Washington DC Top 100 Events is an archive of the best events from Event Planners at recent past Benefit Galas, Public Promos, Launch Parties, Movie Premieres, Fashion Shows and New Releases by BizBash

To celebrate the release of its 28th annual "Inc. 500" list, Inc. magazine brought 1,700 business leaders to the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, September 23 to 25, for the Inc. 500/5000 Conference and Awards Ceremony. Recently expanded to recognize the nation's 5,000 fastest growing companies—not just 500—the Mansueto Ventures-owned publication's aptly named event included a casual "crab fest" and a gala awards presentation.

The flagship event is an important branding moment for Inc., which sees the conference as not just a chance to promote its signature issue but also as an opportunity to enhance brand awareness among some of its most desirable readers. "The goal that we've been trying to achieve is to have more cohesive brand representation," said Mansueto Ventures events director Courtney Waters, who worked with Anne Frey-Mott and Elizabeth Busch of New York-based the Event Studio to plan the conference. "We worked really hard to have everything from the magazine, the [Web] site, and the conference have the same look and feel." MORE >>

Inc. Magazine, Mansueto Ventures

06.22.09 11:45 AM

Washington's Top 100 Events 2009

The Smithsonian Kite Festival
Photo: Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute

When two million people flooded the National Mall for President Obama’s inauguration this January, it signaled the unofficial start of a year when all the world’s eyes will be on D.C. Many of the District’s events have garnered new buzz in 2009 (regardless of whether planners were able to book the Obamas), and a surprising number continue to grow despite the economic downturn. These are the diverse events—from marathons to food festivals to benefit galas—that shine the brightest in Washington’s increasingly crowded spotlight. MORE >>

06.22.09 11:44 AM

Washington's Top Political & Press Events 2009

Rush Limbaugh
Photo: Courtesy of CPAC 2009 and Panoramic Visions

1. State of the Union Address
The president’s big annual speech is the only time the entire federal government gathers in one place. Although a new president’s first-year address to Congress bears all the trappings of this gathering, it’s technically not considered one, so President Obama’s first official State of the Union takes place January 2010.

2. White House Correspondent’s Association Dinner
Comedian Wanda Sykes hosted this May 9 event, traditionally attended by the president along with some 2,000 politicians, journalists, and celebrities. Dinner at the Washington Hilton is preceded by a maze of pre-parties hosted by media outlets. For the first time, Bloomberg and Vanity Fair co-hosted an after-party this year.

3. Gridiron Club Black-Tie Dinner
President Obama bucked tradition in March, skipping this 125-year-old event in favor of a family vacation. The 600-plus guests at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel consoled themselves with barbs from Vice President Joe Biden and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. MORE >>

Washington's Top 100 Events, State of the Union, Barack Obama, White House Correspondents' Association, Wanda Sykes, Bloomberg, Vanity Fair, Gridiron Club, Joe Biden, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Radio and Television Correspondents' Association, Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony, George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Washington Press Club Foundation, Mitt Romney, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, National Governors' Association, U.S. Confernece of Mayors, Bill Clinton, Rahm Emanuel, National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation, America's Future Now!, Human Rights Campaign, Hillary Clinton

06.22.09 11:37 AM

Washington Top Arts & Entertainment Events 2009

FotoWeek
Photo: Paul Fetters

1. Kennedy Center Honors
Morgan Freeman and Barbara Streisand were among those feted at the 31st annual awards for artistic achievement in 2008. Traditionally attended by the president and first lady, the ceremony returns to the Kennedy Center on December 6, followed by a seated dinner in the complex’s grand foyer.

2. Ford’s Theatre Annual Gala
After last year’s gala at the National Theatre while Ford’s completed an extensive renovation, this event returned to its traditional home in 2009, with a gala moved up from June to February to coincide with the reopening of the theatre. The 30th annual gala will take place June 2010.

3. SilverDocs Film Festival
One of the nation’s largest and most prestigious documentary film festivals came to the American Film Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland, from June 15 to 22. More than 21,000 attendees screened more than 100 films at last year’s fest. MORE >>

Washington's Top 100 Events, Morgan Freeman, Barbara Steisand, Kennedy Center, Ford's Theatre, George Lucas, Sidney Poitier, SilverDocs, American Film Institute, Black Entertainment Television, BET Honors, National Design Awards, Virgin Mobile, Shakespeare Theatre Company

06.22.09 11:30 AM

Washington's Top Parades, Walks & Festivals 2009

National Cherry Blossom Festival
Photo: Courtesy of the National Cherry Blossom Festival

1. National Cherry Blossom Festival
More than one million visitors were expected for this two-week celebration in March and April, which included an opening ceremony at the National Building Museum, musical performances at the Tidal Basin, and a parade led by grand marshal Alex Trebek.

2. Smithsonian Folklife Festival
More than 23,000 musicians, artists, craftspeople, and cooks (along with one million spectators) will descend on the National Mall for this cultural celebration. Slated for June 24 to 28 and July 1 to 5, the festival will focus on Latin American music and Welsh traditions, among other themes.

3. National Black Family Reunion
The National Council of Negro Women organizes this 24-year-old event, expected to bring more than 500,000 participants to the National Mall on September 12 and 13 for a weekend of music, sports, networking, and educational events. MORE >>

Washington's Top 100 Events, National Cherry Blossom Festival, Smithsonian, National Council of Negro Women, Capital Pride, Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure, Rolling Thunder

06.22.09 11:30 AM

Washington's Top Trade Shows, Conventions & Meetings 2009

Rep. John Conyers Jr. and Barack Obama
Photo: Courtesy of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

1. Washington Auto Show
This four-day car showcase took over 750,000 square feet at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in February, when members of Congress were among the many thousands eager to view new models in the Green Car Pavilion. Next year’s show is set for January 27 to 30.

2. NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo
More than 85,000 Washingtonians enjoyed fun attractions like a rock-climbing wall, snowboarding simulator, and golf driving range at this 16th annual health fair in January 2009. Next year’s expo returns to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from January 16 to 17.

3. Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference
In 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama was honored at the red-carpet gala portion of this conference, which brought more than 18,000 people to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The 39th annual conference takes place September 23 to 26. MORE >>

Washington's Top 100 Events, NBC, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Association of the United States Army, Palm Beach Show Group, Travel Channel, Smithsonian Institute, Thrift Shop Charities

06.22.09 11:30 AM

Washington's Top Benefits 2009

Artrageous
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash

1. Knock Out Abuse and Fight Night Gala
This two-in-one party encompasses the Knock Out Abuse Against Women gala—a lavish women-only fete for 650 at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.—while 2,000 men simultaneously enjoy Fight Night, an evening of boxing matches at the Hilton Washington. The two parties join for a gender-neutral after-party. The dual fund-raisers for anti-domestic-violence causes and the health care nonprofit Fight for Children return November 5.

2. The Opera Ball
The Washington National Opera’s elite event brings some 500 guests—including Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Congressman Dennis Kucinich in 2008—to a different ambassador’s residence each year. The German ambassador hosted this year’s June 5 ball.

3. YouthAIDS Benefit Gala
Ashley Judd, Sharon Osbourne, and Anna Kournikova were among the 550 guests at Population Services International’s 2008 benefit at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. The rock 'n' roll theme party, which raised $1.2 million for the organization, returns this November. MORE >>

Washington's Top 100 Events, Knock Out Abuse Against Women, Fight for Children, Washington National Opera, YouthAIDS, Corcoran Gallery of Art, National Italian American Foundation, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Meridian International Center, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Washington Ballet, Heart of America Foundation, Smithsonian American Art Museum, March of Dimes Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Folger Shakespeare Library, N.F.L. Players, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Phillips Collection, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Spina Bifida Association, Washington Performing Arts Society, Trust for the National Mall, Capital Area Food Bank, American Red Cross, D.C. Scores, Washington Humane Society

06.22.09 11:30 AM

Washington's Top Sporting Events 2009

Fredrik Jacobsen at the AT&T National Golf Tournament
Photo: Courtesy of Gary Newkirk/Tiger Woods Foundation

1. Legg Mason Tennis Classic
One of the premier summer stops on the men’s professional tennis tour, this 41st annual tournament is expected to draw 72,000 fans to the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park from August 1 to 9.

2. Preakness Stakes
The greater D.C. area will look to Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course on May 16, when more than 100,000 fans are expected for the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. Rockers ZZ Top will perform at the new Pimlico Infield Fest before the race.

3. AT&T National Golf Tournament
The third annual outing of this Tiger Woods-hosted event comes to the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, from June 29 to July 5. The event will move to Philadelphia for the next two years while the Bethesda course prepares to host the 2011 U.S. Open but will return in 2012. MORE >>

Washington's Top 100 Events, Legg Mason, Triple Crown, AT&T, Tiger Woods, United States Marine Corps, SunTrust, Mayor Adrian Fenty

06.22.09 11:30 AM

Washington's Top Literary & Publishing Events 2009

Neil Gaiman at the National Book Festival
Photo: Susie Neel

1. National Book Festival
More than 70 authors, including Salman Rushdie, James McBride, and Jenna Bush, read from their works at the Library of Congress’s eighth annual literary festival in 2008. About 120,000 book lovers are expected at the National Mall for this year’s event on September 26.

2. Scripps National Spelling Bee
The nation’s brainiest middle schoolers wowed crowds at the Grand Hyatt Hotel from May 26 to 28 by acing words like laodicean (this year's winning word). The championship round was broadcast live on ABC.

3. Washington Life’s “The Young and the Guest List” Party
Members of the D.C. social set wait anxiously to see if their names appear on this magazine’s annual list, and then the anointed 250 are whisked away to an ultra-hip party at an undisclosed location. Invitees to this year’s April 16 event included CNN correspondent Jessica Yellin, Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler, and Obama aide Reggie Love. MORE >>

Washington's Top 100 Events, Library of Congress, Scripps National Spelling Bee, Washington Life, The Week, The PEN/Faulkner Awards for Fiction

06.22.09 11:30 AM

Washington's Top Food & Restaurant Industry Events 2009

Chefs Cathal Armstrong and Todd Thrasher
Photo: Courtesy of Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show

1. Rammy Awards Gala
The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington honored the area’s best eateries at the 28th edition of these awards on June 7. This year’s gala, held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel for the first time, was slightly smaller than 2008’s 1,600-person party.

2. Washington, D.C. International Wine and Food Festival
The 10th annual two-day show brought a record 6,800 people to the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in February. Known more for its bottles than its bites, the event showcased more than 150 international wineries. It returns in February 2010.

3. Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show
This new entry on our list debuted in 2006, but kicked it up a notch in 2008 with big-name foodies including Paula Deen, Bobby Flay, and Giada De Laurentiis. The show, which features more than 200 exhibitors, returns to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on November 7 to 8. MORE >>

Washington's Top 100 Events, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, Washington D.C. International Wine and Food Festival, Share Our Strength

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