Yesterday we were at Constitution Gardens on the grounds of the National Mall for the eighth annual  Trust for the National Mall Luncheon.

The much anticipated annual event is a who’s who of notable Washingtonians. We snapped keynote speaker and Salamander hotels founder Sheila Johnson with Trust chair Chip Akdridge.

Constitution Gardens is a 38-acre space just north of the reflecting pool that links the Vietnam and World War II memorials. The tented venue is also a White House Correspondent’s Dinner after-party. Here, former DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, Jarvis Co principal William Jarvis, Boss Shepherd’s Paul Kohn and Dee McDonald Miller.

The Trust, originally founded in 2007, is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service to restore, improve and preserve the national treasure. Here, First Potomac’s Vikki Kayne and Jaime Marcus with HZDG’s Stacey Deorzio.

Each year, 29 million people visit the Mall, more than Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone combined. The grounds have literally been loved to death and are in need of major repair. Here, Sotheby's Honor Ingersoll, Megan Gabriel, The Prince Of Wales Foundation’s Sally McKinney, and philanthropists Lucile Huber and Kitty Dove.

The luncheon generates much-needed awareness, support and funding for the Trust’s upcoming Mall rehabilitation. Here, Trust prez Caroline Cunningham, Platinum Equity’s Jon Hall and Weber Shandwick SVP Emil Hill.

Architects and landscape designers explained how their innovative designs for the space are setting a new global standard in environmentally sustainable park land. Here, National Park Service Deputy Director Peggy O’Dell with ACLI CEO and former Senator Dirk Kempthorne.