Where to Host a Meeting or Conference

Katie WilmethDanielle O'Steen

December 26, 2008

Here's a look at three conference centers that recently opened in the area.

1. With 16,550 square feet and room for as many as 1,800 guests, the National Conference Center’s new ballroom opened in Lansdowne, Virginia, (12 miles from Dulles Airport and a 45-minute drive from Washington) in January 2008. One facet of the center’s $12 million expansion, the ballroom includes an adjacent atrium that holds 950. The center also includes 250,000 square feet of meeting space, 250 meeting rooms, and 917 guest rooms.

2. After 20 years on Capitol Hill, the Executive Conference Center relocated to Arlington in March 2008. The 18,000-square-foot space features 10 meeting rooms and three breakout rooms wired with interactive Smart Boards that connect to Microsoft Tablet PCs, as well as a large ﬂat-screen for presentations. The largest room holds 90.

3. Located in Penn Quarter, between the National Mall and the White House, the recently renamed Penn Quarter Conference Center and Theatre at the Naval Heritage Center reopened in June with the newly renovated 242-seat Burke Theatre. The venue includes a 46- by 16-foot high-deﬁnition screen, a video camera, and PowerPoint capabilities.

Penn Quarter Conference Cente's Navy Log Room

Penn Quarter Conference Cente's Navy Log Room

Photo: Freddie Lieberman

Penn Quarter Conference Center's Navy Log Room, with interactive computer stations set up around the space, can be transformed into a bar area for an event.

Penn Quarter Conference Center's Navy Log Room, with interactive computer stations set up around the space, can be transformed into a bar area for an event.

Photo: Freddie Lieberman

National Conference Center's ballroom has an adjacent atrium featuring a clean and modern design.

National Conference Center's ballroom has an adjacent atrium featuring a clean and modern design.

Photo: BizBash

The Executive Conference Center offers side lounges with yellow leather couches for meeting breaks.

The Executive Conference Center offers side lounges with yellow leather couches for meeting breaks.

Photo: BizBash

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