Edited by Mariangeles Perez Manoileff and Camille Richardson

Although Washington, DC is best known as the seat of government and the capital of the United States, it is also a world-class city that offers unparalleled opportunities to organizations and businesses, large and small. This article contains both business and tourism information to help you prepare for your next visit to the United States and our nation’s capital.

Washington, DC and the Greater Washington Area, which includes parts of Maryland and Virginia, boasts a multifaceted economy tied to national and international markets. A well-educated and highly skilled workforce, an award-winning Metrorail subway system, the world's largest collection of museums and art galleries, an excellent health-care and university system, abundant parks, and tree-lined streets in historic neighborhoods are but a few of the city's many assets and amenities.

Since 1997, the capital city has been experiencing an economic resurgence and revitalization unparalleled its history. Some of the highlights of that resurgence are the following:

· The opening of MCI Center, which features sporting events and concerts, at the end of December 1997 led the revival of downtown DC, especially in the East End. Many new restaurants, offices, and shops opened in 1998 and 1999, as developers rushed to keep up with the growth of local law firms, accounting firms and associations.

· Construction began on the new Washington Convention Center at Mount Vernon Square. The $800 million, 2.3 million-square-foot center, slated to open in 2003, will stimulate new hotels, restaurants and spending downtown while providing new convention space as the 6th largest center in the U.S.

· Retail sales in the District are increasing annually, with 1998 sales of $6.9 billion, $7.7 billion in 1999 and $8.3 billion in 2000. Major national retailers are considering multiple sites in Washington.

· All sectors of the hospitality industry--the city's second strongest industry after the federal government--reported a strong year. Hotel occupancy in the DC area during 2000 stood at 73.1%, up 0.2% over 1999 and 1.7% over 1998 occupancy rates. Washington, DC is home to over 100 hotels, which offer over 25,600 rooms. The Smithsonian reported that during 2000 it hosted 30.4 million museum visits at its 14 museums. The District also experienced 19.2 million visitors in 2000.

· Washington, DC has once again become the third largest downtown office market in the country, behind only New York and Chicago. Respondents to a 1999 survey by the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate ranked the city as the nation's second greatest investment opportunity, second only to New York City.

· The city is experiencing one of the nation's hottest housing markets. The District's 1999 residential sales were up 14% over 1998, with the number of combined single family and condo contracts exceeding each year's sales during the 1990's. Home sales in Washington, DC increased almost three times as much for the nation as a whole (12.7 percent).

· As a part of its economic resurgence, Washington, DC is offering numerous financial incentives to attract and retain businesses and associations. An inviting array of tax credits, preferences and financing options now awaits businesses of any type.

Washington's greatest competitive advantage is its unique role as the nation's capital. There has been a great deal of growth in the District's major industry networks. They have prospered because of their proximity to the federal government, to global financial institutions, to the outstanding universities and colleges in DC and to the historical attractions that make Washington, DC an international tourist destination.

International Trade in Washington, DC

Washington, DC has enormous influence on the international economy. Nearly every country of the world operates an embassy and trade office in DC. The global financial institutions of the world are headquartered here. Finally, DC has all the tools with which to manage international trade operations. With two international airports nearby, excellent universities with schools dedicated to foreign trade and foreign service, trade associations and government resources addressing issues of international trade, DC has a support system in place for businesses trading abroad or those getting ready to expand their operations internationally.

Washington, DC is nestled between Maryland in the North and Virginia in the South. Maryland and Virginia share a close relationship with Washington and are two important states for international trade. In fact, parts of Maryland and Virginia that border DC are considered part of the Washington Metropolitan Area.

Your Partners In International Trade

The U.S. Department of Commerce is the headquarters for the U.S. Commercial Service. The bulk of our administrative, policy and management responsibilities are centered in Washington. However, we have two offices outside of DC within the Greater Washington DC Metropolitan area located in Baltimore, Maryland and in Arlington, Virginia. Our trade specialists in these offices work with US companies and organizations that facilitate international trade.

A list of US Commercial Service trading partners in the Greater Washington Area include:
The World Trade Center- Baltimore
Established in Baltimore in 1989, the World Trade Center Institute is part of an extensive global association of over 300 World Trade Centers around the world, with overall goals to enhance international trade, promote local economic development, and ultimately foster peace and stability through trade in the mid-Atlantic international community.
DC Chamber of Commerce
The District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving the climate for business in D.C.

Greater Washington Initiative

A regional cooperative marketing organization, The Greater Washington Initiative (GWI) promotes the Greater Washington region—encompassing the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland—as an ideal location for locating or expanding a business. The Initiative serves as a one-stop shop for corporate clients and site selection consultants by providing complimentary and confidential client services and research. A non-profit affiliate of The Greater Washington Board of Trade, GWI works in conjunction with all area economic development organizations.

Washington International Trade Association

The Washington International Trade Association (WITA) is a non-profit, voluntary organization dedicated to providing a neutral forum in the nation's capital for the open discussion of international trade issues. WITA has over 800 members consisting of business executives, consultants, lawyers, federal officials, diplomats and academics. Through an extensive series of programs, WITA keeps its members informed of the latest positions taken by the Administration and Congress on trade policy, rules and regulations governing international trade, and views of U.S. trade policy from abroad.

Office of Local Business Development

The Office of Local Business Development (OLBD) conducts research and identifies new avenues to reach local business enterprises. OLBD fosters community participation for local, small, and disadvantaged business enterprises (LSDBEs) development through forums, community meetings, and various outreach efforts with strategic partners.
International Trade Association of Northern Virginia
The International Trade Association of Northern Virginia, established in 1976, was the first international trade association in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Members represent a broad spectrum of the metropolitan area's international community-corporate leaders, consultants, professional service providers, importers and exporters, transportation companies, government officials, diplomats, educators and high technology industries. Members benefit from dynamic speakers discussing timely topics at luncheons, learn useful information at workshops and seminars, and developed strategic relationships with business colleagues at special events.

Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce

The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce is the largest chamber in the Metropolitan DC region. The Chamber supports and enhances the businesses of Fairfax County, the business and technology center of the East Coast. The more than 27,000 businesses located in the County are critical to moving the American and global economy forward, including leaders in aerospace, information technology, defense and intelligence systems, software development, telecommunications and the life sciences.

Virginia Economic Development Partnership

The primary goals of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's (VEDP) Division of International Trade are to increase the number of Virginia companies exporting and to increase the volume of Virginia exports. As part of its mission to increase jobs in the Commonwealth, the Division of International Trade assists Virginia businesses in their efforts to introduce and sell their products and services internationally

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, International Marketing Division, helps Virginia companies develop profitable export opportunities throughout the world for agricultural, food and forest products.

Washington, an Exciting Tourism Destination

After a day of appointments or as an exciting holiday destination, Washington represents an excellent opportunity. Bounded in the south by the Potomac River (on the other side of the river you'll find Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia) and in the north by the state of Maryland, Washington covers 69 square miles (111 km²) and presents a wide range of places to visit and enjoy.

The residential and historic Capitol Hill is the main sightseeing area. Downtown includes the monuments dotting the Mall. Dupont Circle, in the heart of Washington, is an eclectic mix of restaurants, shops, coffee houses and nightlife with an endless array of night-time and leisure activities. Adams-Morgan, one of Washington DC's most colorful neighborhoods, is bohemian, funky and international with a distinctly Latin flair that offers a cuisine to fit all taste buds. Georgetown features pristine historic houses, a university and lively bars.

Home to some of the Country's most recognizable buildings including the White House and the Washington Monument, more than 20 million visitors flock to the legislative and administrative headquarters of the land each year. D.C. is also home to the Smithsonian Institute and the National Gallery of Art.
For additional information on Tourism in Washington
Washington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation
http://www.washington.org

Capital Region USA

Offers information on the DC metro area in English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese. [www.capitalregionusa.org]
Arlington and Northern Virginia Convention and Visitor’s Services
Arlington is centrally located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., minutes from all the attractions of Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia.

In addition, Arlington is home to many of the area's best known attractions including the Pentagon; the U.S. Marine Memorial "Iwo Jima", Fort Myer; and Arlington National Cemetery. The Arlington Convention and Visitors Service (ACVS) can assist your every travel need throughout the Washington, D.C. area. ACVS works closely with attractions, hotels, events and other organizations to promote individual and group travel.

As part of the Greater Washington DC area, Northern Virginia offers the culture of two different worlds, combining historic and high tech, cosmopolitan skylines and country starlit skies. In Northern Virginia you can enjoy the offerings at small wineries, galleries, artists' studios and boutiques in rural towns and villages, or visit upscale shopping and premier outlet malls in urban settings. For additional information on Tourism in Northern Virginia, visit the Official Virginia Tourism Website.

Maryland Tourism Information

For information on tourism opportunities in the State of Maryland Check out http://www.Maryland.com.

Where To Go Shopping

Washington, DC area offers many varied shopping options, satisfying all budgets. The Washington, DC Metrorail system offers safe, inexpensive and rapid transit throughout the Greater Washington Area.

Outlet Shopping
Potomac Mills, just 30 minutes south of Washington, DC, is a retail mecca where you can enjoy over 220 stores with discounts up to 70% off your favorite name brand merchandise.
Also, close to Washington, DC at Leesburg Corner you will find 110 outlet stores with impressive savings.
After visiting Arundel Mills in Baltimore your shopping experience will never be the same! Inside Arundel Mills' 1.3 million square feet of exciting retail space, you can find it all. Over two hundred of the best names in retail and lots of entertainment! Arundel Mills also offers special shop and stay packages with local hotels.

High–End Shops
For more exclusive shopping, you can go to Tysons Galleria, Washington D.C.'s premier upscale shopping and dining experience, voted The 2002 Best Shopping Mall by The Washington Post Reader's Choice Awards! Fabulous stores, delicious restaurants and an elegant atmosphere always make for an extraordinary shopping excursion. Pentagon City, Georgetown Park, Mazza Gallerie, and Chevy Chase Pavilion also present elegant shopping experiences.

Shops at Tourism Sites
The Shops at National Place, which are surrounded by hotels offer convenient downtown shopping for tourists and residents alike. Union Station on Capitol Hill combines shopping with eateries and an Amtrak train station to take you anywhere in the continental US including Baltimore where you can find a variety of stores at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and Marley Station in Maryland is located just 8 miles from BWI Airport and 20 minutes from downtown Baltimore or Annapolis. Marley Station is a regional shopping mall featuring over 130 specialty stores, restaurants and movie theaters.

Contact Us

For business or leisure, no doubt Washington DC is a prime destination!

Our office in Baltimore is responsible for helping international visitors do business in Washington, DC and in Maryland. For a fee they can set up customized business appointments for international visitors. For more information contact:

Baltimore U.S. Export Assistance Center
Phone: (410) 962-4539
Fax: (410) 962-4529
Email: obaltimo@mail.doc.gov
Address: World Trade Center
401 East Pratt Street, Suite 2432
Baltimore, MD 21202

Our office in Northern Virginia is strategically located near the Greater Washington technology corridor and for a small fee stands ready to assist visitors staying just across the Memorial bridge, who are interested in exploring international business opportunities in neighboring Virginia.

Northern Virginia (NoVA) U.S. Export Assistance Center
Phone: (703) 524-2885
Fax: (703) 524-2649
Email: nova.office.box@mail.doc.gov
Address: 1401 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 1225
Arlington, VA 22209

*Sources: information compiled from http://www.dcmarketingcenter.com and the websites listed in the article.