Washington a Go-Go for meetings
EVENTS DC PRESIDENT AND CEO ANGIE GATES SHARES HER VISION FOR THE MICE BUSINESS AND THE CITY
P rior to joining Events DC as its CEO in November , Angie Gates served as director of the Office of Cable , Television , Film , Music and Entertainment ( OCTFME ) for the District of Columbia . In that role , she drove cross-industry economic growth and generated hundreds of jobs . She also played an instrumental role in the city ’ s Covid task force , ReOpen DC .
Now she tells CMW she is intent on using her considerable experience with venues and the creative arts to seize big event opportunities , making sure the whole city and area benefits from the post-Covid comeback .
Gates is also charged with growing the organisation ’ s three divisions of Conventions and Meetings , Sports and Entertainment , and Creative Services / Cultural Events .
Events DC incorporates many venues , including the city ’ s Walter E . Washington Centre , the Entertainment and Sports Arena , The Carnegie Library , National Park and RFK Stadium , as well as operating a new home for virtual events , GATHER by Events DC .
Gates ’ expertise for bringing opportunities to the nation ’ s capital has resulted in more than 15 nominations and awards , including a Women of Excellence in Entertainment Award , the Duke Ellington School of the Arts ‘ Arts as Activism ’ Cultural Impact Award , and an Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism from the Global International Alliance . She has also worked in the mayor ’ s administration .
Her philosophy , she says , is “ to lead a collective approach to working to promote events in this world class city ”.
Gates adds that her organisation works closely with Destination DC and is also a major economic driver of not just the CVB but of events across the city .
DC is a big drawcard not just for associations , many of whom are headquartered in the capital , but for international political meetings such the US-Africa Leaders Summit ( 13-15 December ), a major event Gates and her team hosted at the Walter E . Washington Convention Center .
“ The event hosted many world leaders and also helped drive the commitment to Africa and its development ,” she says .
“ It is also important that DC focusses on diversity and inclusion ,” Gates adds noting the city is at the “ perfect place ” for key decisions to be made , with legislators close to hand .
Gates also highlighted the city ’ s 20 colleges ’ and universities ’ contribution to the next generation of ideas and innovation .
Job creation As well as running a huge event network and venues business , Gates considers a big part of her duty is to create jobs for the city . “ Because of that we talk regularly to hospitality partners and the restaurant association , as well as a range of artisan partners with an aim of re-engaging the workforce ,” she says .
“ We also offer training to help fill the positions we have and play our role in taking care of everyone possible .” And a $ 15m grant is being made available to help with hospitality relief and also a cultural grant of $ 250,000 .
Gates is also on a listening campaign , determined to talk to all 350 Events DC employees and stakeholders to understand concerns and to get the
Angie Gates
broadest sweep of ideas and views on promoting the city to take the business forwards .
“ We have to make sure the city is engaged ,” she says . “ I may carry the title of president and CEO , but really all are employees are figureheads too , representing the business .”
Events return In terms of events , Gates says the company is expecting its numbers to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 .
E-sports is one big area for
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