Promoting a Facility that Is Impacting Humanity.
National Conference Center
Located on its own 39-acre campus in Northern Virginia, 12 miles from Dulles International Airport and 35 miles from Washington D.C., The National Conference Center is one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive learning and training facilities. The 1.3 million square foot complex offers 917 guest rooms and 265,000 square feet of meeting and group function space.
Deliverables
- Public Relations
Opportunity
The National Conference Center (NCC), a premier meeting and conference facility in Loudoun County, Virginia, began performing a contract with the U.S. Government supporting the second phase of the “Operation Allies Welcome” (OAW) mission. This mission provided lodging and food to our Afghan allies looking to resettle and start new lives in the United States; allies including journalists, human rights activists, humanitarian workers, and those who put their lives on the line to support the U.S. military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan.
The NCC was seeking an agency to help them highlight this cause and demonstrate the unique offerings of this one-of-a-kind meeting facility. This project spoke to our values and provided a great opportunity to show what we can do on the big stage with the entire nation watching.
Approach
Educational
We wanted to provide accurate information and updates on Operation Allies Welcome and show the public how the NCC is uniquely positioned to house an operation like OAW.
Straightforward
Due to the sensitive nature and security requirements that surround an operation such as OAW, we wanted to provide the community and nation a clear glimpse into the positive life-changing services OAW was providing to U.S. allies in need.
Hopeful
Our objective was to secure media coverage that highlighted the NCC’s role in this unique humanitarian program, with uplifting and inspirational stories intrinsic to the Safe Haven at NCC.
Outcome
Showcase NCC as a refuge for OAW
The National Conference Center offers the size and scale to adequately support an initiative like this. Not only that, but the facility was able to provide the learning, lodging, and dining services for the entire OAW population as well, making the NCC tailor-made to accommodate their needs. Through the public relation and social communication efforts of Braintrust, we helped showcase their all-inclusive facility as a main safe haven for Operation Allies Welcome and a reliable location for similar ventures in the future.
Leesburg Lifestyle Magazine
In June of 2022, Leesburg Lifestyle Magazine wrote an article on the National Conference Center taking point in the humanitarian mission “Operation Allies Welcome,” reporting on the heartwarming scenes of Afghan refugees during their stay at the safe haven. Leesburg Lifestyle is a publication committed to showcasing how local businesses give back to the community, delivering stories of philanthropy and service to passionate readers in Loudoun County.
National Conference Center Master Report
124
Placements
4920714.96
Total Media Value
4505914
Journalist Reach
531969189
Unique Visitors per Month
Virginia center is first stop in U.S. for thousands of Afghan refugees
A poster inside the National Conference Center greets evacuees from Afghanistan in that country’s two major languages, Pashto and Dari. “What makes you excited about life in the U.S.A.?” it asks.
First group of Afghan evacuees arrive at Loudoun County safe haven
Afghan refugees left a ravaged nation more than six months ago seeking asylum. Thousands ended up in the D.C. area.
A representative with the organization Operation Allies Welcome said Wednesday that the first group of pre-screened Afghan evacuees, around 300 people, have arrived at The National Conference Center in Lansdowne, Virginia.
First Afghan Refugees Arrive at New Center in Virginia
A first group of Afghan refugees have arrived at a new temporary housing facility in Northern Virginia as the U.S. works to resettle people who fled the Taliban takeover of their country in August, the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday.
Afghans arriving from overseas will stay at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia, until they can be placed in more permanent housing around the country with the assistance of private resettlement organizations, DHS said in a statement announcing their arrival at the new facility.
Conference and Meetings World
In October of 2022, Conference and Meetings World (CMW) published an article on “Operation Allies Welcome” detailing the impact of the National Conference Center’s aid in the federal government’s effort to support and resettle Afghan refugees. CMW is an international bi-monthly publication by Mash Media that delivers the latest news in the global meetings industry to meeting planners and business owners worldwide.
“They just want a chance and I hope we can work together to provide them that chance," Robert Fenton with Operation Allies Welcome said.