May 17, 2024 (Washington, DC) – The Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP), the leading organization dedicated to promoting business and economic opportunities in the nation’s capital, will attend the ICSC Las Vegas 2024 convention from May 19-21. This is the 24th year WDCEP has represented Washington DC at the world’s largest retail real estate convention.
With over 20,000 attendees from around the globe, ICSC Las Vegas provides an unparalleled opportunity for WDCEP to generate new business leads, foster relationships with retailers and brokers, and promote DC as a premier market for retail investment and expansion. The District’s strong demographics, robust tourism industry, distinct neighborhoods, and streamlined processes make it an ideal location to launch new retail concepts.
“Over the last 24 years, Washington DC has a proven track record of successfully attracting companies at ICSC Las Vegas,“ said Derek Ford, President and CEO of WDCEP. “Our efforts at this conference have brought Wegmans, Home Depot, Lidl, Target, Apple, and Costco to the District. These are just a few of the more than 300 businesses that we helped bring to Washington DC, generating over $100 million in annual tax revenue, and occupying nearly 5 million square feet of retail space.”
“We know that Washingtonians in every part of DC want access to fantastic amenities. From the Lidl in Ward 7 to the Wegmans in Ward 3, those are conversations that started at ICSC,” said Mayor Bowser. “Through programs like the Food Access Fund and the Neighborhood Prosperity Fund, we have made good progress in filling amenity gaps, but there is still more to do to ensure greater accessibility and equity – and filling those gaps and supporting the continued transformation of Downtown will be a focus of this trip.”
“We will be engaging top retail brands about locating here in Washington, DC,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert. “From our thriving neighborhood business corridors to our Downtown, DC offers retailers the opportunity to enhance the quality of life for Washingtonians, as well as gain access to regional, national and global customers.”
Key goals for WDCEP at ICSC Las Vegas 2024 include:
- Generating leads for major development projects and neighborhood retail corridors
- Engaging new prospects like retailers and brokers for future business opportunities
- Promoting DC’s unique neighborhood experiences and retail landscapes
- Showcasing the District as a thriving business environment and investment destination
The WDCEP booth will feature a suite of conference rooms with access to the District’s full real estate portfolio and site selection tools for all neighborhoods. Representatives from the Mayor’s office, DC Council, and economic development agencies will join WDCEP at the conference.
Washington DC’s retail market continues to experience impressive growth, with $19.5 billion in taxable sales in 2022 and over 200 net new retailer and restaurant openings in the past year alone.
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About the Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP): The Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) is a nonprofit, public-private partnership at the core of economic development in the U.S. capital, Washington, DC. WDCEP supports companies by providing site selection assistance, customized market research and community tours, and navigation of financial resources to support investment into Washington, DC.
Contact: Jez Kline, Director of Marketing & Communications, (202) 661-8693, jkline@wdcep.com
