More than 17,000 jobseekers poured into the Washington Convention Center on Wednesday seeking jobs at Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s 2007 Citywide Job Fair, event officials said Wednesday.

The event, sponsored by the DC Department of Human Resources, in partnership with the DC Department of Employment Services, drew more than 145 employers–including District agencies, federal agencies and more than 60 employers from the private sector.

DCHR Director Brender L. Gregory said the huge turnout was higher than anticipated and attributed the numbers to wide variety of positions available and an aggresive marketing campaign.

DCHR will survey both government and private sector exhibitors over the next few weeks to gauge the success of the job fair.

“While the Washington Convention Center proved to be the appropriate venue for this large event, the true success will be when we are able to help dozens, if not hundreds, of District residents secure jobs,” Gregory said.