Historian Ron Chernow provided remarks at the dinner in lieu of a comedian—although he still brought some laughs with D.C.-specific lines like, "I learned that a rumor was circulating in Washington that I was going to be reading aloud from the redacted portions of the Muller report."Photo: J. Lawler Duggan/Reuters
WASHINGTON—Despite the lower profile of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner—President Trump skipped the dinner yet again and fewer celebrities attended—the weekend remains one of Washington's premiere showcases for the event industry.
Major media brands like CNN, Politico, NBC News, and others hosted major events, while Samantha Bee brought star wattage with the likes of Robert De Niro at her "Not The White House Correspondents Dinner," while still honoring the work of journalists covering the White House.
Meanwhile, for the main event Saturday at the Washington Hilton, the association replaced its annual dinner's featured comedian with historian Ron Chernow—who still brought some laughs with jokes about the Mueller report and President Trump.
Here's a look inside the weekend's biggest events.
Politico and CBS Pre-Dinner Reception
Mirrored subway tiles and unfussy green floral arrangements created a modern vibe at Politico and CBS's Pre-Dinner Reception at the Washington Hilton. Bond Events produced the event.
Photo: Joy Asico
White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
Historian Ron Chernow provided remarks at the dinner in lieu of a comedian—although he still brought some laughs with D.C.-specific lines like, "I learned that a rumor was circulating in Washington that I was going to be reading aloud from the redacted portions of the Muller report."
Photo: J. Lawler Duggan/Reuters
Not The White House Correspondents Dinner
Full Frontal With Samantha Bee's second edition of the "Not The White House Correspondents Dinner" took place Friday night at DAR Constitution Hall and aired on TBS on Saturday at the same time as the correspondents' association dinner. The show's event partners were Civic Entertainment Group with set design from 513 and lighting by Atmosphere.
Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for TBS
Not The White House Correspondents Dinner
A prop typewriter, fabricated by Design Foundry, served as a photo activation by Tickled Photo Booth Co.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TBS
Not The White House Correspondents Dinner
A riff on Mad Libs used President Trump's twitter feed as a starting point for the "Mad Lib(erals) Wall." Design Foundry fabricated. Celebrity presenters at the event included Robert De Niro, Bradley Whitford, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Taran Killam, with a video opening starring Sigourney Weaver.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TBS
NBC News & MSNBC After-Party
The Dufour Collaborative produced the NBC News and MSNBC after-party, which was held at the Italian Embassy.
Photo: Pablo Sartor
NBC News & MSNBC After-Party
Among the dishes from Occasions Caterers were Florentine steak bites with rosemary, which servers brought out on sizzling cast iron plates and guests ate using long skewers.
Photo: Pablo Sartor
NBC News & MSNBC After-Party
Cappellini and clams on the half shell were another pretty, bite-sized dish.
Photo: Pablo Sartor
CNN Political Hangover Brunch
CNN's New Orleans-theme brunch began its decor with greenery and branding on the exterior of Engine Company 12 venue.
Photo: Courtesy of CNN
CNN Political Hangover Brunch
The event name was displayed on street signs affixed to posts in the style of the French Quarter's gas street lights.
Photo: Courtesy of CNN
CNN Political Hangover Brunch
Catering from Occasions Caterers included a Creole bloody Mary bar with a bevy of garnishes including Zatarain-spiced blue crab claws, grated horseradish, pickled bean poles, okra spears, Tabasco, and cayenne peppers.
Photo: Mariah Miranda
Pastel parasols drew the eye upward, while pillows with CNN's logo and New Orleans-famed phrases added color.
Photo: Courtesy of CNN
CNN Political Hangover Brunch
The party continued outdoors, where guests found a vintage-style snow-cone cart. Other treats included beignets from New Orleans staple Cafe du Monde.
Photo: Mariah Miranda
Politico Brunch
Politico brought the West Coast to Washington with a California-theme brunch on Sunday at the Georgetown home of publisher Robert Allbritton. Bond Events designed and produced the event, which featured nods to San Francisco and its Chinatown, Napa, Beverly Hills, and the Redwood Forest, along with Spanish mission styling.
Photo: Rod Lamkey Jr.
Politico Brunch
The espresso and cappuccino bar was styled after the Redwood Forest.
Photo: Rod Lamkey Jr.
Politico Brunch
The pool had a sunny Southern California vibe with surfing props and catering from Occasions Caterers to match. Passed hors d'oeuvres by the pool included a trio of tacos: carnitas, tropical fish, and tempura-fried crab.
Photo: Rod Lamkey Jr.
Politico Brunch
Creamsicle colors adorned the margarita bar, where Occasions Caterers made the drink with fresh squeezed pixie mandarin oranges and coated the rim with sour orange candy.
Photo: Emily Blumberg
Politico Brunch
Fresh-pressed juices included activated charcoal lemonade; pineapple, ginger, and turmeric; and green apple, celery, and cilantro.
Photo: Emily Blumberg
UTA White House Correspondents’ Party
UTA’s fourth annual White House Correspondents’ party, co-hosted by UTA co-president Jay Sures and Mediaite C.E.O. Dan Abrams, took place at power restaurant Fiola Mare. Bond Events designed and produced the event, which featured a greenery wall filled with monstera, palms, and ferns.
Photo: Courtesy of United Talent Agency
'Capitol FIle' After-Party
Capitol File magazine moved its party from a Friday-evening pre-party to a Saturday-night after-party, inviting guests to the Dupont Circle Hotel to celebrate cover star Michael Kelly of House of Cards. Star gobos and red, white, and blue lighting gave it a patriotic look. Atelier Ashley Flowers, Summit Event Production, and RJ Whyte Event Production were among those who worked on the event.
Photo: Nick Klein
![“Design Foundry celebrated [our seventh anniversary] by inviting clients and guests into our own fantasy world, Hotel DF, a play on the real-world locations we often work within—from reception to library to bedroom to laundry—with fun touches around every corner.”](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/06/066A0237.5d03c84785252.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
