About GWI
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About GWI

Established in 1994 as a private-public partnership and an affiliate of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, GWI markets the Greater Washington region as a vibrant, economically, and culturally diverse community for domestic and international business.

The Greater Washington Initiative (GWI) is the only regional marketing, research and economic development organization that promotes and positions the Greater Washington region as the premier business location through:

STRATEGIC MARKETING

GWI conducts coordinated, integrated, and targeted marketing campaigns to enhance the Greater Washington region’s reputation, brand identity, image, and competitive positioning as the premier business location.

GWI tells the right story, in the right way, to the right audiences.

STRATEGIC RESEARCH

GW provides the best regional research resources for our target audiences and regional partners in order to:

  • Ensure GWI is telling the most compelling regional story
  • Support the strategic targeting of industries, sectors and companies
  • Meet the needs of site selectors and company decision makers
  • Serve as an effective resource for GWI’s private and public partners.

STRATEGIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

GWI works hand-in-hand with regional economic development professionals as a collaborative partner to help attract specific targeted projects by assisting when needed by the prospect and/or the jurisdiction, serving as the regional honest broker, and setting-up our local partners for success. GWI also informs business leaders and site consultants about the benefits and opportunities of the region.

STRATEGIC CONVERSATION

GWI convenes regional business leaders, economic development professionals, colleges and universities, and other community leaders to build collaborative relationships and engage in the conversations regarding the marketing and competitive positioning of the region as the premier location for business.

Led by a Board of Trustees that is comprised of private, public and higher education executives, GWI is financially supported by the region’s public jurisdictions, private companies and higher education institutions. GWI also convenes and coordinates with the Council of Economic Development Officials (CEDO), a collaborative group of the top economic development officials from across the region.