A Bald Eagle, a Block Party, and a Presidential Library: How We Turned D.C. into an Unforgettable Incentive Experience

The moment most people won't stop talking about? A bald eagle named Lincoln soaring over a room of 500 guests while a junior ROTC color guard presented the colors, someone sang the national anthem, and a choreographed fireworks show lit up the Potomac River outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. 

That was the farewell gala — and it was the last of many showstopping moments of the week. 

But let's back up, because the finale only lands this hard when everything leading up to it is built the same way. 

🔍 The Vision Behind the Program 

Washington D.C. is a city packed with history, access, and prestige — and the opportunity to use all of that as a canvas was something our client saw clearly from the start. The vision was never "we're going to D.C." It was D.C. made exclusively ours. That's a completely different design brief, and it shaped every decision we made. 

The goal of our client's customer loyalty program is to create an experience regardless of where it is. Lean into the destination so hard that attendees leave feeling like they got something no one else could give them. 

We set out to deliver one of our clients' most unforgettable customer incentive programs to date — and D.C. gave us everything we needed. 

🎸 Day One: Closing Down Fleet Street 

With guests headquartered at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the program opened with a block party right in the neighborhood — and we mean that literally.  

We closed down Fleet Street at National Harbor. 

Four bars and restaurants that would normally be operating did something else that night: they became program-exclusive venues. Outside, there were bands, heaters, a dessert bar, and bubbling conversation. Inside, each space had its own buffet, its own décor, and its own feel. One was Cadillac Ranch (mechanical bull included). Another featured dueling pianos. The Brass Tap served as the classic bar anchor. Branding carried throughout, co-presented with supplier sponsors, down to the TVs. 

The goal wasn't just a social gathering. It was to get people talking to each other across companies, roles, and regions — in a setting that felt genuinely immersive and fun. It worked. 

🏛️ Day Two: The Smithsonian After Dark 

The annual buying show — hosted at the Gaylord — is the centerpiece of the program. But the evening after it? That's where we really leaned into the destination. 

We booked the Smithsonian. 

Not a conference room inside the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian. Every floor was open, and every floor was transformed. The main entrance featured a stunning setup — red, white, and blue stars overhead, tables below, the kind of first impression that makes people pull out their phones immediately. In the First Ladies exhibit, the décor matched. In the agriculture and food section, amber waves of grain theming threaded through the space. 

The idea was simple: don't just host an event at the venue. Let the venue tell the story. Every room felt intentional and different. Guests weren't just walking through a dinner — they were experiencing D.C. in a way that most people never get to. 

🌸🥃 Day Three: The Day That Split in Two 

The following day, activities ran on two tracks...

The top 40 customers and their guests were taken to Mount Vernon for a private tour. From there, they had a plated lunch inside the Presidential Library — George Washington's presidential library — on the grounds of his estate. And after lunch, a private whiskey tasting at the on-property distillery, which operates out of Washington's original Gristmill. 

Shuttles also ran to the National Mall for other guests. Cherry blossoms were in bloom. People explored on their own terms, saw what they wanted to see, and came back with great stories. 

Two completely different days. Exactly right for each audience. 

🦅 The Grand Finale 

And now, back to Lincoln. 

The farewell gala started in a foyer with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Potomac. Guests gathered for cocktails, then a choreographed fireworks show over the water. When the show ended, a fife and drum corps led the entire group from the foyer into a three-tier ballroom — designed so every guest had a clear sightline to the stage. 

The company's senior leadership welcomed the room. There was a tribute to service members — customers and employees alike. The national anthem. The color guard. And then Lincoln, a real bald eagle with a Super Bowl commercial to his name, made his entrance. 

A concert with headliner entertainment rounded out the celebration. 

Every piece of that evening connected back to where they were, what the program stands for, and who was in the room. 

💡 What We Took Away 

Washington D.C. became the right choice because we refused to treat it like a backdrop. 

The best incentive programs don't just reward people — they put them somewhere they couldn't have gotten on their own and make them feel it. That's the experience, and D.C. delivered. 

We're already thinking about what's next.

Read more about things to keep in mind when planning your next incentive travel program.

Meet Cheryl Hammerschlag 

As our Director of Sourcing and Business Development, Cheryl crafts unforgettable incentive experiences. Connect to design tailored itineraries that foster connection, adventure, and lasting memories.