Exhibitor Magazine Honors 2019 Centers of Excellence
WASHINGTON, DC (October 23, 2019) – Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, announced that the Walter E. Washington Convention Center was named one of EXHIBITOR Magazine’s 2019 Centers of Excellence. These premiere venues were identified and recognized as the best convention centers in North America for trade shows and events.
“While individual exhibit managers rarely have a say in where their trade shows are held, they are often the ones most impacted by that decision. This is their opportunity to give credit where credit is due and celebrate the exhibitor-friendly venues that do their part to make trade shows and events as smooth, successful, and painless as possible,” said Travis Stanton, editor of EXHIBITOR magazine, noting that everything from the number of nearby hotel rooms to the cost and quality of Wi-Fi access can have a significant impact on exhibiting companies’ experience at events. “Simply by virtue of being included in this list, these facilities have proven their ability to host trade shows and events of all shapes and sizes while providing world-class service and state-of-the-art accommodations.”
“We appreciate the recognition and thank our clients and EXHIBITOR’s readers for their confidence and trust,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “We don’t want to rest on our laurels and are ready to serve our current customers in new, innovative ways as our industry continues to transform.”
“It is an honor for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to be recognized as one of the best convention centers in the country. This demonstrates the dedication and tireless effort of our staff and service partners in providing a premier hospitality venue for our clients and their attendees,” said Samuel Thomas, senior vice president and general manager of Events DC’s Walter E. Washington Convention Center. “We have a world-class team and their commitment helps support the fact that the District of Columbia is truly the perfect destination for a meeting or convention.”
The cornerstone of Washington, DC’s downtown renaissance, the 2.3 million square foot Walter E. Washington Convention Center is as functional as it is artistically impressive. Equipped to handle events of all sizes, from small groups and break-out meetings to events for 50 to 42,000 attendees. Hosting over 3,000 events since its 2003 opening and averaging over 1 million attendees each year, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center has generated over $6 billion of direct spending economic impact for the District of Columbia. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center also showcases the largest public collection of art in the District of Columbia outside of a museum, with more than 130 pieces by 93 different artists.
The convention center boasts the largest digital signage displays located throughout the convention center, including a two-story curved video wall at the concourse rotunda, video walls above the exhibit halls and digital flags in front of the salons. The venue also partners with DC Central Kitchen and Capital Area Food Bank, recovering up to 35,000 pounds of food annually, and recycles an average of 50 pallets per month that are left over from trade show freight deliveries.
Committed to leading in design, technology, break out space and neighborhood allure, the Walter E. Washington Convention center kicked off a series of renovations in fall 2019, including upgrade of the Grand Lobby featuring new dining concepts, retail, and kiosks, enhanced digital signage, and a streetscape plan that will transform the façade of the convention center. Improvements are expected to be completed by December, 2020.
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About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at www.RFKCampus.com. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and the Entertainment and Sports Arena (www.ESAontheRise.com), all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC).
