A New Communications Tool

Release Date: Thursday, November 17th 2011

Now you can capture Downtown at the touch of your finger this holiday season and beyond by checking out the DowntownDC BID’s free mobile application (app) for smartphones and other mobile devices. The app offers you easy access to all that Downtown has to offer—local events, retailers, restaurants, hotels, popular cultural and entertainment destinations, and services. Plus, you can use the global positioning system (GPS) option to automatically choose the goods and services closest to your 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.

Cool? We think so. 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, just scan the Quick Response (QR) code or type www.downtowndc.org into your mobile browser.

Said Richard H. Bradley, DowntownDC BID executive director: “This tool is the latest in a well-defined plan to offer a new standard for how we communicate. 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. ”

Once you select a place, service or Downtown experience to explore on your mobile app, you can 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 (www.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. We expect 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.