News and Events

October 2006

Region Most Attractive Region for College Graduates – Greater Washington now ranks first among large U.S. metro regions for attracting and retaining college grads, according to recently released U.S. Census data. An analysis by GWI of the 2005 American Community Survey data shows that the region, which ranked third in 2000 behind Atlanta and Dallas, moved up to first in rank over the last five years. Read More>>

Ads Spotlight “Knowledge Economy” Workers – New ads, which use humor to focus on the region’s highly educated workforce, are currently running in local publications and within Greater Washington’s Metro system. Designed by Hrabal Creative, the ads received national attention in the New York Times and The Washington Post.  View ads>>  More info>>

Featured Event: How to Do Business with DHS –  With the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) projected to receive a 21% increase in its IT budget next year, GWI will host conferences in London on Nov. 9 to educate UK firms on how to expand their U.S. presence by partnering with DHS contractors based in Greater Washington. Featured speakers include Andrew Maner, the former CFO of DHS. Interested in sponsorship opportunities for this event? Contact April DuBois.

Business Development Team Targets Windy City  – For an event held last week in Chicago, GWI partnered with the Coalition of Government Procurement, FedSources, and American Electronics Association.  The conference, which drew a number of interested firms, focused on federal spending trends and the benefits of locating a business in the region. Learn more>>

Did you know? …Just say “Oui”  – French companies make up the second-largest group of internationally owned companies in Greater Washington, creating more than 4,500 local jobs. To attract more investment from France into the region, GWI partnered with area economic development officials to host a delegation of 15 French executives from the Greater Paris region.  Delegates included executives from FedEx, Sofitel, and Air France.  Interested in increasing your firm’s exposure to French companies landing in Greater Washington?  Contact April DuBois for more info.

Tourism to DC Remains Strong – Washington, DC welcomed 15.4 million visitors in 2005, marking a 2.7% increase over 2004 levels, according to a study by D.K. Shifflet & Associates.  And visitor spending climbed 4.6% to surpass $5 billion, thanks to an increase in hotel visits, a boost in business travel and higher spending by international travelers.   Read more>>

Building Connections to the Middle East – Recent developments in the Gulf Region have focused great attention on the U.S.-Kuwaiti relationship and have generated opportunities to enhance business and cultural ties between the two nations.  An "Open Skies" agreement was recently signed, and United Airlines now offers nonstop service between DC and Kuwait City.  To help US firms learn about business opportunities in Kuwait, the Commerce Department and the US Embassy in Kuwait are hosting a free conference.  For further info, contact Kyle Pulley at (202)429-4999 or kpulley@american-kuwaitialliance.org.

Hazard Management Solutions (HMS) Inc. –  UK-based HMS Inc, a firm providing intelligence information and monthly reports about worldwide terrorist activity, recently opened a U.S. office in Arlington, VA.  The firm decided to locate to Greater Washington after attending a GWI-sponsored event in London.  According to company President Andy Green, it was an easy decision based on “the business development opportunities, the adjacency of US Government clients and the experienced workforce that the Greater Washington area has to offer.”  

City of Alexandria, VA  – The second quarter of 2006 proved to be extremely positive for Alexandria’s real estate sector, especially in retail. Sales of all retail spaces for sale or lease in the city were up 9.4%, according to the October 2006 Listing of Available Retail Space. See full list>>

Anne Arundel County, MD  – This month, the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) launched Business Matters, a monthly, electronic newsletter.  To view the current issue of Business Matters and to subscribe, visit the AAEDC web site, www.aaedc.org, and click on the Business Matters logo.

Maryland Airport Authority – BWI was recently honored by Airports Council International – North America with four awards in the 2006 Excellence in Marketing and Communications Contest. The awards recognize the creativity, distinction, and quality of North American airport marketing and public relations. In the past four years, BWI has won 17 awards in the international competition, including eight first-place honors.  More info>>

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) – An exhibit introducing the "AeroTrain," is now open at Washington Dulles.  The exhibit features a replica of an actual, automated train car with a video tour showing how passengers will make the trip through the airport in the future.  "AeroTrain" will begin running in 2009 and is part of D2 or “Dulles Development,” the international airport’s multi-project capital improvement program. Details>>

Montgomery County, MD – The Annual Workforce and Economic Development Awards Breakfast will be held Oct. 31 at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center.  The event honors individuals and businesses that have made significant contributions to the thriving economy in Montgomery County.  Register for the event>>