Venue FAQs

The public sidewalks, surrounding the Convention Center feature curb cuts for wheelchair access. Automatic doors are located at Mt. Vernon Place, L Street, North & South, and Metro entrances to the Convention Center. Elevators are conveniently located near meeting rooms, Common Areas and in exhibit halls. Telephones, drinking fountains and restrooms throughout the building are wheelchair accessible.

The Convention Center Ambassadors are located at the information desk in the Grand Lobby and at key “Ask Me” locations throughout the facility. These guides provide pertinent information regarding the current convention event calendar, city attractions, including restaurant, entertainment, and shopping suggestions.

The Convention Center has one of the largest public art collections in convention centers across North America. This diverse permanent collection includes over 130 pieces of sculptures, prints, etc. While many are accomplished national and international artists, over half represented, are from the Washington, DC region.

Advance approval by The Convention Center is required, to place structures, drape, signage, etc. in front of the Center’s art or other permanent displays. This request must be included in the specs & diagrams of the Common Areas plan submitted to the Event Manager.

ATM machines are conveniently located in public spaces throughout the Convention Center.

Passenger elevators, located throughout the Convention Center, provide access to all common areas of the building. Elevators are alarm-equipped, with two-way communications to the Command Center and have tactile Braille call buttons inside and outside the elevators.

The Events DC logo may not be used in any public or private promotional materials, without written consent. A library of images is maintained by Events DC for promotional and marketing materials. Use of these photos is permitted only upon agreement to credit both the photographer and The Convention Center.

Contact the Event Manager to request the logo usage guidelines and information on use of images.

All Security Services staff are trained and certified by the Red Cross in basic first aid and CPR practices and are trained to use automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). AEDs are located throughout The Convention Center, and one is issued to all contracted medical providers on duty.

Infrared Audio Assistive Listening Systems are permanently installed in the meeting rooms and Ballroom. Event Management must be informed of attendees requiring the use of this system. The Convention Center can provide a list of local American Sign Language interpreters.

The Grand Lobby of the Convention Center features iPad Kiosks with free internet for attendees.

Show Management must designate the lost and found location during an event and work in conjunction with the Convention Center’s Public Safety Division. If you have lost a personal item, please check the Show Management office or the information desk.

At the completion of the event, any unclaimed items may be submitted to the Convention Center’s Public Safety Division, where the inventory is held for 90 days. After 90 days, the items are disposed in accordance with the Convention Center’s DC Property Disposal Guidelines. 

You can contact the Events DC Public Safety Division at (202) 249-4111 to assist with lost items.

Twelve metered public parking spaces, designated for vehicles displaying disability permits or tags, are located on 9th Street.

Locations:   

• Three spaces on the east side of 9th Street, between Mt. Vernon Place & L Street
• Three spaces on the east side of 9th Street, between L & M Street
• Three spaces on the east side of 9th Street, between M & N Street
• Three metered, public parking spaces on 7th Street, between Mt. Vernon Place and L Street.

Parking signs are posted, indicating a two-hour parking limit, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.

Payment of all license fees, royalties or other costs associated with the use of materials protected by copyright, patent or trademark, is the responsibility of the customer.

Arrangements need to be made, prior to first day of move-in, with appropriate rights holder organizations (i.e. ASCAP, BMI) regarding the use of such material

The Convention Center restrooms are accessible to persons with disabilities, and are equipped with stalls, sinks and mirrors that are wheelchair accessible.

Service Animals are authorized for use in the Convention Center. Listed below is the Convention Center’s policy regarding service animals in the Convention Center:

• Dogs are the exclusive animals allowed to be used as service animals.  
• Owners must always control the movement of animals (i.e. harnessed, leashed, tethered, or responsive to voice commands).
• Dogs that exhibit aggressive behavior are prohibited.
• Dogs must be housebroken.
• The Convention Center staff has the right to inquire if the dog is a qualified service animal.
• Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support are prohibited.

Failure to comply with the above guidelines or other reasonable requests, the Convention Center’s Public Safety staff may result in the dog’s removal from the premises.

Tactile Braille signage is located in the entrances of all meeting rooms and restrooms, in addition to the inside and outside of all passenger elevators.

Over 3,000 parking spaces are located within a three-block radius of the Convention Center including surface lots and garages. Exhibitors and attendees are encouraged to use these public parking facilities. Parking regulations are heavily enforced in the Convention Center’s surrounding residential areas. There is no public parking at the Convention Center. Click here for more parking information

There are several methods of transportation near the Convention Center:

• Metro’s (subway) Green and Yellow lines stop at the Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center station. The entrance is located on the southwest corner of 7th and M Street NW, with entrances leading directly into the Convention Center. For more information visit Metro’s website, www.wmata.com .                         
• The Circulator is a public transit system designed to take riders to the city’s cultural, shopping, dining and business destinations, operating daily. The Georgetown-Union Station line runs closet to the Convention Center. Buses run every 10 minutes. For more information, visit the website www.dccirculator.com
• Transportation Services Department manages the taxi stand on Mt. Vernon Place. The event schedule is shared with the DC Taxi Commission. Consult with Event Management if anticipating excessive taxi demands.
• Events DC has a partnership with Lyft. Dedicated pick-up and drop-off location is on the corner of Mount Vernon and 9th Street.

The Convention Center provides a smoke free environment for its staff and guests, and no smoking is allowed within the facility. Employees/staff may smoke only in outdoor areas at the Hall D or Hall E docks designated for such activity. 

“Smoking” or “to smoke” means the inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying of a lighter or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, electronic smoking device, or any other tobacco or plant product intended for human consumption through inhalation, in any manner or in any form.  Code of the District of Columbia – Chapter 17. Restrictions on Tobacco Smoking, Subchapter §7-1702. Definitions. (7)

Show Management is responsible for providing wheelchairs, motorized mobility scooters, Segways, etc. The Event Manager has a list of local rental companies.

Wheelchair Lifts and Wheelchair Lecterns

The Convention Center has a limited number of portable wheelchair lifts and wheelchair accessible lecterns, to accommodate speakers, who may require this assistance. The Event Manager must be notified in advance, if this equipment is required for an event. If additional lifts are required, Show Management must rent through the GSC. The weight limit for the wheelchair lifts is 750 lbs.

Complimentary Wi-Fi Service is available across the entire facility at a speed of 768 kBps download and 768 kBps upload.