February 2008

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Major Meetings Headline DC’s 2008 Convention Calendar

DC's meetings and conventions industry is anticipating a strong year in 2008, with 23 citywide conventions on the books. This year's lineup of meetings includes lucrative medical and corporate conventions, media gatherings and major anniversary celebrations for large associations. WCTC's convention sales team has booked a total of 878,000 room nights for venues throughout the city during the 2008 calendar year.

Highlights of DC's spring convention calendar include a worldwide conference on renewable energy, sustainability and green design and building, organized by the American Council on Renewable Energy in partnership with the federal government, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (March 4-6). Three thousand government and industry leaders from more than 75 countries are expected to attend the event, which will also feature an associated trade show drawing an additional two thousand attendees.

As the presidential election heats up, DC will be in the media spotlight this spring as the host site for NEXPO, the world's largest newspaper tradeshow, a joint gathering of the Newspaper Association of America and American Society of Newspaper Editors. Held every four years in DC, the show will bring in approximately 3,400 media professionals, generating more than 19,000 hotel room nights. The show takes place April 11-15.

DC continues to be a popular gathering place for prominent medical and bioscience associations. Major medical groups gathering in the District this year include the American Psychiatric Association, coming to the city May 4-8 with 15,000 delegates and bringing in more than 41,000 room nights. American College of Physicians will bring in approximately 12,000 event-goers and 28,000 room nights for its annual convention May 13-17.

Some of the year's most significant gatherings will take place during the important summer months, when hotel occupancy typically reaches some of its lowest points. The DC-based National Education Association will attract 17,000 attendees who will spend $19.3 million in the city over the July 4 holiday. Also in July, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will celebrate its 100th anniversary with its Biennial Boulé; this show will draw 10,000 sorority sisters consuming more than 31,000 hotel room nights. The American Association for Clinical Chemistry's Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo will attract more 17,000 attendees. WCTC successfully lured a major corporate meeting, the GE Healthcare 2008 User Summit, which will generate 13,000 room nights and $3.9 million in delegate spending August 17-21.

Fall convention highlights include AARP's annual membership event, which marks the DC-based organization's 50th anniversary and expects an estimated 25,000 members in September. Also in September, the National Black MBA Association will draw 12,000 event-goers to celebrate its 30th anniversary during its Annual Convention. Major annual conventions returning to DC this fall include the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (Sep. 24-27; 8,000 attendees), the Association of the U.S. Army (Oct. 6-8; 20,000 attendees) and Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (Oct. 13-15; 12,000 attendees).

For more information on upcoming meetings and conventions in DC, visit dcconvention.com

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