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WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia and the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA) welcomed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation along with the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources during the 2018 Washington Auto Show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. On January 24, the Committee hearings met inside the Convention Center to discuss automotive innovation and energy technologies and it was the first field hearing held within the District of Columbia.

"Washington, D.C. has been actively engaged in exploring transportation, automotive and energy technology, such as autonomous vehicles for instance, as a critical part of planning for future population growth and accommodating a record number of visitors to our city," said Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Brian Kenner. "Field hearings, like this – and its outcomes are vital to the future growth of environmental innovation and planning within the DC region's auto industry."

During the Washington Auto Show, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led by South Dakota Senator John Thune, discussed the development of autonomous technologies in the automobile industry.  The hearing, titled "Driving Automotive Innovation and Federal Policies," examined the need to develop a regulatory framework that would support the research and development of new innovations for the driver-less vehicle industry. Automotive vehicles are paving the way for vehicle innovation as self-driving cars are confronting industry needs for enhanced safety, reliability, advanced technology and additional accessibility opportunities.

"With Washington, DC thriving as the 'Capital of Inclusive Innovation,' Events DC remains focused on elevating the client and attendee experience through collaborative efforts, like this, on future-forward initiatives that benefit the District of Columbia and its growing technology sector," said Greg O'Dell, president and chief operating officer of Events DC.  "The Walter E. Washington Convention Center has been the long-standing home for the Washington Auto Show and it continues to be an honor to work in partnership with WANADA to host such revolutionary hearings that are defining the evolution of the automotive industry and the future of the Washington Auto Show."

The second hearing on January 25, "The Road to Tomorrow: Energy Innovation in Automotive Technologies," was held by the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and led by Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. It focused on the current state of integrating energy and natural resources into the automotive landscape through reducing the carbon footprint of vehicles and increasing the efficiency through growing technologies.

"As WANADA celebrates 101 years supporting the auto industry in the Washington region, it was an honor to work with the United States Senate and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to bring the first field hearings to the District of Columbia," said John O'Donnell, president and CEO, Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association. "The growing auto industry continues to deliver new and exciting advancements to consumers and with these hearings the United States is able to remain a global leader for automotive technology of tomorrow."

Each year the Washington Auto Show fills all five exhibit halls, plus the ballroom within Convention Center. The show highlights all aspects of the automobile industry from luxury and exotic cars, to interactive driving experiences, car-themed paraphernalia, the Mobility Talks International® government forum to the Art-of-Motion exhibit featuring artist-decorated vehicles and a kid zone with entertainment for guests of all ages.

While the automobile industry contributes nearly $1 trillion to the U.S. economy and more than 7 million nationwide jobs, the growing advancements surrounding automotive vehicles and energy efficient technologies are changing the landscape of the automobile industry and Auto Shows around the country. The Washington Auto Show has been held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center since 1982 and remains the longest-running and largest consumer tradeshow in the District of Columbia.

ABOUT EVENTS DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation's capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District's hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. The most recent addition is Gateway DC, an innovative and versatile space featuring a covered and open-air pavilion in the center of a 1-acre park, conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook (Events DC), Twitter (@TheEventsDC) and Instagram (@EventsDC).

ABOUT WANADA
WANADA's principal role is to promote all aspects of the retail new automobile business in the Washington region. Secondarily, WANADA represents its dealer membership in the state, local and national public policy process and speaks for its part of the auto industry in public and media forums. WANADA also produces the annual Washington Auto Show, one of the five top auto shows in the United States and the largest consumer event in the District of Columbia. The show takes place each year at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where in 2018, more than 35 automakers displayed over 650 vehicles.

CONTACT:
Jamilia Walker 
Jwalker@eventsdc.com; 202-345-5698

SOURCE Events DC