The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), in partnership with GSTC Member Destination DC, hosted an exclusive Pre-Summit Executive Workshop at Yours Truly DC Hotel, Vignette Collection by IHG, in Washington DC, USA.The workshop opened on Tuesday, March 25, with a warm welcome from Melissa Riley, Senior Vice President of Convention Sales & Services at Destination DC. She emphasized the importance of sustainability in shaping the future of Washington, DC.
The session was led by GSTC CEO Randy Durband and focused on the important and critical role of sustainability certifications in tourism. Attendees gained a clearer understanding of the certification ecosystem, the business value of third-party certifications, and the practical steps organizations can take to achieve certification.
This interactive workshop was designed specifically for DC Hospitality Alliance members, DDC Sustainability District partners, and representatives of Destination DC’s Sustainability Advisory Committee. With limited space for only 50 participants, the session fostered an intimate and productive environment for in-depth discussion and knowledge sharing.
Key takeaways included:
- Insight into the global sustainability certification landscape
- The strategic advantage of being certified as sustainable
- Actionable guidance for businesses aiming to pursue certification
Closing remarks were said by Claire Carlin, Senior Vice President of Partnerships & Alliances at Destination DC, who reinforced the organization’s dedication to long-term sustainability goals. She expressed appreciation to the attendees and partners for their engagement and encouraged continued dialogue and action to advance responsible tourism in the region.
“It was a pleasure to engage with Destination DC and local stakeholders in a meaningful discussion about the value of sustainability generally and about sustainability certifications. The room was filled with people committed to doing the right thing for people, planet, and profit. It was a pleasure to share and engage with them.” Said Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.
The workshop was held before the second annual Sustainability Summit and served as a valuable opportunity for local stakeholders to align on shared sustainability goals and explore new pathways to responsible tourism.
About Destination DC
Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit 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.
