A confluence for innovation, art and history, DC woos groups at every turn with little effort.
The U.S. Green Building Council recently bestowed the accolade of “first LEED Platinum city in the world” on the city for its commitment to and progress in human and environmental sustainability in building design. The conversion of a 110-year-old neoclassical church into The Line, an artful 220-room hotel with dining options from a James Beard Award-winner chef, is one example of DC’s sustainable yet innovative outlook.
Melissa Riley, VP of Convention Sales and Services for Destination DC says “in DC, meetings and incentives leave a lasting impact on the community in many ways” and she and her team regularly connect planners with Impact 4 Good for givebacks. “Many conferences use breaks as an opportunity to invite their attendees to give back to local communities.” The Event Services Professionals Association initiative to stuff bags with care supplies for the local homeless during breaks is an example that continues to be a great success.
For more on DC’s ever evolving meetings & incentives vibe, read on.
Integrating the Old & New Into Meetings & Incentives
A rising $122.5 million mixed-use development across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (and its recently opened Morris Cocktail Bar, a bright and dreamy version of a speakeasy) is another example that incorporates 15 historic buildings from the turn of the last century.
Groups MUST Check Out District Wharf
The recent debut of District Wharf along the Potomac River, and its parade of waterfront restaurants, shops, high-end hotels and arts venues, has given attendees a bonafide waterfront destination to explore and meet in—within easy access to the DC Metro. The mile-long stretch adds locally-driven cuisine, a 6,000-seat performing arts venue, several bookable pier spaces and 690 hotel rooms to the area with the Hyatt House Washington DC / The Wharf, InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf, and Canopy by Hilton Washington DC The Wharf. Close to the Wharf development is Artechouse, a digital art gallery with space for 400 attendees.
“In DC, meetings and incentives leave a lasting impact on the community in many ways.”
DC Has a Winery!
Groups can settle in for a tasting at the District Winery in Capitol Riverfront, the first winery in the city with views of the Anacostia River.
Paddleboard the Potomac
Groups can also cruise or paddleboard the Potomac, energize with waterfront or rooftop yoga, walk to world-class museums on the National Mall and experience year-round festivals.
Millennial Meetings
DC is also experiencing an influx of millennial hotels over the next two years, beginning with the first Moxy Hotel to hit the area this year. Following suit, POD DC’s whiskey bar and rooftop bar in Chinatown will offer another trendy option for millennials, and the 209-room Eaton Workshop hotel will house its own radio and podcasting studio and movie theatre. Next year will see the opening of DC’s first Virgin Hotel near Union Market, and the forthcoming Mob Hotel will offer more than a few twists and turns for creative millennial attendees.
