LEEDing the way: Sustainable Success at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Discover how the Walter E. Washington Convention Center achieved the prestigious LEED Platinum certification in this eye-opening discussion with Hootan Kaboli, Senior VP of Operations at Events DC. Hootan reveals how sustainability evolved from a mere "wishlist item" to an essential, data-driven venue offering that meeting planners now demand. From innovative high-speed doors conserving energy to exciting future projects like on-site honeybee farms, learn about the practical strategies that benefit both the environment and everyone using the space. This episode delivers valuable insights into creating environmentally responsible event spaces that enhance attendee experiences. Listen now to hear how the convention center's collaborative approach to sustainability is setting new industry standards.

IEEE Professional Event Services for Volunteers - New Services Added

IEEE Conferences, Events & Experiences (CEE) transforms volunteer event planning with comprehensive professional services designed to enable organizers across all IEEE communities.

• Full-Service Event Management is often selected for our most high-profile events to partner in achieving successful, professional outcomes. Services may include identifying goals and strategy, planning, budget support, multimedia, event design, vendor coordination, special event planning, audience development, and onsite staffing. VIP services, speaker strategy, and more are available.
• IEEE Conference Sponsorship Support is available as you choose how to partner and with which entities, guiding smart choices that expedite the process.
• IEEE “Express Desk” simplifies venue selection with curated options, expert guidance, and competitive rates secured through established industry relationships. This complimentary service yields real choices on quick turnarounds.
• Conference Business Intelligence and Reporting delivers insights through analysis and customized reporting on trends, downloads, portfolios, and more.
• Event Contracting Support is available to negotiate the best terms and help you through the processes IEEE has in place. 
• Audience Development expands your reach beyond traditional IEEE communities with complimentary toolkits for sponsored events and targeted outreach. Using affordable technology and professional “know-how,” new participants are easily engaged with measurable results.
• The Digital Events Center of Excellence delivers high-quality virtual and hybrid experiences, providing end-to-end production support, content strategy, and technical expertise.
• Preferred Registration Providers offer IEEE-integrated platforms with secure payment processing, enterprise reliability, and full GDPR compliance, for streamlined attendee experiences.
• Multimedia & Studio Operations provides live streaming, professional interviews, videos, and comprehensive media support to enhance event presence.

Visit events.ieee.org or email events@ieee.org to discover how CEE services can elevate your next event.

Consistent Agreements: Updated Sponsor Templates

CEE has collaborated with Legal to launch enhanced sponsorship and exhibitor agreements.

What’s Changed

The new template provides more flexible risk mitigation options, protecting IEEE from third-party actions that could compromise event safety or damage our reputation through association. This strengthened framework ensures our conferences maintain the high standards IEEE members and partners expect.

When to Use the New Template

Event organizers should implement this enhanced agreement for all external sponsorship sales, from corporate sponsors to exhibitor relationships with outside organizations. The template specifically addresses external funding arrangements, while internal collaborations and inter-organizational unit support continue using existing processes.  The template can be found here: https://legal.ieee.org/contracts/contract-templates/conference-related-templates. 

What This Means for Your Event Planning

Event organizers now have more robust tools to manage external partnerships while maintaining IEEE's commitment to excellence. The updated language addresses real-world scenarios, giving organizers greater confidence in their sponsorship relationships.

Starting Now

Implement the new template for all external sponsorship agreements moving forward. If you have ongoing projects that need guidance, contact Stacie DeMicco at s.demicco@ieee.org for support.



Why This Matters

These enhanced agreements reflect IEEE's proactive approach to protecting our global technical community while continuing to foster the partnerships that make our conferences world-class experiences for attendees and exhibitors alike.

IEEE Unlocks Conference Insights and Streamlines Your Reporting Process

From Event Registration Reporting to Intelligence

Starting in 2025, every IEEE financially-sponsored conference will contribute to a comprehensive data foundation that reveals member engagement patterns, identifies emerging interdisciplinary collaborations, and uncovers opportunities to better serve our technical community. While you're completing your standard reporting, you're also helping us unlock valuable insights from conference participation data.

Your Path to Strategic Contribution

Our new guidance webpage makes compliance straightforward with three clear paths: IEEE in-house registration, approved vendor contracts, or standardized template submission. 

Explore your compliance options at events.ieee.org/planning-basics/event-registration/reporting.

Meet the CEE Team

Amanda O'Leary, Program Lead, CEE Express Desk