Event Information

Sunday, January 19, 2025
Omni Shoreham Hotel
8:00 p.m.- Midnight

Tickets Required

We hope that the 2025 GW Inaugural Ball will be a highlight of your time at the university. Please review the event details below for more information about the event. 

Accessibility

If you require accommodations to participate in the event, please contact University Events at [email protected].

Age Verification

Hotel staff will verify guests' ages at arrival.  Please bring a government-issued photo identification, that includes your birthdate, to the event.  Acceptable forms of identification include a passport, military ID, resident card, or driver’s license.

Attire and Dress Code

The GW Inaugural Ball is a formal event.  Guests should wear what they consider to be formal wear.

Bags

Bags, including purses, larger than 18”x16”x8” are not allowed.  Permitted bags are subject to search.

Coat Check

Coat check is $5.00 per coat.

Drink Tickets

Complimentary soft beverages are included with the purchase of a GW Inaugural Ball ticket.  Guests 21 years of age, or older, will receive one complimentary drink ticket and may purchase additional ones for $13 each. The hotel accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and cash.  An ATM machine is available onsite.

Food and Beverages

Complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and soft beverages are included with the purchase of a guest ticket and will be available in all ballrooms.

Location

In 2001 GW moved its Inaugural Ball from campus to the Omni Shoreham Hotel, which has been the site of all subsequent balls.

Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert Street, NW, Washington, DC

Photo and Video Consent

Photos and/or videos of attendees will be taken and may be shared on university social media accounts, websites, and marketing materials.  Review GW's Statement of Privacy Practices for more information.

If you have concerns, please contact University Events at [email protected] or 202-994-7470.

Prohibited Items

All guests are prohibited from bringing the following items into the GW Inaugural Ball.

• Alcoholic Beverages: The Omni Shoreham Hotel will sell drink tickets for alcoholic beverages it will distribute at the event.  The only alcoholic beverages allowed are those provided by the Omni Shoreham Hotel.
• Aerosols
• Ammunition
• Amplified sound devices, e.g.: noisemakers, bullhorns, megaphones, speakers
• Bags larger than 18” x 16” x 8” (permitted bags are subject to search)
• Balloons
• Explosives
• Firearms
• Fireworks
• Flags
• Glass containers
• Laser pointers
• Mace/pepper spray
• Structures such as folding tables, chairs, tents, etc.
• Signage such as posters, banners, flyers or any item that could obstruct the view of guests
• Supports for signs
• Unmanned aerial systems, such as drones, or remote-controlled aircraft
• Weapons
• Any other item determined to be a potential hazard

Transportation and Parking

Ticketed Guest Shuttles

A GW Inaugural Ball ticket includes complimentary shuttle service to and from the Foggy Bottom or Mount Vernon Campuses.  Shuttles will run continuously from 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, through 1 a.m. on Monday, January 20.

Guests must have a ticket to board the shuttles.

Metro

The Omni Shoreham Hotel is approximately a five-minute walk from the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro (Red Line) station.

Parking

There are no discounted parking rates for GW Inaugural Ball guests.  If you choose to drive, parking at the Omni Shoreham Hotel is limited and will be charged at the hotel’s prevailing rate.

There is limited metered public street parking available around the hotel.

 A Look Back at Previous GW Inaugural Balls