Premier Dr. Ewart F. Brown will represent Bermuda by joining Heads of Government from around the world in Washington, D.C. next week for the Inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Other Bermuda Cabinet Ministers are expected to be in Washington as well for a slew of history-making events surrounding the Inauguration. Those Cabinet Ministers have made personal decisions to attend and none of the associated travel costs will be absorbed by taxpayers.

Meantime, the Bermuda Department of Tourism will sponsor a ball in Washington D.C. to promote the island as a travel destination to local, national and foreign leaders set to descend on the city. The black tie ball, called the “Audacity of Hope Gala & Ball,” will take place January 17th at the Fairmont Washington D.C. Hotel. Leaders in business, media, political and sports arenas have been invited.

Premier Brown, who is also Minister of Tourism and Transport, said: “Our marketing partner thought this would be a great opportunity to highlight Bermuda at a time when our Tourism industry has begun to feel the impact of the economic downturn. The Director (of Tourism) and I agreed this is a rare opportunity to associate the Bermuda brand with people in our target audience at a euphoric time.”

Washington, D.C. is typically teeming with formal celebrations like the “Audacity of Hope Gala & Ball” around the time of a President’s Inauguration.

The cost of sponsorship for the “Audacity of Hope Ball” is $75,000.