About Washington
Washington D.C. is formally known as the District of Columbia and is popularly called just “D.C” or “Washington”. Washington D.C. is located on the eastern bank of the Potomac River. “Washington” is named after George Washington, the first president of the United States, and “Columbia” which is the federal district, is the female national personification.
The District is surrounded by Maryland and Virginia and is not far from Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City. There are plenty of landmarks in the city including The White House, Abraham Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, The National Mall and others. In total there are 75 national historic landmarks in Washington D.C. The city has multiple personalities and gives the vibes of a small neighborly town, yet it is an international metropolis and a popular tourist destination.
Meeting Space Options in Washington
Enhance the meeting venue with décor and equipment and look after details like catering and transportation.
- Décor
Decorations like signage, centerpieces, and company-specific notepads enhance a meeting space and add value. For your meeting in Washington, hire professional decorators to take care of this for you.
- Equipment
Whether you need tables, chairs, projectors, or audiovisual equipment, you can easily hire these items and other equipment from rental agencies in Washington. Whether you’ve rented a small or large space, the setup needs to be right.
- Transportation
Ground transportation is important especially if your meeting space in Washington is at a location difficult to reach or that may be close to busy traffic. Hire buses, cars and vans for the convenience of all the attendees.
Meeting Planning Companies in Washington
Organizing a large meeting needs plenty of planning and decision-making. While you are busy with the nitty-gritty details of the meeting, allow professionals who enjoy this type of thing to handle other duties like setting up your Washington meeting space and coordinating with different vendors.
- The DC Event Planner
The DC Event Planner is a woman-owned company that is a disadvantaged certified small business. They take pride in their good organizational skills and excellent customer service. They have a “hands-on method of event status tracking” and this is what makes them unique. Hire this event planning company for your meeting in Washington.
- Andrew Roby Events
Andrew Roby Events states that event planning is not only about managing the event while it is taking place, but they focus on what goes on before as well as after the event. Andrew and his team have a full understanding of audiovisuals, logistics, presentations, breakout sessions and social engagements. They also provide budget management, travel and transportation, site and vendor selection and other services.
- CBD Meetings
CBD Meetings is one of DC’s best event planners who have a full understanding of how corporate functions work. Before you hire them, speak to them and find out more details about their planning and organization. Some of the services that they offer are site selection, content management, contract negotiation, ground transportation, private security, registration, and logistics management.
Pros and Cons of Meetings in Washington
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of Washington D.C. Every city has a little of both.
Advantages
- There is plenty of cultural diversity
Washington is home to many different types of people from all walks of life including diplomats, politicians, military personnel, and federal workers. Most of the people are well educated and come from different nationalities and ethnicities.
- Attractions
If you love history and culture this is your place to be! Washington D.C. offers plenty of attractions for locals as well as tourists including museums, art galleries, and fantastic restaurants, ideal for exploring after the meeting.
- Central location
Because of the city’s good location, it is easy to go on short breaks to New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Organizing a meeting here makes it easier for attendees to come from neighboring cities.
- Spring and autumn are nice months
Even though the summers are hot and humid, you will enjoy spring and summer with pleasant evenings and mild temperatures.
Disadvantages
- Inequality in wealth
There’s a big divide between the rich and the poor and this is quite noticeable in the city. There are many people who live below the property line and it has resulted in an increase in crimes.
- Traffic
Traffic in Washington D.C. is slow. The main city is well-connected by public transport, but if the meeting attendees live in the suburbs they will have to use their own transportation.
- Parking
Finding parking in Washington D.C. can be tough. If possible, hire transportation or choose a venue that offers a place to park.
- Winter weather
Winter weather can be unpredictable in the city. Keep this in mind as a storm may make for a late meeting.
Famous Locations in Washington
- The White House
The White House is and has been the workplace and official residence of the President of the United States since 1800. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW and is an important icon. Hoping to see a bit of history while here? Book an all-in-one event space for your meeting near this neoclassical-style mansion.
- Georgetown Waterfront Park
This park in Washington D.C. was completed in 2011 and extends for a total of 225 miles, from the Potomac River banks to Key Bridge. There are plenty of shade trees, grassy hills, and beautiful views of the Kennedy Center, Theodore Roosevelt Island, and the Key Bridge.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Looking to be amazed? 126 million artifacts are on display here. From butterflies to dinosaurs and everything in between, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History will keep you in awe for hours. Time it to see a tarantula feeding and don’t forget to watch for life-size models of early human faces.