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| WDCEP Annual Meeting & Development Showcase Highlighted District's Economic Resilience and Vibrancy |
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| On October 2nd, the Washington, DC Economic Partnership hosted its 2008 Annual Meeting and Development Showcase (AMDS) at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to highlight the more than $73.6B worth of development projects completed, under-construction and in-the-pipeline in DC which mark this major come-back. Over 1,000 people attended the event. READ MORE... |
| DC Development Report: 2008/2009 Edition Released at AMDS |
 The DC Development Report: 2008/2009 Edition was released at AMDS: Annual Meeting & Development Showcase on October 2. The report is a summary of the major development and construction projects in the District of Columbia. Published annually, this update of the DC Development Report is an overview of development activity and of the expansion occurring in all market segments and in every ward across the city. READ MORE....
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| WDCEP Announces Formation of Technology Advisory Group (TAG) Team |
| Earlier this year, WDCEP announced it would be entering into a collaborative relationship with the DC Technology Council (DC Tech) to leverage WDCEP resources and put a keen focus on the District's burgeoning tech sector. Former DC Tech members --and all others interested in participating-- may join the new Technology Advisory Group, the "TAG Team," that will contribute to future programming and events, as well as raise issues, advise policymakers, and continue to expand the WDCEP Tech network. The kick-off meeting for TAG Team will be Tuesday, November 18, from 8:30-10:30am at Pepper Hamilton in downtown DC. Please email ajoseph@wdcep.com by Thursday, November 13, if you would like to attend.
We would like to express special thanks to Pepper Hamilton for their sponsorship of this program.
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| 2008 GLBT Economic Development Summit Nov. 15 |
WDCEP is a proud sponsor of the 2008 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Economic Development Summit, being held November 15 from 9:30am-4:30pm at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle, NW. The goal of the summit will be to ensure that GLBT business leaders and entrepreneurs continue to play an important role in leading the economic and creative development of the city. READ MORE... |
| New Outreach Effort to District's Latino Business Community launched along with the Release of the 2008 Doing Business in Washington, DC Guide Book, Spanish Edition |
 The Washington, DC Economic Partnership, in partnership with the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) released the 2008 Doing Business in Washington, DC Guide Book, Spanish Edition, at a program held at the Spanish Embassy on October 8th, to encourage entrepreneurship and business development within the District's Hispanic community. READ MORE... |
| Emerging Developers Conference Provides Innovative Forum |
| Over 120 people attended the Emerging Developers Conference held September 10 at the Mandarin Hotel. Designed exclusively for small and medium size local real estate developers this conference provided an innovative forum for District emerging industry leaders to learn about local development opportunities. READ MORE... |
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 Tell us about Affinity Lab's Mission:
Affinity Lab is a home, platform and nexus for growing entrepreneurial ventures. By providing scalable opportunities, office infrastructure, business tools and a collaborative community the Lab creates the space for individuals and organizations to bring their dream to reality.
How did Affinity Lab start?
In 2000, after experiencing the challenges of founding and building a web development firm, the partners of Articulated Impact decided to make the effort of starting and growing an entrepreneurial venture easier, more affordable and a better experience. Basically, we created the tiered start-up operations and service model that we wish we could have used ourselves in starting our first business.
Why did you choose DC?
Several of the original founders had lived here for a year or two before it became clear what an amazing big-small town DC is. We chose DC for our first business over NYC because we felt it presented fewer hurtles. Outside the beltway most people don't have any sense of what a strong, vibrant and entrepreneurial city this actually is. It didn't take us very long to realize we could create a space, a home for so many of these compelling entrepreneurs to come together to collaborate and grow.
Tell us about Affinity Lab's Model:
We offer three flexible levels of membership options (virtual, shared-desk and full/multiple desk) that allow members to right size their business infrastructure use to their specific needs and budget. While managing our members' operations clears their paths to work on their missions and organizations, the most important aspect of our model is clearly the culture. The culture, which drives innovation, collaboration, idea, resource and opportunity sharing, takes on a life of its own and makes the start-up and small business experience much better and a lot more fun. Over the Lab's 8 year, 67 member history the right mix and management of our culture and service offerings has lead to a 80%+ overall success rate.
What are the biggest challenges Affinity Lab faces today?
We are adding a larger, flagship location between NoMa and the H Street Corridor that will incorporate everything we've learned so far and nearly everything we've hoped to do in order to grow and expand our concept and the effect we have among DC's varied entrepreneurs. Our biggest challenge will be to grow our vibrant, collaborative culture into our new space in a way that reflects and expresses the particular spirit of DC's entrepreneurs as well as those of the two neighborhoods. While a challenge, this is also one of the best, most rewarding and most fun aspects of what we do.
What do you see in store for Affinity Lab's Future?
We are planning to open additional neighborhood-based Affinity Lab locations throughout DC. This will allow members who enjoy the luxury of walking to work at a local Lab to also be able to make use of Affinity Lab NoMa's unique amenities, space options and services. We are also looking forward to expanding our network of partnerships and alliances in a way that supports and strengthen the entrepreneurial efforts of their respective constituents and communities. Our members have already had tremendous impact here in DC and throughout the world. We can only imagine how an expanded and better connected mix of DC's innovative entrepreneurs will raise the profile of the nation's capital as home to some of the planet's most creative and effective problem solvers, value creators and "actioneers".
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1) There are 10.3 million sq. ft. of private office space under construction
2) There are 7,747 residential units under construction
3) More than 60% of residential units scheduled to deliver by 2010 will be rental
4) By 2010, DC will have 51 completed development projects that meet LEED standards
Source: The DC Development Report: 2008/2009 Edition (June 2008)
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