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CA26-0581 • 2025

Proposed Contract with Events DC and Destination DC for Contract #SO-19-002-0001847

Proposed Contract with Events DC and Destination DC for Contract #SO-19-002-0001847

Budget Taxes
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
at the request of the Events DC
Last action
2026-01-23
Official status
Deemed Approved
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on whether there are any public comments or opposition to this contract extension.

Proposed Contract with Events DC and Destination DC

This bill proposes a contract modification for Events DC to continue working with Destination DC for another year, from the date of Council approval until September 30, 2026.

What This Bill Does

  • Extends the existing marketing services contract between Events DC and Destination DC for one more year.
  • Requires that Destination DC receive at least $5 million annually from dedicated hotel taxes collected by the District of Columbia.
  • Ensures that the contract is within the budget approved by Events DC's Board of Directors.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Events DC
  • Destination DC

Terms To Know

Hotel Tax
A tax collected from hotel guests that is used to fund tourism and convention marketing efforts in the District of Columbia.
Marketing Fund
A special fund established by law to provide money for promoting Washington, DC as a destination for meetings, conventions, and tourism.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the exact amount of funding beyond stating it must be at least $5 million annually.
  • It is unclear if there are any public comments or opposition to this contract extension.
  • The effective date for the contract modification has not been set.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-23 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Retained by the Council with comments from the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor

  2. 2026-01-22 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    CA26-0581 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

Official Summary Text

Proposed Contract with Events DC and Destination DC for Contract #SO-19-002-0001847

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW
Washington, DC 20001
P 202.249.3000
F 202.249.3255
eventsdc.com
J
anuary 22, 2026
T
he Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Re:
Modification of Contract No. SO-19-002-0001847 with
Washington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation d/b/a
Destination DC (“Destination DC”) – Exercise of Third Option
Period
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
Pursuant to D.C. Code §§ 2-352.02a and 10-1202.08a(g), enclosed for consideration and
approval by the Council of the District of Columbia is a modification of the contract
between Events DC and Destination DC for the purpose of exercising the third of five (5)
one-year optional renewal periods.1 Destination DC provides services to market the
District of Columbia as a domestic and international location for meetings,
conventions,tourism, leisure travel, and sports, entertainment, and other special events.
The third option period commences upon date of Council approval and expires September
30, 2026. The dollar value of the contract is not less than $5,000,000 annually as provided
by statute. A complete summary of the contract is provided.
Please let me know if I can provide additional information.
Sincerely,
Angie M. Gates
President and Chief Executive Officer
Enclosures
1 The initial – or “base” – term of the contract was October 1, 2019 to September 30,
2023.
1
COUNCIL CONTRACT SUMMARY
(Option Year)
DESTINATION DC
Destination Marketing Services
(A) The proposed contractor, contract amount, unit and method of compensation, contract term,
type of contract and source selection method:
Contract Number: SO-19-002-0001847
Proposed Contractor: Washington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation d/b/a
Destination DC (“Destination DC”)
Contract Amount: The seminal provisions of the contract provide for
Destination DC receiving: (i) 86% – and not less than $5
million annually – of the dedicated hotel tax collected by the
District of Columbia and deposited each year into the
Washington Convention Center Marketing Fund pursuant to
D.C. Code §§ 47-2002.03 and 47-2202.02; and (ii) pursuant
to D.C. Code § § 47 -2002.03a and 47 -2202.03a, revenues
from the additional hotel tax that are dedicated to Events DC
for transfer to Destination DC. See also, Resolution of the
Washington Convention Center Board of Directors, October
25, 2001 at 1.
Term of Contract: Date of Council Approval to September 30, 2026 (Exercise
of Option Year 3).
Type of Contract: Primary marketing service contract required by D.C. Code §
10-1202.08a(e)(1).
(B) Identifying number of the underlying contract, including the identifiers assigned to the
underlying contract by the Council for the base period and any subsequent option periods:
On April 2, 2019, the Council of the District of Columbia (“Council”) approved contract number SO-
19-002-0001847, a multi-year contract with Destination DC (Council Identifiers CA 23-0060/PR 23-
0224). On December 29 , 2023 , the Council approved Option Year 1 of the contract (Council
Identifier CA 25-0566). On February 20, 2025, the Council approved Option Year 2 of the contract
(Council Identifier CA 26-0040).
(C) A certification that Citywide Clean Hands database indicates that the proposed contractor is
current with its District taxes.
Destination DC is current with its tax obligations. See Tab 3
2
(D) A certification that the proposed contract is within the appropriated budget authority for the
agency for the fiscal year and is consistent with the financial plan and budget adopted in
accordance with D.C. Code §§ 47-392.01 and 47-392.02:
Events DC’s budget is separate from the financial plan and budget adopted by the District of
Columbia in accordance with D.C. Code §§ 47-392.01 and 47-392.02. Congress has exempted Events
DC from the appropriation requirement set forth in Section 446 of th e Home Rule Act . See Public
Law No. 105 -227, 112 Stat. 1515 (August 12, 1998). Events DC’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget was
approved by its Board of Directors on May 8, 2025. By signature below, Events DC’s Interim Chief
Financial Officer certifies that Option Year Three of the contract will be funded through monthly
deposits by the District into the Marketing Fund established by D.C. Code § 10 -1202.08a(a)-(c) for
purposes of distribution in accordance with the terms of the contract.
Submitted on behalf of Events DC by:
________________________________
Angie M. Gates
President and Chief Executive Officer
________________________________
Nicole B. Jackson
General Counsel
________________________________
Veronica Taylor
Interim Chief Financial Officer

1101 4th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
Date of Notice: January 22, 2026 L0015556643Notice Number:
FEIN: **-***0609
Case ID: 18832625

Government of the District of Columbia
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Office of Tax and Revenue
WASHINGTON DC CONVENTION AND TOURISM CORP
901 7TH STREET NW 400
WASHINGTON DC 20001

Branch Chief, Collection and Enforcement Administration
Authorized By Melinda Jenkins
To validate this certificate, please visit MyTax.DC.gov. On the MyTax DC homepage, click the
“Validate a Certificate of Clean Hands” hyperlink under the Clean Hands section.
CERTIFICATE OF CLEAN HANDS
As reported in the Clean Hands system, the above referenced individual/entity has no outstanding
liability with the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue or the Department of Employment
Services. As of the date above, the individual/entity has complied with DC Code § 47-2862, therefore
this Certificate of Clean Hands is issued.
TITLE 47. TAXATION, LICENSING, PERMITS, ASSESSMENTS, AND FEES
CHAPTER 28 GENERAL LICENSE
SUBCHAPTER II. CLEAN HANDS BEFORE RECEIVING A LICENSE OR PERMIT
D.C. CODE § 47-2862 (2006)
§ 47-2862 PROHIBITION AGAINST ISSUANCE OF LICENSE OR PERMIT
1101 4th Street SW, Suite W270, Washington, DC 20024/Phone: (202) 724-5045/MyTax.DC.gov

COPY
801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW
Washington, DC 20001

P 202.249.3000
F 202.249.3255

eventsdc.com

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Jennifer Budoff
Budget Director
Council of the District of Columbia

FROM: Veronica Taylor
Interim Chief Financial Officer

DATE: January 22, 2026

SUBJECT: Funding Certification for Modification of Contract No. SO-19-002-
0001847 with Washington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation
d/b/a Destination DC (“Destination DC”)

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide certification of funding for the
exercise of the third option period of Events DC’s contract with Destination DC,
under which Destination DC markets and sells meetings and conventions for the
Walter E. Washington Convention Center and hotels in the District of Columbia, as
well as marketing and promoting the District as a destination.

The seminal provisions of the contract provide for Destination DC receiving: (i) 86%
– and not less than $5 million annually – of the dedicated hotel tax collected by the
District and deposited into the Washington Convention Center Marketing Fund
pursuant to D.C. Code §§ 47-2002.03 and 47-2202.02; and (ii) pursuant to D.C. Code
§§ 47-2002.03a and 47-2202.03a, revenues from the additional hotel tax that are
dedicated to Events DC for transfer to Destination DC. See also Resolution of the
Washington Convention Center Board of Directors, October 25, 2001 at 1.
Accordingly, I certify, on behalf of Events DC, that sufficient funds exist for the
contract.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

cc: Angie M. Gates, President and Chief Executive Officer
Nicole B. Jackson, General Counsel

,

801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW
Washington, DC 20001

P 202.249.3000
F 202.249.3255

eventsdc.com

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Angie M. Gates
President and Chief Executive Officer

FROM: Nicole B. Jackson
General Counsel

DATE: January 22, 2026

SUBJECT: Certification of Legal Sufficiency for Contract No. SO-19-002-
0001847, Destination DC Marketing Agreement-Fiscal Years 2019-
2023 – Exercise of Third Option Year

I. Description of Proposed Contract Action

The proposed action is the exercise of the third of five one-year optional renewal periods
(each an “Option Year”) of Destination DC Marketing Agreement-Fiscal Years 2019-
2023 (“Marketing Agreement”). The third Option Year is effective as of the date of
approval by the Council and expires September 30, 2026.

II. Procurement Review

The Contracting Officer has determined that: (i) the Contract is required by D.C. Code §
10-1202.08a(e)(1); (ii) deposits in the Marketing Fund established by D.C. Code § 10-
1202.08a(a)-(c) will be sufficient to fund the Option Year; and (iii) the Contract fulfills
an existing Events DC and District need.

III. Legal Review

The Office of the General Counsel has reviewed the Contract and finds it to be legally
sufficient.

The Contract package includes:

1. Council Transmittal Letter
2. Contract Summary
3. Tax Compliance Certifications
4. Certification of Funding Availability
5. Certification of Legal Sufficiency
6. Events DC Board of Directors Resolution
7. Modification to Exercise Option Year Three (Destination DC-signed only)

The exercise of Option Year Three requires District of Columbia Council approval
pursuant to D.C. Code § 10-1202.08a(g).

1 of 3

THE WASHINGTON CONVENTION AND SPORTS AUTHORITY
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
No. 25-22

APPROVAL TO FUND OPTION YEAR THREE OF CONTRACT WITH
DESTINATION DC

WHEREAS, in accordance with D.C. Code § 10-1202.08a, the Washington Convention
and Sports Authority (the “Authority”) is required to maintain a “Washington Convention
Center Marketing Fund” for the payment of marketing service contracts to promote
conventions, tourism and leisure travel and the hosting of sporting events, sports teams,
recreational events, and entertainment events in the District of Columbia (the “District”); and
WHEREAS, the foregoing statute requires the Authority to enter into such contracts
with certain entities, including Destination DC (“DDC”), which is designated as the
Authority’s primary contractor to: (i) market and sell meetings and conventions for the
Walter E. Washington Convention Center and hotels in the District; (ii) market and promote
the District as a destination; and (iii) increase revenue to the District and the Authority by
maximizing sales of hotel rooms and restaurant meals; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, the Authority entered into a contract (the “Contract”) with
DDC for the foregoing purposes, under a five (5) year base term, with five (5), one -year
options; and

WHEREAS, the Authority wishes to exercise Option Year Three of the Contract at
amounts of: (i) 86% of the tax collected pursuant to D.C. Code § § 47-2002.02(1) and 47-
2202.01(1); and (ii) the tax imposed by D.C. Code § 47-2002.03a; and
WHEREAS, in Option Year Three, DDC will continue to provide the foregoing
services; and

WHEREAS, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Operations Committee
of the Board of Directors have recommended approval of the expenditure of funds for
Option Year Three of the Contract; and

WHEREAS, funding for Option Year Three of the Contract is consistent with the
Authority’s approved fiscal year 2026 budget.
Docusign Envelope ID: 58D4382A-2475-4A9C-BEA2-859F4F5893BB

2 of 3

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Board of Directors accepts the
recommendation of the President and Chief Executive Officer, in her capacity as Chief Contracting
Officer, and the Operations Committee and approves the expenditure of funds for Option Year
Three of the Contract with Destination DC at the amounts described above, subject to the approval
of the Council of the District of Columbia (the “Council”) in accordance with D.C. Code §§ 1-204.51
and 2–352.02.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the President and Chief Executive Officer shall
submit the agreement for the exercise of Option Year Three of the Contract to the Council for
approval as required herein.

This Resolution No. 25-22 may be executed in counterparts.

___________________________________
Leif Dormsjo, Chairperson

__________________________________
Cherrie Doggett, Vice Chairperson

____________________________________
Monica Ray, Secretary

____________________________________
Jay Haddock Ortiz, Treasurer

____________________________________
Nina Albert, Member

____________________________________
Alan Bubes, Member

__________________________________
Marisa Flowers, Member

___________________________________
Solomon Keene, Member

__________________________________
Brian Kenner, Member

___________________________________
Glen Lee, Member
Docusign Envelope ID: 58D4382A-2475-4A9C-BEA2-859F4F5893BB

3 of 3

___________________________________
George T. Simpson, Member

Resolution No. 25-22
Dated: October 9, 2025
Docusign Envelope ID: 58D4382A-2475-4A9C-BEA2-859F4F5893BB

DESTINATION DC MARKETING AGREEMENT FISCAL YEARS 2019-2023EXERCISE OF THIRD OPTION YEARWHEREASWashington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation d/b/a Destination DCDestination DC an Effective Date of April 5, 2019; andWHEREAS, five (5) one-WHEREAS, Events DC elects to exercise the third Option Year of the Agreement; and WHEREAS, material to election to exercise such option, Destination DC has represented that it will, consistent with the extant terms and conditions of the Agreement: (i) continue expanding its domestic marketing strategy beyond the East Coast to markets across the U.S. including Denver, San Francisco, Houston, and Ft. Lauderdale where data tracking shows consumer interest in visiting Washington, DC; (ii) continue expanding opportunities for direct-to-consumer advertising and other in-market promotions through representation in existing international markets (the United Kingdom, India, China, and Australia), and a newly-added international market (Japan); (iii) continue acquiring international marketing support in key growth markets such Mexico and Brazil; and (iv) enhance existing relationships with the District.NOW, THEREFORE, the third Option Year of the Agreement is hereby exercised, subject to approval by the Council of the District of Columbia as required by D.C. Code § 10-1202.08a(g).WASHINGTON, DC CONVENTION AND TOURISM CORPORATION D/B/A DESTINATION DC___________________________________Elliott L. FergusonPresident and Chief Executive OfficerDate Signed: ________________________WASHINGTON CONVENTION AND SPORTS AUTHORITY T/A EVENTS DC_____________________________________Angie M. GatesPresident and Chief Executive OfficerDate Signed: __________________________
11/07/2025