In 2004 the city opened its all-new Washington Convention Center in the heart of downtown, with 2.3 million square feet total and 700,000 square feet of exhibit space covering 6 city blocks. With the addition of this state-of-the-art facility, along with the city's proximity to the nation's government, powerbase, and riches of cultural and tourist destinations, Washington D.C. should continue to be one of the great magnets for America's lucrative convention business well into the 21st century.
While the old convention center was razed in 2004 to make way for new development, The D.C. Armory Starplex, with 124,471 square feet of exhibit space, offers alternative space for smaller gatherings. The Washington area also provides more than 70,000 hotel rooms; and many hotels offer meeting space, such as the Sheraton Washington Hotel (115,000 square feet), the Shoreham Omni Hotel (85,134 square feet), the Capital Hilton (space for up 1,200 people), and the Grand Hyatt Washington (40,000 square feet of meeting space).
Convention Information: Washington, D.C. Convention and Visitors Association, 1212 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20005; telephone (202)789-7000; fax (202)789-7037