Washington, DC – More than 17,000 jobseekers poured into the Washington, DC Convention Center on Wednesday seeking jobs at the Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s 2007 Citywide Job Fair, according to job fair officials from the DC Department of Human Resources (DCHR).

The event, sponsored by the DC Department of Human Resources, in partnership with the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), drew more than 145 employers – including District and 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. 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,” said Gregory, “the true success will be when we are able to help dozens if not hundreds of District resident secure jobs.” 

Summer Spencer, Director of DOES, added that the key to the success of the Mayor’s Citywide Job Fair lies with the caliber of partnerships created between the public and private sectors.  “Cultivating partnerships that will result in jobs for District residents is undeniably important to this administration,” said Spencer.  “It goes without saying that DOES will continue to work employers to ensure that District job seekers are linked to businesses looking to hire qualified workers.”