Category Archives: Gov/Mil News

Gov/Mil News on GovEvents Blog includes editorials and media pertaining directly to current events happening in Government & Military.

Something Old and Something New: DC Venues

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a push pin over washington dc in the map

With spring approaching we've caught the fever for everything new and fresh. We took a look around the DC venue scene to find some of the newer options for event locations and found a common theme -- everything old is new again. Historic DC landmarks have gotten substantive makeovers and a casino introduces a new element to the DC event landscape.[Tweet "The old is new again! #DC meeting and event venue options. #GovEventsBlog"]

  • MGM National Harbor - The glitziest and most publicized new venue is undoubtedly the MGM National Harbor. The 308 room hotel and casino boasts all the amenities a meeting planner or attendee could ask for. The Grand Ballroom features sweeping views of the Potomac River. Multiple smaller meeting spaces feature state-of-the-art technology and various options for meeting configurations. The facility also boasts a 3,000 seat theater and multiple restaurants. MGM National Harbor is tailor made to cater to large groups but may also provide an interesting change of pace for smaller gatherings.[Tweet "The @MGMNatlHarbor casino introduces a new element to the DC event venue landscape. #GovEventsBlog"]
  • Trump Washington DC - It's a neck-and-neck race between the Trump Hotel and MGM for which facility received the most press at opening. Located in the historic Old Post Office building, this hotel breathed new life into a Washington landmark. The hotel has 17 meeting/event rooms, totaling 38,000 square feet. The 13,000+ square foot Presidential ballroom is the largest space with the Lincoln Library and Franklin Study providing smaller, well-appointed space for meetings and events.
  • The Watergate - While not a new venue, the Watergate complex completed a massive renovation this past summer. The renovations include 7,000 square feet of flexible indoor event space and 10,000 square feet of outdoor space. The hotel's rooftop bar, Top of the Gate, is equipped with fire pits and can hold as many as 250 guests with a 360-degree view of Washington and the Potomac River. The Library is a great option for smaller events holding 60-80 guests.
  • Mayflower Hotel - Like the Watergate, the Mayflower underwent a renovation that was completed in the summer of 2016. The Hotel is now part of Marriott International's Autograph Collection and features a completely redecorated ballroom. The hotel boasts a diverse set of 27 meeting spaces that can meet the needs of any gathering.

[Tweet "What is your pick for best DC meeting or event space? #GovEventsBlog"]This trend of modernizing old spaces will continue into 2017 with several anticipated openings including The Line Hotel in a former church and the reinvention of the Doubletree Washington as The Darcy. Brand new spaces will also be opening in 2017 with the completion of The Wharf on Maine Avenue with a host of new restaurants and meeting space.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the revitalization of these and other landmarks as well as the creation of brand new spaces. Let us know your picks for best new event space in DC in the comments.

Behind the Curtain: International Wireless Communications Expo

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The International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Over the years, IWCE has stayed true to its roots in two-way radio communications, keeping attendees abreast of the evolution of technology from mobile radios to push-to-talk integrated cellphones to today's coordination with IoT devices. But what IWCE is even more excited about is what the next 40 years hold for the communications technology industry.

As the core technology and devices have evolved, the audience at IWCE is increasingly moving toward a more public sector crowd with public safety, utilities, and transportation sectors highly represented. At the show, attendees meet with vendors showcasing the latest technologies, discuss policy, and receive training on new tools, policies, and techniques.[Tweet "Behind the Curtain: International Wireless Communications Expo | March 27-31 #GovEventsBlog #IWCE"]

Show Director, Stephanie McCall, shared some insights into what to expect at this year's show happening March 27-31 in Las Vegas, NV. Continue reading →

Trump’s Impact on the Travel Industry

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From time to time GovEvents will come across information we feel our members and audience would benefit from. Here's something we wanted to share:

It would be an understatement to say that change is in the air. Last week Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States. While the Trump administration begins to take action, businesses are hopeful that he will keep their industries in mind.

The travel industry is a major player in the U.S. economy, contributing more than $148 billion in tax revenue and more than 15 million jobs. Without it, every U.S. household would pay an extra $1,192 in taxes per year. Tax revenue, job creation and related services are all partially contingent on the travel industry. Therefore, the future of U.S. travel is a pressing concern right now. Continue reading →

Intelligent Phones Will Change The Event Industry

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From time to time GovEvents will come across information we feel our members and audience would benefit from. Here's something we wanted to share:

A phone that can think, see, feel and interact with the outside world may be closer than we think. Here we attempt to look into the mind-blowing possibilities this presents for event professionals.

A Look To The Future: At CES (Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas) this year, one of the most interesting things for us wasn't the technology being displayed in the myriad shiny stands but what is just a few years down the road. In particular, what we're talking about here is the "intelligent phone" concept described by Huawei's CEO, Richard Yu. Continue reading →

A New Look For GovEvents

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goveventsWe've written numerous posts about the importance of refreshing events to attract new attendees and keep repeat attendees engaged. Now we've taken our own advice and refreshed GovEvents.com to provide a new look and better functionality.[Tweet "A new look for GovEvents to provide better functionality. #GovEventsBlog"] On the revamped site you'll notice:

  • New Home Page - Includes highlights of and access to open calls for papers/presentations, exhibitor/sponsor opportunities, as well as the top trending events.
  • Important Message Banner - This bar, visible across the main site pages, will be used to highlight upcoming deadlines, announce weather-related event cancellations or changes, and special offers.
  • Exclude Items in Search - You can indicate phrases or categories you do not want included in your search results.[Tweet "Now it is easier than ever to add events to GovEvents! #GovEventsBlog"]
  • Search Confirmation/Suggestion - In entering a search, if you misspell a word or there is another closely aligned search term with more relevant results, the site will give you clarification options.
  • Event Suggestions - When viewing an event you are interested in the site will recommend up to three similar events.
  • Easier than Ever to Add Events - Now all government users can add events without having to register as a vendor or an event organizer.
  • Mobile Responsive - The updated site is more mobile friendly for members that access GovEvents on a smart phone or tablet.

[Tweet "What you think of the refreshed GovEvents site? #GovEventsBlog"]Many of these updates were made based on user feedback. Have more ideas? We always welcome new ideas. Let us know what you think of the refreshed site in the comments below.