Building Connections: Hopskip + IPGW Winter Meet-Up
Melanie Zeidlhack
Feb 21, 2025
On December 11, 2024, Hopskip partnered with the Independent Planners of Greater Washington (IPGW) for a day of networking and knowledge-sharing in downtown DC, offering planners the opportunity to strengthen their connections.
Coffee, Contracts, and Conversations
The event began with coffee and table topic discussions at Puro Gusto Café, where planners gathered from to discuss top-of-mind challenges. Topics included:
- Techniques for managing daily attrition in contracting
- Identifying which concessions different groups value most
- Strategies for dealing with in-house AV requirements and securing fee waivers for outside vendors
- Dates and rate availability for 2025-2026
- Approaches to event security, including considerations for general programs and executive-focused events
Afternoon Social at La Grande Boucherie
The day continued with an afternoon social at La Grande Boucherie DC. This recently opened French brasserie, housed in the historic Federal-American National Bank Building, provided an elegant setting with its impressive chandelier, mahogany finishes, and stunning holiday decorations.
The group had the opportunity to network while experiencing one of DC’s newest dining destinations, which opened in April 2024 and features 14,000 square feet of beautifully restored architecture from the 1920s era.
Special thanks to Britt Schwendiger, DES (Co-Owner, Senior Planner at Precision Planners) for helping to facilitate this event.
Want to have us host an event in your city? Reach out!
About HopSkip
HopSkip simplifies venue sourcing for business events, connecting planners with hotels through our streamlined platform. We help planners discover the perfect venue, compare proposals side-by-side, and manage the entire booking process—all while providing hotels with the competitive insights they need to win more business.
To learn more about how HopSkip can transform your sourcing process or to join us at our next networking event, or contact our team.
