A N N U A L R E V I E W

A R T

P L A Y

MU

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S P R I N G A M P L I F I E D 2 0 1 8

3+ BILLIONT O T A L I M P R E S S I O N S

F R O M E A R N E D

M E D I A

A D V E R T I S I N G

T H R O U G HM A R K E T I N GPA R T N E R S

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWERS

TOSHIBA SCREEN IN

TIMES SQUARE

TELEVISIONVIEWERS

1.5+ MILLION

VISITORS FROM THE U.S.& BEYOND

FACEBOOK: 107K+

TWITTER: 12,800

INSTAGRAM: 8,344

1.5MIMPRESSIONS

1 MILLION+

W E B S I T E V I S I T S

1 MILLION+N A T I O N A L

36K+ LOCAL

PARADE BROADCAST

27K+ S O C I A L P O S T S

O P E N I N G C E R E M O N Y

L I V E S T R E A M

20,000+

L I V E - S T R E A M I N G

V I E W E R S V I AF E S T I V A L A N D W J L A

F A C E B O O K PA G E S

A $39 MILLION

V A L U EY E I L D E D

51+ MILLION IMPRESSIONS(A $2+ MILLION VALUE)

F R O M

759,000+U N I Q U E

V I S I T O R S

U S I N G#CHERRYBLOSSOMDC

The power of the Festival’s brand is evident in its extraordinary impact, reach and collaborations.

50+ PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

P I N K T I E

P A R T Y

The boldest and brightest Pink Tie Party yet!

As the annual kick-off to spring in Washington, the Pink Tie Party fundraiser marks the official beginning of blossom season in high style. 800+ of DC’s tastemakers sampled drinks and delicacies from 18 of the hottest local dining spots and master chefs plus Deejay Shelly spun epic dance tracks at the Festival’s see-and-be-seen signature event hosted at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

“Fluffy tulle gowns, embroidered suit jackets, natty pocket squares… made it feel as if the revelers were strolling a competitive catwalk to see who could out-floral the others.” — The Washington Post, March 18, 2018

Presented by ANA Hosted by TCMA (A Drew Company)

B L O S S O M K I T E

F E S T I V A L

DC’s iconic fun-for-all tradition soars above the National Mall

The Festival’s annual aerial spectacle drew more than 40,000 people to a full day of open kite flying, hands-on activities, stunt demos and competitions.

“The sight of thousands of kites in all colors, shapes, and sizes soaring around the Washington Monument is truly a sight to behold. It’s magical for kids…” — KidFriendly DC, 2018

Debut of day-long, outdoor extravaganza at The Wharf creates year’s biggest splash

Tens of thousands of attendees celebrated with great local bands at three outdoor music venues along the piers including the FreshDirect 202 Stage and the DC Lottery Main Stage where Jukebox the Ghost thrilled fans. The festivities culminated in the dazzling pyrotechnics of fireworks over the harbor, synced to an awe-inspiring soundtrack.

P E T A L P A L O O Z APresented by FreshDirect

N A T I O N A L C H E R R Y

B L O S S O M F E S T I V A L

P A R A D E ®

World-renowned spectacle showcases celebrity talent

One of DC’s largest spectator events, the high-energy National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC is a vibrant springtime tradition set against the backdrop of DC’s most iconic landmarks along Constitution Avenue. Over 120,000 spectators, and 1million+ national TV viewers, joined celebrity Grand Marshal Carla Hall, Silentó (Whip Nae Nae Artist), Jonathan Elias (Anchor, ABC 7) and Alison Starling (Anchor, ABC 7) for the annual spectacle, featuring everything from extreme pogo to hip-hop artists.

Presented by Events DC

P A R T N E R S H I P S

Inspiring collaborations enable the Festival to blossom in exciting ways

The Festival’s continued growth and success attracting new audiences is driven by its creative collaborations with partners and Leadership Circle Sponsors including ANA, Events DC and the National Park Service whose NPS Ranger Program provides education about the cherry trees by individuals that care for them year-round.

(top left) NPS Ranger Program provides education about the cherry trees • (bottom left) FestivALE, the limited-edition official beer of the Festival, was created by Old Ox Brewery • (right) Cherry Blast, presented with ARTECHOUSE, featured the interactive art of Sakura Yume Cherry Blossom Dream

(left to right) The Drink Company’s pop-up bar (PUB) offered specialty cocktails under a 90,000-blossom canopy • More than 200,000 National Cherry Blossom Festival branded SmarTrip Metro Cards were sold • MARS Petcare Comfort Stations included treats, water and waste bags • A daily lineup of free music at the Tidal Basin Welcome Area’s ANA Stage featured 600+ performers • (opposite page) The sold-out Blossom Bash at The Anthem, and produced by iHeartRadio featured Third Eye Blind and Bush.

B L O S S O M B A S H In partnership with iHeartRadio

Spirited concert celebrating the 106th anniversary of the gift of the trees and the Japan/US friendship

2,000 attendees, adorned with LED bracelets synced to the music, rocked the Opening Ceremony which included renowned Japanese talent (thanks to The Japan Foundation): pop sensation T.M. Revolution, jazz artist Akiko Yano, and The 6821 Quintet, courtesy of the Ryuji Ueno Foundation.

H O N O R I N G

O U R P A S T

O P E N I N G C E R E M O N YCo-presented with The Japan Foundation

2018 Highlights: Sakura Matsuri, the nation’s largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture, made Pennsylvania Avenue one of the Festival’s top destinations for 30,000 fans • Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) Cherry Blossom Celebration in the spectacular Kogod Courtyard was action-central for an all-ages day of traditional Japanese music and dance, face painting, blossom crafts and scavenger hunts, as well as the U.S. premiere of Okinawa’s NS Ryukyu Ballet Company • Ambassador’s Dinner: Japanese Ambassador Shinsuke J. Sugiyama hosted this exclusive event honoring U.S./Japan relations. DENSO International America CEO, Kenichiro Ito, chaired the event. High-level officials attending included Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and others.

Community connections power the Festival’s energy

The support of local businesses, community groups and 1,500 dedicated volunteers enable the Festival to serve its communities through engaging, educational, culturally enriching programs. Without their help, the Festival would not be the success that it is.

G R O W I N G

C O M M U N I T I E S

2018 Highlights: (left to right) Maggie O’Neill: 2018 National Cherry Blossom Festival Official Artist • The inaugural Doubles Tennis Tournament included a special Kids Day • The Festival planted cherry trees with students at local elementary schools • Anacostia River Festival, produced by the 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service, celebrated the centennial of Anacostia Park with a community event featuring river canoe rides, bike tune-ups, live music, fishing workshops and more!

March 20 – April 15, 2018

Washington, DC

Collaboration drives our success

A W A R D S

2017 International Festivals & Events Association Pinnacle Awards

GOLD

Best Parade: National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC

Best Commemorative Poster

SILVER

Best Media Relations Campaign

Best Organizational Website

Best New Promotion Activity (All Nippon Airways – #BlossomMoments)

BRONZE

Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity (All Nippon Airways – #BlossomMoments)

Best Full Length TV Program (National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® Presented by Events DC – Local Broadcast)

Best Pin

Washingtonian Magazine Reader’s Poll

Best Festival

Downtown DC BID Momentum Award

Downtown Partnership/Program

Bizbash

Washington’s Top 100 Events (#1 Parade, Walk, & Festival Category)

2017 W3 Awards

The Festival won 5 SILVER W3 (Website Awards)

Interactive Media Awards

Outstanding Achievement Award

Hermes Creative Awards – Gold

National Cherry Blossom FestivALE – Designed by Sage Communications

S P O N S O R S

Leadership Circle

Events DC

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

Host Sponsors

Downtown DC BID

Trade Center Management Associates (TCMA,

A Drew Company)

Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

Japan National Tourism Organization

District Wharf

Festival Associates

Destination DC

The Japan-America Society of Washington DC

The Jorgensen Law Firm PLLC

LINDER Global Events

Sage Communications

Special Thanks

Sachiko Kuno, PhD.

Government of the District of Columbia

The Japan Foundation

The Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan

National Park Service

Ryuji Ueno Foundation

Media Partners

ABC7/WJLA and News Channel 8

Comcast

Express, a publication of the Washington Post

iHeart Radio

97.1 WASH FM

98.7 WMZQ

BIG 100.3

DC 101

HOT 99.5

Entercom Radio

94.7 Fresh FM

95.5 WPGC

El Zol 107.9

Capital Community News

The Southwester

The Washington InformerWashington Parent Magazine

Washingtonian

Washington Blade

Orange Barrel Media

CultureCapital.com

visitorfun.com2,000 attendees partying fans, adorned with LED bracelets synced to the music, rocked the Opening Ceremony.

Sakura Circle Supporters

Aetna

agencyQ

Canopy by Hilton Washington DC | The Wharf

City Winery

Coca-Cola Bottling Consolidated

CSI Printing & Graphics

Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

Dulles International

Entertainment Cruises

EVENTEQ

FreshDirect

Guest Services, Inc.

HARIBO

Hyatt House Washington DC | The Wharf

Ito En

JCAW Foundation, Inc.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (USA), Inc.

Kirin Brewery

LaCroix Sparkling Water

L’Occitane en Provence

Maker’s Mark Bourbon

Mars Petcare

Marubeni America Corporation

MGM National Harbor

Microsoft

Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group

National Press Club

NEWSEUM

NHK WORLD-JAPAN

Odyssey Cruises

Peet’s Coffee

Reagan National

The Sightseeing Pass

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Spirit Cruises

Spot Hero

Toshiba America, Inc.

TOYOTA

Warner Theatre

Supporters and Donors

DENSO International America INC.

JTI

Chevron

The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation

11th Street Bridge Park

Arena Stage

ARTECHOUSE

Bloomia

Breakthru Beverages

Capitol Riverfront BID

Cantina Bambina

Carmine’s Italian Restaurant

Carvana

Château D’Esclans

Cherry Blossom Inc.

Clyde’s Restaurant Group

Cooley LLP

Daikin U.S. Corporation

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

DC Department of Public Works

District Department of Transportation

DLI North America (Dai-ichi Lif Group)

Drink Company

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

HITACHI

Hotel Association of Washington, DC

ISHIYA Co. LTD

ITOCHU International Inc.

KPMG, LLP

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc

Mitsui Fudosan America

National Archives

Omega Studios

Pearl Street Warehouse

Potomac Riverboat Company

Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington

Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Foundation

Sweetgreen

Union Stage

University of the District of Columbia

Visit Fairfax

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

The iconic Toshiba Screen in NYC's Times Square generated 1.5 million impressions for the Festival.

City in Bloom: Over 30 local retailers participated in the City in Bloom 1st Annual Retail Window Competition including a window display at Macy’s. Blossom-branded Reagan National Airport and Bike in Bloom added to the celebratory energy across the region.

2018 NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL EVENTS & PROGRAMS

Blossom Kite Festival

Cherry Picks Restaurant Program in partnership with Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington

City in Bloom

Goodwill Ambassadors Program

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC

Opening Ceremony co-presented with The Japan Foundation

Petalpalooza presented by FreshDirect

Pink Tie Party presented by All Nippon Airways and hosted by Trade Center Management Associates (A Drew Company)

Sing into Spring Competition

Tidal Basin Welcome Area and ANA Performance Stage presented with National Park Service

Youth Art Contest and Community Art Show presented with the DC Arts & Humanities Education Collaborative

PREMIER EVENTS

Anacostia River Festival produced by 11th Street Bridge Park and National Park Service

Blossom Bash presented by Mattress Warehouse

Cherry Blast produced with ARTECHOUSE

SAAM Cherry Blossom Celebration produced by Smithsonian American Art Museum

Sakura Matsuri — Japanese Street Festival produced by the Japan-America Society of Washington DC

TOUR PROVIDERS

Bike and Roll

Boating in DC

Entertainment Cruises

Potomac Riverboat Company

USA Guided Tours

PARTICIPATING HOTELS

Beacon Hotel and Corporate Quarters

Comfort Inn Convention Center –Downtown DC

Courtyard by Marriott – Capitol Hill/Navy Yard

Days Inn Washington, DC – Connecticut Avenue

Doubletree by Hilton Washington, DC – Crystal City

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Washington, DC – Downtown

Fairmont Washington, DC – Georgetown

Georgetown Suites – 30th Street

Hilton Garden Inn – Tysons Corner

Holiday Inn Washington, DC – Central/White House

Hyatt Place Washington, DC – US Capitol

Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University

Sheraton – Pentagon City

Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria

The Darcy, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Dupont Circle Hotel

The Embassy Row Hotel

The Westin Arlington Gateway 2018 – 2019

DC’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® co-hosts, Alison Starling, Jonathan Elias with Honorary Grand Marshal, Chef Carla Hall

Goodwill Ambassadors with the artist Silento at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade®

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair: Richard Bradley Principal, The Urban Partnership

Vice Chair: Rachel Hartman Director of Interactive Marketing and Communications, Downtown DC BID

Secretary: Susan Norton Principal and Founder, Cultural Connections Consultants

Treasurer: L. Allan Perraud Senior Manager | Audit, KPMG LLP

Lisa Abrams Vice President of Government Affairs, The Hotel Association of Washington, DC

Jeffery Bank CEO, The Alicart Restaurant Group

Theresa Belpulsi Vice President, Tourism Sales, Destination DC

Tony Cancelosi, KM. President and CEO, Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind

Barbara Ehrlich

Pam Galloway-Tabb SVP / Conferences & Special Services, Newseum

Andrew Gelfuso Vice President, TCMA (A Drew Company)

Tony Gittens Executive Director, Filmfest DC

Marc Hitzig Executive Director, Japan-American Society of Washington DC

Chinyere Hubbard Vice President, Communications and Marketing, Events DC

Karyn LeBlanc Sr. Vice President, Stratacomm, LLC

Mary LoJacono Senior Consultant, Towers Watson

Laurel Lukaszewski Artist/Owner, White Point Studio

Emeka Moneme Deputy Executive Director, Federal City Council

Yasushi Matsuno Director & General Manager, Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (CEPCO)

Christianne Ricchi Chef/Owner, Ristorante I Ricchi

Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe Executive Director, DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative

Todd Payne Government Affairs Manager, Microsoft

Sue Porter Director of Visitor Services, Visit Fairfax

Lauren Vaughan Secretary, District of Columbia

David Yao SVP & GM, Council for Int’l Cooperation

Liaison to Board – Appointed: Paul Ollig Chief of Interpretation and Education, National Mall and Memorial Parks

STAFF

Diana Mayhew, President

Lillian Iversen, Senior Director of Events and Marketing

JoAnn Nasser, Director of Operations

Ramona Carver, Sponsorship and Communications Liaison

Diana Cirone, Event Manager

Nick Field, Business Manager

Krystle Fleetwood, Communications Manager

Kim Marshall, Event Manager

Nora Strumpf, Communications Coordinator

Hayley Swan, Sponsorship and Development

Nicole Wright, External Programs Associate

CONSULTANTS

agencyQ

Dyane Amos

Jaya Koilpillai Bohlmann

Lisa Chazanovitz

Happi Enterprises, LLC

Carol Herwig

JM Best Entertainment, Inc.

Kassandra Kearse

LINDER Global Events

Caitlin Murphy

Sage Communications

Andreas Sengebusch

Three Thirteen, LLC

Under the Sun Productions

Sara Vogel

The Webster Group

2018 GOODWILL AMBASSADORS

Sydney Fanoga

Anshu Jain

Jason Martin

Misaki Murase

Audrey Zhou

PHOTO CREDITS

Ron Engle

Raymond Fudge

Becky Harlan

Andy Jones

Jay Snap

Aaron Webb

LOOKING AHEAD… Building on 2018's overwhelming success, in 2019, the Festival will focus on expanding our partnerships to create extraordinary programming that enriches our community and reinforces the DC region as the must-see spring destination, nationally and internationally.

One of the world’s great celebrations of spring

1275 K Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20005 202.661.7585

nationalcherryblossomfestival.org