Melissa Riley serves as the Senior Vice President, Convention Sales and Services at Destination DC (DDC), the official convention and tourism organization for the nation’s capital.

A 28-year veteran of the travel and hospitality industry, Riley leads a team of more than 30 who work in concert to generate a positive economic impact for the District of Columbia.

She has fostered a strong relationship between DDC and the hotel community, as well as Events DC, to yield the maximum number of events for the city. Additionally, Riley positions DDC as a leading industry voice in meetings-related initiatives around the world, serving as a board member under the destination marketing sector for International Congress and Convention Association and Destinations International’s Chair of the Large Market Round Table.

Riley received a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Virginia Tech. She now serves on the Pamplin School of Business HTM Advisory Board. Riley is a longtime resident of the District of Columbia and was born and raised in Reston, Virginia.