Destination DC (DDC) announced that Claire Carlin has been named senior vice president, partnerships and alliances and Tara Miller has been appointed director of global sales. Carlin will focus on the needs of DDC’s partners, members and the American Experience Foundation; while Miller will focus on leading global event sales, marketing, business development and strategic programs, including Washington, D.C.’s influential Ambassador Circle and International Business Events Council.
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"I'm fortunate to lead a group of exceptional individuals who have navigated our organization through numerous challenges," said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of DDC. "With the infusion of additional funding for marketing and sales through the Tourism Recovery District legislation, Claire and Tara play a pivotal role in executing our strategy to expand and strengthen our membership, as well as draw global meetings to Washington, D.C. I take pride in their dedication."
Carlin joined DDC in 2015 as VP, partnerships and alliances. She currently leads a team that manages nearly 1,000 members, plus 30 sponsors and strategic partners. She was also instrumental in the creation of a DEI Business Fellowship program. The program offers free membership and technical training to businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups. Carlin also serves as the Executive Director of DDC’s affiliated charity, the American Experience Foundation, and as treasurer of the Rorschach Theatre Board of Directors; serves on the Theatre Washington Development Committee; and was a founding board member of the Capital Fringe Festival. She was also honored as a German Marshall Fund Marshall Memorial Fellow and named hospitality industry partner of the year by the DC Office of the State Superintendent for Education.
"I enjoy getting to understand Destination DC’s member businesses and our school partners,” Carlin said. “I see that they can benefit from our connections and education and the sales and marketing opportunities our teams create. I'm focused on building strong partnerships, connecting with our members and working to support their business goals in Washington, D.C.”
Tara Miller rejoined DDC in 2017 as the senior manager of international sales after helping launch its international convention sales program in 2012. She uses her experience in destination marketing to highlight the things that set Washington, D.C. apart like the city’s access, intellectual capital and world-class amenities for business events. Her work has helped to position D.C. on the global meetings stage, and she has helped develop and execute strategies to attract international meetings and global business events to Washington, D.C.
“As we expand our sales efforts, I’m excited to grow international meetings and help associations and corporations leverage the benefits of D.C.’s strong sectors and valuable assets that truly set the city apart,” Miller said. “I’m looking forward to closer collaboration with clients and exploring greater ways to make their meetings valuable and impactful in the nation’s capital.”
This information is based on a press release from Destination DC
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