1. White House Correspondents Association Dinner
#2 Political & Press Event
A ticket to the actual dinner remains tough to get: Even the president makes room on his calendar for this event. However, it's not so much the dinner, but the four days of brunches, dinners, cocktails, and after-parties sponsored by media organizations from Vanity Fair and Bloomberg to NPR that bring in the crowds. Next: April 27, 2013
A ticket to the actual dinner remains tough to get: Even the president makes room on his calendar for this event. However, it's not so much the dinner, but the four days of brunches, dinners, cocktails, and after-parties sponsored by media organizations from Vanity Fair and Bloomberg to NPR that bring in the crowds. Next: April 27, 2013
Photo: Tony Powell
2. Washington Press Club Foundation's Congressional Dinner
#3 Political & Press Event
Not as splashy as its White House cousin, the event still drew nearly 750 journalists, Capitol Hill lawmakers, Hill staffers, and invited guests this year. Next: February 6, 2013
Not as splashy as its White House cousin, the event still drew nearly 750 journalists, Capitol Hill lawmakers, Hill staffers, and invited guests this year. Next: February 6, 2013
Photo: Courtesy of the Washington Press Club Foundation's Congressional Dinner
3. Conservative Political Action Conference
#4 Political & Press Event
The event, hosted by the American Conservative Union Foundation, draws a mix of A-list Republican politicians including Sarah Palin, who gave this year's closing speech. Next: March 14-16, 2013
The event, hosted by the American Conservative Union Foundation, draws a mix of A-list Republican politicians including Sarah Palin, who gave this year's closing speech. Next: March 14-16, 2013
Photo: Eric Draper
4. AIPAC Policy Conference
#5 Political & Press Event
The annual AIPAC Policy Conference featured speeches from President Obama as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The event, which drew some 13,000 attendees, is the largest gathering of the pro-Israel movement. Next: March 3-5, 2013
The annual AIPAC Policy Conference featured speeches from President Obama as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The event, which drew some 13,000 attendees, is the largest gathering of the pro-Israel movement. Next: March 3-5, 2013
Photo: Courtesy of AIPAC Policy Conference
5. Human Rights Campaign National Dinner
#9 Political & Press Event
The 2011 dinner featured keynote speaker President Barack Obama and entertainment from singers Cyndi Lauper and Greyson Chance along with actress Sarah Jessica Parker presenting the HRC Ally for Equality Award to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Next: October 6, 2012
The 2011 dinner featured keynote speaker President Barack Obama and entertainment from singers Cyndi Lauper and Greyson Chance along with actress Sarah Jessica Parker presenting the HRC Ally for Equality Award to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Next: October 6, 2012
Photo: Judy G. Rolfe
6. Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Legislative Conference
#11 Political & Press Event
This year marks the 42nd edition of the annual conference and, in light of the presidential election, will focus on voter rights and voter suppression. Next: September 19-22, 2012
This year marks the 42nd edition of the annual conference and, in light of the presidential election, will focus on voter rights and voter suppression. Next: September 19-22, 2012
Photo: Courtesy of CBCF
7. Atlantic Council’s Dinner Awards
#12 Political & Press Event (up from #14)
With guest of honor Prince Harry of Wales speaking—and marking his first visit to the nation's capital—this year's event suddenly had an international profile. Next: spring 2013
With guest of honor Prince Harry of Wales speaking—and marking his first visit to the nation's capital—this year's event suddenly had an international profile. Next: spring 2013
Photo: Nick Strocchia Photography
8. National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation Celebration of Service to America Award
#13 Political & Press Event
Honoring local television and radio broadcasters, this year's event also feted actress Glenn Close for advocacy to eliminate the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. Next: June 3, 2013
Honoring local television and radio broadcasters, this year's event also feted actress Glenn Close for advocacy to eliminate the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. Next: June 3, 2013
Photo: Courtesy of NAB
9. International Women of Courage Awards
#14 Political & Press Event
This year's Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage included remarks from First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as they honored advocates for women's rights from countries including Afghanistan, Brazil, Libya, and Sudan. Next: spring 2013
This year's Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage included remarks from First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as they honored advocates for women's rights from countries including Afghanistan, Brazil, Libya, and Sudan. Next: spring 2013
Photo: Courtesy of the U.S. State Department
10. National Governors Association Winter Meeting
#15 Political & Press Event
While its annual conference changes cities, the National Governors Association's winter gathering is always in Washington and includes meetings with President Obama and Vice President Biden, members of the administration, business leaders, and other experts. Next: February 22-25, 2013
While its annual conference changes cities, the National Governors Association's winter gathering is always in Washington and includes meetings with President Obama and Vice President Biden, members of the administration, business leaders, and other experts. Next: February 22-25, 2013
Photo: Rebecca Emily Drobis
11. Take Back the American Dream Conference
#17 Political & Press Event
This year, activists from MoveOn.org, the "Occupy" movement, labor unions, civil rights, and women’s rights groups along with liberal luminaries such as Van Jones, Paul Krugman, Senator Bernie Sanders, Sandra Fluke, and Howard Dean spoke with attendees and shared strategy for building a progressive movement. Next: 2013
This year, activists from MoveOn.org, the "Occupy" movement, labor unions, civil rights, and women’s rights groups along with liberal luminaries such as Van Jones, Paul Krugman, Senator Bernie Sanders, Sandra Fluke, and Howard Dean spoke with attendees and shared strategy for building a progressive movement. Next: 2013
Photo: Courtesy of OurFuture.org
12. Campus Progress National Conference
#18 Political and Press Event
More than 1,200 young people gathered for the event, which champions progressive causes and this year featured House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Next: summer 2013
More than 1,200 young people gathered for the event, which champions progressive causes and this year featured House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Next: summer 2013
Photo: Robert A. Reeder
