The much-anticipated opening of the Washington, D.C. area’s MGM National Harbor featured a raft of notables, including actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who personally fitted guests at her first standalone shoe boutique, SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, and top D.C. politicos.
Some 5,000 guests also enjoyed entertainment from Cirque du Soleil and Blue Man Group. The $1.4 billion, 308-room property with 50,000 square feet of meeting space offers a 3,000-seat theater embodying MGM’s mission of being in the business of entertainment.
“Everything we do is about entertainment,” said Sheila Hession, executive director of sales for MGM National Harbor, who added a new CVB, Visit National Harbor, will help promote the property along with the nearby Gaylord National Harbor Resort & Convention Center, which offers 2,000 rooms and 500,000 square feet of meeting space. “I think we’re going to be a perfect complement to each other.”
With MGM bringing the sizzle—and gaming—to this emerging destination on the Potomac, a new meetings magnet is being born.
“I really believe we’re going to change the face of the area,” Hession said.
