Club mixer for embassy press attachés brings together diplomats, U.S. and foreign journalists

Dozens of press attachés from foreign embassies and international journalists filled the Holeman Lounge at the National Press Club at a mixer sponsored by the Club’s International Correspondents Committee (ICC) March 14.

The mixer, the third put together by the committee in the last year and a half, provided a “wonderful opportunity for the diplomatic community to meet with American and foreign journalists, members of the National Press Club, our staff and our elected board of governors,” said Club President Eileen O’Reilly, who welcomed the participants.

The ICC plans two mixers this year, the next probably in November, said O’Reilly. As a former correspondent herself in Tokyo and Singapore and who now works for Axios, she said, “I know how important events like this are for networking and for a better understanding of issues that inform our journalism. And for fun!”

Attendees at this month's mixer included many foreign journalists who already are members of the Club and have joined the ICC’s growing roster, attesting to the increasing significance of the Club’s international input.

According to Alex Raufoglu, vice-chair of ICC (which is chaired by Elizabeth Hagedorn of Al-Monitor), the mission of the mixers is to “build a bridge between our fellow international journalists and their go-to sources — the Washington embassy community — to meet in person, mingle, exchange views, and build reliable contacts: all at one stop."

Raufoglu said that based on feedback from participants, the ICC is “beyond thrilled” to hear the mixers already have gained “a reputation as one of the must-attend networking events in town." 

Beyond the opportunity to mingle with journalists, the mixers are important for embassy press attachés because there are surprisingly few opportunities for them to interact with their counterparts in other embassies. Though not an urban behemoth, Washington still has 178 foreign embassies on its turf.

The city champ is Rome, with 224 embassies, but that includes 86 for the Holy See. Brussels has 183, owing to the EU. London has 166, followed by Berlin and Paris with 158 each. Centers of economic power and influence are embassy magnets, though a desirable culture can’t hurt. Washington is also one of the world’s centers of journalism.

Besides events in more relaxed venues such as embassies and residences, the ICC also puts together a variety of issue forums and panels, with many of international issues and expertise to draw from. “We’ve seen increasing interest in our events among the fellow foreign press corps members,” says Raufoglu.

"Events like this mixer allows them to be more connected and present, a sense of belonging - regardless of the media outlets they represent and the countries they cover.” The mixer also garnered a number of inquiries from embassy press attachés regarding Club membership.

The ICC’s go-to musician Rafael Javadov punctuated the evening’s lively atmosphere with his electric jazz violin, including well-received riffs off of an album he’s cobbling together.