Exhibitor guide · Washington, D.C.
Walter E. Washington Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
703,000 square feet of exhibit space two blocks from the Metro, a union floor where Teamsters move freight and IBEW handles power, and a small-booth exemption that lets your own staff build a 10×10 without a union card. What exhibitors need to know before, during and after a WEWCC show.
WEWCC · 801 Mt Vernon Pl NWHero photo: "Walter E. Washington Convention Center" by ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr. Source
Why this page exists
Washington's convention center runs a genuinely union floor, Teamsters on material handling, IBEW on electrical, but it also carves out a specific, checkable exemption: exhibitor employees can set up their own display without union labor if the booth is 10×10 or smaller and no power tools are involved. We built a checker below so you know before you show up which side of that line your booth falls on. This guide covers the halls, D.C.'s labor rules, drayage, the shows that fill the calendar led by the DC Auto Show and Data Center World, hotels connected by underground concourse, and a two-story video wall you'll actually notice.
The building
The exhibit halls
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hall A | 151,000 sq ft. | Large trade shows | Part of the 473,000 sq ft contiguous A–C run. |
| Hall B | 194,000 sq ft, the largest single hall. | Large trade shows | Confirm dock assignment for this hall specifically. |
| Hall C | 128,000 sq ft. | Large trade shows, overflow | Adjoins Halls A and B directly. |
| Halls D and E | Round out the 703,000 sq ft total. | Mid-size shows, registration overflow | Confirm current configuration. |
| 198,000 sq ft meeting space | 77 breakout rooms plus a 52,000 sq ft ballroom, the largest in the Mid-Atlantic. | Breakouts, general sessions | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
Figures from Events DC's published fact sheet for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Free tool
Can I build my own booth at the WEWCC?
Exhibitor employees may set up their own display without union labor for a 10×10 inline booth or smaller, as long as no power tools are used. Answer honestly below.
History
History and the art collection
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center opens in downtown D.C., named for the city's first elected mayor and last appointed one.
The center assembles a $6 million permanent art collection of roughly 130 pieces displayed throughout the public spaces.
The building adds the largest digital signage network of any U.S. convention center, more than 200 displays and a two-story video wall, and the Marriott Marquis opens next door in 2014, connected by an underground concourse.
Rules of the floor
Rules of the floor
Union floor, small-booth exemption
Teamsters move freight, IBEW handles electrical; 10×10 or smaller inline booths with no power tools can self-install.
Advance warehouse recommended
Most shows route through an advance warehouse; shipping 2–3 weeks ahead saves on drayage charges versus direct-to-show freight.
Contractor permits
All contractors must hold an approved Right of Entry permit from Events DC before working the floor.
Center-exclusive services
Electrical, rigging, internet and catering are exclusive to the WEWCC or its designated providers; the show kit carries the current list.
Empties and the MHA
EMPTY stickers on unpack; MHA before leaving. Purple routes the booth back to storage or on to your next show.
Free tool
WEWCC drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Deadlines
Freight countdown for a WEWCC show
The calendar
Shows at the WEWCC
| Show | Next dates | Industry | Attendance | Purple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC Auto Show | January 22–31, 2027 | Automotive, consumer | 40,000+ | Custom exhibits |
| Data Center World | April 20–23, 2026 | Data centers, IT infrastructure | 6,000 | 10×20 rentals |
| IDENTITY WEEK America | September 2–3, 2026 | Identity verification, security | 3,000 | 10×10 rentals |
| Real estate, banking and finance conferences | June 2026 | Finance, real estate | 5,000 | Booth rentals |
Attendance is the organizer's or trade press figure where published; confirm before booking.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Reagan National is about 20 minutes; Dulles is about 35–40 minutes.
- By transit: the Mt. Vernon Square/7th St-Convention Center Metro stop (Green and Yellow lines) is at the front door.
- Connected: the Marriott Marquis links directly via underground concourse; 7,700+ hotel rooms are within walking distance.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Mid-Atlantic crews and regional freight for D.C. shows.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Marquis Washington, DC | Connected | Underground concourse straight into the center. |
| Downtown D.C. hotels | Walking distance | 7,700+ rooms within reach. |
| Hotels near Reagan National | 20-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors on early or late flights. |
Resources
Free resources you can link to
Cite the numbers
One-page cheat sheet
Hall map, self-install rule, docks, deadlines.
Related on purpleexhibits.com: Custom trade show booth design · Trade show booth rentals · Request a quote.
Questions
Walter E. Washington Convention Center FAQ
Can I set up my own booth?
Yes, if it's a 10×10 inline booth or smaller and doesn't need power tools. Larger, island, or rigged booths need Teamsters and IBEW through the official contractor. Use the checker above.
How big is the WEWCC?
703,000 square feet of exhibit space across five halls, with 473,000 contiguous square feet across Halls A, B and C.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $175 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum; ship to the advance warehouse to avoid direct-to-show surcharges.
Is there a connected hotel?
Yes, the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC connects via an underground concourse across 9th Street NW.
Which airport should I use?
Reagan National is closest at about 20 minutes; Dulles is 35 to 40 minutes.
Is there Metro access?
Yes, the Mt. Vernon Square/7th St-Convention Center station on the Green and Yellow lines is at the building's front door.
What's the biggest show here?
The Washington DC Auto Show, which draws more than 40,000 attendees each January.
Exhibiting at the WEWCC?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a self-install eligibility check, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.