Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Walter E. Washington Convention Center is a 2.3 million square foot multi-purpose convention facility located in the heart of Washington, D.C., owned and operated by Events DC, the city's official convention and sports authority. Completed in 2003 and named in honor of the city's first home rule may...

Walter E. Washington Convention Center is a 2.3 million square foot multi-purpose convention facility located in the heart of Washington, D.C., owned and operated by Events DC, the city's official convention and sports authority. Completed in 2003 and named in honor of the city's first home rule mayor Walter E. Washington in 2006, the center has quickly become a leading venue in the convention industry. The facility is equipped to handle events of all sizes, from small groups and breakout meetings to large-scale events accommodating 500 to 42,000 attendees. The center features 703,000 square feet of exhibit space across 5 exhibit halls, 198,000 square feet of flexible meeting space throughout 77 breakout rooms, and 52,000 square feet of ballroom space which is the largest in the Mid-Atlantic region. The venue serves diverse industries including technology, healthcare, government, associations, and entertainment, hosting everything from international policy conferences and industry conventions to pop culture festivals like Awesome Con and Otakon, black-tie fundraisers, and presidential inaugural balls. Notable events include the 2009 Presidential Inauguration balls, the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit, the 2022 United States-Africa Leaders Summit, and the 2024 NATO Summit. The center is LEED Platinum certified and features extensive environmental sustainability initiatives including closed-loop recycling, water efficiency programs, and energy-saving technologies. It houses the largest public art collection of any convention center in the United States with over 130 pieces by 93 different artists. The facility is strategically located in downtown DC's Convention and Entertainment District with direct Metro access via the Mount Vernon Square station on the Green and Yellow lines, connected to the Marriott Marquis hotel, and within walking distance of over 7,700 hotel rooms.