations
          • Social media management
          • Reaching international audiences/tour operators
          • Best practices for corpotate meetings and events
          • Sustainability

    ELIGIBILITY

    • Be a small, independently owned business in the travel and tourism industry
    • Generate less than $6 million in annual revenue and/or have fewer than 10 full-time employees
    • Be majority-owned by someone from an underrepresented group
    • Businesses with robust DEI programs may also be considered
    • Have been in operation for at least one (1) year
    • Be registered to do business in DC, MD or VA
    • Not have been a DDC member within the past three (3) years
    • Excludes accomodations, airlines and cruise lines
    • Must comply with DDC's membership terms and conditions

     

    SELECTION

    Fellowship recipients are chosen based on alignment with these values and their potential impact on DC's travel and hospitality community. 

    As part of the process, a DDC team member will connect with you to learn more about your business and confirm the program is a strong fit. Final selections are made by a committee of DDC staff and advisory members. 

    For questions, contact Zoe Roberts, Membership Manager and Fellowship Program Lead at zoe@washington.org or (202)-789-7034. 

     

    TIMELINE AND IMPLEMENTATION

    • Aug 31, 2026 – Applications open
    • Dec 11, 2026 – Applications close
    • Dec 18, 2026 – Notification of awardees
    • Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2027 – Fellowship period
    • Dec. 1, 2027 – Renewal discussions for 2027

     

  • Application Overview

    The first page will be a series of general information and demographic questions about your business and ownership. For video applicants, there are also instructions for submission. On second page, you will an intake survey.
  • Business Category*
  • How many full-time W-2 based employees, (including yourself) does your company currently employ?*
  • Has your business been in continuous operation for at least one (1) year?*
  • Did your business do more than than $6M in gross revenue in the last calendar year?*
  • Are you a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) through the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)?
  • Race & Ethnicity: How does the majority owner publicly self-identify?*
  • Gender: How does the majority owned publicly self-identify in terms of gender?*
  • LGBTQIA+: Does the majority owner publicly self-identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community?*
  • Disability: Does the majority owner publicly self-identify as a person with a disability?*
  • Veteran Status: Does the majority owner publicly self-identify as a veteran?*
  • Optional: Help our selection committee get to know you! We encourage you to submit a short video (3 minutes or less) introducing your business and why you're interested in the Fellowship program. Send your video or a link to zoe@washington.org.
  • How many hours do you and your team have to dedicate to your membership through this program?
  • What is your preferred way to engage with fellowship programming?
  • Which aspects of your business do you hope to enhance through Destination DC membership this year?
  • Should be Empty: