PRESS RELEASE

DowntownDC BID Launches New Mobile App

Release Date: Thursday, November 17th 2011

Created as a Public Resource for All Things Downtown

WASHINGTON, DC – Now you can capture Downtown at the touch of your finger. The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) launched a free mobile application (app) for smartphones and other mobile devices today, offering users easy access to all that Downtown has to offer—local events, retailers, restaurants, hotels, popular cultural and entertainment destinations, and services—just days before Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday shopping and travel season.

In addition, app users can use the global positioning system (GPS) option to automatically choose the goods and services closest to their current location, and even get real-time “next train” and “next bus” information for the Metro and DC Circulator to know exactly when the next train or bus is expected to arrive.

The app connects users on the go to a mobile version of the “Places to Eat, Shop, Visit, Stay, Get Services” and “Getting from Place to Place” features on the BID website at www.downtowndc.org. To access the site, users can scan the QR code (pictured below) or type www.downtowndc.org into their mobile browser.

“This tool is the latest in a well-defined plan to offer a new standard for how we communicate,” said Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the DowntownDC BID. “We’ve restructured our communications to focus more on outreach and interaction by generating social media and strategic communications that help keep consumers, businesses, and major stakeholders informed. This mobile app is another way to reach Downtown workers, visitors and residents.”

Once they select a place, service or Downtown experience to explore, mobile app users get complete information—including maps, pictures and links to nearby shopping, transportation options and events. The tool joins the BID’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/downtowndcbid) and Twitter (@downtowndcbid) accounts and blog (www.downtowndcbid.com), all created this year as efficient and convenient ways to keep the Downtown community and others engaged and informed. The app was created by Geocentric, the Bethesda, Maryland-based web software and interactive services firm. The BID expects the new app will grow and evolve over time to fit the increasing needs of Downtown. Future plans, for example, could include real-time parking information and last minute shopping, dining and entertainment specials.