Walter E. Washington Convention Center

venues

Walter E. Washington
Convention Center

The 2.3-million-square-foot Walter E. Washington Convention Center is the cornerstone of Washington D.C.'s downtown events, featuring 703,000 square feet of exhibit space (473,000 of which is contiguous), the largest ballroom in the Mid-Atlantic region (52,000 square feet), and 77 meeting rooms. The facility also boasts the largest digital signage network of any convention center in the United States with more than 200 digital displays and a two-story video wall. A $6 million permanent art collection of approximately 130 pieces means the space is as beautiful as it is functional. Nestled right in the heart of downtown's entertainment district, there's something for everyone close by.

WHERE TO SLEEP
With more than 4,700 hotel rooms within one mile of the venue, finding a place to sleep is a cinch. It doesn't get much easier than staying at the Marriott Marquis, which is connected to the convention center, or the Residence Inn by Marriott, located directly across the road. For a cultural hub, try the 200-room Eaton DC.

WHAT TO EAT
There are plenty of options for grabbing a quick bite inside the venue. However, foodies will be happy to know that Walter E. Washington Convention Center is surrounded by a thriving restaurant scene with dozens of nearby spots. Corduroy has a rotating menu and private dining options for up to 40 people.

HOW TO GET THERE
Three large airports are within 35 miles of Walter E. Washington Convention Center, but Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest. A taxi ride will cost about $15, while Uber and Lyft will run around $20. Or you can hop on the Metro's Yellow Line, which stops at the convention center. There is no public parking at the venue, but there are more than 3,000 parking spots within three blocks.

Walter E. Washington Convention Center is GBAC Star certified.

Enclosed exhibits must have porous covers in case the sprinkler system is activated.

Double-deck exhibits are allowed with one person per 15 square feet, not to exceed 25 people. Enclosed areas must have an audible smoke detector and a charged fire extinguisher.

Sound levels may not exceed 55 decibels.

The floor load capacity is rated for 350 pounds per square foot.

Aramark is the venue's exclusive food and beverage provider.

FedEx provides on-site printing services.

Dogs are the exclusive animals to be used as service pets. Dogs whose sole function is to provide emotional support are prohibited.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the venue at 768 kBps.

Display vehicles must have their batteries disconnected and may have no more than a quarter of a tank or 5 gallons of fuel. Vehicles are required to not be fueled or defueled in the convention center.