Washington’s Top 100 Events 2016 - Political & Press Events

#1 Political & Press Event (up from #2)
The dinner, traditionally attended by the President and First Lady, has become a star-studded affair with a guest list of 2,700 that includes V.I.P.s in politics, entertainment, sports, and business. The event, which the White House Correspondents Association has hosted since 1920, has become an A-list political roast, which this year saw President Obama deliver remarks followed by comedian Larry Wilmore. Media properties take advantage of the prominence of the dinner to host events in the days before and after the main dinner, including soirees hosted by Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, Atlantic Media, the Hill, and MSNBC. Next: April 29, 2017

#2 Political & Press Event
On January 12, Barack Obama gave his final annual address to Congress as president. About 580 people assembled at the U.S. Capitol, including members of Congress and Vice President Joe Biden, as well as First Lady Michelle Obama’s guests, who in 2016 included community activists, students, military veterans, and Microsoft C.E.O. Satya Nadella. One seat was left purposely empty to symbolize victims killed by shootings in the United States. Next: January/February 2017

#3 Political & Press Event (up from #4)
The conference was one of the few political events this year attended on the same day by major-party presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, who spoke separately. The gathering, which draws about 15,000 people a year for its pro-Israel messages, also included speaking appearances from Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker Paul Ryan, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, and Ohio Governor John Kasich. Next: March 26-28, 2017

#4 Political & Press Event
More than 10,000 people attended this year's conference, which took place March 2 to 5 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Prominent speakers at the event included Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, Carly Fiorina, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin. The conference had a 40-foot runway and a 24-inch tall stage, so the speakers could interact directly with attendees. Next: February 22-25, 2017

#5 Political & Press Event
CBS News correspondent Bill Plante hosted the 72nd annual event, which was held February 25 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The dinner, which raises funds for the Washington Press Club, gathers journalists and members of Congress for an evening of humor. This year's attendees included Paul Ryan, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, and Lindsey Graham, while the presidential race was a main topic of conversation, according to news reports. The dinner also celebrates female journalists, who founded the Women's National Press Club, which preceded the Washington Press Club Foundation. Next: Early 2017

#7 Political & Press Event
The 20th annual event, which took place September 10 at the Walter E. Washington Center, was attended by about 3,600 people and had the theme "Equality Forward." Billy Porter and Estelle performed at the gala, which raises awareness for L.G.B.T. issues. Other celebrity guests included actress Samira Wiley, model Nyle DiMarco, author and transgender advocate Tina Madison White, and comedian Dana Goldberg. Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine delivered the keynote address, while another political speaker at the event was Congressman John Lewis. Next: October 28, 2017

#8 Political & Press Event (up from #10)
The 46th annual event, held September 14 to 18 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, attracted more than 9,000 people. Produced by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the event is considered a leading policy conference on issues impacting African-Americans and the global black community. President Obama delivered his seventh keynote address at the Legislative Conference Phoenix Awards Dinner, which honored Hillary Clinton, Robert F. Smith, Charles B. Rangel, Marcia L. Fudge, and Emanuel A.M.E. Church. Next: Fall 2017

#10 Political & Press Event (up from #11)
The seventh annual Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Summit brought together leading experts and policymakers to discuss fiscal and economic policies for the next president of the United States. Speakers included members of Congress including Nancy Pelosi, Mike Enzi, Sheldon Whitehouse, Lindsey Graham, and Joe Manchin. Also in attendance were Keith Hall, director of the U.S. Congressional Budget Office; Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action; and Heather Boushey, executive director and chief economist at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth. Next: May 2017

#11 Political & Press Event (up from #12)
Hasan Minhaj, a senior correspondent on The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, emceed the 72nd annual Radio & Television Correspondents’ Association Dinner, which was held June 15 at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C., and televised on C-SPAN. About 1,000 people attended and heard from speakers including Ohio Governor John Kasich. Next: June 2017

#12 Political & Press Event (up from #13)
The eighth annual Washington Ideas Forum, which took place September 28 and 29 at Harman Center for the Arts, covered topics such as public health, the U.S. presidential election, and civil rights. Speakers included U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, House Speaker Paul Ryan, White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett, Senator Lindsey Graham, Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burrell. The event is produced by The Atlantic and the Aspen Institute. Next: Fall 2017

#13 Political & Press Event (up from #14)
Held on May 3 at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., the 21st annual event honored Henry Kravis, co-chairman and co-C.E.O. of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company; Robert Gates, former U.S. Secretary of Defense; Italian operatic tenor Vittorio Grigolo; and General Joseph L. Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command. The event was hosted by Atlantic Council chairman Jon M. Huntsman Jr. and Atlantic Council president/C.E.O. Frederick Kempe. Next: May 2017

#14 Political & Press Event (up from #15)
The NAB Education Foundation, with support from the National Association of Broadcasters, produces the annual award show that honors outstanding public service commitments of local television and radio broadcasters. About 550 people attended the black-tie gala, which took place June 21 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Actress and longtime Amfar supporter Sharon Stone received the Service to America Leadership Award, while Southwest Airlines received the Corporate Leadership Award. Primary sponsors included Bonneville International, Broadcasting & Cable, Gray Television, Hearst Television, and LG Electronics. Next: June 2017

#15 Political & Press Event (up from #16)
A fund-raiser for the National Press Foundation, the awards dinner recognizes outstanding achievements in journalism. Charlie Rose, National Public Radio's Diane Rehm, the Tampa Bay Times, and then-Politico editors-in-chief John Harris and Jim VandeHei were among those honored this year at the event, held at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C. Next: February 16, 2017

#16 Political & Press Event (up from #17)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry presented the 2016 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award to a group of 14 women from around the world at the 10th annual ceremony, which took place March 29 at the State Department. The honorees included Guatemala attorney general Thelma Aldana, Russian journalist and activist Zhanna Nemtsova, and Under the Same Sun executive director Vicky Ntetema, who is from Tanzania. Vice President Joe Biden also spoke at the ceremony, which was followed by a forum hosted by the State Department. Next: Spring 2017

#17 Political & Press Event (up from #18)
More than 40 state governors gathered February 19 to 22 at the White House, where they were addressed by President Obama. Discussion topics included the economy, opioid addiction, education reform, and the Zika virus. U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander received the first Madison Award, which recognizes a prominent figure for advancing the principles of federalism and strengthening state-federal collaboration. Next: February 2017

#18 Political & Press Event (up from #19)
President Obama spoke at the 84th U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting, which took place January 20 to 22 at the Capital Hilton Hotel. About 300 mayors gathered for the meeting, which included an opening press conference titled "The 2016 Compact for a Better America: A Call to Action," which revealed the group's agenda to protect and invest in America's cities. The event also honored Sly James, mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, who received the Business Leadership Award. Next: January 17-19, 2017