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Members of the Downtown BID staff and several BID partners, including seasoned training officers from the Metropolitan Police Department, the DC Fire and Medical Emergency Services and the US Park Police, teach the classes. Safety/Hospitality SAMs research, explore and become knowledgeable on issues such as crime prevention and reporting, first aid and first responder training, communication skills and homeless services. Four weeks of field training with experienced SAMs follows the classroom lectures, role plays, site visits and drills. The SAMs must also complete CPR training and a Dale Carnegie training seminar.
The Downtown BID would like to thank the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (1200 New York Ave), which will host the graduation ceremony for our new SAMs hitting the streets this spring.
The SAMs present a visible, professional and welcoming face in Downtown. They patrol the 138-block area between the US Capitol and the White House seven days a week, offering directions; notifying police when trouble arises; escorting workers to their vehicles or public transportation after hours; and removing litter, trash and graffiti. Classroom instruction is an important part of preparing these neighborhood concierges for a highly demanding and rewarding experience.
Signs of Appreciation
The Downtown BID often receives words of praise from visitors, workers and residents touched in some way by the help and reassuring presence that SAMs provide on Downtown streets. Here’s a sampling of two such communications.
“I want to express my appreciation for the friendly help provided by the SAM team members during my visit to DC for the Inauguration events. One in particular, Vivian (Brooks), went out of her way to guide me to locating an ATM machine near the Federal Triangle Metro. Thank you for your help and for making me feel welcome in the District."
Lise Bauman
Philadelphia, PA
"Thank you very much for having SAM employees! We want to thank Vivian (Brooks) especially for helping us when she saw us fumbling with a map to get around the day after the Inauguration. She was on us so fast and we so appreciate her walking us towards the White House Visitor Center. I wish we had this [service] on the streets of Seattle. She is wonderful. Thank you.”
Jodee & Amos Shirman
Seattle, WA
The Downtown BID and the SAMs appreciate your feedback. If you would like to share a story about a SAM who provided exemplary customer service, visit our website at www.downtowndc.org and click on “Contact Us.”
Economic News
The Downtown BID has assembled statistics for a year-end review of 2008, released as the "2008 Economic Brief," to provide a bit of good news amid current financial and economic woes locally, nationally and internationally. This new report piggybacks on the leadership paper,  "DC's Response to the Global Financial and Economic Crisis," released in December 2008, which focuses on concrete steps to minimize losses and maximize recovery once conditions improve.
The "2008 Economic Brief" clearly states that Downtown and DC's economies are not immune to bad financial and economic conditions, but the fundamentals of each are sound, if not strong, resulting in mixed performance for 2008.
Using data from the BID's “2007 State of Downtown” report as well as information for 2008, the paper also highlights major trends in the Downtown BID area for the year, including record office market rents, destination restaurant growth, record hotel revenues and increased weekday and weekend Metrorail ridership. Despite the fact that unemployment in DC has risen to 8.8%, and could rise above 10%, both Downtown and the city stand to benefit from the economic financial crisis and stimulus plan, which will create more local and regional jobs.
To read other highlights and factors that bode well for Downtown and DC, the publication is available for downloading at www.downtowndc.org/brief.
 Inaugural Impact
Washington, DC, and Downtown were very successful hosting January’s historic and unprecedented Presidential Inauguration festivities: nearly 2 million people converged in Downtown; crime fell 22% citywide on January 19 and January 20, Inauguration Day; and restaurants, bars, hotels and vendors reported brisk business. What this means in terms of dollars is still to be determined because retail numbers won’t be available until mid-March. But many Downtown restaurants, retailers and museums anecdotally report that they benefited from the huge crowds that convened in Downtown neighborhoods.
Think Food Group (425 8th Street), which owns Jaleo (480 7th Street), Café Atlantico (405 8th Street), Oyamel (401 7th Street) and Zaytinya (701 9th Street), reports its restaurants got a bounce from the Presidential Inauguration—business was up 25% over last year, although slightly less at Zaytinya (7%), which was farther away from the National Mall and the Inaugural Parade route. Passion Hospitality, the owner of Ten Penh (1001 Pennsylvania Avenue), DC Coast (1401 K Street), Acadiana (901 New York Avenue) and Ceiba (701 14th Street), says business at least doubled during the period for both lunch and dinner. “We were really, really busy,” says Gus DiMillo, a Passion Hospitality partner. “I wished it could have lasted longer!”
At Filene’s Basement (529 14th Street), the store manager raved about the “fabulous January” and out-of-town customers, especially guests from the nearby JW Marriott Hotel Washington (1331 Pennsylvania Avenue) and Willard InterContinental (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue). “Business was very good. People were spending quite a bit,” says Kathy Harmon, adding jokingly, “we have to talk with Barack about doing something for our business every year.”
The Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Avenue), which typically draws a few thousand visitors on a typical Saturday, attracted between 6,000 to 8,000 people the Sunday before Inauguration Day and a total of more than 15,000 people over five days. The US Naval Heritage Center (701 Pennsylvania Avenue) reports attendance tripled, to more than 300 people. And the International Spy Museum (800 F Street) had more than 2,400 group ticket sales the Wednesday after Inauguration Day—the highest number in its 6-1/2 year history. Single-day sales in the Museum’s store also set a record.
Last month, Councilmember Jack Evans, the chair of the DC Committee on Finance and Revenue, held a hearing to determine the Inauguration’s overall financial impact on the city. The conclusion: DC, and the Downtown BID area in particular, fared well intangibly and from additional sales tax revenues—but it also endured substantial costs associated with providing visitors with a welcoming experience.
 Cherry Blossom Watch
Look for the stars to abscond Hollywood to descend on DC for the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade®, a highlight of the spring season. Several celebrities will participate in this year’s parade—Grand Marshal Alex Trebek, of Jeopardy! fame; American Idol finalist Kimberly Locke; disco diva Thelma Houston; Miss America 2009 Katie Stam, a talented vocalist; and Disney Radio star Joey Page. Not to be missed are 700 youth choir singers, the All-Star Tap Dance Team and 11 marching bands from across the country, including some local favorites—the Howard University Showtime Marching Band, the Ballou Marching Knights and Batala, the All Female Brazilian Percussion band and the Eastern High School Marching Band, all from DC. Other local participants will include the Severna Park High School Marching Band of Maryland and the Manassas Park High School Marching Cougars of Virginia.
The one-mile long Parade will step off at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 4, and travel along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets. The Parade is one of the largest activities of the National Cherry Blossom Festival®, the annual two-week celebration of Japan’s gift of cherry trees to the US in 1912. This year’s festivities will run from Saturday, March 28 through Sunday, April 12. There’s something for everyone—cultural demonstrations, performances, art exhibits, fireworks, international cuisine and athletic competitions. For more information and to find out how you can volunteer, visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
 Big-City Forum
Thirteen leaders of America’s top Downtown organizations—including our own Richard H. Bradley—met recently in Tampa, Florida to discuss the effects of the global financial crisis. A top real estate economist with Grubb & Ellis and the chairman of the International Downtown Association joined the participants, who represented such diverse cities as New York, Philadelphia, Denver and Seattle.
Four major findings emerged from the two-day forum:
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The global economic crisis is having an unsettling effect on the nation’s Downtowns, but Downtowns may be better suited to handle the disruption than the suburbs or the exurbs. |
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Downtown organizations are adjusting to the global financial crisis, but are using different tactics. |
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Although Downtown organizations always have been involved indirectly in economic development, the global financial crisis is leading them more and more in that direction. Some important capabilities for Downtown organizations to develop to strengthen their economic development initiatives are: 1) providing credible information; 2) developing better financial tools and decision-making processes for economic development and infrastructure; and 3) examining organizational goals and executive responsibilities. |
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Since the global financial crisis, Downtown organizations more and more are being called upon to provide leadership for their communities. The pull toward leadership comes against a push of limited resources. |
“Many of the tenets discussed at the forum also could apply to other 'urban, walkable' areas, including midtowns, former suburban town centers, reconfigured suburban commercial centers, lifestyle centers and areas around universities and hospitals,” said Bradley.
The Downtown executives agreed that future roundtables might concentrate more fully on each of three topics: research, financial incentives and organizational options. For example, they might focus on how Downtown organizations can work with city, county and state governments to develop incentives to build infrastructure and promote economic development.
A report of the meeting, “Downtowns and the Global Economic Crisis,” is available online at www.downtowndc.org/forum1.
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| DEVELOPMENT DOINGS |
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 Vote of Confidence
After two years, DC has regained the No. 1 spot as the top global city for foreign real estate investors. A new Association of Foreign Investors (AFIRE) survey shows the city deposing New York, traditionally the top destination for investors seeking US commercial real estate holdings. This year, New York ranks second, followed by London, Tokyo and Shanghai. Foreign investors say they plan to increase lending by 54% globally and by 58% in the US. Compared with transactions completed by October 2008, equity investors plan to increase investment activity by 40% globally and 73% in the US this year. The association’s nearly 200 members, representing 21 countries, responded to the survey in the fourth quarter of 2008. They expressed a substantial preference for US real estate—followed by properties in Germany, the UK, China and Japan—and said these properties provide the best opportunity for capital appreciation.
Down But Not Out
Recessionary woes have caused organizers of the National Law Enforcement Museum, slated to open in Judiciary Square near the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (5th and E Streets), to scale back plans. The project will be reduced to $51 million from $80 million; its space cut to 55,000 SF and three levels from 100,000 SF and four levels; and its completion date moved to 2013 from 2011. Despite the dramatic change, the new plan will retain two-thirds of the building’s exhibit space, a theater, Museum shop, plaza and glass entrance pavilions and dedicated areas for education and research.
The first of its kind, the Museum will tell the story of law enforcement through high-tech, interactive exhibits, historical artifacts and extensive educational programming. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is in charge of the project, which is expected to attract more than 500,000 visitors to Downtown. For more information, visit www.LawEnforcementMuseum.org.
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| DOWNTOWN DISH |
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 Italian, Anyone?
Despite the loss in January of Ristorante Luigiano (1100 New York Avenue), Downtown DC is fast becoming a mecca for Italian cuisine. Potenza, an Old World Italian restaurant, plans to occupy 10,000 square feet in the historic Woodward Building (1430 H Street). The restaurant will seat 175, including a salumi counter, bar and a bakery that will make all of its pastas, breads and desserts. The menu will feature such culinary dishes as spicy duck sausage pizza, rotisserie guinea hen and roasted bronzino. An outdoor patio will provide views of the National Monument and, who knows, of President Barack Obama, a nearby resident. Potenza comes by way of the Stir Food Group and The Malrite Company, same folks that brought Zola (1800 F Street) and the recently opened Zola Wine & Kitchen (505 9th Street) to Penn Quarter. For more information, visit www.Potenzadc.com.
Two other Italian restaurants opened recently—Vapiano (623 H Street) and Siroc (915 15th Street). Vapiano has opened in Chinatown and specializes in made-to-order fire-roasted pizzas, fresh pastas, gourmet salads and homemade desserts. The restaurant, the 2008 winner of Nation’s Restaurant News’ “Hot Concept!” Award, seats up to 175 and offers a chic, upscale décor. Vapiano operates 47 restaurants in nearly 18 countries, including Germany, where it originated. It has three locations in the Washington area. More information is available at www.vapianointernational.com.
Siroc opened in January. It now fills the space vacated by Gerard Pangaud Bistro, which closed last summer. Named for a wind that blows from northern Africa to Italy and the Mediterranean, the restaurant’s menu features Italian and Mediterranean fare, including homemade pastas, charcuterie and salads. Chef Martin Lackovic, formerly with Galileo, is the owner, along with brothers Keram and Mehdi Dris. Like Potenza, the restaurant will offer street side dining—always an added benefit—when the weather warms up. For more information, visit www.restaurantsiroc.com.
George’s Place
World-famous chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, connoisseur of a plethora of three- and four-star restaurants in the US and abroad, will open a new concept in the W Hotel (515 15th Street), former site of the Hotel Washington. Both the hotel and restaurant are scheduled to open August 1. Through his newest venture, Culinary Concepts, Jean-Georges has partnered with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide to create restaurant concepts in Starwood’s upscale and luxury hotels, including W, Westin, Le Meridien and St. Regis. French, Italian and Asian dishes will influence the new restaurant’s menu. No name has yet been announced. For more information, visit www.culinaryconcepts.com.
Knock on Wood
If there’s a recession going on, it’s hard to tell in Downtown, where yet another restaurant plans to open its doors next month, or in early April. The new entry is called Cedar (822 E Street), an upscale bistro that will serve American fare. Like several of the new restaurants now opening, it hopes to have a sidewalk café with seating for about 12. The urban café plans to have room for 99 diners and offer background music.
Joyful Pub
The site of Reeves Restaurant and Bakery (1306 G Street), the 19th century all-American eatery that closed in 2007, is now home to Laughing Man Tavern. The bar serves standard American fare. Its owner, Bedrock Management Company, also has such popular hotspots as Rocket Bar (714 7th Street), District Grill (1201 K Street), Buffalo Billiards and Mackey’s. For hours and other information, call 202.737.1797.
So Sad to See You Go
Soho Café & Market (401 9th Street) closed abruptly and permanently last month. However, the owner of the cafeteria restaurant, which offered hot and cold food bars, was gracious. A sign left on the door thanked loyal customers for their patronage and expressed regrets for having to close. Two other BID area locations, at 529 14th Street and 1301 K Street, are owned by a different proprietor and will remain open.
Cream of the Crop
Washingtonian magazine’s list of the 100 Very Best Restaurants in DC, Maryland and Virginia appeared in its February issue, and several Downtown BID area dining establishments made the cut. According to the magazine, restaurants earning a spot on its list “did so with memorable cooking. If the food didn’t move us,” it said, “we moved on—despite whatever else a restaurant had going for it.” Ouch.
Twenty-four Downtown BID area restaurants made the list. Here’s how they rank: Minibar, at Café Atlantico, 405 8th Street (3); The Source, 575 Pennsylvania Avenue (10); BLT Steak, 1625 I Street (11); Central Michel Richard, 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue (13); Rasika, 633 D Street (18); Corduroy, 1122 9th Street (19); Bistro Bis, Hotel George, 15 E Street (22); Tosca, 1112 F Street (23); Poste, 555 8th Street (27); Café du Parc, 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue (32); Zaytinya, 701 9th Street (37); Charlie Palmer Steak, 101 Constitution Avenue (41); Le Paradou, 678 Indiana Avenue (43); Jaleo, 480 7th Street (46); Mio, 1110 Vermont Avenue (56); Proof, 775 G Street (59); Brasserie Beck, 1101 K Street (61); Oyamel, 401 7th Street (64); PS 7’s, 777 I Street (69); Café Atlantico, 405 8th Street (70); Adour, St. Regis Hotel, 923 16th Street (71); Art and Soul, Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel, 415 New Jersey Avenue (77); DC Coast, 1401 K Street (94); and Acadiana, 901 New York Avenue (98).
In addition, the magazine picked the 25 Best Dishes—and nine Downtown BID area restaurants’ dishes were chosen. They are The Source (crispy sea bass or pork-belly dumplings); Corduroy (snapper bisque); Café du Parc (pot of mussels); Rasika (black cod); Adour (raspberry custard with rose-blossom ice cream and grapefruit); Le Paradou (lobster with sauternes butter and grapefruit); BLT Steak (skirt-steak-and-foie-gras sandwich); Central Michel Richard (house-made corned-beef sandwich); and Tosca (carrot pappardelle with rabbit ragu).
After profiling the region’s top restaurants, Washingtonian magazine is now featuring the 75 Best Bars in its March issue. Of course, several Downtown BID area bars—14 to be exact—made the list. The hottest spots are: Off The Record, Hay-Adams Hotel (16th and H Streets); Old Ebbitt Grill (675 15th Street); Round Robin, Willard InterContinental Hotel (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue); BLT Steak (1625 I Street); The Source (575 Pennsylvania Avenue); Chef Geoff’s Downtown (1301 Pennsylvania Avenue); Johnny’s Half Shell (400 N. Capitol Street); Proof (775 G Street); Le Bar (806 15th Street); Poste (555 8th Street); Brasserie Beck (1101 K Street); Café Atlantico (405 8th Street); Central Michel Richard (1001 Pennsylvania Avenue); and PS 7’s (777 I Street).
In addition, Washingtonian asked readers to share their favorite bars. Five Downtown bars were cited. Brasserie Beck, for its happy-hour specials; Capital Grille (601 Pennsylvania Avenue), for its martinis; Proof, for its wine list; Café Atlantico, for its mojitos; and Jaleo (480 7th Street), for its sangrias.
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| AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD |
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 Business Fun
Merlin Entertainments Group, which owns Madame Tussauds (1025 F Street) wax museum and is one of the world’s largest visitor attractions operators, has rolled out a new marketing tool: a corporate pass. The annual passes are designed for companies looking to offer their employees and clients a bundle of goodies, including discounts and free admission to Madame Tussauds here and in New York. Depending on whether a company purchases a congressional ($10,000), vice presidential ($15,000) or presidential corporate pass ($25,000), it can also get discounts on event space rental fees and, in some cases, free event space. For more information, contact Daniela Gorelov-Elasbat at Daniela.Gorelov@MerlinEntertainments.biz, or visit
www.madametussauds.com/Washington/About/Sponsorship/MerlinCorporatePass/default.aspx.
 Charitable Attire
Want to wear jeans to work? That’s the big question now being asked by the Washington Wizards (601 F Street), which is inviting companies to participate in its First Annual Wizards Care Jeans Day through Friday, March 27. The fundraiser, to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank, encourages employees to wear jeans to work (or no ties, business casual attire, etc.—whatever a company decides).
In return for the privilege, an employee donates $5 or more to Wizards Care. Companies may also choose to host a series of jean days in March or even match employee donations. Participating companies donating funds by March 31 will receive 100 tickets to a future Wizards game and have their names splashed across the Jumbotron. Their names will also be listed on the Wizards website. The Wizards will give a Chipotle Mexican Grill (601 F Street) gift card—worth at least $5 –to the first 2,000 people who donate. Additional prizes—including autographed memorabilia—will be given to companies that raise more than $500 and $1,000. All proceeds will go to the Capital Area Food Bank. For more information, contact Danielle Dryer at ddryer@washsports.com or 202.628.3200, extension 4526.
 A New Perspective
The Dinner Program for Homeless Women (309 E Street) has changed its name to Thrive DC to better reflect the comprehensive services now offered to both women and men as well as non-homeless individuals and families. The 30-year-old organization began providing services to men in 1999. Besides serving meals, it also now offers educational enrichment activities, case management, employment readiness training, crisis services and transportation and rental assistance. Thrive DC’s executive director Erika Barry says the new name focuses on success and optimism and speaks to a brighter future. The name was chosen after extensive focus group meetings and surveys.
In other news, the organization was recently featured as “one of the best small charities” in the 2008-2009 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. The Catalogue provides donors with a carefully vetted list of excellent, trustworthy nonprofits and evaluates small nonprofit applicants with budgets below $3 million for cost effectiveness, financial transparency and distinction. To learn more about Thrive DC, visit www.thrivedc.org.
 Shorter Hours
Did you know that the hours at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G Street) will be reduced by seven hours per week beginning Monday, March 2? Blame the economic downturn, which could result in further reductions as the city struggles to adjust to a $250 million projected loss in tax-revenue this fiscal year. Instead of remaining open from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the library will close at 5:30 pm. For additional library hours and information, visit www.dclibrary.org.
Sticking Around
After 15 years, the District of Columbia Bar (1250 H Street) is packing up its 112 employees and leaving one Downtown BID area building for another. Come May, the official local lawyers’ association will move to 1101 K Street, a 10-story trophy building owned by The JBG Cos. Citing the need for more space, the DC Bar will vacate about 42,000 square feet (SF) of space to settle into a 52,000 SF spread in the new granite and marble building which also houses Brasserie Beck restaurant. The organization committed to a 12-year lease and will join other tenants—the Information Technology Industry Council, Lazard Freres & Co. LLC and FTI Consulting—in the 310,825 SF building, featuring a roof terrace, concierge and fitness center.
Paying Respect
The National Capital Planning Commission (401 9th Street) recently approved a parcel of federally owned land near Union Station as the site for the Memorial to Victims of the Ukrainian Manmade Famine. Reservation 78, a 3,100 square feet parcel, is located at the intersection of North Capitol and F Streets and Massachusetts Avenue, NW, across from the National Postal Museum (2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE). According to NCPC, the proposed memorial has not yet been designed, but the applicant, the National Park Service, says it expects the site will be a reflective space with a small-scale memorial element. The memorial will pay homage to Ukrainian farmers who, between 1932 and 1933, were forced onto collective farms where millions died of starvation. Stalin’s collectivization policy resulted in a famine often referred to as the Ukrainian Manmade Famine, but officially known as the Holodomor—one of the greatest national catastrophes to occur during peacetime. For more information, visit www.ncpc.gov/meetings/pg.asp?p=archiveoctober2008.
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| GREEN GAINS |
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 Tree Power
Ah, to be a tree in DC is a pretty tough proposition. The city has limited public planting space where trees can flourish. Finding new, unique and non-traditional locations, however, just got a little easier. DC, along with four New England states, was recently awarded a federal grant to identify new urban sites to grow more trees. A $823,245 grant from the US Department of Agriculture, which will be shared with Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont, will fund efforts to assess the current tree canopy—the percentage of the ground that has tree cover overhead—in DC and 13 other communities using common methods. The District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) Urban Forestry Administration is leading the charge locally and, along with the other state partners, will also set goals to enhance the current canopy and develop a strategy to implement those goals. “The benefit to District residents,” said John Thomas, DDOT’s chief forester, “will be a greener city. We will gain more trees and enjoy other environmental benefits as well, such as reduced stormwater runoff, reduced energy consumption and cleaner water.” Hooray for trees! 
Energy Stars
The Alliance to Save Energy is seeking nominations for the 2009 Star of Energy Efficiency Awards, honoring individuals, companies and organizations that demonstrate a significant and tangible commitment to energy efficiency. The awards are presented in seven categories, including the Charles Percy Award for Public Service, the most prestigious honor, and the Innovative Star of Energy Efficiency Award. This year’s honorees will be saluted at a September 17 ceremony at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium (1301 Constitution Avenue). The deadline to submit nominations is March 27. There is a $100 nomination fee. For more information and to submit an online nomination, visit www.ase.org.
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| TRANSPORTATION TALK |
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 Going the Distance
New DC Circulator bus routes are coming next month. Two new routes will be rolled out to complement existing lines: the east-west line connecting Georgetown with Union Station, operating primarily along K Street and Massachusetts Avenue; and the north-south line connecting the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place) with the Maine Avenue waterfront, operating mostly along 7th and 9th Streets. The new routes will include Friday and Saturday late night service along 14th Street. More information about the new transit lines will be available at www.dccirculator.com later this month.
Traveling Mode
Metro ridership numbers for the Downtown BID area climbed in 2008. The BID is home to seven Metrorail stations, making it the best-served transit destination of any jurisdiction in the metropolitan Washington area. Last year, Metrorail weekday and weekend ridership in the area increased. Average weekday exits rose to 108,000 per day from 102,000 per day in 2007—a 5.8% climb. “This is triple the 1.7% rate of growth that WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) has projected for annual system ridership,” said Ellen Jones, transportation director of the Downtown BID. The average weekend exits jumped to 40,500 from 37,000, up 9.5%.
The numbers are significant because they show that transportation infrastructure is essential to providing access to Downtown employees, residents and visitors and engendering successful mass events such as Arts on Foot, the Holiday Market and other Downtown festivals and events.
The seven Downtown BID Metrorail stations, listed in order of descending 2008 weekday ridership totals, are as follows:
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Metro Center
Gallery Place
McPherson Square
Judiciary Square
Federal Triangle
Archives
Mt. Vernon Square
Total
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7,843,022
6,763,268
4,728,932
2,832,780
2,742,705
2,327,251
1,000,834
28,238,792
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The 2008 weekend ridership total was 4,212,578.
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| NEWS YOU CAN USE |
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Blissful Workplace
 Think your company offers the best work environment? The Washington Business Journal wants to know. The newspaper is now accepting nominations for its fourth annual Best Places to Work awards, which recognize companies with the best work morale, engagement and retention. Employees of nominated businesses will be surveyed to crown the region’s Best Places to Work. Last year, the Journal, along with sponsors Littler Mendelson, Reznick Group and Quantum Market Research, recognized four Downtown BID area companies from among 300. The deadline for nominations is March 6. For more information, or to nominate your company, visit www.washingtonbusinessjournal.com/nomination.
Neighborhood Watch
If you were eagerly awaiting the Washington, DC Economic Partnership’s (1495 F Street) 2009 Neighborhood Profiles, your wait is over. The profiles, which offer businesses an overview of 38 DC neighborhoods and commercial corridors, were released last month. They allow national, regional and local retailers to quickly and accurately learn how DC and its neighborhoods are changing and what opportunities exist now and in the future. Each profile includes a neighborhood description, demographic information, an area map, neighborhood highlights and contact information for business opportunities. For copies, call 202.661.8670 or visit www.wdcep.com.
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| MEETINGS AND MORE |
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Tuesday, March 3, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Green Affordable Housing & Jobs Exhibit
JW Marriott
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue
More than 200 people are expected to attend this forum, presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in collaboration with Enterprise Community Partners, the DC Department of the Environment and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Participants will be exposed to the region’s leading green building experts, housing professionals and urban/community planners driving the economic and affordable housing marketplace and learn best national practices and the steps necessary to create a regional green jobs and green affordable housing policy. Exhibits will feature companies vested in economic, business and job development, green building strategies and energy efficiency. A reception and networking opportunity follows the seminar. The cost is $40. For more information, contact Leah Boggs at lboggs@mwcog.org or 202.962.3336, or George Nichols at gnichols@mwcog.org or 202.962.3355. To register online, visit www.mwcog.org/greenhousing.
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Tuesday, March 10, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Downtown Neighborhood Association
Monthly Meeting
Calvary Baptist Church
755 8th Street
Residents and workers are invited to this Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting. To RSVP, email miles@dcdna.org. For more information, visit www.dcdna.org.
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Thursday, March 12, 8:00 am – 12:15 pm
Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington
HVAC: Beyond Basics Seminar
1350 I Street
This interactive session hosted by the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (AOBA) will provide a basic understanding of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems for commercial properties and help participants ask the right questions when interfacing with engineering staff, vendors, subcontractors and building owners. The seminar also includes a tour of a boiler/chiller plant. The cost to members is $75; nonmembers pay $95. For more information, visit www.aoba-metro.org.
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Thursday, March 12, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
District of Columbia Building Industry Association
An Evening with Neil Albert: What’s Next for the District’s Economy?
National Press Club
529 14th Street
Join the District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA) for this event, co-sponsored by African American Real Estate Professionals (AAREP), with DC’s Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Neil Albert. He will discuss priority projects, how political realities and current market conditions have affects the city’s outlook, expectations and goals. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres start at 6:00 pm; the program begins at 7:00 pm. The cost for DCBIA and AAREP members is $60; nonmembers pay $75. For more information, email events@dcbia.org. To register, visit www.dcbia.org.
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Monday, March 16, 4:00 – 7:30 pm
DC Chamber of Commerce
Policy Forum and Legislative Reception
National Press Building
529 14th Street
Join the DC Chamber of Commerce as it combines, for the first time, its annual Legislative Reception with a policy forum. The policy forum will be moderated by Council Chairman Vincent Gray and will provide current information on major public policy issues directly affecting DC businesses. Expect an informative and lively discussion between Chairman Gray and his Council colleagues. The cost is $50 for members; non-members pay $75. Ticket prices increase to $65 and $100, respectively, after March 9. For more information, contact Chris Knudson at cknudson@dcchamber.org, or 202.624.0602. To register online, visit www.dcchamber.org
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Tuesday, March 17, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
DC Chamber of Commerce
How To Profit in Tough Times
Haworth Inc.
575 7th Street
If you’re in sales, this DC Chamber of Commerce meeting is for you. Sales expert Che Brown, president of Partners in Learning, will show you how to thrive during tough economic times by getting more leads, overcoming challenging obstacles and much more. The member rate is $35; nonmembers pay $65. For more information, contact Maryann Lesso at mlesso@dcchamber.org or 202.638.7337. To purchase tickets, visit www.dcchamber.org.
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Wednesday, March 18, 8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Incisive Media and GlobeSt.com
RealShare Washington Conference
Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H Street
Incisive Media, publisher of Real Estate Forum and GlobeSt.com, will bring together leaders in the local market for this real estate networking conference for the metropolitan Washington area commercial real estate market. Find out how to survive the downturn and find opportunities in 2009. More than 500 owners, investors, developers, lenders and brokers are expected to attend this conference. The cost is $295 for the first registrant and $195 for each additional registrant from the same company. For more information, contact Brad White at 212.457.9746. To register, visit www.realshareconferences.com/washingtondc.
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Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
ULI Washington
Washington Real Estate Trends Conference
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue
Gain insights, ideas and solutions at this ULI Washington conference, where you can network with more than 900 leading real estate industry professionals and hear from top industry leaders. Walk away with a better understanding of the major trends, hot projects, key players and critical issues shaping development in the region and on the national and international fronts. Hot topics on this year’s agenda include, the impact of the new administration and office market changes and opportunities. The cost to members through March 4 is $150 or $325; nonmembers pay $250 or $425. After March 4, the cost increases by $75. For more information, call 800.321-5011. To register online, visit www.washington.uli.org.
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and Maintenance workers). The recruits began an intensive, two-week classroom-training program last month that will be followed by four weeks of on-the-job training.