National Harbor Launches Convention & Visitors Association

OXON HILL, Md. - May 18, 2016 - PRLog -- Peterson Companies announced today the creation of the National Harbor convention and visitors' association in partnership with MGM National Harbor, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center and Tanger Outlets. The organization will be called Visit National Harbor.

In addition, Peterson and its CVA partners announced the appointment of Bruce Gudenberg as executive director of Visit National Harbor. Gudenberg also serves as vice president of marketing for National Harbor.

"With so many amenities and so much to offer, it only made sense that National Harbor would form its own convention and visitors association," said Gudenberg. "National Harbor certainly fits all of the qualifications of a major tourism destination and the growing volume of annual visitors, backs this up."  In addition to more than 2500 residences, the 350-acre destination contains more than 150 unique retail shops; 30 restaurants; seven hotels with more than 3,000 rooms and 470,000 square feet of meeting and event space including Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center; National Harbor Marina; Tanger Outlets; destination resort MGM National Harbor, opening in the fourth quarter of 2016; the National Harbor Carousel and the iconic Capital Wheel where visitors can take in the view from more than 180 feet in the air.

All of this is situated on the banks of the historic Potomac River where National Harbor also hosts all types of special events, concerts and programs throughout the year.  Located in Maryland, the community works closely with the Prince George's Conference & Visitors Bureau as well as Maryland Tourism, and due to close proximity to Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, Virginia, they also work with Destination D.C. and Visit Alexandria and other tourism organizations throughout the region. "With our unique location, we have the good fortune of having many great convention and visitors' bureaus nearby to work with to help grow visitation to the Capital Area region," Gudenberg added.

Bill Boasberg, general manager of MGM National Harbor said, "National Harbor is a superb location that will provide our guests with extensive amenities that complement what will be offered at our resort, as well as convenient access to explore the best of the greater DMV region."

Patrick Chaffin, senior vice president of asset management for Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., which owns the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, added, "Collectively, the CVA will work together to provide an unmatched visitor experience. Our world-class Gaylord National convention center resort coupled with a multitude of dining and shopping options, and now the added benefit of the MGM casino, make National Harbor unlike any destination on the east coast."

The National Harbor CVA works with meeting and event planners, travel groups and individuals throughout the year in creating a variety of itineraries and packages.  "We're here to ensure that everyone who visits National Harbor has the best possible experience," said Gudenberg.  The CVA is supported by the retail, restaurants and hotels at National Harbor with primary support from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, MGM National Harbor and Tanger Outlets, Capital Wheel, and Peterson Companies

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About National Harbor

Rising from the banks of the Potomac River, just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Prince George's County, Md., National Harbor is a vibrant, unique community with a stellar location and a wide variety of attractions. Just a short distance from Old Town, Alexandria and downtown Washington, D.C., the 350-acre mixed-use development features seven hotels (including the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center and MGM National Harbor), offices, residential, tree-lined streets with more than 150 shops and more than 30 restaurants, iconic attractions such as the Capital Wheel and National Harbor Carousel, and much more. With so many attractions, National Harbor has become a prime destination for locals, visitors, special events, corporate meetings and conferences. The community also provides an array of waterfront activities (including a water taxi, two 700-ft. piers and 62 boat slips), special events and spectacular sunsets. For more information, www.NationalHarbor.com.