3 Reasons to Host Your International Meeting in Washington, DC

A Sponsored Article from Destination DC


From unique venues to prominent speakers, take a cue from one of 2018’s high-profile industry conferences when planning your next global event.

Home to more than 175 foreign embassies, Washington, DC is well accustomed to playing host to the international elite. In June 2018, the city hosted the 27th World Gas Conference, welcoming more than 10,000 delegates from 100 different countries to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and many of DC’s unique venues and neighborhoods.

“Our goal for [2018’s] World Gas Conference was to put on a world-class event in a world-class city. We exceeded that goal,” says Jay Copan, Executive Director of WGC2018. “The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is the most impressive venue that has hosted any of our conferences. All of our thousands of attendees were thrilled with being in Washington, DC for this year’s conference.”

So, what made the event such a huge success?

Room for Everyone
With 600 speakers and 10,000 attendees coming in from 100 countries around the world, the right space is essential. The multi-use Walter E. Washington Convention Center lets you mold its 703,000 square feet of exhibition space into whatever shape you need. With 473,000 square-feet comprised of two levels and five exhibit halls, 198,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a 52,000 square-foot ballroom and 77 breakout rooms, there is plenty of room for events of practically any size.

Thinking Outside the Convention Center
While the epicenter of the World Gas Conference was at downtown DC’s Walter E. Washington Convention Center, it didn’t end there. From hosting events at Smithsonian museums, atop chic city rooftops and even a reception in the historic Union Station, World Gas was able to make its presence felt all over DC by utilizing more than 25 one-of-a-kind special event venues.

Access to High-Level Speakers
Taking advantage of DC’s access to thought leaders and influencers is just one of many assets when hosting your congresses in the nation’s capital. The Secretary of Energy for the United States gave a keynote at the World Gas Conference opening ceremony, elevating the content of the congress and captivating individuals interested in having access to such a high-level government official. These kinds of connections are easier to make in a city where many such leaders call home, and are essential for helping any international congress create a lasting impact, advance the conversation and foster innovation that propels your industry forward.

Read our World Gas Conference case study and learn how Destination DC can help make your next international meeting a success in the nation’s capital.

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