1. State of the Union
#1 Political & Press Event (up from #2)
President Trump delivered his first official State of the Union speech on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, after giving his first address to a “Joint Session of Congress” last year. The 2018 State of the Union speech clocked in at one hour and 20 minutes, what the New York Times says is the third longest State of the Union speech in the last 50 years. Representative Joseph Kennedy III provided the response for the Democrats following Trump's speech. The Nielsen Company reported that 45.6 million people tuned into the State of the Union address across 12 networks. Next: January 30, 2019
President Trump delivered his first official State of the Union speech on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, after giving his first address to a “Joint Session of Congress” last year. The 2018 State of the Union speech clocked in at one hour and 20 minutes, what the New York Times says is the third longest State of the Union speech in the last 50 years. Representative Joseph Kennedy III provided the response for the Democrats following Trump's speech. The Nielsen Company reported that 45.6 million people tuned into the State of the Union address across 12 networks. Next: January 30, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of The White House
2. White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
#2 Political & Press Event
Big name celebrities mostly stayed home from the previously starry White House Correspondents' Association Dinner and for the second year in a row, President Trump skipped the actual dinner, where his predecessors traditionally offered humorous remarks. His combative relationship with the media fueled a controversial set by comedian headliner Michelle Wolf, whose blistering jokes about the administration sparked controversy with both the White House and journalists—including the head of the White House Correspondents' Association, who issued a statement to members about the annual dinner, saying: "Last night's program was meant to offer a unifying message about our common commitment to a vigorous and free press while honoring civility, great reporting, and scholarship winners, not to divide people. Unfortunately, the entertainer's monologue was not in the spirit of that mission." Next: April 27, 2019
Big name celebrities mostly stayed home from the previously starry White House Correspondents' Association Dinner and for the second year in a row, President Trump skipped the actual dinner, where his predecessors traditionally offered humorous remarks. His combative relationship with the media fueled a controversial set by comedian headliner Michelle Wolf, whose blistering jokes about the administration sparked controversy with both the White House and journalists—including the head of the White House Correspondents' Association, who issued a statement to members about the annual dinner, saying: "Last night's program was meant to offer a unifying message about our common commitment to a vigorous and free press while honoring civility, great reporting, and scholarship winners, not to divide people. Unfortunately, the entertainer's monologue was not in the spirit of that mission." Next: April 27, 2019
Photo:Â Cheriss May/NurPhoto
3. American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference
#3 Political & Press Event
More than 18,000 people attended this year’s conference, whose host organization works to strengthen and promote the relationship between Israel and the U.S. in ways that enhance the security of both nations. More than two-thirds of Congress attended the event, which featured speeches from Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The conference continues to be the largest bipartisan gathering of members of Congress other than the State of the Union address. Next: March 24-26, 2019
More than 18,000 people attended this year’s conference, whose host organization works to strengthen and promote the relationship between Israel and the U.S. in ways that enhance the security of both nations. More than two-thirds of Congress attended the event, which featured speeches from Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The conference continues to be the largest bipartisan gathering of members of Congress other than the State of the Union address. Next: March 24-26, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of AIPAC
4. Conservative Political Action Conference
#4 Political & Press Event
The American Conservative Union returned to the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center with its annual lineup of politicians and media and talk personalities. Speakers included President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Sean Hannity, and more. However, the presence of Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, the niece of French far right nationalist figurehead Marine Le Pen, sparked controversy. Users tweeted #CPAC and #CPAC2018 1.2 million times during the conference's four-day schedule. Next: February 21-24, 2018
The American Conservative Union returned to the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center with its annual lineup of politicians and media and talk personalities. Speakers included President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Sean Hannity, and more. However, the presence of Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, the niece of French far right nationalist figurehead Marine Le Pen, sparked controversy. Users tweeted #CPAC and #CPAC2018 1.2 million times during the conference's four-day schedule. Next: February 21-24, 2018
Photo: Courtesy of Conservative Public Action Conference
5. Human Rights Campaign National Dinner
#6 Political & Press Event (up from #7)
Headlined by Former Vice President Joe Biden, the 22nd annual event at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center drew 3,500 guests and sponsors like Google, Marriott, Smirnoff Vodka, Lexus, and Wells Fargo. Hargrove decorated the gala with rainbow draping, spherical balloons in varying sizes, disco balls, and HRC graphics with the message “TurnOut.” The dinner and silent auction included remarks from Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, comedian Dana Goldberg, former attorney general Eric Holder, and Virginia delegate Danica Roem. Actress Anne Hathaway was honored with the HRC National Equality Award. Next: September 28, 2019
Headlined by Former Vice President Joe Biden, the 22nd annual event at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center drew 3,500 guests and sponsors like Google, Marriott, Smirnoff Vodka, Lexus, and Wells Fargo. Hargrove decorated the gala with rainbow draping, spherical balloons in varying sizes, disco balls, and HRC graphics with the message “TurnOut.” The dinner and silent auction included remarks from Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, comedian Dana Goldberg, former attorney general Eric Holder, and Virginia delegate Danica Roem. Actress Anne Hathaway was honored with the HRC National Equality Award. Next: September 28, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Human Rights Campaign
6. Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Legislative Conference
#7 Political & Press Event (up from #8)
Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris served as honorary co-chairs for the 48th annual Legislative Conference in September, the first time in the history of the conference that two African-American senators held that position. (Historically, co-chairs have been members of the U.S. House of Representatives.) This year, 10,660 registrants headed to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to hear from 400 speakers. Buzzy programs included Congresswoman Maxine Waters' “Young, Gifted and Black” session and the “Education Braintrust” hosted by Congressman Bobby Scott. Bold-faced names like Common, Meek Mill, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., Rev. Al Sharpton, Regina Hall, and Rev. Run all participated. Next: Fall 2019
Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris served as honorary co-chairs for the 48th annual Legislative Conference in September, the first time in the history of the conference that two African-American senators held that position. (Historically, co-chairs have been members of the U.S. House of Representatives.) This year, 10,660 registrants headed to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to hear from 400 speakers. Buzzy programs included Congresswoman Maxine Waters' “Young, Gifted and Black” session and the “Education Braintrust” hosted by Congressman Bobby Scott. Bold-faced names like Common, Meek Mill, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., Rev. Al Sharpton, Regina Hall, and Rev. Run all participated. Next: Fall 2019
Photo:Â Gip III
7. The Atlantic Festival
#8 Political & Press Event (up from #11)
In its 10th year, the Atlantic Festival, formerly Washington Ideas, featured new and expanded programming inspired by The Atlantic magazine. The October event returned to Penn Quarter, taking over the Ideas Stage at Sidney Harman Hall and nearby restaurant Rosa Mexicano and adding an outdoor tent underwritten by Booz Allen Hamilton. Underwriters for festival included Inova, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Caterpillar Foundation, Pfizer, Aflac, Allstate, ExxonMobil, IBM, and US Bank. The event retained its pedigreed speaker roster, drawing the likes of former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Senator Kamala Harris, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, AT&T C.E.O. Randall Stephenson, and chef José Andrés. Next: Fall 2019
In its 10th year, the Atlantic Festival, formerly Washington Ideas, featured new and expanded programming inspired by The Atlantic magazine. The October event returned to Penn Quarter, taking over the Ideas Stage at Sidney Harman Hall and nearby restaurant Rosa Mexicano and adding an outdoor tent underwritten by Booz Allen Hamilton. Underwriters for festival included Inova, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Caterpillar Foundation, Pfizer, Aflac, Allstate, ExxonMobil, IBM, and US Bank. The event retained its pedigreed speaker roster, drawing the likes of former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Senator Kamala Harris, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, AT&T C.E.O. Randall Stephenson, and chef José Andrés. Next: Fall 2019
Photo: Courtesy of The Atlantic Festival
8. Washington Press Club Foundation's Congressional Dinner
#9 Political & Press Event
The bipartisan dinner continued its long-standing tradition of bringing together politicians from both sides of the aisle for a chance to joke together. This year, the sold-out event welcomed Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, Senator Christopher A. Coons, and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to share their comedic stylings. C-SPAN televised the event, which honors the accomplishments of journalists and raises money for internships and scholarships. Next: Winter/Spring 2019
The bipartisan dinner continued its long-standing tradition of bringing together politicians from both sides of the aisle for a chance to joke together. This year, the sold-out event welcomed Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, Senator Christopher A. Coons, and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to share their comedic stylings. C-SPAN televised the event, which honors the accomplishments of journalists and raises money for internships and scholarships. Next: Winter/Spring 2019
Photo: Tom Williams/Getty
9. Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Summit
#11 Political & Press Event
This annual fiscal summit explored the theme "Debt Matters," enlisting leading lawmakers and policy experts as speakers during the summit in May at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator Jeff Flake, Senator David Perdue, Representative Tom Reed, and more government leaders convened with scholars and business leaders. Moderators and interviewers included correspondents and editors from the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and Marketplace. Next: May 2019
This annual fiscal summit explored the theme "Debt Matters," enlisting leading lawmakers and policy experts as speakers during the summit in May at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator Jeff Flake, Senator David Perdue, Representative Tom Reed, and more government leaders convened with scholars and business leaders. Moderators and interviewers included correspondents and editors from the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and Marketplace. Next: May 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Peter G. Peterson Foundation
10. Radio & Television Correspondents Association Dinner
#12 Political & Press Event
The 74th annual dinner moved to the Wharf development, taking place in November at concert venue the Anthem. The association partnered with event production and design firm Dufour & Co for the dinner, and Senator Jeff Flake provided the keynote address. Awards went to talented journalists: Jamie Dupree of Cox Media Group won the 2018 Career Achievement Award for Distinguished Reporting on Congress, NBC News’ Capitol Hill Bureau received the Joan Shorenstein Barone Award for its reporting on sexual harassment on Capitol Hill, BBC Correspondent Quentin Sommerville and cameraman Darren Conway received the David Bloom Award for their Syria reporting, and Garney Gary of C-SPAN received the Jerry Thompson Award for photojournalism production. Next: Fall 2019
The 74th annual dinner moved to the Wharf development, taking place in November at concert venue the Anthem. The association partnered with event production and design firm Dufour & Co for the dinner, and Senator Jeff Flake provided the keynote address. Awards went to talented journalists: Jamie Dupree of Cox Media Group won the 2018 Career Achievement Award for Distinguished Reporting on Congress, NBC News’ Capitol Hill Bureau received the Joan Shorenstein Barone Award for its reporting on sexual harassment on Capitol Hill, BBC Correspondent Quentin Sommerville and cameraman Darren Conway received the David Bloom Award for their Syria reporting, and Garney Gary of C-SPAN received the Jerry Thompson Award for photojournalism production. Next: Fall 2019
Photo: Pixelme Studio
11. Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Leadership Awards
#13 Political & Press Event
In May, the Atlantic Council honored four individuals with global leadership awards: former President George W. Bush; Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander, U.S. European Command General Curtis M. Scaparrotti; the singer Gloria Estefan; and Starbucks Corporation executive chairman Howard Schultz. The crowd of 800 guests from 71 countries included six former or current heads of state, 42 ambassadors, and four current or former cabinet officials. The event even included a performance by Ana Villafañe, who played Estefan in the Broadway musical On Your Feet. Next: Spring 2019
In May, the Atlantic Council honored four individuals with global leadership awards: former President George W. Bush; Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander, U.S. European Command General Curtis M. Scaparrotti; the singer Gloria Estefan; and Starbucks Corporation executive chairman Howard Schultz. The crowd of 800 guests from 71 countries included six former or current heads of state, 42 ambassadors, and four current or former cabinet officials. The event even included a performance by Ana Villafañe, who played Estefan in the Broadway musical On Your Feet. Next: Spring 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Atlantic Council
12. Celebration of Service to America Awards
#14 Political & Press Event
The NAB Education Foundation’s Celebration of Service to America Awards hit its 20th anniversary in 2018. The June event at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium added new categories that were created based on market size. One radio and one television honoree were awarded in categories like broadcast ownership group, large/major market, medium market, and small market. At the event, country music star and philanthropist Sara Evans received the Leadership Award and Cisco received the Corporate Leadership Award. Next: June 11, 2019
The NAB Education Foundation’s Celebration of Service to America Awards hit its 20th anniversary in 2018. The June event at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium added new categories that were created based on market size. One radio and one television honoree were awarded in categories like broadcast ownership group, large/major market, medium market, and small market. At the event, country music star and philanthropist Sara Evans received the Leadership Award and Cisco received the Corporate Leadership Award. Next: June 11, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of The NAB Education Foundation
13. National Press Foundation Awards Dinner
#15 Political & Press Event
This annual tribute to the best of journalism returned to the Marriott Marquis, honoring PBS NewsHour's Judy Woodruff and Bloomberg's Al Hunt with the W.M. Kiplinger Distinguished Contributions to Journalism Award. The Benjamin C. Bradlee Editor of the Year Award went to Rick Hutzell of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, site of a deadly mass shooting this year. John Donnelly of CQ Roll Call received the Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress; Kashmir Hill and Surya Mattu of Gizmodo Media Group received the Technology in Journalism Award; and Nancy Ohanian won the Clifford K. & James T. Berryman Award for Editorial Cartoons. The dinner draws 900 guests each year, and this year's long list of sponsors included Bayer, BP, Fox News, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Honda, Kiplinger, and Politico. Next: February 13, 2019
This annual tribute to the best of journalism returned to the Marriott Marquis, honoring PBS NewsHour's Judy Woodruff and Bloomberg's Al Hunt with the W.M. Kiplinger Distinguished Contributions to Journalism Award. The Benjamin C. Bradlee Editor of the Year Award went to Rick Hutzell of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, site of a deadly mass shooting this year. John Donnelly of CQ Roll Call received the Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress; Kashmir Hill and Surya Mattu of Gizmodo Media Group received the Technology in Journalism Award; and Nancy Ohanian won the Clifford K. & James T. Berryman Award for Editorial Cartoons. The dinner draws 900 guests each year, and this year's long list of sponsors included Bayer, BP, Fox News, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Honda, Kiplinger, and Politico. Next: February 13, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of National Press Foundation
14. National Governors Association Winter Meeting
#16 Political & Press Event
The National Governors Association held its 110th Winter Meeting in D.C. in February, drawing 40 governors and nearly 2,000 guests, along with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who delivered the keynote address. He wasn't the only head of state to address the governors: Ghana's president Nana Akufo-Addo delivered a speech on the relationship between his country and the U.S. He is the first-ever leader from Africa to join an NGA Winter Meeting. Beyond the international focus, the program tackled hot button issues: Senators Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray hosted governors for a roundtable on the opioid epidemic. Next: February 22-25, 2018
The National Governors Association held its 110th Winter Meeting in D.C. in February, drawing 40 governors and nearly 2,000 guests, along with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who delivered the keynote address. He wasn't the only head of state to address the governors: Ghana's president Nana Akufo-Addo delivered a speech on the relationship between his country and the U.S. He is the first-ever leader from Africa to join an NGA Winter Meeting. Beyond the international focus, the program tackled hot button issues: Senators Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray hosted governors for a roundtable on the opioid epidemic. Next: February 22-25, 2018
Photo: Courtesy of National Governors Association
15. International Women of Courage Awards
#17 Political & Press Event
First lady Melania Trump delivered remarks at the Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award, which recognized 10 social and human rights activists from around the world with International Women of Courage Awards. The honorees included L’Malouma Said, founding member of a Mauritanian anti-slavery organization; Dr. Feride Rushiti of the Kosovo Center for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims; Aura Elena Farfan, human rights activist in Guatemala. The finalists are selected and approved by senior State Department officials. Next: Spring 2018
First lady Melania Trump delivered remarks at the Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award, which recognized 10 social and human rights activists from around the world with International Women of Courage Awards. The honorees included L’Malouma Said, founding member of a Mauritanian anti-slavery organization; Dr. Feride Rushiti of the Kosovo Center for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims; Aura Elena Farfan, human rights activist in Guatemala. The finalists are selected and approved by senior State Department officials. Next: Spring 2018
Photo: Exchange Photos
16. U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting
#18 Political & Press Event
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu presided over this three-day conference in January at the Capital Hilton, which brought together mayors, Trump administration officials, members of Congress, and business leaders to find solutions to problems in American cities. Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti gave remarks during the Plenary Luncheon and spoke during several breakout sessions. Special guests included Senator Jeff Flake, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke, the Aspen Institute’s Walter Isaacson, and Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vance. Next: January 23-25, 2019
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu presided over this three-day conference in January at the Capital Hilton, which brought together mayors, Trump administration officials, members of Congress, and business leaders to find solutions to problems in American cities. Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti gave remarks during the Plenary Luncheon and spoke during several breakout sessions. Special guests included Senator Jeff Flake, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke, the Aspen Institute’s Walter Isaacson, and Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vance. Next: January 23-25, 2019
Photo:Â Wendy Wilkerson
17. Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards
#19 Political & Press Event
Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, journalist Andrea Mitchell, Endeavor’s Bozoma Saint John, actress and author Sally Field, actress Zoey Deutch, and Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley gathered at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts for the 17th annual Global Leadership Awards. The event honoring groundbreaking women leaders drew 1,200 guests. Honorees included Bahraini civil rights activist Esra’a al Shafei, Thai child rights advocate Boom Mosby, and U.S. youth activist and founder of GenYNot Jamira Burley—marking this as the first year the awards recognized an American honoree. Next: Spring 2019
Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, journalist Andrea Mitchell, Endeavor’s Bozoma Saint John, actress and author Sally Field, actress Zoey Deutch, and Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley gathered at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts for the 17th annual Global Leadership Awards. The event honoring groundbreaking women leaders drew 1,200 guests. Honorees included Bahraini civil rights activist Esra’a al Shafei, Thai child rights advocate Boom Mosby, and U.S. youth activist and founder of GenYNot Jamira Burley—marking this as the first year the awards recognized an American honoree. Next: Spring 2019
Photo:Â Paul Morigi
