Black Meetings & Tourism - WHERE TO MEET IN WASHINGTON, DC

Industry Briefs
WHERE TO MEET IN WASHINGTON, DC
Washington, DC is filled with iconic monuments and memorials, but few places match the unique blend of history, culture and global significance offered by the city’s dramatically located venues. Many are as compelling as the historic landmarks on their doorstep, making DC a truly unparalleled destination. After all, there is Only One DC. Waterfront Views Impress attendees with expansive views of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers at The Watergate Hotel’s Top of the Gate and the Cambria Hotel in Capitol Riverfront. These venues offer rooftop event spaces with bird’s-eye views of the monuments. The Roof Terrace Restaurant at the Kennedy Center boasts floor-to-ceiling glass windows and stunning views of the Lincoln Memorial, complemented by fountains, willow trees and an expansive outdoor terrace. HQO, a LEED Platinum-certified venue at the edge of the Anacostia River, features a modern facade of undulating glass and three stories of indoor/outdoor spaces. The Wharf presents a variety of venues, from the modern, naturally lit ballrooms at the InterContinental Washington D.C. and the Pendry Washington DC to the glass-enclosed Dockmaster Building at the end of District Pier. Distinctly DC Highlight DC’s rich Black history and culture by hosting an event on U Street or in Shaw, where historic venues like the Lincoln Theatre and Howard Theatre have been thriving since the Jazz Age. The restored Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library features the Great Hall for seated dinners, an auditorium and a rooftop event space, along with artwork by DC artists including Alma Thomas. Dock 5, an exposed brick warehouse in Union Market, is perfect for intimate gatherings or large receptions. Nationals Park offers outdoor meeting areas such as Center Field Plaza and Budweiser Terrace, accommodating 1,000-1,700 guests with a high-definition LED video board for dynamic signage. What’s New This summer, the Salamander Washington DC unveils renovations to its lobby, luxury spa and guest suites, followed by the opening of Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s restaurant, Dōgon, inspired by the heritage of DC surveyor Benjamin Banneker. The 234-room Washington Marriott Capitol Hill, located just over a mile from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, features 13,000 square feet of meeting space. The LEED Gold- certified Royal Sonesta Washington DC Capitol Hill, located steps from Union Station, offers 274 spacious guest rooms, 11,000 square feet of event space, including a penthouse conference center with a wraparound terrace and views of the U.S. Capitol Building. Distinguished hotels including the St. Regis, Four Seasons, and Capital Hilton have undergone renovations. The Folger Shakespeare Theater’s 1932 building has undergone a major renovation to expand public space and improve accessibility. The project includes a 12,000-square-foot public pavilion under the Folger’s front lawn with accessible entry plazas. In Anacostia, the Go-Go Museum and Cafe (opening Summer 2024) will feature digital and interactive exhibitions highlighting go-go’s roots and community impact, with a cafe offering a blend of African, Caribbean, Latin and mumbo-sauced dishes. Additionally, a new interactive replica of the White House will provide an immersive educational experience about the executive mansion. This project from the White House Historical Association, set across 32,000 square feet inside the Mills Building at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, is expected to open in the fall of 2024 and will be free to the public.

Industry Briefs

WHERE TO MEET IN WASHINGTON, DC

Washington, DC is filled with iconic monuments and memorials, but few places match the unique blend of history, culture and global significance offered by the city’s dramatically located venues. Many are as compelling as the historic landmarks on their doorstep, making DC a truly unparalleled destination. After all, there is Only One DC.

Waterfront Views
Impress attendees with expansive views of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers at The Watergate Hotel’s Top of the Gate and the Cambria Hotel in Capitol Riverfront. These venues offer rooftop event spaces with bird’s-eye views of the monuments. The Roof Terrace Restaurant at the Kennedy Center boasts floor-to-ceiling glass windows and stunning views of the Lincoln Memorial, complemented by fountains, willow trees and an expansive outdoor terrace. HQO, a LEED Platinum-certified venue at the edge of the Anacostia River, features a modern facade of undulating glass and three stories of indoor/outdoor spaces. The Wharf presents a variety of venues, from the modern, naturally lit ballrooms at the InterContinental Washington D.C. and the Pendry Washington DC to the glass-enclosed Dockmaster Building at the end of District Pier.

Distinctly DC
Highlight DC’s rich Black history and culture by hosting an event on U Street or in Shaw, where historic venues like the Lincoln Theatre and Howard Theatre have been thriving since the Jazz Age. The restored Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library features the Great Hall for seated dinners, an auditorium and a rooftop event space, along with artwork by DC artists including Alma Thomas. Dock 5, an exposed brick warehouse in Union Market, is perfect for intimate gatherings or large receptions. Nationals Park offers outdoor meeting areas such as Center Field Plaza and Budweiser Terrace, accommodating 1,000-1,700 guests with a high-definition LED video board for dynamic signage.

What’s New
This summer, the Salamander Washington DC unveils renovations to its lobby, luxury spa and guest suites, followed by the opening of Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s restaurant, Dōgon, inspired by the heritage of DC surveyor Benjamin Banneker. The 234-room Washington Marriott Capitol Hill, located just over a mile from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, features 13,000 square feet of meeting space. The LEED Gold- certified Royal Sonesta Washington DC Capitol Hill, located steps from Union Station, offers 274 spacious guest rooms, 11,000 square feet of event space, including a penthouse conference center with a wraparound terrace and views of the U.S. Capitol Building. Distinguished hotels including the St. Regis, Four Seasons, and Capital Hilton have undergone renovations.

The Folger Shakespeare Theater’s 1932 building has undergone a major renovation to expand public space and improve accessibility. The project includes a 12,000-square-foot public pavilion under the Folger’s front lawn with accessible entry plazas. In Anacostia, the Go-Go Museum and Cafe (opening Summer 2024) will feature digital and interactive exhibitions highlighting go-go’s roots and community impact, with a cafe offering a blend of African, Caribbean, Latin and mumbo-sauced dishes. Additionally, a new interactive replica of the White House will provide an immersive educational experience about the executive mansion. This project from the White House Historical Association, set across 32,000 square feet inside the Mills Building at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, is expected to open in the fall of 2024 and will be free to the public.