Destination Brief: 5 Ways to Incorporate DC’s Cultural Diversity Into Your Meeting

This content was created collaboratively by Destination DC and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.

As the nation’s capital, Washington, DC, has a unique position that enlivens its community, neighborhoods, and culture. Home to embassies, museums, unique venues, and other iconic locations, the District is rich in amenities that meeting planners can utilize to create a truly memorable agenda.

The walkable city offers a taste of the world within a few blocks of one another. And while the restaurant scene is diverse and full of next-level experiences, the city landmarks and attractions are the building blocks for a monumental experience.

Never one to settle, the District continues to evolve so that returning organizations can enjoy new experiences — as if it were the first time attendees had visited Washington.

Here, we explore five ways DC’s culture and heritage are a recipe for a productive meeting.

Make it a Global Experience

Washington, DC, is among the most diverse cities in the world. Leaders and travelers from around the globe visit daily for work and pleasure. Many stay and add to the capital’s fabric, creating new opportunities for planners to weave one-of-a-kind opportunities into their agendas.

Among the most unique advantages of meeting in Washington is access to the 175 embassies spread across the city. The venues are as diverse as the nations represented. Some are distinguished urban buildings; others offer stunning riverfront views, and some are set on sprawling campuses.

Many embassies are available to host meetings and receptions and provide tours that explain their country’s cultural heritage. Few other destinations offer planners the chance to book international leaders, delegates, and leading diplomats as speakers who can provide global perspectives on issues important to your organization.

These embassies allow attendees to immerse themselves in the world’s cultures and give them an opportunity to depart downtown to explore parts of the city that locals and visitors cherish.

• Embassy Row on Massachusetts Avenue, for instance, is situated near several attractive options to take groups, including the Washington National Cathedral, the Smithsonian National Zoo, and Dupont Circle, a vibrant hub for retail and dining.
• The Swedish Embassy at Washington Harbour and the German Embassy on Reservoir Road are in historic Georgetown, home of the namesake university and top-line restaurants, bars, and event venues.

Not only are the world’s cultures all on display in Washington, but the offerings are the best of the best. The dining scene is as excellent as it is eclectic, ranging from acclaimed Spanish tapas to innovative Asian and Mediterranean fare, vibrant African cuisine, and more. World-class museums also add food for thought for attendees, as discussed in the following section.

Spend Days and Nights in the Smithsonian

Many of the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are available for meetings and events, as well as attendee visits. Like the embassies, the venues are throughout DC, providing a chance to experience more than the federal government elements of the city.

Did you know?

While the Smithsonian is often discussed as one entity, there are 17 of its museums in Washington, including the Zoo.

Museum venues enrich the attendee experience by celebrating the country’s cultures, history, scientific achievements, and natural resources. Many of the Smithsonian museums — all of which have no entry cost — are located on and around the National Mall, making them walkable from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and accessible by Metro, bus, shuttle, or bicycle.

Celebrate Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in 2016 and is among the newest additions to the Smithsonian. Event spaces include its atrium, theater, and Heritage Hall, which accommodates up to 2,500 attendees for a reception and 400 for a seated meal.

The National Museum of the American Indian has one of the most iconic facades of the Smithsonian sites. Inside, its food and beverage options receive accolades. Meeting spaces are available indoors and outdoors, including the amphitheater and the Senator Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Terrace facing the U.S. Capitol. A full building rental allows up to 1,500 attendees, while intimate spaces are ideal for board meetings with up to 10 VIPs.

Be Inspired by Innovation

The National Air and Space Museum is among the area’s most popular venues for good reason. The experience is getting even better with the impending conclusion of a multi-year renovation that involved redesigning all 20 exhibition spaces and more. Both the downtown home and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, make for striking backdrops for receptions and special events.

First opened in 1881, the Arts and Industries Building has stood the test of time on the Mall. Renovations have made it a dramatic site for events, including galas, awards banquets, and more. A full rental allows for 2,200 attendees; individual halls host 500, while the rotunda holds 200 for receptions.

Make Natural Selections

Dinosaurs, fossils, and other artifacts are among the attractions for a reception at the National Museum of Natural History, which has venue spaces for as few as 20 individuals and up to 2,500 for a reception.

Groups more interested in mingling with living creatures can take advantage of the National Zoo, which is poised to welcome back beloved Chinese giant pandas by the end of 2024. Outdoor and indoor venues are plentiful at the zoo, a popular backdrop for company backdrops, shared meals, and events in between.

The educational opportunities presented at the venues add to the entertainment value these venues bring, noted Andrew Flank, senior vice president of sales, events, and exhibitions for The American Institute of Architects (AIA), which held its annual Conference on Architecture and Design in DC in June 2024.

Explore the Arts

There are few better ways to embrace culture than immersing attendees in the arts. This allows the option to book group experiences to catch a show or musical performance or secure a private event in one of the many world-class venues.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosts 2,000 events annually, regularly drawing leading performers, acts, and dignitaries. The building itself is a marvel, as its tours reveal. When not being used for a performance, venues, including the Concert Hall and theaters, are available for groups.

Events at the Freer and Sackler Galleries, inside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, as well as the Hirshhorn Museum, provide access to top-of-the-line collections that will spark conversations and creativity.

The National Portrait Gallery, housed in a renovated National Historic Landmark building, combines the arts with DC’s role as the government’s home. Events for up to 1,500 attendees are available here, one of the featured event venues for AIA, which also hosted its Investiture Ceremony at the historic Warner Theater and awards galas at the National Building Museum.

Flank said taking advantage of unique venues is vital for meetings. “Now, more than ever, attendees are seeking an experience from their investment in attending live events,” he said. “Conference attendees spend thousands of dollars between registration, hotel, and travel expenses and don’t want to be exclusively stuck in the convention center all day and night when there is a world-class city outside the front door.”

Experience Grand Venues

Deliver awe-inspiring moments as attendees approach these buildings, which are just as impressive from the outside as their meeting and events facilities. A few to consider are:

• The National Building Museum’s Great Hall is one of the city’s most spacious and breathtaking venues. Its vast ceiling adds a dramatic flair to any event or reception.
• The Library of Congress’s murals, mosaics, and vaulted marble ceilings make it a picturesque setting for medium and smaller events.
• The Washington National Cathedral appeals well beyond faith-based groups. Its venues can be converted to classrooms or fine dining rooms, and the stained glass windows inside the nave are a real showstopper.
• Andrew Mellon Auditorium on Constitution Avenue has been hosting functions since 1935. Ridgewells Catering adds elegance to the F&B, matching the luxurious feel of the auditorium, green rooms, and portico.
• Nationals Park is a home run for events, as it offers a variety of unique spaces — including the baseball field on off-days. The stadium is also a shining example of DC’s commitment to sustainability.

Flank recommends working with Destination DC to secure locations that meet your needs, even if your organization is based in the capital region. “Destination DC worked closely with my team to source some venues and entertainment and demonstrated they truly understood our event intent,” he said. “Even though our team is mostly local to DC, their knowledge was crucial in saving time and ensuring great options were secured.” AIA leveraged its knowledge of the city to offer more than 80 tours by foot, metro, bus, and boat to showcase these rich areas, creating an experience that could only happen in Washington.

Stroll the Neighborhood

Washington, DC, is more than Capitol Hill and K Street. Find lively culture and heritage in some of these neighborhoods.

• Dupont Circle is a beacon for LGBTQ+ rights, with many restaurants and venues to gather.
• Take the group to Ben’s Chili Bowl or explore DC’s musical history along U Street.
• Chinatown, a short walk from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, is rich in Asian culture and is home to Capital One Arena, one of DC’s largest venues.
• The Wharf is a waterfront destination unto itself, ideal for meetings focused on city planning and sustainability — or for planners seeking a neighborhood near a thriving area to explore.

Whether your group has met in DC before or your upcoming event is the first time, the experience will feel new, said Flank: “The city has undergone an enormous transformation in the past decade, with new, vibrant neighborhoods and developments that make DC an ideal place to both meet and explore.”

Conclusion

Meeting planners can take inspiration from Washington, DC’s international and cultural experiences. DC is not just defined by politics. “The ability to blend learning, networking, and inspiration around a destination’s unique offerings should be considered part of any conference,” Flank said.

Visit Destination DC’s website to learn more about hosting a memorable meeting in the nation’s capital.

This content was created collaboratively by Destination DC and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.