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Walter E. Washington Convention Center is a Finalist for Best Convention Center by EXHIBITOR Magazine
11/5/2025
WASHINGTON, DC – Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC announced that the Walter E. Washington Convention Center won a 2026 Center of Excellence Award and is one of three finalists for the Best Convention Center (500,000 – 1 million square-feet of Exhibit Space) Award by Exhibitor Group for the seventh year in a row.
“We are proud to be at the top of this year’s EXHIBITOR Magazine Centers of Excellence Awards. The Events DC team always strives to create a world-class experience for all of our customers and visitors at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “We are thrilled to be a finalist for Best Convention Center as we remain at the forefront of innovation and excellence. We thank EXHIBITOR Magazine for this incredible honor.”
In addition to being named to the Centers of Excellence List, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center received its LEED Platinum certification in 2025, recognizing Events DC’s commitment to sustainability, operational excellence, efficiency and high-performance design.
"The Centers of Excellence Awards allows exhibit managers to identify exhibitor-friendly venues that make their experiences at trade shows and events smooth and successful," said Emily Olson, editor of EXHIBITOR magazine, noting that everything from the number and size of the bays on the loading dock to the cost and quality of internet service can significantly impact exhibitors' experiences. "The facilities on this list have proven their ability to host trade shows and events of all sizes while providing world-class service and state-of-the-art accommodations."
The EXHIBITOR Magazine awards are based on five criteria: facility and functionality; location and accommodations; service and execution; expansions and upgrades; and awards and industry honors. The evaluation process also includes a survey of event planners, show organizers and exhibit managers who have recently hosted or exhibited at events within each facility, as well as a review of entrants’ event spaces, selling points and innovations conducted by a panel of corporate exhibit managers. Finalists for the special awards will be announced in December.
For more information about the EXHIBITOR Magazine awards, visit www.ExhibitorOnline.com/COE.
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the LEED Platinum-certified Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, The Fields at RFK, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC) — and on our hub for on-demand event programming on GATHER by Events DC at www.gatherbyeventsdc.com.
Contact:
[email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC – Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC announced that the Walter E. Washington Convention Center won a 2026 Center of Excellence Award and is one of three finalists for the Best Convention Center (500,000 – 1 million square-feet of Exhibit Space) Award by Exhibitor Group for the seventh year in a row.
“We are proud to be at the top of this year’s EXHIBITOR Magazine Centers of Excellence Awards. The Events DC team always strives to create a world-class experience for all of our customers and visitors at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “We are thrilled to be a finalist for Best Convention Center as we remain at the forefront of innovation and excellence. We thank EXHIBITOR Magazine for this incredible honor.”
In addition to being named to the Centers of Excellence List, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center received its LEED Platinum certification in 2025, recognizing Events DC’s commitment to sustainability, operational excellence, efficiency and high-performance design.
"The Centers of Excellence Awards allows exhibit managers to identify exhibitor-friendly venues that make their experiences at trade shows and events smooth and successful," said Emily Olson, editor of EXHIBITOR magazine, noting that everything from the number and size of the bays on the loading dock to the cost and quality of internet service can significantly impact exhibitors' experiences. "The facilities on this list have proven their ability to host trade shows and events of all sizes while providing world-class service and state-of-the-art accommodations."
The EXHIBITOR Magazine awards are based on five criteria: facility and functionality; location and accommodations; service and execution; expansions and upgrades; and awards and industry honors. The evaluation process also includes a survey of event planners, show organizers and exhibit managers who have recently hosted or exhibited at events within each facility, as well as a review of entrants’ event spaces, selling points and innovations conducted by a panel of corporate exhibit managers. Finalists for the special awards will be announced in December.
For more information about the EXHIBITOR Magazine awards, visit www.ExhibitorOnline.com/COE.
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the LEED Platinum-certified Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, The Fields at RFK, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC) — and on our hub for on-demand event programming on GATHER by Events DC at www.gatherbyeventsdc.com.
Contact:
[email protected]
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