Placemaking and Sustainability Featured at DDC's 3rd Annual Sustainability Summit

WASHINGTON, DC - Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, today hosted its annual Sustainability Summit at the historic Howard Theatre. The event, held in partnership with the District Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE), convened leaders from tourism, hospitality, government and community organizations to explore how ongoing and intentional placemaking strengthens sustainable development and enhances the well-being of residents, visitors and local businesses.

"Sustainability is about ensuring Washington, DC continues to thrive for everyone who depends on it - our residents, the businesses that power our economy and visitors from around the world," said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, DDC. "It's not only the right thing to do for our planet; it's also essential to the future of our industry. As expectations evolve for meetings and events, destinations must demonstrate a commitment to protecting the places people come to experience. By working together across our community, we can ensure DC remains a vibrant and sustainable city to live, visit and meet today and for future generations."

The summit's 2026 theme, placemaking, highlights how the culture, creativity and communities of Washington, DC contribute to a more resilient and sustainable visitor economy. By showcasing local leaders and organizations that shape the city's neighborhoods, the event reinforces how collaboration across sectors supports long-term social, environmental and economic progress.

"We know that people come to - and stay in - Washington, DC to change the world," said Mayor Muriel Bowser. "This summit is an opportunity to celebrate the many people and teams that are working in industries across DC to make sure we stay the best city in the world for generations to come."

The program featured:

• Richard Jackson, Director of the DC Department of Energy and Environment, and Chip Ellis, CEO of the Howard Theatre, emphasized partnerships between city agencies, businesses and communities.

• Scott Kratz, president and CEO of Building Bridges Across the River, delivered the keynote on transforming public spaces and connecting communities across the Anacostia River.

• Vida Ali, marketing and special events manager, Ben's Chili Bowl, discussed the role of iconic local businesses in sustaining neighborhood culture.
  

Speakers included:

• Dr. Bernard Demczuk, University of the District of Columbia, African American Cultural Historian at UDC, with decades of experience in city leadership and Black history education.

• Kaitlin Calogera, A Tour of Her Own: Founder of DC's first women's history-focused tour company and author of 111 Places in Women's History That You Must Not Miss in Washington, DC

• NEXTDC Advanced Interns Alana Hill, Brian Blanco, Matias Figueroa, Maximus Carter and Promise Parraway: High school interns presenting innovative ideas shaping the city's future
  

District Sustainability Awards
As part of the program, DOEE presented the 2026 District Sustainability Awards, recognizing businesses, organizations and individuals whose work contributes to a greener, healthier and more resilient Washington, DC.

Award recipients:
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington, DC Convention Center: full-service, all-suite downtown hotel recognized for advancing sustainability through energy-efficient upgrades, water conservation, waste reduction and equitable workforce development, supported by strong partnerships.
• American University - Clean Energy DC Award: Recognized for the Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance, a fully electrified, net-zero energy facility powered by geothermal and solar systems that combine high-performance design with inclusive community access.
• To Go Green: Reusable packaging platform helping District restaurants replace single-use takeout containers with durable, returnable alternatives, reducing waste and supporting a more inclusive circular economy.
• VMDO: DC-based architecture firm advancing sustainable design through carbon-neutral strategies, healthy materials and targeted planning for high-performance educational and civic spaces.
• DC Greens: Nonprofit improving food access and environmental sustainability through community-driven programs, including The Well at Oxon Run, a hub for urban farming, composting and environmental education.
• Washington Area Community Investment Fund: Community development financial institution supporting small businesses in adopting sustainable practices through its Sustainable DC Project and Green Growth Fund, with a focus on underserved groups.
• Erin Palmer: Leader recognized for long-standing environmental stewardship, including neighborhood cleanups and expanding access to environmental resources to foster healthier, connected neighborhoods.

"Partnering with Destination DC for the Sustainability Summit is a natural fit as we work to make the District a greener, healthier place for residents and visitors alike," said Richard Jackson, Director of DOEE. "DDC plays an important role in amplifying these efforts to a national and global audience, helping showcase Washington, DC as a leader in sustainability and innovation."

DC Advances Climate and Sustainability Initiatives
Washington, DC continues to lead with innovative, data-driven and community-focused sustainability efforts that support both residents and the visitor economy.

Recent initiatives include:

• Maintaining the #1 parks system in the nation for five consecutive years, reinforcing access to green space across all eight wards

• Deploying updated heat maps to target cooling strategies and reduce the impacts of extreme summer temperatures

• Launching a hyperlocal air quality monitoring system to provide precise, neighborhood-level data

• Expanding access to convenient electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the city
  
  Washington, DC Continues Leadership in Global Sustainability
  During the Summit, Destination DC also shared updates on the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index), an international benchmarking program that measures sustainability performance among tourism destinations.
  
  Washington, DC rose four positions among North American destinations, now ranking 5th regionally. It maintains the top spot among U.S. cities for the fifth consecutive year. Highlights from the 2025 assessment include:

• DC's overall score improved to 57%, up six points over 2024

• DC recorded the third most improved social sustainability score among all participating destinations
  
  Each year, DDC submits a comprehensive assessment measuring the city's sustainability efforts across government initiatives, industry participation and community engagement.
  
  "These results reflect the values and contributions of Washington, DC's more than 700,000 residents," said Shelby Luzzi, senior manager for sustainability at DDC. "As our city continues to grow as a global destination for meetings and tourism, sustainability will remain central to how we support long-term economic growth while protecting the communities and places that make DC unique."
  
  Strengthening Community Engagement
  DDC launched a Sustainability Advisory Committee in 2025. The group brings together representatives from local businesses, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and regional transit partners to help guide the development of the organization's sustainability strategy. The committee will review an initial draft of the strategy in April.
  
  Sustainability District Grows
  DDC also celebrates the growth of its Sustainability District program, which now recognizes more than 80 member businesses that demonstrate leadership in social, environmental and economic sustainability practices. The program recently welcomed its 30th hotel participant, further boosting the network of responsible partners available to meeting planners and visitors. The program positions DC with a competitive advantage to attract customers who prioritize sustainable initiatives in their meetings and events.
  
  In addition to the Summit, DDC hosts semiannual Sustainability Roundtables, small-group workshops designed to help hospitality businesses and community partners exchange best practices and resources. The July 2025 session included a focus on accessibility, connecting the organization's work across multiple social sustainability initiatives.
  
  About Destination DC: Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, nonprofit membership organization committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities.