Events DC Wins the 2018 Prevue Visionary Gold Award for Best Convention Center in the Northeast

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, announced today that the Walter E. Washington Convention Center has won the 2018 Prevue Visionary Gold Award and was named the best convention center in the Northeast. Prevue’s meeting and incentive planner audience and Advisory Board voted for winners in 30 categories to acknowledge the top destinations, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, destination management organizations and airlines serving the industry. This is the first year a category for convention centers was added, specifically recognizing innovative venues. 

Equipped to handle events of all sizes, from small groups and break-out meetings to events for 50 to 42,000 attendees, the2.3 million-square-foot Walter E. Washington Convention Center also showcases the largest public collection of art in Washington, DC outside of a museum, with more than 130 pieces by 93 different artists. The convention center also features 200 digital signage displays, the largest digital signage network of its kind in any US conference facility. 

“We appreciate the recognition and thank our clients and Prevue’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 although our convention center is 15 years old, we are ready to serve our current customers in new, innovative ways as our industry continues to transform.” 

Hosting nearly 3,000 events since its 2003 opening and averaging over 1 million attendees each year, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center has generated nearly $6 billion of economic impact for the District of Columbia. In 2014, the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC hotel opened adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center with a $200 million investment from Events DC. Prior to the hotel’s opening, the city attracted between 13 and 15 citywide events a year; that number has increased between 18 and 20 events per year. 

“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 into providing a world-class hospitality venue for our clients and their attendees, said Samuel Thomas, senior vice president and general manager of Events DC’s Conventions and Meetings Division. “We have a world-class team and their commitment helps define that the District of Columbia is truly like no place else for a meeting or convention.” 

Committed to leading in design, technology, break out space and neighborhood allure, the Walter E. Washington Convention center plans to kick off a series of renovations this fall 2018. Plans to refresh will include an upgrade of the grand lobby featuring new restaurants, retail, and kiosks, enhanced digital signage, a streetscape plan transforming the façade of the convention center, and a “mamava pod” for nursing mothers. Improvements are expected to be completed by the end of 2019. 


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 Skate Park at RFK Campus. 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.