1. White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
Washington
After a controversial performance from comedian Michelle Wolf in 2018, the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner switched gears this year by selecting Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Ron Chernow to give remarks. Chernow focused on the history of journalism and celebrated the First Amendment rather than offering insult comedy. Selling out as usual, the event drew 2,600 attendees and was aired on C-SPAN. Donald Trump, the only president not to attend since the 1920s, was noticeably absent again this year. Next: April 25, 2020
See more: White House Correspondents' Association Dinner: Elegant Design and Catering Ideas From Washington's Biggest Weekend
After a controversial performance from comedian Michelle Wolf in 2018, the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner switched gears this year by selecting Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Ron Chernow to give remarks. Chernow focused on the history of journalism and celebrated the First Amendment rather than offering insult comedy. Selling out as usual, the event drew 2,600 attendees and was aired on C-SPAN. Donald Trump, the only president not to attend since the 1920s, was noticeably absent again this year. Next: April 25, 2020
See more: White House Correspondents' Association Dinner: Elegant Design and Catering Ideas From Washington's Biggest Weekend
Photo: Mike Theiler
2. State of the Union
Washington
The 2019 State of the Union address came on the heels of a 35-day government partial government shutdown that increased tensions between the country’s two major political parties. The 82-minute speech hit upon topics including immigration, foreign policy, healthcare, and infrastructure. An estimated 45.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the speech, a million more than watched last year. As both an homage to the suffragettes of the early 20th century and a commentary on the current political climate, Democratic congresswomen wore white in solidarity. Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost the 2018 Georgia governor’s race, gave the Democratic response. Next: January 2020
The 2019 State of the Union address came on the heels of a 35-day government partial government shutdown that increased tensions between the country’s two major political parties. The 82-minute speech hit upon topics including immigration, foreign policy, healthcare, and infrastructure. An estimated 45.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the speech, a million more than watched last year. As both an homage to the suffragettes of the early 20th century and a commentary on the current political climate, Democratic congresswomen wore white in solidarity. Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost the 2018 Georgia governor’s race, gave the Democratic response. Next: January 2020
Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo
3. American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference
Washington
More than 18,000 people attended this year’s A.I.P.A.C. conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an event that works to strengthen the relationship between Israel and the United States. The three-day program featured speeches from powerful politicians including Vice President Mike Pence and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This year’s conference featured an online version, enabling thousands of additional people to experience it from all over the world. Next: March 1-3, 2020
More than 18,000 people attended this year’s A.I.P.A.C. conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an event that works to strengthen the relationship between Israel and the United States. The three-day program featured speeches from powerful politicians including Vice President Mike Pence and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This year’s conference featured an online version, enabling thousands of additional people to experience it from all over the world. Next: March 1-3, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of American Israel Public Affairs Committee
4. Aspen Ideas Festival
Aspen, Colorado
The Aspen Institute, in partnership with The Atlantic magazine, hosts this festival, which in 2019 drew nearly 4,500 leaders in a variety of fields from all over the world to discuss timely issues. Interviews, panels, film screenings, and other programming on the campus of the Aspen Institute covered topics from reproductive rights to climate change. More than 400 speakers, including Mark Zuckerberg, Paul Ryan, and Common, participated in upwards of 230 sessions throughout the weeklong festival, which celebrated its 15th edition this year. For the first time, touring production Pop-Up Magazine appeared, bringing its art and stories to the Afternoon of Conversation event. Next: June 27-July 3, 2020
See more: Podcast: Is Live Storytelling the Future of Events?
The Aspen Institute, in partnership with The Atlantic magazine, hosts this festival, which in 2019 drew nearly 4,500 leaders in a variety of fields from all over the world to discuss timely issues. Interviews, panels, film screenings, and other programming on the campus of the Aspen Institute covered topics from reproductive rights to climate change. More than 400 speakers, including Mark Zuckerberg, Paul Ryan, and Common, participated in upwards of 230 sessions throughout the weeklong festival, which celebrated its 15th edition this year. For the first time, touring production Pop-Up Magazine appeared, bringing its art and stories to the Afternoon of Conversation event. Next: June 27-July 3, 2020
See more: Podcast: Is Live Storytelling the Future of Events?
Photo: Riccardo Savi
5. Time 100 Gala
New York
The 15th annual Time 100 Gala recognized leaders and newsmakers in a variety of fields, including Dwayne Johnson, Pope Francis, Ariana Grande, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, and LeBron James. Amazon Alexa, Cadillac, Citi, Johnnie Walker, and United Airlines sponsored the evening, which was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Next: April 2020
The 15th annual Time 100 Gala recognized leaders and newsmakers in a variety of fields, including Dwayne Johnson, Pope Francis, Ariana Grande, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, and LeBron James. Amazon Alexa, Cadillac, Citi, Johnnie Walker, and United Airlines sponsored the evening, which was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Next: April 2020
Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Time
6. Netroots Nation Conference
National
The largest annual conference for progressives in the United States drew nearly 4,000 attendees to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The event included more than 80 panels, 60 training sessions, keynote speeches, film screenings, and networking opportunities. Notable attendees included U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren, along with their fellow presidential candidate Julian Castro. Next year’s conference in Denver will mark the event’s 15th year. Next: August 13-15, 2020
The largest annual conference for progressives in the United States drew nearly 4,000 attendees to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The event included more than 80 panels, 60 training sessions, keynote speeches, film screenings, and networking opportunities. Notable attendees included U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren, along with their fellow presidential candidate Julian Castro. Next year’s conference in Denver will mark the event’s 15th year. Next: August 13-15, 2020
Photo: Steve Stearns
7. Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
New to the list
New York
Held in New York for more than 70 years, this bipartisan white-tie fund-raiser is named for the country’s first Roman Catholic presidential nominee. The 2018 dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown, which was attended by about 800 guests and raised $3.9 million for Catholic charities. Comedian Jim Gaffigan hosted, and the evening’s keynote speaker was then-U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Martin Short is set to emcee this year’s dinner, and U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis will serve as keynote speaker. Next: October 17, 2019
New York
Held in New York for more than 70 years, this bipartisan white-tie fund-raiser is named for the country’s first Roman Catholic presidential nominee. The 2018 dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown, which was attended by about 800 guests and raised $3.9 million for Catholic charities. Comedian Jim Gaffigan hosted, and the evening’s keynote speaker was then-U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Martin Short is set to emcee this year’s dinner, and U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis will serve as keynote speaker. Next: October 17, 2019
Photo: Margaret Fox
