Exhibitor guide · Federal Triangle, Washington, D.C.
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center: the exhibitor's guide
The largest federal building in Washington after the Pentagon, a dual government-and-private-sector design unique among D.C. federal buildings, and the official designation of World Trade Center Washington, D.C. What exhibitors need to know.
Hero photo: "Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center" by Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0, share-alike, via Flickr. Source
Why this page exists
Congress designated this the Ronald Reagan Building in 1995, three years before construction wrapped, and its dedication in 1998 made it the first federal building in Washington built for both government offices and private-sector use, including conferences and trade shows. It's also officially designated World Trade Center Washington, D.C. For exhibitors, that dual public-private design means a conference center with a real amphitheater and breakout rooms inside a working federal office building, which brings its own security and access procedures. This guide covers the meeting space, D.C. labor rules, drayage, and hotels nearby.
The building
The meeting space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conference center | 65,000 sq ft of flexible meeting space, anchored by a 595-seat amphitheater. | Government-adjacent conferences, trade and cultural events | Security screening applies; confirm exhibitor and freight access procedures early. |
| 15 breakout rooms | Distributed through the conference center. | Breakouts, association meetings | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
Figures from the Ronald Reagan Building's published meeting-space overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
As a federal building, security and access procedures apply on top of standard show labor rules; confirm hand-carry and self-install allowances with the show's official contractor, and budget extra time for credentialing.
Union jurisdiction likely; confirm with the contractor
Rules vary by show; Purple confirms current terms and security requirements before your build.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Reagan Building shows.
History
A federal building built for private use
Construction begins under the Federal Triangle Development Act, on 11 acres in the Federal Triangle district near the National Mall.
Congress designates the building the Ronald Reagan Building.
The building is dedicated, becoming the first federal building in Washington designed from the outset for both governmental and private-sector use, including a conference center for trade shows and cultural events. It carries the official designation World Trade Center Washington, D.C.
Free tool
Reagan Building drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Reagan National is about 10–15 minutes, the closest major venue in this guide to the airport.
- By transit: Federal Triangle Metro station (Blue, Orange and Silver lines) is at the door.
- Security: budget extra time for credentialing given the building's federal status.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Mid-Atlantic crews for downtown D.C. installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown/Federal Triangle-area hotels | Walking distance | Closest options to the building. |
| Hotels near Reagan National | 10–15-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors on early or late flights. |
Questions
Ronald Reagan Building FAQ
Is this a government building or an event venue?
Both. It was the first federal building in D.C. designed for dual government and private-sector use, including a dedicated conference center for trade shows and events.
Do I need special clearance to exhibit here?
Standard security screening applies as it's a federal building; budget extra time for credentialing and confirm procedures with the official contractor.
How big is the meeting space?
65,000 square feet of flexible conference space, anchored by a 595-seat amphitheater and 15 breakout rooms.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $165 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How big is the Ronald Reagan Building overall?
3.1 million square feet, the largest federal building in D.C. after the Pentagon, on 11 acres of the Federal Triangle.
What meeting rooms are available?
A 595-seat amphitheater and 15 breakout rooms within 65,000 sq ft of flexible space.
Exhibiting at the Reagan Building?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a security and labor briefing, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
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