The DowntownDC BID was present at a two-day Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) Leadership Summit on July 12-13 in Silver Spring, Maryland. The discussion centered on a topic of high interest to the BID: growing the nighttime economy—which includes restaurants, bars, theaters, and sports and entertainment venues.
A vibrant and safe nighttime economy can create jobs and city revenue and give both Downtown and DC—whose economy is diversifying rapidly—a sociable edge, making the area and the city more livable and attractive to visitors and residents alike.
The BID’s presence at the RHI Leadership Summit follows its participation in January at the Nighttime Economy Summit, hosted by the DC BID Council and other leading organizations. Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the DowntownDC BID, chairs the DC BID Council. During the winter meeting, he led a panel discussion and RHI president Jim Peters delivered a comprehensive presentation on the evening economy.
The RHI Leadership Summit in Silver Spring continued the dialogue in more detail on a range of issues discussed at the January meeting. Featured panel discussions showcased strategies used by several cities to manage nighttime economies, including addressing such issues as public safety, closing time transportation options, and quality of life and zoning issues.
Other panel discussions highlighted ways to measure the economic impact of nighttime economies and build alliances to create policy and process—something that both Downtown and DC are working to accomplish. Nighttime economy consultant Paul Davies presented the keynote address, The United Kingdom’s Night Vision and i24/7 Nightlife Licensing.
In DC, the parties who participated in the Nighttime Economy Summit—representatives from the Offices of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety; Destination DC; and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the Washington, DC Economic Partnership, and the DC Nightlife Association, all Summit hosts along with the DC BID Council—have vowed to continue the nighttime economy conversation and develop an action agenda. Stay tuned.