Creating a Chandelier Occasion Washington Has No Shortage of Space to Rent for Special Events by Mark Hilpert Newcomers to Washington, D.C., are often struck by how social the city can be. Interns gorge on free eats at receptions, lobbyists and executives empty their business card holders at networking happy hours, while the elect (and elected) mingle behind the scenes at events so exclusive that most people only read about them later in the society pages. To cultivate their need to be an insider, some Washingtonians who would never go to a museum or other local attractions often deign to visit such places, if not for the venueís purported virtues than for the chance to be in on a big event. The Washington area is loaded with such venues, from Smithsonian art palaces and historic homes to stadiums and ships. For those wanting to host a few hundred (or thousand) of their closest friends for a get-together, plenty of places are available for the asking. But while museum exhibits and the other "best things in life" are free, renting out a place to have your big bash isnít. The Survivor Capitol H illís Sewall-Belmont House has been known to host a wedding or 12. After all, itís no stranger to big events. The Louisiana Purchase is thought to have been worked out within its walls, the same walls that purportedly hid Americans taking pot shots at invading British forces during the War of 1812. The only private home in the Capitol to be intentionally burned by the British during that conflict, the house survived, only to be nearly torn down in 1973 to build the Hart Senate Office Building. While Hart was later built around Sewall-Belmont, the drama continued last fall when an anthrax scare in Hart shut the politicians out for months on end. Decidedly less wrenching events usually transpire these days within the house itself, now home to the National Womanís Party. Kept as a memorial in part to founder Alice Paul (who authored the Equal Rights Amendment), Sewall-Belmontís National Historic Landmark status and location next to the Capitol and Supreme Court draw visitors for such functions as board meetings, political fundraisers, association receptions and staff retreats. The Federal-style mansion holds up to 350 people in its interior terrace, brick patio and tented lawn, which can be used together or individually. While conducting the delicate reception balancing act of eating off a plate in one hand and holding a drink in the other, guests may peruse art and memorabilia focused on the suffragist and equal rights movements. Springtime brings a burst of activities to Sewall-Belmont, with a slew of weddings and Guinnessís annual St. Patrickís Day party. "Weíre available for a variety of events for people looking for a unique venue in a garden atmosphere," said Lori Geiger, Sewall-Belmontís director of outreach and events. "People who visit are surprised to find that in the middle of a the city." Rental rates range from $400 to host a small group on the patio and interior terrace to $3,950 for a major bash in prime time. Geiger said business has been surprisingly good lately, considering the downturn in tourism after Sept. 11 and the flagging economy. The extra revenue has helped allow for some renovations to the front faÁade, roof, and a new heating and cooling system. Banking on Location Another facility that banks on its old-world grace is the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the oldest private museum in Washington, D.C. The Corcoranís collection of American art and proximity to the Mall and hotels are a big draw for visitors, whether youíre Joe from Dubuque or Yves from Paris. A big advantage for the Corcoran is its size. One of the areaís larger non-hotel venues, the museum can handle 400 seated guests or 1,000 standing in its grand atrium, a graceful column-framed room that must make big-wheel visitors feel even bigger, especially during such events as the presidential inaugural balls held there. International bankers and pharmaceutical executives from Australia, France, Japan and Germany have also hosted events at the Corcoran. Universities, exhibition sponsors and of course political organizations like the setting as well, which can be theirs for a $9,500 "facility contribution," which goes up to $15,000 for weddings. "Special events are an important revenue source for the Corcoran and provide an opportunity to showcase our permanent collection and special exhibitions," said Robert Marn, the museumís assistant director of corporate relations. "Museums are a big draw for international visitors." Going Kosher The Marriott Wardman Park Hotel knows a little bit about hosting such visitors. Try accommodating hundreds of rabbis from the United States, Israel and other countries, whose observance of the Sabbath entails no use of electronic devices, such as elevator buttons or room key cards. Thatís what happened when the United Jewish Communities held a weekend conference at the Woodley Park-area hotel last November. The hotelís reaction: Go kosher. The Washington Rabbinical Society was brought in to oversee kitchen staff and advise on the preparation of kosher meals, while the hotel takeout shop was transformed into the Kosher CafÈ. Several training sessions were held for hotel staff by various experts to provide education on Jewish cultureóboth what to do and why, such as not serving butter on the Sabbath, even when requested. Hotel organizers even purchased certain dishes and equipment to accommodate special needs. Other accommodations involved conference-goers not being able to use anything electrical on the Sabbath, such as turning lights on and off. Staff were stationed on every floor to assist with room entry (involving forbidden key cards), and elevators were re-programmed to stop at every floor, thus eliminating the need to push buttons. "It was challenging but most [staffers] were well in tune with ëthis is the way it had to be,í that this was a group with specific needs, and that the way they usually did things wasnít going to necessarily apply," said Lisa Wellins, the hotelís events manager. Lisa Colburn Stewart, the area director of public relations for the Marriott, added that Wardman Park, which can handle crowds of up to 7,000, looks upon such expenditures as an investment. "It takes a lot more research to host an international crowd, but we see our preparations to accommodate [them] as an opportunity to garner new skills and capabilities," she said, adding that the hotel hosted two other conservative Jewish groups in the months following. Another way Wardman Park adjusts to the diverse groups it hosts is through staff diversity. With employees from 56 countries, the hotel sees itself as ready to handle unusual events like the recent African Center for Strategic Studies Senior Leader Seminar, attended by African leaders from more than 52 African nations and Belgium and France. The international flavor of the seminar, which lasted two full weeks, necessitated translation booths in each meeting room, staffed mostly by hotel workers. Protocol also had to be minded: Each meeting roomís flag display had to be just so, with flags for more prominent countries placed closer to the stage than flags from less prominent lands. One recent event hosted by Wardman Park took on a truly global significance: President of Pakistan Gen. Pervez Musharraf and his entourage came to dinner during Musharrafís summit with President George W. Bush in February. More than 1,200 attendees packed the hotelís main ballroom to rub shoulders with one of Americaís most prominent allies in the war on terrorism. Wardman Park has loaded on services and infrastructure to handle such important events, boasting in-house exhibits and audiovisual services, red-coat staffers to provide last-second needs, high-speed Internet connections and videoconferencing capabilities. Imperial Hobnobbing The Smithsonianís Freer and Sackler Galleries on the Mall are used to hosting international leaders themselvesóin fact, global royalty are practically regulars. Previous guests include the emperor and empress of Japan, Queen Noor of Jordan, and the maharaja and maharani of Marwar-Jodhpur. On the horizon, the galleries will host a slew of diplomatic guests at their annual benefit gala on June 26, when the Aga Khan and Yo-Yo Ma will be guests of honor. Although the Freer and Sackler, like all federal institutions, cannot officially "rent" themselves out, major donors are allowed to "co-host" events, the pricing of which depends on both the event and the donor. There are also strict limits on the type of event that can be held there: Fundraisers, political, religious and promotional functions are off-limits, as are personal events such as weddings, birthdays and retirement parties. Gatherings at the galleries are relatively smaller by necessity: Each gallery can handle a maximum of approximately 450 people in the Freer and 800 in the Sackler. Events are usually oriented around the galleriesí collections, which primarily feature Asian art. The Freer seeks to capitalize on its mansion-like qualities, while the Sackler is a more modern entity of underground chambers. Indoor Fireworks Another venue with a lofty ambience is the National Building Museum at Judiciary Square. Originally a pension administration building, the 19th-century facility was turned into a shrine of architecture, celebrating its immense great hall, graced by towering columns and an indoor fountain. A host to presidential inaugural balls since Grover Clevelandís days, the Building Museum frequently has corporations, associations and foundations over for a visit. Those wishing for a smaller gathering have the option of renting out the individual courts comprising the great hall, allowing for groups ranging from 200 to 2,500. Although distinctly focused on its old-world grandeur, the museum is practical enough to keep modern visitors happy by allowing laser light shows and other spectacular entertainment for guests. Basic rates start at $11,000 and go up for the privilege of letting your group hang out where the presidents dance. Mark Hilpert is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C.