Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1524031
38 B M & T ••• July/August 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com C E N T E R O F A T T E N T I O N WALTER E. WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is the first con- vention center in the world to earn the WELL Health-Safety Rating (2022), the first in the northeast, U.S., to achieve the GBAC STAR accreditation. With a prime location in the heart of downtown, the world-class Walter E. Washington Convention Center is as functional as it is artistically impres- sive. The 2.3-million-square-foot space hosts meetings, conventions and events of every kind, from medical industry annual meetings to comic book- inspired expos and board retreats. Here's why the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is meetings central in Washington, DC: Intimately Spacious You can mold all 703,000 square feet of exhibition space inside the con- vention center into whatever shape you need. Within its two levels and five exhibit halls is a 473,000-square-foot exhibit hall that can be subdivided into three rooms, 198,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a 52,000-square- foot ballroom and 77 breakout rooms. The space is versatile enough to accommodate events of all sizes. Art & Design Impressive. Striking. Modern. These are the words to describe the building, which has been recognized by the prestigious American Institute of Architects. The ultra-modern structure features a soaring staircase, towering glass walls and smooth granite floors. Its $6 million public art collection combines sculpture, paintings and photography. With more than 130 pieces by 93 different artists, it is the largest public collection of art in DC outside of a museum. The collection showcases living artists from the local community with approximately 50 percent from Washington, DC. Among the highlights: works by Sam Gilliam of the Washington Color School, a group of DC-area artists who developed a form of abstract art in the 1950s and 1960s. Sustainability Through its combination of smart building design and sustainability pro- grams, the convention center is a leader in environmental stewardship and environ- ment-first initiatives, which include a color-coded recycling protocol, water effi- ciency, green product purchasing and more. The building boasts a long list of energy-reducing features, from LED upgrades to all lighting systems to solar film-insulated windows and com- puterized HVAC systems. Partnering with Aramark Environmental Service, the center is work- ing towards the proper sorting of its recycling to ensure everything is processed correctly. "Behind the scenes, we have five massive docks all prepared to receive large volumes of sorted trash recycling," says Hootan Kaboli, senior vice president, Office of Executive for Events DC. The Center further reduces its organic waste through a robust com- posting program. In partnership with PepsiCo, the center has also installed a "Dream Machines" set that encourages attendees to recycle their bottles and cans. All paper products provided by the center are ECOLOGO certified and made from 100 percent recycled fiber. Additionally, the center works with the local government to recycle over 50 palettes a month many going to a furniture maker who transforms them into functional seating and platforms. Surplus food from events is redirected to the DC Central Kitchen and Capital Area Food Bank. Award-Winning Digital Signage The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is the largest digital sig- nage network of its kind in any conference facility in the United States with over 200 digital signage displays located throughout the facility. The convention center has significantly expanded its digital signage pro- gram adding 12 new LED video walls, a two-story curved video wall at the Concourse Rotunda, video walls above the exhibit halls and digital flags in front of the salons. Another new technology feature, virtual reality, uses 360-degree and 3D imagery allowing you to preview your experience inside the venue before booking and complimentary WiFi access allows attendees to engage with real-time information. For more information visit https://washington.org.