What: Welcome to Marriott reception for Kathleen Matthews
Where: The Ritz-Carlton in the West End
When: Monday night, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30ish
Who: Guest lists don't get much better than this in Washington without the President or a Hollywood star. Everyone from her WJLA colleagues (Gordon Peterson, Maureen Bunyan, Leon Harris, et al.) to local business leaders (Jim Kimsey) to other media friends (Fox's Chris Wallace, CNN's Ed Henry, NBC's Norah O'Donnell) to local publicists, city officials, Marriott executives, and nearly the whole Marriott clan packed the Ritz's holiday-themed ballroom to wish Matthews well after 30 years at WJLA and in her new post as head of communications and government affairs for the locally based hotel giant. Representing the political realm the incoming senate majority leader, Harry Reid, briefly stopped in. Nearly the city's entire social press turned out, from the Reliable Source's Amy Argetsinger to Capitol Leader newcomer Anne Schroeder to the not-really-retired Chuck Conconi.
Scene: There aren't that many events in Washington that require a receiving line. At last night's soiree, though, guests were greeted by Marriott's outgoing and incoming new PR executives, Charlotte Sterling and Matthews, along with their spouses (i.e. MSNBC's Chris), and Mr. Marriott himself. After an hour of mingling and munching, Sterling and one of the Marriotts took the stage to welcome Matthews, who gave a gracious speech that made it sound like she'd been delivering Marriott talking points for decades. A video of Matthews' career highlights showed her over the years through many hair styles on many continents and also learning the ropes in her new Marriott post.
Food: Plentiful. Would you prefer one of the two Maryland crab cake stations or the two roast beef cutting stations? Perhaps the sweet potato fries or the dessert table and hot fudge sundae bar would be more your style? If you'd prefer to just stand in one place while the trays of snacks were circulated you could dine on coconut shrimp, caviar, or puff pastries.
Drink of Choice: Trays of white wine satiated guests in the receiving line. For pickier drinkers, three open bars and a massive table of coffee options provided beverages.
Interesting Pairing of the Evening: Kimsey and talk show host Laura Ingraham.
Overheard: The discussion among several in the crowd was the main challenge facing Matthews, a stand-out on the local news anchor desk, is that she'll be managing a massive operation with scores of staff in her new gig. In news, she's never been a manager—now she's stepping into a giant role.
The quote of the evening, though, came from one guest eyeing the bountiful trays of dessert with an empty plate and the nearby presence of the Washington Times' gossip columnist: "I need Kevin Chaffee to move away from the dessert table."
Gift Bag: Each guest was handed a plush 15-inch Marriott Bear, which benefits America's Second Harvest.
Ratings: Bold Face Guests: 4 (out of 5) Swankiness: 4 (out of 5) Food/Drinks: 4 (out of 5) Overall Exclusivity: 3 (out of 5)
A Night Out: Kathleen Matthews’ Marriott Soiree
As WJLA bids adieu to its long-time anchor Kathleen Matthews, local hotel giant Marriott welcomes its newest executive.
What: Welcome to Marriott reception for Kathleen Matthews
Where: The Ritz-Carlton in the West End
When: Monday night, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30ish
Who: Guest lists don't get much better than this in Washington without the President or a Hollywood star. Everyone from her WJLA colleagues (Gordon Peterson, Maureen Bunyan, Leon Harris, et al.) to local business leaders (Jim Kimsey) to other media friends (Fox's Chris Wallace, CNN's Ed Henry, NBC's Norah O'Donnell) to local publicists, city officials, Marriott executives, and nearly the whole Marriott clan packed the Ritz's holiday-themed ballroom to wish Matthews well after 30 years at WJLA and in her new post as head of communications and government affairs for the locally based hotel giant. Representing the political realm the incoming senate majority leader, Harry Reid, briefly stopped in. Nearly the city's entire social press turned out, from the Reliable Source's Amy Argetsinger to Capitol Leader newcomer Anne Schroeder to the not-really-retired Chuck Conconi.
Scene: There aren't that many events in Washington that require a receiving line. At last night's soiree, though, guests were greeted by Marriott's outgoing and incoming new PR executives, Charlotte Sterling and Matthews, along with their spouses (i.e. MSNBC's Chris), and Mr. Marriott himself. After an hour of mingling and munching, Sterling and one of the Marriotts took the stage to welcome Matthews, who gave a gracious speech that made it sound like she'd been delivering Marriott talking points for decades. A video of Matthews' career highlights showed her over the years through many hair styles on many continents and also learning the ropes in her new Marriott post.
Food: Plentiful. Would you prefer one of the two Maryland crab cake stations or the two roast beef cutting stations? Perhaps the sweet potato fries or the dessert table and hot fudge sundae bar would be more your style? If you'd prefer to just stand in one place while the trays of snacks were circulated you could dine on coconut shrimp, caviar, or puff pastries.
Drink of Choice: Trays of white wine satiated guests in the receiving line. For pickier drinkers, three open bars and a massive table of coffee options provided beverages.
Interesting Pairing of the Evening: Kimsey and talk show host Laura Ingraham.
Overheard: The discussion among several in the crowd was the main challenge facing Matthews, a stand-out on the local news anchor desk, is that she'll be managing a massive operation with scores of staff in her new gig. In news, she's never been a manager—now she's stepping into a giant role.
The quote of the evening, though, came from one guest eyeing the bountiful trays of dessert with an empty plate and the nearby presence of the Washington Times' gossip columnist: "I need Kevin Chaffee to move away from the dessert table."
Gift Bag: Each guest was handed a plush 15-inch Marriott Bear, which benefits America's Second Harvest.
Ratings:
Bold Face Guests: 4 (out of 5)
Swankiness: 4 (out of 5)
Food/Drinks: 4 (out of 5)
Overall Exclusivity: 3 (out of 5)
Total Score: 15 (out of 20)
Most Popular in News & Politics
The Missing Men of Mount Pleasant
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This July
The Washington Nationals Just Fired the Manager and GM Who Led Them to a Championship. Why Has the Team Been so Bad Since?
FBI Building Now on Track to Leave DC After All, Whistleblower Leaks Texts Suggesting Justice Department Planned to Blow Off Federal Court Orders, and NPS Cuts Leave Assateague Island Without Lifeguards
Families of DC Air Disaster Victims Criticize Army’s Response, Trump Settles His Scores Via Tariff, and Police Dog Kicked at Dulles Returns to Work
This DC-Area Lawyer Wants More Americans Betting on Elections
Trump Threatens DC Takeover, Says He’d Run the City “So Good”; Supreme Court OKs Mass Federal Worker Layoffs; and You Should Go Pick Some Sunflowers
Trump Pledges Support for RFK Stadium Plan, Ben’s Chili Bowl Will Strand Us Half-Smokeless for Months, and Pediatricians Are Suing RFK Jr.
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor