Events DC is the official convention, sports and entertainment authority for the District of Columbia. Events DC is a quasi-public company based in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

that owns and manages the

Walter E. Washington Convention Center The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is a convention center located in Washington, D.C., owned and operated by the city's convention arm, Events DC. Designed in a joint venture by the Atlanta-based architecture firm Thompson, Ventulett, ...

, Entertainment & Sports Arena, the RFK Stadium Campus, and

Nationals Park Nationals Park is a baseball stadium along the Anacostia River in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Home to Major League Baseball's Washington Nationals since its completion in 2008, it was the first LEED-certified green major profe ...

among other DC venues. It also promotes, sponsors and attracts sporting and cultural events to the District.

History

The Washington Sports and Convention Authority (WSCA) was formed on October 1, 2009 following the merger of the Washington Convention Center Authority (WCCA) and the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission (DCSEC). The plan was announced by D.C. Mayor

Adrian Fenty Adrian Malik Fenty (born December 6, 1970) is an American politician who served as the sixth mayor of the District of Columbia. He served one term, from 2007 to 2011, losing his bid for reelection at the primary level to Democrat Vincent C. Gra ...

as a cost saving measure in his 2010 budget proposal. In 2011, the WSCA was renamed Events DC to align with the other brands of the District and its tourism arm, Destination DC.

Leadership

Samuel Thomas currently serves as the interm president and CEO of Events DC following the departure of former President and CEO Greg O'Dell in March 2022. The board is chaired by Max Brown, a businessman and lobbyist for

Zipcar Zipcar is an American car-sharing company and a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group. Zipcar provides vehicle reservations to its members, billable by the minute, hour or day; members may have to pay a monthly or annual membership fee in addition ...

CSX Corporation CSX Corporation is an American holding company focused on rail transportation and real estate in North America, among other industries. The company was established in 1980 as part of the Chessie System and Seaboard Coast Line Industries merger. ...

and Corizon Health who previously served as legal counsel and deputy chief of staff to Anthony Williams. Brown is also an investor and lobbyist in esports at the same time that EventsDC started a large esports initiative.

Operations

Events DC receives more than $100 million in taxpayer money but has an independent board appointed by the Mayor. In addition to overseeing the Convention Center, Nationals Park, RFK Stadium, St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena, and the D.C. Armory, it has provided funding to various construction and development projects in the District. It provided more than $200 million in public money into construction of the Marriott Marquis convention center hotel and acquired the rights to the Carnegie Library. In 2017 and 2018, Events DC spent $150,000 to unsuccessfully lobby Congress to give the District greater authority over RFK Stadium, which could enable the

Washington Commanders The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area. The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) E ...

to return to DC. Events DC also oversees a community grants program which awards deserving non-profit organizations with grants each year. In 2022, Events DC awarded 39 local nonprofits grants totaling $500,000.

Convention center and hotel

As part of the $520 million construction of the Marriott Marquis which opened in 2014, Events DC expected an increase in citywide conventions. DC hosted 22 conventions in 2011 but only 15 in 2015 and 2016. In October 2015, the DC auditor called on Events DC to increase profitability of the Convention Center after it fell below the average revenues and higher expenses per square foot of 13 other large convention centers studied. Events DC was responsible for training staff to work at the Marriot Marquis, which had a requirement of hiring district residents for 51 percent of the hotel's staff as a condition of its public financing. Events DC trained and referred 719 District residents to Marriott, while 178 were hired by the hotel, which did not meet the local staffing requirement. In June 2016, former convention center employees filed suit against Events DC for unpaid wages. They allegedly worked overtime on various tasks but were denied comp time.

Nationals Park

Nationals Park, which opened in 2008, is managed by Events DC and built almost entirely with taxpayer funding. In 2016, O'Dell announced that $160 million was needed for upgrades and repairs to the facility.

Wizards and Mystics facility

In 2016, it was announced that Events DC would play a prominent role in the $55 million construction of an arena on the site of St. Elizabeths Hospital that would serve as a practice facility for the

Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays ...

and the new home venue for the

Washington Mystics The Washington Mystics are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Mystics compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member club of the league's Eastern Conference (WNBA), Eastern Conference ...

. Members of the DC Council sought to introduce legislation capping public expenditure in the case of cost overruns. On July 28, O'Dell requested an additional $10 million in funding while decreasing the number of seats in the facility. He said earlier estimates were premature. In 2018, O'Dell announced that the cost had increased to $68.8 million, due in part to additions like drywall, and catwalks and higher than anticipated costs like contractors. O'Dell boasted about the number of local business used in the construction of the facility, but could not provide a list of any of the businesses. Local businesses reported that they were unable to find work at the site. Events DC significantly underestimated the costs of operating the facility and in 2019 the Events DC board approved more than $1 million in additional costs.

Carnegie Library

In 2014, Events DC twice sought to move the International Spy Museum into the

Carnegie Library of Washington D.C. The Carnegie Library of Washington D.C., also known as Central Public Library, now known as the Apple Carnegie Library, is situated in Mount Vernon Square, Washington, D.C.. History The library was donated to the public by entrepreneur Andrew ...

, but failed to win historic preservation approval. In December 2016, Events DC announced an agreement with

Apple An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus ''Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, ' ...

to turn the library into a new store for the company, designed by

Foster and Partners Foster + Partners is a British architectural, engineering, and integrated design practice founded in 1967 as Foster Associates by Norman Foster. It is the largest architectural firm in the UK with over 1,500 employees in 13 studios worldwide ...

Esports

In 2018, Events DC announced a partnership with Red Bull intended to capitalize on the growing esports market. It was later revealed that Events DC chairman Max Brown had extensive ties with the industry as an investor and lobbyist. Events DC is also the main jersey sponsor of the

Overwatch League The Overwatch League (OWL) is a professional esports league for the video game ''Overwatch'', produced by its developer, Blizzard Entertainment. The Overwatch League follows the model of other traditional North American professional sporting le ...

Washington Justice Washington Justice is an American professional ''Overwatch'' esports team based in Washington, D.C. The Justice compete in the Overwatch League (OWL) as member of the league's West region. Founded in 2018, Washington Justice began play as one ...

Community services

In December 2009, Events DC, then known as WCSA, was criticized for quoting a usage fee of $77,000 to a nonprofit organization,

Remote Area Medical Remote Area Medical (RAM) is a non-profit provider of mobile medical clinics delivering free dental, vision, and medical care (as well as veterinary services when available) to under-served and uninsured individuals. Founded by British philanthro ...

, who wished to use the D.C. Armory to host free health clinics.

References

{{reflist, 30em, refs= {{cite news , last=Baskin , first=Morgan , date=24 January 2019 , title= Construction Companies Open East-of-the-River Offices to Win Lucrative Contracts, url=https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/news/housing-complex/article/21044663/construction-companies-open-eastoftheriver-offices-to-win-lucrative-contracts , work=Washington City Paper , location=Washington DC , access-date= 26 January 2019 {{cite news, url=http://deadspin.com/washington-d-c-makes-sure-no-billionaire-sports-team-1762288690, title=Washington, D.C. Makes Sure No Billionaire Sports Team Owner Is Left Behind, publisher=Deadspin, date=March 3, 2016, accessdate=March 24, 2016, first1=Dave, last1=McKenna {{cite news, title=Group planning free health clinics objects to D.C.'s $77,000 fee, first=Henri, last=Cauvin, date=December 12, 2009, work=Meetings & Conventions, url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/11/AR2009121104179.html {{cite news, title=Citywides Decline in Washington, D.C., first=Michael C., last=Lowe, date=March 1, 2013, work=Meetings & Conventions, url=http://www.meetings-conventions.com/articles_ektid53324.aspx {{cite web , date=September 30, 2013, title=FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS , url=http://www.dcconvention.com/Attachments/About-Section/Financial-Info/WCSA-2013-FS-Final-Version.aspx, newspaper=

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...

, location=Washington, DC, access-date=March 13, 2016 {{cite news , last=Madden , first=Patrick , date=18 December 2018 , title=D.C.'s Big Bet On Esports Led By Lobbyist—Who Owns Stock In Esports , url= https://wamu.org/story/18/12/18/dcs-big-bet-on-esports-led-by-lobbyist-who-owns-stock-in-esports/, work=Wamu , location=Washington, DC , access-date=18 December 2018 {{cite news, author=Karen Goff, title=Exclusive: Apple agrees to open flagship store at Carnegie Library, date=December 6, 2016, work= Washington Business Journal, url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2016/12/06/apple-agrees-to-open-flagshipstore-at-carnegie.html {{cite news, title=Auditor calls on Events D.C. to increase convention center profitability, first=Rebecca, last=Cooper, date=October 23, 2015, work= Washington Business Journal, url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/top-shelf/2015/10/d-c-auditor-calls-on-events-d-c-to-increase.html {{cite news, title=Prominent lobbyist nominated by Bowser to chair Events D.C., date=April 23, 2015, work= Washington Business Journal, url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/morning_call/2015/04/prominent-lobbyist-nominated-by-bowser-to-chair.html {{cite news , last=Cooper , first=Rebecca , date=15 May 2019 , title= D.C. reconciles true costs of running new arena at St. Elizabeths , url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2019/05/15/d-c-reconciles-true-costs-of-running-newarena-at.html , work=Washington Business Journal , location=Washington DC , access-date=15 May 2019 {{cite news, title=Events DC Spent $150,000 in 2017 and '18 to Lobby Congress for Control of the RFK Campus, first=Mitch, last=Ryals, date=12 June 2019, work=

The Washington City Paper The ''Washington City Paper'' is a U.S. alternative weekly newspaper serving the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The ''City Paper'' is distributed on Thursdays; its average circulation in 2006 was 85,588. The paper's editorial mix is focuse ...

, url=https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/news/loose-lips/article/21072848/events-dc-spent-150000-in-2017-and-18-to-lobby-congress-for-control-of-the-rfk-campus {{cite news, title=Price Tag of Taxpayer-Funded Wizards Arena Grows to $69 Million, first=Andrew, last=GIAMBRONE, date=March 1, 2018, work=

, url=https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/news/loose-lips/blog/20994367/price-tag-of-taxpayerfunded-wizards-arena-grows-to-69-million {{cite news, title=Former Employees Sue Events DC For Allegedly Failing To Pay Them Overtime, first=Andrew, last=GIAMBRONE, date=June 9, 2016, work=

, url=http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/news/city-desk/blog/20782187/former-employees-sue-events-dc-for-allegedly-failing-to-pay-them-overtime {{cite news, title=DCSEC merger approved., first=Tim, last=Lemke, date=June 5, 2009, work=

The Washington Times ''The Washington Times'' is an American conservative daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., that covers general interest topics with a particular emphasis on national politics. Its broadsheet daily edition is distributed throughou ...

, url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/5/merger-would-close-door-on-dcsec/ {{cite news , last=Scott , first=Allen , date=1 March 2018 , title=D.C.'s new entertainment and sports arena to host major eSports competition in November , url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2018/03/01/d-c-s-new-entertainment-and-sports-arena-to-host-esports-competition-in-november/?noredirect=on , newspaper=

, location=Washington, DC , access-date=1 March 2018 {{cite news, title=Nearly a year in, Marriott Marquis says job training program has worked, first=Abha, last=Bhattarai, date=March 20, 2015, work=

, url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/nearly-as-year-in-marriott-marquis-says-job-training-program-has-worked/2015/03/19/7417c056-ccb4-11e4-8c54-ffb5ba6f2f69_story.html {{cite news, title=With upcoming arrival of Marriott Marquis, D.C. sees 'definite uptick' in conferences, first=Abha, last=Bhattarai, date=September 9, 2013, work=

, url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/pb/business/capitalbusiness/with-upcoming-arrival-of-marriott-marquis-dc-sees-definite-uptick-in-conferences/2013/09/27/1170b660-2472-11e3-b3e9-d97fb087acd6_story.html {{cite news , last=O'Connell , first=Jonathan , date=October 7, 2014 , title=Deal to move Spy Museum to Carnegie Building falls apart , url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/digger/wp/2014/10/07/deal-to-move-spy-museum-to-carnegie-building-falls-apart/ , newspaper=

, location=Washington, DC , access-date=12 March 2016 {{cite news , title=Cost of Wizards practice facility rises $10 million before construction can even begin , first= Jonathan , last= O'Connell , date= July 28, 2016 , work=The Washington Post , url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/digger/wp/2016/07/28/before-construction-can-begin-cost-of-wizards-practice-facility-rises-10-million/?postshare=6821469735085188&tid=ss_tw-bottom {{cite news , title= D.C. Council member proposes spending cap for Wizards facility , first= Jonathan , last= O'Connell , date= March 1, 2016 , work=The Washington Post , url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/digger/wp/2016/03/01/d-c-council-member-proposes-spending-cap-for-wizards-facility/ {{cite news, title=Meet the man at the center of D.C.'s booming sports-industrial complex, first=Jonathan, last=O'Connell, date=September 18, 2015, work=

, url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/digger/wp/2015/09/18/meet-the-man-at-the-center-of-d-c-s-booming-sports-industrial-complex/

External links

Official website
Companies based in Washington, D.C. Quasi-public entities in the United States Entertainment companies established in 2009 2009 establishments in Washington, D.C. Organizations based in Washington, D.C. Public benefit corporations based in the United States