It was a hot day for some ice-cold conversation at the DowntownDC Business Improvement District’s (BID) recent ambassador employee of the month meeting at the National Building Museum (401 F Street NW), where the museum was preparing for their much-anticipated summer ICEBERGS installation.
ICEBERGS is an interactive exhibition built from re-usable construction materials creating the the 20′ high “water line” allowing scenic views from high above the ocean surface and down below among the huge icebergs.
The museum’s Great Hall will be transformed into a “glacial ice field” and attendees will be able to wander among the icebergs that tower above them during their visit. The 12,540 sq. ft. exhibition’s tallest iceberg at 56′ will reach to the third story balcony of the National Building Museum and will have a viewing area inside. The museum will also be serving shaved ice to its visitors.
Built between 1882 and 1887, the National Building Museum is one of America’s leading cultural institutions and Washington D.C.’s greatest works of public architecture. The museum is dedicated to displaying the institution’s history and the impact of the built environment by giving the stories of architecture, engineering, and design.
During the meeting, Chase Rynd, the executive director of the National Building Museum and the current treasurer of the BID’s board of directors, thanked the BID ambassadors for their service in Downtown.
BID ambassadors are known all over Downtown for keeping the city clean and secure while also welcoming visitors and lending a helping hand to anyone that in need, Rynd noted. Rynd promoted the ICEBERGS exhibition and also extended free tickets to the ambassadors for the museum.
In addition, this summer, the BID has partnered with several organizations to bring jazz, poetry, comedy and live performance art to your lunch break. Encouraging more time spent outdoors, Franklin Park will be live and activated with performances and entertainment alongside food trucks for you to get a bite to eat while taking in the Downtown events.
Remi Wallace, the BID’s new events and strategic partnerships manager, at the meeting promoted this summer’s DowntownDC Live entertainment series in Franklin Park (held on Thursdays from June 9-July 28) as well as the BID’s Jazz in the Park series (May 13 and July 15) with Wolf Trap. These lunchtime live entertainment events are free of charge and open to the public.
Ambassadors at the employee of the month meeting also engaged in team building exercises led by BID Human Resources Manager, Parker Roach.
Traditionally, two BID ambassadors are recognized as employees-of-the-month for their excellent performance. The well-deserving winners for April were Safety/Hospitality Ambassador Mary Brown and Maintenance Ambassador Kareem Bell.
Mary Brown, a native of Washington D.C., has worked for the DowntownDC BID for 17 years and has enjoyed her time working as a Safety/Hospitality Ambassador. “I’m a people person, so I love meeting new people and seeing new faces while I’m at work,” Brown said. Brown added that she appreciates that her job affords her the opportunity to help people and see familiar faces. She said that offering a helping hand to those in need in DowntownDC is what she enjoys most. She also appreciates that her job keeps her active every day and requires constant movement and exercise. “I like to be busy and keep myself moving,” Brown said. In her free time, Brown enjoys going to the casino and has been to most in the surrounding areas. “Out of all the casinos, Live! is my favorite to go to.” Brown also has a son and a daughter of whom she’s extremely proud and dotes on her beautiful grandchildren.
Kareem Bell, who has worked for the DowntownDC BID for two years as a Maintenance Ambassador, has already been awarded employee of the month twice. The D.C. native said he loves his job and is extremely grateful for the opportunity that the BID has afforded him. “Working here is a great experience and I enjoy my job,” Bell said. Bell said he likes meeting new people and working with his colleagues as a team to make Downtown attractive to the residents and tourists of D.C. Bell added that he really enjoys what Downtown has to offer, not only for others but himself as well. He has many places on his list of favorites but two of them come before the rest. His favorite restaurant in DowntownDC is Nando’s Peri-Peri (819 7th Street NW), which he frequently patrons and his other chart topper is Penn Social (801 E Street NW), which is his “all-around favorite spot” in D.C. In his free time, Bell likes to work on cars, ride dirt bikes, read to keep himself aware of what’s going on in the world and to relax. Bell appreciates the DowntownDC BID and everything the organization has helped him to learn. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve the BID and be a part of this team,” Bell said.