#1 Political & Press Event
President Trump did not attend the celebrity-packed media affair on April 29 due to his tense relationship with the media, and several after-parties were canceled. Still, the Washington press corps came out in full force to the Washington Hilton, and its members were reminded of their purpose by the grandfathers of journalism, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. But Jeff Mason, president of the association, provided the soundbite of the evening when he said, “We are not fake news. We are not failing news organizations. And we are not the enemy of the American people.” Comedian Hasan Minhaj, a senior correspondent on The Daily Show, entertained at the black-tie dinner. Next: April 28, 2018
#2 Political & Press Event
Almost 23 million viewers witnessed the first—and one of the few—instances of President Trump appearing “presidential,” according to several correspondents. As is often the case for the first year of a first-term president’s tenure when it comes time for the remarks, the White House referred to the February 28 speech as a “Joint Session of Congress,” and the talk was delivered slightly later in the month than normal. Rather than reflect on the past year, the president used his bully pulpit to outline his administration’s goals. Still, the television networks and those who tuned-in for the update treated the remarks as equally significant to the typical State of the Union, and the President generally received high marks. Next: January 30, 2018
#3 Political & Press Event
Always packed with notable speakers from the world of politics, this year’s edition of the Israel-focused conference was no exception. Roughly 18,000 attendees heard speeches from Vice President Mike Pence, United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, the full bipartisan leadership of the U.S. Congress, former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Danny Ayalon, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, among others. The organization fights to protect, strengthen, and promote the relationship between the United States and Israel, while enhancing the security of both nations. Next: March 4-6, 2018
#4 Political & Press Event
The American Conservative Union had media and think talk personalities interview politicians at the conference, which returned to the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, February 22 to 24. The 9,300 attendees heard Senator Ted Cruz talk to Mark Levin of the Mark Levin Show, while former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina was questioned by Arthur Brooks of the American Enterprise Institute. Organizers also had an emcee speak with luminaries on a topic and synthesize the conversations. The event racked up 500 million Twitter impressions and 4.2 million YouTube views. Speakers included President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Steve Bannon, the N.R.A.’s Wayne LaPierre, and more. Next: February 21-24, 2018
#5 Political & Press Event
Broadcast journalist Greta Van Susteren served as emcee for the 73rd annual dinner, held at the Ritz-Carlton on March 1 and meant to serve as a light-hearted evening. Televised on C-SPAN, the event gave the Lifetime Achievement Award to former NPR host Diane Rehm, and PBS NewsHour executive producer Sara Just revealed the creation of a journalism fellowship in honor of the late Gwen Ifill. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina also spoke, while Representative Cedric Richmond of Louisiana delivered keynote remarks. Sponsors included Twitter, BP, Toyota, and others. Next: Winter/Spring 2018
#7 Political & Press Event
Headlined by Hillary Rodham Clinton, the 21st annual sold-out affair brought in 3,500 guests and raised $3.5 million. Speakers included Billie Jean King, Gold Star father Khizr Kahn, actress Uzo Aduba, and Senator Kamala D. Harris. Amazon C.E.O. and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos received the National Equality Award, and Joe Jonas performed. Macy’s, Lexus, and Smirnoff Vodka were sponsors. The dinner, held October 28 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, had a theme of “Rise.” Next: Fall 2018
#8 Political & Press Event
Under the theme of “And Still I Rise,” the 47th annual conference, held September 20 to 24 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, featured 100 forums and exhibitors, as well as the foundation’s fund-raiser, the Phoenix Awards Dinner. With co-emcees—actor Anthony Anderson and White House correspondent April Ryan—the evening featured Grammy-award-winning singer Dionne Warwick, and the keynote speaker was Michael Eric Dyson. Among the honorees at the dinner was Tamika Mallory, one of the organizers of the Women’s March on Washington and a 2017 BizBash Innovator. Next: September 19-23, 2018
#10 Political & Press Event
Top-ranking and high-profile members of government served as speakers during the eighth annual summit on May 23. Among them were Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senator John McCain, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Other heavy hitters took part, including former Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu; Joshua Bolten, president and C.E.O. of the Business Roundtable; and James Capretta, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Moderators and interviewers included correspondents and editors from CNN, CNBC, PBS, the Wall Street Journal, and Kaiser Health News. Held in the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, the theme was “Rising Debt in a Changing Economy.” Next: May 2018
#11 Political & Press Event (up from #12)
Known for a pedigreed speaker roster, event organizers added more interactive elements at the September 26 and 27 gathering. Tours, tastings, and other programming in museums, restaurants, exercise studios, and more were made available around town—even extending beyond the conference to October 1—giving the 3,200 attendees a potentially more memorable, and holistic, experience of the city. Organized by The Atlantic in partnership with the Aspen Institute, the forum featured a premium pass, providing V.I.P. seating, admission to a patrons-only reception with a panel discussion from The Atlantic’s top editors, and early event access. More sponsors signed on this year, including Allstate, Pfizer, Bank of America, Aflac, ExxonMobil, and others. Next: Fall 2018
#12 Political & Press Event
The pot surely was stirred when House Speaker Paul Ryan was the keynote speaker during the 73rd annual dinner, held October 25 at the National Building Museum and televised on C-SPAN. On the lighter side, Roy Wood Jr., correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, was the headline entertainer, and radio personality Bobby Bones was guest emcee. Tom Shine of ABC News received the Lifetime Achievement Award; Quentin Sommerville of the BBC won the David Bloom Award; Rick Morse of Fox News received Jerry Thompson Award; and CNN’s Manu Raju received the Joan Shorenstein Barone Award. Next: Fall 2018
#13 Political & Press Event
Held June 5, the event brought together nearly 600 guests, hailing from about 40 countries, who represent the top levels of government, business, military, and media, as well as civil society leaders. Honorees at the 21st annual ceremony and dinner included Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan; Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Ford Motor Company executive chairman Bill Ford; Navy Admiral Michelle Howard; and soprano Renee Fleming. Among this year’s speakers and presenters was Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Next: May 2018
#14 Political & Press Event
Rock star Jon Bon Jovi received the Service to America Leadership Award for his work with the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation at the June 20 event, later performing for the 580 guests at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium. FedEx was given the Corporate Leadership Award for the FedEx Cares initiative and the company’s pledge to invest $200 million in 20 communities by 2020. The event is presented by the N.A.B. Education Foundation. Next: June 12, 2018
#15 Political & Press Event
Paying tribute to the best of journalism, the February 16 fete at the Marriott Marquis honored the Washington Post with the Best Use of Technology Award, the Innovation in Journalism Award, and the Feddie Reporting Award; ABC’s Martha Raddatz received the Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism; and several others were recognized. The dinner draws 900 guests each year. A long list of sponsors this year included AARP, Bloomberg, Politico, and Facebook. Next: February 15, 2018
#16 Political & Press Event (up from #17)
Nearly all 50 governors were in town for the February 24 to 27 conference—a record-breaking 46 of them gathered—held at the JW Marriott. Discussions varied from early childhood education, a topic on which actress Jennifer Garner spoke, to ending childhood hunger to cybersecurity. Speakers included celebrity chef Hugh Acheson, political pollster Frank Luntz, and a panel discussion moderated by Adam Clayton Powell III. Highlights of the event included a luncheon for the governors and their spouses with Vice President Mike Pence. But it was at the Governor’s Ball, held at the White House, that made news around the nation when President Trump, who had been working to overhaul Obamacare, said, “Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated.” Next: Winter 2018
#17 Political & Press Event
A baker’s dozen of brave women each received a Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award during a March 29 ceremony at the State Department. The social and human rights activists recognized included Sharmin Akter, an activist against early/forced marriage from Bangladesh; Veronica Simogun of the Family for Change Association in Papua New Guinea; Major Aichatou Ousmane Issaka of the Military Hospital of Niamey in Niger; attorney Cindy Arlette Contreras Bautista of Not One Woman Less; Jannat Al Ghezi of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq; Sister Carolin Tahhan Fachakh of Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, in Syria; and others. Next: Spring 2018
#18 Political & Press Event
Presided over by Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and hosted by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, the 85th annual meeting was held January 17 to 19 at the Capital Hilton. Among the highlights were an address by Vice President Mike Pence, a discussion of driverless cars with Ford Motor Company executive chairman Bill Ford, the launch of the Better Cities for Pets survey, and a joint session of the Latino Alliance of the Conference of Mayors. The organization represents cities with populations of 30,000 or more. Next: January 24-26, 2018
#19 Political & Press Event (new to the list)
Coinciding with International Women’s Day, the March 8 event brought 1,200 guests to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Art’s Eisenhower Theater. For the 20th anniversary of host organization Vital Voices Global Partnership, one of its founders, Hillary Rodham Clinton was honored with a thank-you letter read by members of Vital Voices’s Global Leadership Network. Award recipients included Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, and luminaries attending the event included Sally Field and Tina Brown. The event raised about $1.6 million, marking the most successful year since 2012. Next: April 4, 2018
