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With the unofficial end of summer now behind us (that would be Labor Day), event professionals are looking to the fall—a traditionally busy time—to see how the economic recovery will help the industry rebound from what has so far been a pretty slow year. We asked a group of local planners and vendors what they have in the works for the coming months. Here are some highlights.

"We're looking forward to an extraordinary fall. Highlights for us include the Pittsburgh G20 Summit, scheduled at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in late September. World leaders from more than 30 countries will convene to discuss global challenges with more than 3,000 journalists scheduled to cover the event. We and our partner Showcall will provide extensive general contracting, audiovisual, decor, and production services. A variety of events focused on the environment also figure prominently in our schedule this fall, including the Solar Decathlon, to take place in mid-October on the National Mall. The event joins 20 college and university teams in a competition to design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house. Our calendar includes a diverse customer base, ranging from the 13th annual Human Rights Campaign National Dinner to the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. Finally, with several exhibit pavilions at the Association of the U.S. Army show held annually at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, expos for the Marine Corps Marathon and Army Ten-Miler, and general contracting services for Modern Day Marine, we are geared up and ready for an exciting fall."
—Lana Ostrander, director of marketing and public relations, Hargrove Inc. MORE >>

G20 Summit, Human Rights Campaign National Dinner, Human Rights Campaign, Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, Association of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps Marathon, Fight for Children, Fight for Children Fight Night, The Green Magazine, Washingtonian, PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction Gala, Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Blue Note Records, Harman Center for the Arts, One, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, National Air and Space Museum, Fall Preview 2009

EVENT REPORT 07.21.09 8:00 AM

Chinese Posters and Symbols Mark Washingtonian's "Best of" Party

Washingtonian's "Best of" event
Photo: FotoBriceno/Courtesy of Hargrove Inc.

Last year, Washingtonian revived its “Best of Washington” party after a four-year hiatus. For this year’s edition, held Wednesday night at the National Building Museum, Jennifer Haber, the magazine’s director of marketing and special events, decided to go even bigger, inviting representatives from almost 70 restaurants, bars, and shops (up from last year’s 50) to entertain the crowd of 1,500 (up from 1,200).

“This event is the best of both worlds for us,” said Haber. “We get to reach out and talk to our long-standing subscribers, and we also reach out to a whole new group of people, who either saw our Web site or heard about the event through a friend. We’re able to market to new readers and expand our reach.” MORE >>

Washingtonian

EVENT REPORT 07.09.08 1:43 PM

Washingtonian's "Best of" Party Pairs Cabanas and Pricey Restaurants

The center cabana lounge at Washingtonian's Best of Washington event
Photo: BizBash

Last night, the National Building Museum was packed to the brim for Washingtonian magazine's "Best of Washington" party. Some 1,200 food lovers, media types, and curious locals turned out (at $95 a ticket) to get a taste of the sold-out event's 50 celebrated restaurants, such as Central Michel Richard, Rasika, Georgetown Cupcake, and the Source.

"It's a great opportunity for people who wouldn't be able to go to all these restaurants. They can sample them in one place," said Aimee Dominick, president of A. Dominick Events, who worked with Washingtonian director of marketing and special events Jennifer Haber to produce the party.

Haber brought the event back from a four-year hiatus, marking Washingtonian's shift toward producing more functions, as opposed to simply acting as sponsor. "We're working on more events focused on raising awareness about the magazine and the brand in a modern and contemporary way," she said. MORE >>

Washingtonian

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