February 26, 2025
Updates from Adams Morgan
Click Here
to see previous updates in our newsletter archive
Check
ObviouslyDC.com
for the latest in DC government funding and grant opportunities for businesses.
Be prepared. Visit to
Ready.DC.gov
for preparedness information for a
variety of hazards including manmade and natural disasters.
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AMPBID Annual Meeting will be held on March 11
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The
2025 Adams Morgan Partnership BID Annual Meeting
will take place in person on March 11, 2025 at
The LINE Hotel DC
(1770 Euclid St, NW) from 3:00pm -5:00pm. To attend the meeting in person, please RSVP to
Kristen Barden
.
The meeting will also be streamed online but online viewers will not be able to ask questions or interact with the meeting. Streaming details will be available here closer to the date of the meeting.
Board Elections
AMPBID holds elections every year with the results announced at our annual meeting. The board consists of 15 seats, nine of which are reserved for commercial property owners and six for business owners. Board members are elected to serve three-year terms (unless they are replacing a board member who resigned before the end of their term). This election will be for 4 Property Owner seats (one has been vacated) and 2 Business Owner seats.
The AMPBID Nominating Committee presented their slate of nominees at the February board meeting:
Business Owners
(2 seats available)
Commercial Property Owners
(4 seats available)
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Oscar Guardado
: Commercial Property Owner
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Andrew Nimmer
: Commercial Property Owner
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Pete Mallios
: Commercial Property Owner
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Sari Postal
: Commercial Property Owner
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Steve Schwat
: Commercial Property Owner
Ballots were sent to the membership last week and
voting is ongoing through Tuesday, March 11 at 4:00pm
. The election will conclude and results will be announced during the annual meeting. If you haven't received your ballot yet, please email
Brian Barrie
.
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Adams Morgan Date Nights is Back -- Enter to Win!
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Two date packages have been claimed -- there's still two more prize packages yet to be awarded!
Adams Morgan is your go-to place for a date! Whether you’re a father and son heading out for ice cream, a pair going on a first date, old friends enjoying a girls night out, or a married couple celebrating a double-digit anniversary, we’ll help make your time together special while in Adams Morgan.
This February, the community is invited to enjoy a variety of love-themed events, date lineups, and a chance to win one of four amazing date night packages.
Head to
admodc.org/date
and enter to win
one of the prize packages or just find inspiration for fun Date Night activities in Adams Morgan!
In addition to the big prize packages, we'll also be drawing random winners every week for $10 gift cards to
Izumi Itzakaya
and to
Insomnia Cookies
. Winning one of these gift cards does not affect your eligibility to win the big prizes.
The drawing for our next prize giveaway will be on Friday.
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Adams Morgan Businesses:
🍀
What are you planning for St. Patrick's Day?
🍀
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St. Patrick's Day is on Monday, March 17
this year -- please let us know what you've got planned for your customers so we can help get the word out.
Click here
to let us know what specials, menu items, special hours, etc. you're planning for the occasion, and please remember to tag us in your social media posts so we can repost.
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Rock 'n' Roll Marathon returns March 15
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This is a reminder that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC Half Marathon and 5k is on
March 15, 2024
.
The race route has not changed since last year and will come into Adams Morgan via Calvert Street from the Ellington Bridge, turn east onto Columbia Rd., continuing to Harvard St. where it will turn right and continue into Columbia Heights.
Click here for course and road closure information
.
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Attention Adams Morgan Food & Beverage Businesses:
Taste of Pride, Adams Morgan: April 4-6, 2025
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Taste of Pride
is a multi-tiered
Capital Pride Alliance
(CPA) event series celebrating the rich connection between the LGBTQ+ and culinary communities. This year's program will feature a multi-month collaboration between DC’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) that showcase the distinctive flavors and culinary talents within these vibrant neighborhoods.
Taste of Pride aims to blend the culinary artistry of our city with the pride and diversity that define our community, paving the way for a vibrant
WorldPride 2025
celebration.
Confirmed Partners
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Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington DC
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Visit Washington DC | Destination DC
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DC Mayor’s Office on LGBTQ Affairs
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DC Mayor’s Office on Nightlife and Culture
Taste of Pride Participation Requirements
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All participating restaurants agree to participate during the period designated by their BID.
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All participating restaurants agree to donate at one of the participation tiers listed in
this document
.
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All Participating restaurants must register by the date designated by their BID (tbd).
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All participating restaurants, through in-house marketing assets, tabletop signs, QR codes, and point of sale services should encourage patrons to donate to the PRIDE365 Fund.
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All participating restaurants MUST display a CPA sticker to show support for the LGBTQ community. Stickers will be provided by the Capital Pride Alliance.
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All participating restaurants are encouraged to complete the post-Taste of Pride survey to provide feedback on the event.
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All participating restaurants are encouraged to develop appropriate LGBTQ+ programming (i.e., Drag show, poetry reading, performing arts).
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All Participating restaurants are encouraged to add Pride décor to enhance their Taste of Pride.
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All participating restaurants can enhance their donation by pledging to provide 5-10% of the net sales for their participation timeframe or by providing gift certificates, additional specials, or giveaways for additional marketing opportunities.
Click here
to download the full info sheet including participation tiers, FAQs, and links to sign up.
For more information on Taste of Pride:
Capital Pride in WorldPride 2025 | Taste of Pride Information Session
Date: March 3, 2025; 10:30 AM
Join RAMW for an exclusive sneak peek into the vibrant flavors of WorldPride 2025! You're invited to the Capital Pride in WorldPride 2025 | Taste of Pride Information Session, presented in collaboration with RAMWDC and Destination DC.
Location:
Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, 899 North Capitol Street, Anacostia Conference Room, Washington, DC 20002
Discover the essence of our city’s culinary diversity through the Taste of Pride program—a dynamic series by Capital Pride Alliance. This year, we're celebrating with a spectacular lineup of events across DC’s Business Improvement Districts, showcasing local flavors and culinary talent. Join us to learn, connect, and get involved as we pave the way for a vibrant WorldPride 2025 celebration. Come with questions, leave with inspiration!
Please RSVP to
Brandon Bayton
to secure your spot. We can’t wait to share this exciting journey with you!
Learn More
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RSVP to Brandon Bayton
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Opportunity for AdMo Businesses: Hero Dogs Charity Event
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What is Hero Dogs?
Hero Dogs
is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of U.S. veterans and first responders with disabilities, as well as our broader DMV community, by placing trained assistance dogs with lifetime support. They also place facility dogs where they are needed most, in places like children’s hospitals and fire houses.
What is this event?
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Groups of four will leisurely visit nine total bars/restaurants in the Adams Morgan neighborhood to play a putt-putt hole for charity and enjoy food and/or drink in each participating establishment.
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The event will start (registration) and end (winners announced) at the same establishment.
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The winners will consist of one foursome with the lowest score and one foursome deemed best dressed (silly golf outfits).
When do you need to secure my commitment to the event?
To sign a contract with the putt-putt hole vendor and post on Eventbrite, they need to have the majority of the establishments locked in for the event. Our target to have these commitments is by . March 15, 2025
I have more questions/I am ready to sign up, who should I contact?
We are happy to answer your questions and/or get your commitment to our event! Below are the two Hero Dogs board members in charge of the event. Feel free to email either
Cassandra Sumner
or
Victoria Van de Vate
.
Click here
to download event Q&A sheet
Click here
to download the sponsorship form.
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goDMV Commuter Competition
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Running from
March 3-May 31, 2025
, the goDMV Commuter Competition is a friendly contest that rewards commuters for traveling sustainably. By registering and logging your sustainable trips, you can win tons of exciting prizes and incentives as you climb the leaderboard! Best of all, it’s free to participate. You can participate through your employer if they’ve joined, or on your own.
Click here
for more information and to register.
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No Cost Food & Alcohol Manager Training
RAMW is your comprehensive training resource, from industry-required certifications to industry-specific workshops.
Through a grant provided through the District of Columbia Executive Office of the Mayor - Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, RAMW is providing ServSafe training classes and exams, and technical assistance seminars and workshops at no cost to District of Columbia residents and restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality businesses in the District of Columbia through September 30, 2025.
Courses include ServSafe Food Safety and Alcohol Manager classes and exams, and DC OHR Anti-Harassment classes for TWWF requirements. Additional classes, workshops, and seminars will be introduced in the coming weeks.
Register for a Class
RAMMYS 2025 Nominations Close Feb. 28
Remember, you can nominate yourself or your restaurant/business
Presented by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), The Annual RAMMY Awards honor the exceptional ability and accomplishments of the hard-working individuals and organizations of the Washington, DC region’s restaurant and foodservice community.
WHO CAN NOMINATE:
RAMW members, restaurant representatives, restaurant owners, operators, staff, and the public are all welcome to enter submissions. Submissions are reviewed by RAMW for eligibility and approved to move on to judging. Only one submissions is needed to be considered.
Eligibility Requirements
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2025 Categories
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View Awards Governance and Procedure
NOMINATIONS CLOSE AT 11:59PM EST February 28, 2025
There is no fee to enter submissions.
Submit A Nomination
RAMW Annual Meeting
Join us on March 19, 2025 at National Landing for a focused day of practical solutions and meaningful collaboration. Together, we'll shape policies and share insights that help restaurants flourish, workers advance, and communities thrive through the power of hospitality. Food policy advocate Spike Mendelsohn will be the featured guest in an exclusive fireside chat at the 2025 RAMW Annual Meeting.
Attend
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Exhibit/Sponsor
Restaurant News:
Axios DC: Exclusive: D.C. aims to crack down on credit card swipe fees
The bill is also strongly backed by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, many of whose members say that credit card processing fees rank in their top three expenses, along with food and labor costs.
Read More
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Black Justice Fellowship Nomination
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This cycle, ten Black Justice Fellows will be elected to receive a $10,000 grant, mentorship, and a peer community of support. As Black Justice Fellows, participants will work in collaboration with other social justice entrepreneurs to launch community-based projects and initiatives intended to make our communities more connected and thriving.
The fellowship was created as a platform to mobilize the existing talent and experiences of leaders from across the United States to pilot grassroots innovations that accelerate the economic recovery of their neighborhoods, encourage personal and community agency, and address unmet needs.
Through The Village online platform, community members are encouraged to nominate local changemakers. Eligible nominees will go on to apply for the fellowship. True to its mission, the ten Black Justice Fellows will be selected based on votes from their peers on The Village.
The BJF Team and committee will notify nominees to submit official applications on or before March 3, 2025
.
Click here
for more information and to submit a nomination.
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Your Weekly Small Business Workshop Calendar is Here!
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The Coalition is committed to strengthening and connecting the small business ecosystem in the District, serving as a community quarterback that collaborates across small business support organizations and entities to enhance funding, support services, resources, and information for small businesses in DC.
The DCSmallBizHelp workshop calendar is designed to connect entrepreneurs and small business owners in DC with local trainings, workshops, and other events that work to provide networking, education, and capacity building for small businesses.
Download the Full Calendar
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Webinar: Developing Your Value Proposition
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Thursday, February 27
Learn how to develop your unique business Value Proposition, a simple, clear compelling message that states why your product or service is special and worth buying.
You will learn:
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What is a Value Proposition and why it is important
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Using hands on exercises, the process to develop a value proposition
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How to articulate an elevator pitch
REGISTER
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Small Business Resource Center
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DC APEX Accelerators help businesses
DC APEX Accelerator
offers personalized business counseling and competitive insights for navigating the government contracting process successfully.
If you already have experience working on government contracts and are looking for help to secure other contracts, we are available to help. At the DC APEX Accelerator, businesses get help with strategies to pursue state, local, and federal government contracts.
The full calendar of upcoming events can be found
here
.
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FY25 Business Funding Opportunities
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New and ongoing funding opportunities from the DC Government:
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Creative and Open Space Modernization Tax Rebate
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Open for Applications
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Special Event Relief Fund -
Open for Applications
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Vitality Fund
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Open for Applications
Go to
ObviouslyDC.com
for more information on all of these programs.
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💸Funding for Latino-Owned Businesses
Are you interested in starting or expanding your business? Our team of business coaches can provide you with one-on-one advice and training to help you manage and grow your business.
Apply online
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💸 Amazon Black Business Accelerator
The Amazon Black Business Accelerator is dedicated to helping build sustainable equity and growth for Black entrepreneurs by enabling their success as sellers.
More information
.
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Additional Funding Opportunities:
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sponsor one of our community events! Partner with our community while reaching some of the city's most desirable demographics. For details, contact
Kristen Barden
at
202-997-0783.
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BOARD MEETINGS
The Board of Directors of the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District meets on the second Tuesday of every month (except August, October, and December).
Meetings are currently being held online as well as in-person (hybrid) and begin at 5pm.
Our Annual Meeting is held in March. Contact
Brian Barrie
for information about attending board meetings.
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©
Adams Morgan Partnership
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