WASHINGTON, DC-This is a big week–if not the biggest--for retail real estate. It is the week of International Council of Shopping Centers' annual Real Estate Conference, held in Las Vegas. The District of Columbia is there with a delegation of 26, including the city's mayor, Vincent Gray.

The mayor has been attending the show every year since he has been elected; this year is no different save for the fact that the number of sponsors has grown and the city has scheduled an eye-popping 90 meetings with retailers, a spokeswoman tells GlobeSt.com.

Also new this year for the District: It will be heavily promoting St. Elizabeth's and Walter Reed as retail destinations. These developments, plus Union Market, are unique in that they are 45-acre plus projects.

"Our job is to demonstrate to retailers that the District is open for business and we have residents eager to spend their dollars," Muriel Bowser, chair of the DC Council Economic Development Committee, tells GlobeSt.com.

She points to Walter Reed and St. Elizabeth's as well as the Strand Theater in Ward 7 as very viable locations for retailers. "We are very encouraged by the attention we are getting with the meetings we have set up and the reception overall."

The District is under-retailed, she also notes. "Every year we see millions of dollars being spent outside our boarders, with DC residents leaving the city to shop in Silver Spring or Arlington. That is something we aim to change."

Past wins for the District from ICSC include the Home Depot at Brentwood Road, Target and Marshall's at DC USA, and the Best Buy and Container Stores at 4500 Wisconsin Avenue. Walmart, Harris Teeter, Costco, Lowes Home Improvement, TJX, interest and investment in the City were also initiated at ICSC meetings.