Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1194291
27 B M & T ••• September/October 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com WALTER E. WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER The Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an extraordinary 2.3 million-sq. ft. conventions and meetings facility, is equipped to handle events of all sizes, from small groups and break-out meet- ings to events for 500 to 42,000 attendees. One of the most energy-efficient build- ings for its size, the Convention Center includes a range of mixed-use exhibit spaces, 198,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space with a total of 77 breakout rooms and a 52,000-sq. ft. ballroom, the largest in the region. Whatever the size of the event, the service of the Convention Center staff is unparalleled. Centerplate/NBSE is the premier catering partner for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. From intimate private meetings to grand events with extensive guest lists, your event will benefit from professional talent, innovative approach, exceptional agility and unparalleled results. Meeting participants and planners alike will be pleased to hear that they can find a plethora of attractions and points of interest nearby, everything from celebrity chefs and world-famous monuments, to museums, shopping and more. i STATS Total Exhibit Space: 703,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall: 473,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom: 52,000 sq. ft. Number of Meeting Rooms: 77 Telephone: (202) 249-3000 Website: www.dcconvention.com Continued on page 27 are. I know what it means when she says 'get things done' and that's what we're going to do," says Graves. "We're going to see the whole county rise, that's the goal." Since taking on the executive director role in June 2019, Graves has been actively building Experience Prince George's as an organization. "We are trying to establish relevancy for this organization," she says. "We really are at a place of rebirth, reener- gizing, reestablishment and looking to develop greater relevancy." She is currently involved in meeting with people around the county to help build the membership that is the life's blood of any tourism bureau. The new marketing plan was recently unveiled at the first member meeting.. Graves' background illustrates a commitment to tourism development, and the experience and determination to back it up. At the age of 28, she moved from her native Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC in a pickup truck. Originally appointed by the governor of California, she worked for Americorps at the national level managing organizational operations in 18 governors' offices around the country. But she liked engaging people and working at the grass roots level, and went to work for DC Mayor Anthony Williams' office, and "got into the local space." These different experiences allowed her to build different skill sets and networks. From 2003 to 2009 she served as special assistant to the President/CEO of Destination DC. There, this mother of two translated her background in politics to tourism. By working hand-in hand with government leadership, she was instrumental in the rebranding efforts that made the organization the power- house it is today. "I feel like we are about to put Prince George's County on the map in a way no one has thought about before. I feel like that's my job, that's really what my mission is, to get people to know not just one part of the county. There are lots of things you can do here," she says with a laugh, "and we're cheaper than DC."