The Entertainment Software Association, which represents video game publishers, hosted a private cocktail party and game night on Wednesday to commemorate the launch of the Congressional Caucus for Competitiveness in Entertainment Technology, the first national caucus for the industry. Nearly 230 people headed to Long View Gallery for the celebration.

“We wanted to bring out members to D.C. to show off their wares and what they do,” said Sarah Hudgins, the association’s senior manager for federal government affairs, who helped coordinate the event along with event planning firm Kimball Stroud & Associates. “It’s important for us in terms of representing the company in Washington to actually have people [here] be able to see the products and put it in their hands, understand how the innovative technologies work, and then also [know] the people who make them.”

The association had 10 of its member companies participate, including Nintendo, Microsoft, Sega, and the makers of games like Madden NFL and Dance Dance Revolution. Clearpath Productions used white drape and long ottomans to create mini living-room-style spaces within the warehouse-style venue for each company to set up its gaming stations.

“We view our products as not just high-tech, but as creative expression, so [Long View] was a great avenue for us to display our own kind of art installation in this raw, cool, warehouse-style space,” Hudgins said. 

The association reached out to Spilled Milk Catering to provide light, creative finger foods. In addition to a fruit and cheese station, the company served passed hors d’oeuvres like buffalo chicken wontons, sliders, fried mac and cheese, and Cajun jambalaya meatballs. DJ Yellow Fever spun upbeat music from a raised glowing booth at the far end of the gallery until nearly an hour after the party’s planned end time had passed.