Washington DC positions meetings sector at center of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026

Washington DC meetings 2026 will align with America’s 250th anniversary, as the city prepares a year-long program of cultural openings, events, and meeting infrastructure supporting conferences and business travel.

WASHINGTON, DC  – Washington DC meetings 2026 are expected to coincide with the United States’ 250th anniversary, positioning the nation’s capital as a central location for conferences, meetings and incentive programs throughout a year of national celebrations.

Throughout 2026, Washington, DC will host a year-long calendar of cultural openings, exhibitions and public programs connected to America’s 250th anniversary, creating opportunities for meeting planners to align events with large-scale national commemorations.

“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.”

The milestone year aligns with strong convention performance indicators. As of January 5, 2026, convention center events are projected to generate 484,408 total room nights, while hotel-only meetings account for 308,498 room nights. Tentative bookings are estimated at an additional 224,062 room nights.