DC Takes Center Stage for America’s 250th Anniversary, Highlighting Unforgettable Meeting and Attendee Experiences

Washington, DC - As the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary, Washington, DC is the nation's central gathering place to celebrate. For meeting planners, 2026 presents an extraordinary opportunity to align conferences, meetings and incentive programs with a year-long celebration filled with new cultural openings, storytelling and the unmatched experience of convening in the nation's capital.

"Throughout 2026, nowhere will the celebration for America's 250th be more spectacular than the nation's capital," said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC. "Washington, DC is the only place where meetings can engage directly with the stories and symbols that shaped our democracy. Meeting attendees will experience new museum openings, special exhibitions, theater and programs that explore our history, progress and future. For planners, this year presents the chance to design agendas that truly resonate and connect events with a national celebration of historic scale."

Washington, DC Continues to Stand Out for Meetings
This milestone year aligns with strong convention performance. As of Jan. 5, 2026, convention center events are projected to generate 484,408 total room nights, with hotel-only meetings accounting for 308,498 total room nights and tentative bookings estimated at 224,062 room nights. The 2026 citywide outlook is estimated at 395,307 total room nights, 267,940 attendees and 19 groups.

As part of its reinvigorated Connected Capital strategy, Destination DC is developing sector-specific platforms that intentionally connect meetings and events with the city's deep intellectual capital-from policy and advocacy to technology, energy, aerospace, healthcare, finance and emerging industries. By aligning conferences with Washington, DC's subject matter experts, institutions and thought leaders, the city enhances every event with insights and content no other destination can offer.

"Washington, DC's strength as a meetings destination lies in its intellectual capital," said Melissa A. Riley, SVP, Convention Sales and Services. "Gatherings in DC are more meaningful thanks to think tanks, universities and growing technology and finance sectors, combined with access, walkability and experience-rich culture."

DC's Connected Campus showcases how meeting planners can activate cultural and event spaces across the city, with The Wharf Campus as a standout example. The LEED-certified waterfront community is anchored by premier venues, including The Anthem and Arena Stage, and supported by contemporary hotels such as the InterContinental Washington, DC, Canopy by Hilton and Pendry Washington, DC - The Wharf. Together, they offer over 800 guestrooms and 24,000 sq. ft. of meeting space steps from the water. Additional venues, such as District Pier and the Dockmaster Building, offer marina views and flexible capacity for 100 to 1,000 attendees. With award-winning dining, lively nightlife, abundant outdoor spaces and easy transit access, The Wharf exemplifies how Connected Campus elevates meetings and enhances the attendee experience.

Through the "There's Only One DC" campaign, DDC showcases the value of hosting events in the nation's capital, highlighting the city's free activities, vibrant neighborhoods and inclusive community

Planning Resources Meeting planners can access a robust suite of tools on washington.org to streamline event planning and enhance the attendee experience. New and updated content includes:

• Why Meet in DC
• 2026 Event Planning Guide
• Partnering with DDC's Services Team
• Sustainability at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center

America's 250th: A Year of Signature Events and Experiences

Throughout 2026, Washington, DC will offer a dynamic calendar of events celebrating the nation's story through seasonal festivals and thematic activations. Highlights include winter exhibitions, the springtime National Cherry Blossom Festival, which reflects the spirit of America; a month-long Smithsonian 250th Festival in the summer, showcasing the nation's cultural landscape; and a fall outdoor exhibition planned by the Trust for the National Mall. Special experiences will be available year-round. Visitors can explore a growing calendar of events and a list of things to do, including the Fourth of July Celebration, while planners can find themed itineraries, new openings, citywide activations and updated event listings at DC250.us, the central hub for America's 250th in Washington, DC.

Major Openings:

• Improved Tidal Basin and 250 freshly planted cherry trees (Spring 2026)
• National Geographic Museum of Exploration (Summer 2026)
• National Air and Space Museum expansion (July 2026)
• Innovative museum under the Lincoln Memorial (July 2026)
• Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden renovation (Fall 2026)
• New exhibits at the Jefferson Memorial (2026)
• New concourse at Dulles International Airport (2026)
• Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (September 2025)
  

Additionally, the National Archives recently opened a new, interactive museum. Following a $40 million renovation, the 10,000-square-foot space features original artifacts, documents and films, including George Washington's original copy of the Constitution.

DC will also debut 51 Steps to Freedom, an augmented reality walking tour through the city's neighborhoods and landmarks. Users download a free mobile app to unlock interactive media, videos, music, artwork and archival audio that bring history to life.

SelectHistoric Venues for Distinctive Events
Washington, DC offers memorable venues that place attendees in settings tied directly to the nation's history. A few notable options include:

• The National Archives
  Host events alongside the founding documents that shaped the nation, including recently reinstalled artifacts connected to the country's 250-year journey.
• The Mayflower Hotel
  Celebrated for over a century of Washington history, the Mayflower offers elegant and flexible event spaces that are long associated with leadership and diplomacy.
• National Museum of African American History and Culture
  Entering its tenth year in 2026, the museum offers inspiring event spaces, including the Solomon Brown Suite and Terrace, which provide panoramic views of the National Mall.

About Destination DC
Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, nonprofit membership organization committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism, and special events destination, with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural, and historic communities.