Washington DC Event

Recently opened, The Westin Washington Dulles Airport is the crown jewel of Dulles Corner. Just one mile from Dulles International Airport and fewer than 30 minutes from the nation's capital, The Westin is perfectly located for business and leisure travelers alike.

The 314-room DC hotel boasts 14,000 square feet of flexible event space. Host an off-site meeting in its Executive Boardroom or a cocktail reception in the grand 8,000-square-foot ballroom. No matter what DC meeting space you choose, the Westin's facilities are equipped with sophisticated decor and state-of-the-art audio-visual and communications technology.

Just in time for your next event, The Westin Washington Dulles Airport is offering a great DC hotel deal. Meeting planners can enjoy the Add More Value promotion, which includes:

• 4 percent credit to master
• One complimentary room for every 25 booked
• One complimentary ticket for every 25 booked and special group rates with American Airlines
• 2,500 Starpoints signing bonus for every 25 room nights, up to 100,000 Starpoints

Book by December 31, 2009, to enjoy this great DC promotion.

View more information about The Westin Washington Dulles Airport on the Cvent Supplier Network

Best-selling author Dan Brown, who penned novels Angels & Demons and The DaVinci Code, explores the symbology and iconology of Washington, DC in his latest thriller The Lost Symbol. For visitors who want to experience the action in real life, Destination DC has made it easy to visit the landmarks and locations featured in the novel. Visit Experience DC: The Lost Symbol to learn more about exhibitions and events in DC relevant to the book, such as the National Museum of Women in the Arts' exhibit on "Telling Secrets: Codes, Captions and Conundrums in Contemporary Art." You can also view an interactive map of some of the top
attractions for your Dan Brown-inspired visit.

Washington, DC event planners can get in on the fun as well, as a number of these attractions also serve as great event venues. Check out a few of the following DC meeting spaces for a Lost Symbol-inspired event:

International Spy Museum

From George Washington's secret life as a spy to the Enigma code-cracking machine, the International Spy Museum immerses guests in the undercover world of espionage. In addition to taking advantage of this Washington, DC special event facility after-hours for groups of up to 300 people, meeting planners can also enjoy a number of the museum's unique packages. Three different scavenger hunts, for example, challenges attendees armed with a top secret bag of tricks to work through coded messages and tough questions as they navigate the museum. The exclusive Speaker Series offers a variety of former intelligence offers willing to share their expertise and experience with your event guests.

George Washington Masonic National Memorial

Towering over Old Town Alexandria just outside of DC, the memorial showcases both Freemasonry and George Washington himself, who joined the Masonic Lodge in Fredericksburg at the age of 20. Interesting artifacts on display include Washington's family Bible and even a lock of his hair. The memorial also offers over five DC event venues, including the grand hall for up to 250 people and the impressive Memorial Hall, which sets the stage with a 17-foot bronze statue of Washington, eight granite Corinthian columns, two large murals and six stained glass windows.

Library of Congress

Home to many of the nation's secrets, it's not surprising that the Library of Congress is often featured in thrillers such as Brown's The Lost Symbol. It was also featured in the action-thriller film National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Planners can take advantage of the air of mystery around this seemingly low-key but unique Washington, DC venue at one of its five room options, which include the Italian Renaissance-style Great Hall, a great DC banquet space for up to 1,200 guests.

The Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center near Washington DC is the largest hotel and convention center on the Eastern Seaboard. It has over 470,000 square feet of flexible meeting room space including a 180,000 square foot exhibition hall. Located on the National Harbor, this DC luxury hotel has stunning views of the Potomac River and an incredible 18-story glass atrium.

One of the many luxuries that the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center offers is a “Hotel within a Hotel” program. The program is perfect for all your events in Washington DC because it provides exclusive meeting environments for executive meetings. Guests of executive meetings can stay in the National Bay, which is a collection of 300 upgraded guest rooms with direct elevator access from guestrooms to dedicated meeting space. There is also a dedicated Meeting Manager assigned to each executive meeting to cover all aspects of the planning process. 65,000 square feet of outdoor event space, including a full-service pier and marina.

View more information about the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center on the Cvent Supplier Network.

Washington, DC is one of the hottest destinations this year. In fact, despite the economy, DC saw a three percent increase in visitation and modest increase in visitor spending in 2008, welcoming 16.6 million visitors.

If you're planning to host an event in Washington, DC soon, rest assured that just because the nation's capital is in demand doesn't mean it will put you in the red. Check out some of the following recent posts on Washington, DC hotel deals to snag a great price for your next event:

• Hyatt Announces Limited Time Offer for Third Party Planners (there are over 10 Hyatt properties in the DC area)

• Starwood Offers Up to 50 Percent Off Room Rates

• 3 Hotel Promotions for Meetings on a Budget

• DC Events Enjoy 44 Power Savings

• 8 Hotel Brands Offering Meeting Deals

If you've heard of or used a great DC promotion, share it in the comments below!

Fall is here, and so is the chillier fall weather. In many cities across the country, events will need to be moved indoors, but that doesn't mean you have to completely shut out the light.

Take the Sunset Room at National Harbor. This event venue near Washington, DC features a dramatic backdrop of the Potomac River and Wilson Bridge thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows—perfect for DC wedding receptions or cocktail parties at sunset.

The Sunset Room at National Harbor is an ideal Washington, DC banquet space for up to 400 guests. It can accommodate up to 600 guests in a cocktail arrangement. The space can also be broken down into the 3,173-square-foot Plaza View and 4,925-square-foot Harbor View areas, hosting up to 200 or 450 guests, respectively.

This DC event venue offers on-site DC catering options from CakeLove, Public House, Rosa Mexicano and more. Accommodations at National Harbor are available at five on-site hotels.

Last week I blogged about how to host a top chef-quality event at Frontera Grill, the Chicago restaurant owned by Bravo TV's Top Chef Master Rick Bayless. But Bayless was not the only one heating things up in the kitchen on Top Chef. If you want your next catered event to get the Top Chef treatment, just consider one of the following booking space at one of the following restaurants, each owned by one of the series' finalists.

Art and Soul

Art Smith, personal chef to Oprah Winfrey, treats the nation's capital to "food for the soul" at his Washington, DC restaurant Art and Soul. Using fresh ingredients prepared in true Southern tradition, Smith celebrates his cooking heritage with dishes such as the Land and Sea Hoe Cake, a cornmeal pizza-like dish of shaved beef rib eye and blue crab, and the lamb chops served with charred poached pears and a mint julep sauce.

With its glass walls, shiny red chairs, square oak tables and and art works that feature iconic leaders such as Winston Churchill and Ghandi, Art and Soul is a beautiful venue for hosting your DC events. The restaurant is an ideal spot for everything form informal birthdays to corporate dinners.

Jar

Chef Suzanne Tracht delivers familiar retro dishes at her modern Los Angeles restaurant Jar. Designed with the style and sophistication of a 1940s supper club, Jar offers up hearty entrees such as chopped sirloin with fried egg and green peppercorn sauce, coq au vin with applewood smoked bacon and pearl onions, and the signature pot roast with carrots and caramelized onions.

Jar offers space for Los Angeles events of 20 or more people. Its lounge area is also a great LA venue for 17 guests, while the entire restaurant can accommodate up to 165 for lunch, dinner, brunch or receptions.

Bottega Restaurant

Bold Italian flavors with a refined twist are the order of the day at Bottega Restaurant, the craftsman's kitchen of Chef Michael Chiarello. Using artisanal and housemade ingredients and local produce, Chiarello and his team create signature dishes such as veal tortellini in brodo di carne with browned butter, butternut squash and sage and seared day-boat scallops with pink chick pea passatina.

The rustic yet refined Bottega creates a cozy ambiance for private events. Its indoor dining rooms, which boast five communal tables made of 40-year-old timbers, has space for 90 people. The outdoor covered Terrazzo has 26 seats. The Vintage Estates Properties, on which the restaurant is located, can accommodate large parties of up to 350 people.

Fleur de Lys

Known as one of the most romantic dining rooms in the city, San Francisco restaurant Fleur de Lys showcases Chef Hubert Keller's contemporary French cuisine. From the filet mignon topped with sauteed foie gras to the roasted sea scallops with a hazelnut crust, diners are treated to top-quality meats, cheese, and wines rivaled only by the top restaurants in France.

The private wine room at Fleur de Lys is a great San Francisco venue for private dining of 14 to 16 guests. Additionally, its Salon room and Alcove room can accommodate 12 or 25 guests, respectively, while the entire venue can seat 105 for larger San Francisco events.

Annisa

New York restaurant Annisa offers a seasonal menu that represents Chef Anita Lo's education in French technique. Past selections have included seared miso-marinated sable with crispy silken tofu and pan-roasted farm chicken with sherry, white truffle and pig feet. Complementing its critically-acclaimed cuisine, Annisa's 90-bottle wine list celebrates women in the wine industry.

Annisa is a top-notch New York venue for private parties and dinners. Following a July 4 fire, Annisa is under construction and set to re-open this fall.

The news is in, and face to face meetings are coming out on top. In the past week, I've come across a number of studies in-person events, and overall, it looks like most business people are agree with what meeting planners have been trying to stress over the past year: Meetings Mean Business.

First, I came across some research by British Airways, which found that 95 percent of business people believe that face-to-face meetings are essential to build long-term relationships.

Then, I read a Forbes Insights study that surveyed over 750 business executives on whether virtual meetings can take the place of face-to-face contact. The answer? Definitely not.

Though many companies have reduced their travel and meeting budgets, and just over half the respondents to Forbes' study said they travel less for business today than they did back in January 2008, the executives still "expressed an overwhelming preference for face-to-face meetings, with more than 8 out of 10 saying they like in-person contact more than virtual."

Additionally, 85 percent of respondents said they prefer in-person, face-to-face business meetings and conferences because they build stronger, more meaningful business relationships. Respondents also said that face-to-face meetings are best for persuasion (91 percent), leadership (87 percent), engagement (86 percent), accountability (79 percent) and decision making (82 percent).

Finally, I just read about the HSMAI Affordable Meetings National and Event Technology Expo pre-conference survey, in which meeting planners attending the Washington, DC event next week said that today's meetings technology cannot duplicate certain key elements of face-to-face meetings. Socializing and and networking spontaneously, training effectively via live and personal interaction, and engaging in real-time conversation that is not interrupted by technical glitches are among the benefits that in-person conferences hold over virtual ones.

"While the 'always on the job' mentality of meeting planners tends to rely on the latest technological tools for marketing, presentations and networking, there is clearly a 'man over machine' mindset when it comes to other elements of meetings and conferences," said James Houran of 20|20 Assessment, which independently analyzed the HSMAI pre-conference survey, according to Plannerwire. "Thus, the popular push for more teleconferences or Internet-based meetings, even for smaller groups, may ultimately not meet critical needs of attendees."

Cvent will be attending HSMAI's Affordable Meetings National Exhibition and Conference, held Wednesday, September 9, to Thursday, September 10, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Held annually, the conference is expected to host 1,700 professionals representing all segments of the industry.

A major focus of HSMAI's Affordable Meetings National is the tradeshow featuring roughly 475 exhibitors, including hotels, top destinations, industry suppliers and in-demand products and services. Make sure to visit Cvent at booth 6010 during the show, which runs Wednesday from 12:30 PM to 3 PM and Thursday from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM.

In addition to the expo, both Reggie Aggarwal, Cvent founder and CEO, and Brian Ludwig, Cvent vice president of sales, have been selected as featured speakers at this DC event. Reggie will present Wednesday from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM on "Dispelling Common Misconceptions about Online RFPs—Uniting Planners and Suppliers to Increase Industry Efficiency." Brian will present Thursday from 8 AM to 9:15 AM on "SMM: Manage and Measure Your Meeting Spend."

Additionally, on Wednesday, September 9, from 6 PM to 9 PM, Cvent executives will be hosting a private cocktail reception at Acadiana restaurant in Washington, DC. If you would like to come to the reception, please click here to RSVP. Or, to set up a private meeting during this tradeshow, please email Reggie Aggarwal at raggarwal@cvent.com.

For more information about Cvent, please visit www.cvent.com.

We look forward to seeing you at HSMAI's Affordable Meetings National!

If you are looking for a unique and eclectic special event facility in our nation’s capitol, then the Mansion on O is your place. Located in historic Dupont Circle, the Mansion on O is a great Washington DC event space that features state-of-the-art meeting facilities with artistic flair.

As a private club, luxury hotel, conference center, and museum, the Mansion on O has a total of over 100 rooms, including seven dining rooms, 12 meeting rooms, 23 guest rooms, and 32 secret doors. Yes, I said secret doors.

All the walls of the mansion are adorned with unique pieces of art, and it is evident that the Mansion on O is a different kind of meeting space, but perfect for a variety of events in DC. The size of the meeting rooms range from the Grand Ballroom that seats over 100 people to the Candlelit Dining Room that seats 30.

By choosing the Mansion on O as your event venue, your event is sure to be unforgettable. That is, of course, if your guests don’t get lost behind the secret doors!

View more information about the Mansion on O on the Cvent Supplier Network. 

 

 

The meetings industry is one step closer to having standards for green meetings. A final draft of standards for green meetings and events, developed by the Convention Industry Council's Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) Green Meetings and Events Practices Panel, is ready for your consideration.

The APEX Green Meeting and Events Voluntary Standard covers nine areas: accommodations, AV, communication, destinations, food and beverage, exhibits, meeting venue, on-site office, and transportation. The Standard is available online at the APEX blog, where visitors can comment on each section.

In addition to providing online feedback, APEX is also hosting another round of City Discussion Groups in major cities across the country. These CDGs allow industry members to publicly participate in the discussion of the Voluntary Standard. So far the schedule is as follows:

• August 16, 2009: Atlanta event at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia
• September 1, 2009: Denver event at The Ritz-Carlton Denver
• September 3, 2009: Baltimore event at the Baltimore Convention Center
• September 9, 2009: San Antonio event at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter
• September 11, 2009: Washington, DC event at the U.S. Green Building Council Board Room

You can register online, and don't forget to keep checking as more dates are announced.

Last night, 1,500 attendees gathered at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC for one of the most talked-about events in town: Verizon Wireless and Washingtonian's "Best of Washington Party." Featuring the winners of Washingtonian's annual "The Best Of" awards, the sold-out event featured over 50 top Washington, DC restaurants and bars offering samples of their finest fare.

Celebrated chefs such as Michel Richard of Citronelle, RJ Cooper of Vidalia, Travis Timberlake of Art and Soul, and Tony Conte of Oval Room were among those in attendance. The seemingly-endless tasting options ranged from tuna tartare being offered by BLT Steak to cupcakes in all flavors from Georgetown Cupcake. Plenty of drinks, such as the watermelon rum cocktails from Liberty Tavern, were also available to round out the culinary experience.

Among those in attendance were well-known DC locals including Congressman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), University of Maryland President C. Dan Mote, Jr., and Washingtonian publisher Cathy Merrill Williams, along with several fellow Cvent-ers! In fact, Cvent was proud to power the online registration services for this sold-out extravaganza. 

Here's the event registration page, updated to according to its closed status:



Attendees could choose from two ticket types, Vice Presidential and Presidential:



A portion of the proceeds from the DC event benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, the luxurious JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC has unveiled a $40 million renovation. Celebrating 25 years, the hotel saw upgrades to all 772 guest rooms, suites, meeting space and atrium lobby.

"We’re very excited about the new look and feel of our guestroom, suites and lobby," said Scott Nadeau, general manager, JW Marriott Hotel Washington, DC, in a statement. "We know our guests want authentically crafted comfort, purposeful luxury and style, but they also want a space they can tailor to their needs, whether it’s working, relaxing, or dining.  We have delivered that and more."

Guest rooms at the JW Marriott now feature a clean, sophisticated look complete with plush bedding, 37-inch high-def LG plasma screen televisions, and a plug-in technology panel that allows guests to multitask their media usage. The atrium lobby, boasting a new look of red, gold, and platinum tones, cherry wood paneling and leather-wrapped columns, welcomes guests with semi-private seating areas and wi-fi access.

The hotel offers more than 37,000 square feet of DC meeting space, including the 14,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and 22 meeting rooms. Also on-site is are Washington, DC restaurants Avenue Grill and Bar 1331.

View more information about the JW Marriott Washington, DC on the Cvent Supplier Network

Cvent will be attending ASTD’s International Conference and Expo held Sunday, May 31, through Wednesday, June 3, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Held annually, ASTD’s show is expected to see over 8,000 industry colleagues from the training and workforce development sector.

A major focus of the four-day conference is the tradeshow (held Monday through Wednesday), which will feature almost 300 exhibitors. Don't forget to visit Cvent at booth 941 during tradeshow hours!

If you would like to set up a private meeting with Cvent during this DC event, please email either Lacey Campbell, Account Executive, at lcampbell@cvent.com, or Cassie Whiteside, Account Executive, at cwhiteside@cvent.com. For more information on Cvent, please visit www.cvent.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

It's a great year to host an event in Washington, DC. Thanks in great part to President Barack Obama, DC has been in the spotlight as a sought-after event destination, starting off with January's much talked-about Presidential Inauguration.

Now, Destination DC and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center have teamed up to offer event planners a president-themed DC meeting promotion. Just like the Reno-Sparks CVA's creative promotion, this offer pays homage to our 44th president by offering these incentives:

• 44 percent off the total convention center rental
• 44 meals up to $44 each
• Free drawing held at 4:44 PM daily for an 8 x 10 classic view photo of DC
• 44 free table top exhibits
• 44-minute reception, 44-cent wine and beer

These incentives are offered to planners who sign a contract in a hotel using 1,000 rooms on peak nights with meeting space at the Washington, DC convention center. Those who book an in-house meeting at one of 36 participating DC hotels can receive a variety of incentives as well, including 10 percent off food and beverage and free Internet within the room block.

Available May 2009 to March 2010, the 44 Power Savings gives planners a chance to save money while hosting an event in one of the most popular and powerful locations in the country. Visit Destination DC for more information.

Washington, DC was seeing plenty of stars last night—movie stars, that is. Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Robin Williams and Owen Wilson were among the Hollywood faces mingling with Supreme Court Justice John Roberts and members of Congress at the premiere for Stiller's latest movie "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian."

The premiere was held at the National Air and Space Museum attraction in DC, a fitting locale given the plot of the movie. For those not familiar with this sequel, the plot revolves around a museum security guard who comes to Washington from New York to find his museum friends, a group of animals and exhibits that come to life after-hours.

After the release of the first film, attendance at New York's American Museum of Natural History rose, and it wouldn't be surprising if the same trend followed for the Smithsonian. Lucky for planners, a number of the Smithsonian's museums serve as Washington, DC special event venues, which means you can take advantage of these hot spots to host your very own night at the museum!

National Air and Space Museum

Located on the National Mall, the Air and Space Museum has four primary event sites as well as a 230-seat planetarium and 485-seat IMAX theater. Among its venue options, the Milestones of Flight Gallery can seat up to 400 guests, while the Space Race Exhibit can accommodate receptions of up to 700 people.

National Museum of Natural History

The popular National Museum of Natural History houses over 126 million natural science specimens and cultural artifacts, including those at the recently-opened, one-of-a-kind Sant Ocean Hall. Host a formal dinner among skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Triceratops at the Dinosaur Hall, or mingle next to the African elephant during a cocktail reception in the grand Rotunda.

National Museum of American History

Recently renovated and re-opened in November 2008, the National Museum of American History is a stunning tribute to our great nation, featuring attractions such as George Washington's uniform, Thomas Jefferson's writing desk, and First Ladies' inaugural gowns. Host a DC event among these treasured items of U.S. history in spaces such as the museum's fifth-floor roof terrace. At its largest, the museum can accommodate receptions for up to 3,500 guests and seated dinners for up to 500 guests.

The Smithsonian Institution's museums follow a special events policy in which organizations that support the museum with a donation may co-sponsor celebratory events in its facilities. Visit each museum's respective website to learn more about its policy.

Washington, DC resembled Hollywood last weekend at Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Dinner. This annual black-tie affair gathers the WHC association's members who hold hard passes for the White House or Hill proceedings. This year, the over 2,000 event attendees also included attracted top-notch celebs such as Ashton Kutcher, Natalie Portman, Sting, Steven Spielberg, and Glenn Close.

Located at the Hilton Washington, DC hotel, the evening began with a number of elegant receptions. A blank fabric canvas backdrop was a showcase of changing audio-visual projections of automobiles, inventions and social issues through time at the Thomas Reuters reception, where guests also enjoyed political-themed cocktails such as the One Hundred Day Martini. The big Atlantic Media party featured Andy Warhol-like murals of President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and other politicos as well as a red carpet that welcomed the likes of John Bon Jovi and George Stephanopoulos.

On to the main event, the evening's dinner was crafted by the DC hotel's Executive Chef Andrew Cote, according to Obama Foodorama. Passed appetizers included prosciutto toscano, oregano brie, and spiced olives (about 250 pounds of prosciutto and 350 pounds of brie were used!). A wild watercress salad was served with a petite filet with sundried tomatoes and sides of seared escolar with olive tapenade; asparagus, cippolini, green and yellow squash with porcini; and mushroom demi-glace. Instead of dessert, a $23,000 donation was made by the WHCA to So Others Might Eat, a non-profit organization that works to meet the basic needs of DC's homeless and poor citizens.

In addition to feeding the hungry, the $200-per-ticket Washington, DC event also raised money for journalism scholarships.

Planning a green meeting for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. Though there are now plenty of resources to assist planners in making smart, eco-conscious decisions, one of the best and easiest ways to ensure a successful green event is to pick an environmentally-friendly venue. Already experienced in green programs and procedures, a green venue can be invaluable in assisting a planner in making the most sustainable choices.

I recently heard about a venue taking green events to new heights, and when I found out it was not too far from Cvent headquarters, I decided I had to share. Located in Warrenton, Virginia, about 50 miles southwest of Washington, DC, the Airlie Center makes it a priority to balance the natural environment and conference operations.

Its green initiatives include a linen and towel reuse program, organic culinary garden, energy efficient lighting, and non-toxic biodegradable cleaning products. It has received certification from Green Seal's Environmental Lodging Program and the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program.

The Airlie's serene location is literally green itself. Located in the gorgeous Piedmont region of the state, Airlie's lush landscape, dotted by shady trees and vibrant blooms, is ideal for jogging, biking, fishing, volleyball, tennis and more. Groups can even book a tour at the Environmental Studies on the Piedmont, right across from the Airlie campus, to explore the diverse woodland area, over 50 active beehives, and the resident swans that form its
internationally-recognized Swan Research Program.

Back in the boardroom, this DC conference center offers natural lighting, ergonomic chairs, and the latest in technology in its 17 conference rooms. Private dining can be arranged in a range of settings, from the Boardroom, accented by a roaring fireplace, to the formal garden. The Airlie Center also has 150 guest rooms.

Not surprisingly, the center has a number of repeat guests and hosts about 600 government, non-profit and private sector groups annually. A member of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) since 1990, Airlie Center really does pack a punch when it comes to conference programs. Consider it when you want to host a productive DC event that will keep your guests and the earth happy!

View more information about the Airlie Center on the Cvent Supplier Network

Next week Cvent is hosting free lunch seminars in our hometown of Washington, DC! We'd love for you to join us and learn about how our event management tools can increase attendance and reduce costs for your meetings. We'll also talk about how you can use the Cvent Supplier Network to search over 75,000 suppliers and manage Requests for Proposals (RFPs).

We'll be hosting three events in DC:

• Tuesday, May 5, from 12 PM to 1:30 PM at Clyde's of Gallery Place
• Wednesday, May 6, from 12 PM to 1:30 PM at City Tavern Club
• Thursday, May 7, from 12 PM to 1:30 PM at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant in DC

Or, if you work in the nearby Northern Virginia area, you're in luck! We'll be around the second week in May in Arlington and Reston:

• Wednesday, May 13, from 12 PM to 1:30 PM at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant in Arlington
• Thursday, May 14, from 12 PM to 1:30 PM at M&S Grill in Reston

Please join us for the complimentary luncheon that best suits your schedule. To see all dates and locations for Cvent product seminars, visit our online calendar. Hope to see you in DC!

I've already talked about DC restaurants getting into the Cherry Blossom Festival spirit by offering cherry-themed entrees, desserts and drinks. But the Festival attracts guests from all over, so I thought a post highlighting the restaurants located within Washington, DC hotels would be great for all the overnight groups.

Check out some of these on-site hotel restaurants with cherry-themed menus that will get your event guests into the Festival spirit before you even step out the door:

Cafe MoZU

Named after an ancient Chinese philosopher who touted the values of universal love, Cafe MoZU is equally suitable for a power lunch or a romantic dinner. Mixing bold yet clean flavors, the restaurant's international menu is now capped off by a cherry treat: mini chocolate-coated cones with warm cherry kirsch compote, cherry sorbet and minus 8 vinegar.

Located just off the main lobby of the 400-room Mandarin Oriental hotel in DC—which offers two ballrooms and seven meeting rooms—Cafe MoZU is a natural choice for Festival lodging and dining.

Bourbon Steak

Poached Hudson Valley foie gras with cherry blossoms, green almonds and Balinese long pepper is an unexpected way to celebrate the Festival at the popular Bourbon Steak restaurant. One of Michael Mina's eateries, Bourbon Steak also offers a modern menu full of his award-winning poached meat and poultry selections.

Bourbon Steak itself accommodates private events of up to 22 guests in its private dining room, while the Four Seasons Hotel in which it is located has several additional DC meeting rooms.

Adour

If all you need is a sweet finish to your celebration, look no further than Adour's cherry-flavored pink macaroons. Paired with a glass of wine from the restaurant's selection of over 400 varieties, this dessert is the perfect indulgence.

Up to eight guests can enjoy dessert, along with a selection of French dishes, in Adour's semi-private room before retiring to a room upstairs in the The St. Regis luxury hotel in Washington, DC.

View more information about DC restaurants for group dining on the Cvent Supplier Network

Cvent will be attending ACTE’s Global Education Conference held Sunday, April 5, through Tuesday, April 7, at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel in Washington, DC. Held annually, ACTE’s show is expected to see over 850 top level corporate executives from the travel industry come together for educational sessions and peer-to-peer discussion about this year’s theme “Unconventional Solutions for Uncommon Times.”

The ACTE conference schedule also includes an exclusive tradeshow, TransACTE, of 30+ exhibitors, held Sunday, April 5, and Monday, April 6. Make sure to visit Cvent at booth 412 during tradeshow hours!

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) was founded in 1988 from a belief that corporate travel buyers and suppliers could work together in a mutual partnership. ACTE currently has over 6,000 attendees in over 80 countries.

If you would like to set up a private meeting during this DC event, please email Anil Punyapu, Vice President, Enterprise Sales, at apunyapu@cvent.com. For more information on Cvent, please visit www.cvent.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!