Washington DC is America’s capital city and is defined by its iconic monuments and neoclassical buildings - one in particular stands out more than the others: The White House.
Why do business there
It isn’t just Silicon Valley calling startups and businesses to do business there. But with a wealth of emerging entrepreneurial hubs springing up around the US, there are few other places with such a steady economy, thanks largely to the city being the seat of central government.
Why exhibit there
Innovation is actively encouraged in this town. Every year $15bn comes out of federal government to be spent on local R&D. You’ve got to be in it to win it, and getting in front of people with cash to burn makes savvy business sense.
Getting there
Washington DC is served by 3 major airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Reagan is the closest airport to the city itself situated just across the Potomac River in Virginia and is accessible by its own metro stop.
Restrictions on what you can bring into the country
Follow the FAA’s Pack Safe guidelines and you won’t go far wrong.
Top hotels
- The Hay-Adams - a luxurious, classic Washington hotel.
- Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC - stunning waterfront location.
- The Mayflower Hotel - Part of the autograph collection by The Marriott and very near The White House.
Main exhibition centres
- Walter E Washington Convention Center - 2.3 million square foot convention centre, centrally located in Washington, is as functional as it is artistically impressive.
- Gaylord National Resort & Convention Centre
- Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Centre
- National Building Museum
Exhibitions we have supported
Services we provide
- Booth Host/Hostess
- Lead Generator
- Crowd Gatherer
- Product Demonstrator
- EMCEE
- Hospitality Staff
- Brand Ambassador
- Engager
- Interpreter/Translator
- Team Leaders
- Event Managers
Expo Star of the Month
Key tourist hotspots
There are so many sites to see in Washington DC, so if you only have time to squeeze in a few, make sure you see the top ones:
Where to eat
- Rose's Luxury - Rose’s menu is Southern meets Jewish meets Japanese meets French meets Thai meets your grandmother’s home cooking.
- Komi - Foodies will be talking about Monis’s suckling pig for years to come.
- Fiola - This is the place to go in Washington DC for exquisite, sumptuous Italian.
Bonus round
- Local currency - US dollar.
- Language - English.
- Visa requirements. You will require a visa to enter the USA. What kind that is depends on where you have come from and what you are planning on doing there. The first step you have to take in order to start your US visa application, is to figure out under what kind of visa you are permitted to enter the United States. After you have selected the visa type you need to apply for, you should check the requirements and start gathering the documents that are required for that visa.
- Plug sockets in the USA are the standard two pin plugs.
- Cultural sensitivities. The USA is a real patchwork of cultures, identities and customs, however there aren’t any real cultural sensitivities to be aware of, but points worth noting:
- Most Americans move to a first name basis pretty quickly.
- Americans have no etiquette when it comes to giving and receiving business cards.
- Arrive on time for meetings as time and punctuality are very important to Americans.
- Use statistics to back up your claims - most Americans are impressed by hard data and evidence.