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A modern glass-and-concrete museum building on a city corner with cars and pedestrians under a partly cloudy sky.

Your Guide to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Take your meetings to the next level in Washington, DC.

Gather in the heart of the nation’s capital, a space built for annual meetings, global summits, comic book-inspired expos, industry-defining conventions and, most importantly, the exchange of ideas that turn into action.

Quick Facts

People walk across an indoor skybridge toward a bright gathering area with large windows and event displays.

Taylor Mickal Photography

Address: 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW

Size: 2.3 million square feet

Capacity: Up to 42,000 attendees

Spaces:  

  • 703,000 square feet of exhibit space
  • 198,000 square feet of flexible meeting space throughout 77 breakout rooms
  • 52,000 square feet of ballroom space (the largest in the Mid-Atlantic)
  • 5 exhibit halls

Hotels: Connected to the Marriott Marquis and over 7,700 rooms within walking distance

Getting There:  

  • Direct Metro access via the Green and Yellow line at Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center
  • Designated rideshare pick-up and drop-off locations
  • Street parking is extremely limited

Awards: LEED Platinum certification, GBAC STAR accreditation, WELL Health-Safety Rated 

 

What Makes the WEWCC Different:

A busy convention center atrium with people walking, talking, and checking in near large signage and modern architectural features.

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Access to Knowledge

DC is home to one of the most concentrated intellectual environments in the world, and the WEWCC sits right inside it. The ecosystem of think tanks, universities and associations allow meetings to effortlessly draw on field experts for sessions and keynotes, elevating any meeting agenda.

 

Sustainability Leader

As a leader in environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives, the LEED Platinum-certified convention center implements a closed-loop recycling and waste minimization program, as well as water efficiency, green product purchasing and more. All paper products are made from 100 percent recycled fiber, ECOLAB® Certified and compostable. The building boasts a long list of energy-saving features, including low-emission glass and computerized HVAC systems. Partnerships with numerous local sustainable businesses, including DC Central Kitchen, Capital Area Food Bank and the District of Columbia Department of Public Works, work together to recycle leftover building materials and food.

 

Art & Culture Built In

Visitors descend an escalator into a bright museum atrium featuring suspended sculptural installations and a prominent AIA display.

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The ultra-modern convention center features soaring staircases, towering glass walls and the largest public art collection in DC outside of a museum. Over 130 pieces by 93 different artists, both local and international, span sculpture, photography and paintings across the center. A multi-phase interior design upgrade enhanced the public lounge areas with new seating and furniture that allows for more networking.

 

Health & Safety First

The convention center demonstrates a continued commitment to safety protocols and thorough cleaning measures.  

  • First convention center in the world to earn the WELL Health-Safety Rating (2022)
  • First in the northeast U.S. to achieve the GBAC STAR accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council.  
  • First center in the United States to implement BIOPROTECT™ by SurfaceGuard, a NASA-developed technology designed to kill germs.

 

Food & Local Flavor

People stand in line at a modern indoor coffee kiosk labeled “Coffee Co,” where baristas serve drinks to customers in a bright, open lobby space.

Taylor Mickal Photography

For your event, Aramark is a premier catering option. The award-winning company serves more than 115 million guests annually, using fresh and local ingredients to fuel regional favorites and innovative international cuisine.  

Within the convention center, visit the “Uptown Food District” for local flavors like Ben’s Chili Bowl’s iconic half-smokes and chili fries or grab a coffee from La Colombe's Coffee Co. Just steps outside, you’ll find a variety of quick bites and sit-down options, from locally sourced snacks at Pearl’s Bagels and Union Kitchen Grocery to a full meal at Unconventional Diner.

 

Planning Tools:

 

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