Every great event begins with a great venue.

Animals

Animals are not permitted in the Center except in conjunction with an approved exhibit, as service animals for individuals with disabilities, or to assist law enforcement personnel. Animals that are approved must be on a leash, within a pen, or under similar control. The owner is fully responsible for obtaining all appropriate permits and for all sanitary needs for the animals.

Art Collection

Advance approval by the Center is required if you plan to place any structures, drape, signage or any other object in front of Walter E. Washington Convention Center art or other permanent displays. This must be indicated on the public lobby plan submitted to your event manager. To prevent damage, approved structures must be installed in front of existing art railings or 12 inches away from the art. 

Pre and Post Event Inspections

An inspection of all leased space to record existing conditions occurs on the first day of your move-in. The inspection is scheduled so that you or your designee and your service contractor are present. During your event, you are informed of any damages that occur as they are discovered.  A final inspection of your leased space is scheduled on the last day of your move-out.  You will be charged for any damages.

Carpet, Granite, and Wood Protection

• Motorized vehicles, with the exception of motorized vehicles driven to transport disabled guests or staff, are not permitted in common areas or in the ballroom and meeting rooms. Motorized vehicles such as scooters, flatbed carts are permitted in exhibit halls and on loading docks ONLY.
• Contractor equipment delivered to common areas must be transported on standard furniture dollies or manual carts or by pallet jacks. Visqueen “roadways” are required in areas where Center pallet jacks are driven. 
• Wooden skids and crates may not be placed directly on the Center’s carpet or granite surfaces. Appropriate protection, such as visqueen (on carpet) or carpet scraps (on granite) must be placed under wooden skids.  Skids and crates must be removed from public space as soon as possible.
• Carpet must be placed under any structures placed on granite such as counters, meter boards, portable concession stands, etc.
• No items are permitted to contact or lean against any facility wall surface.
• Structures placed near the wood wall in the Grand Lobby or Ballroom must be set at least 6" from the wall.
• Scissor lifts used to hang signs in common areas must have clean wheel covers. Protection must be placed under the lift during installation.
• Equipment may be transported through service corridors and on freight elevators. No equipment may be pushed through public meeting room (wood) doors or through exterior entrance (glass) doors.  Exceptions may be made for certain areas, such as from Hall D to the L Street Bridge, with prior approval.
• Only approved adhesives may be used on Center carpeting.

Decorations

• Decorations and signage may not be taped, nailed or otherwise fastened to any permanent surface.
• Adhesive-backed decals or stickers may not be distributed anywhere in the building.
• Glitter or confetti may not be used in carpeted areas of the building.
• All adhesive backed décor and window cling material and placement must be approved.

Elevators and Escalators

Freight and service elevators are designated for the transportation of materials and equipment. Escalators and passenger elevators are for passengers only and may not be used to transport freight or equipment. 

Helium Ballons

Helium-filled balloons may not be distributed in the Center. Helium balloons used to decorate a booth must be pre-approved, tethered and must be securely fastened to the booth. We charge for retrieval of helium-filled balloons.

Helium tanks are not allowed inside the Center.

Water Features

Appropriate protection must be placed on the floor and floor ports before fountains, ponds, hot tubs or other water features are installed. Installations must be performed and monitored by Center personnel.

Recycling

The Convention Center actively works to reduce its carbon footprint and are engaged in sustainable practices in everything from our cleaning products to the farms that supply food for our kitchen.  It is the first center in the country to offer color-coded resource recovery stations in exhibit halls to improve separation at the source to divert waste from landfills.   The Center also has a food composting program and actively utilizes a combination of energy-efficient materials, technology and employee-managed programs to minimize the environmental impact of the physical, 2.3 million square foot building and its more than one million visitors each year.  High-efficiency lighting is used in the Center’s public spaces and all restrooms use compact fluorescent bulbs and automatic controls on the fixtures to conserve electricity and water.  Additionally, the exterior walls are comprised of clear low-emission glass that control heat gain and loss in order to boost the building’s energy efficiency and maximize opportunities for natural lighting.