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Leadership

Donald and Melania Trump Will Host the Lavish Governors’ Dinner

By
Madeline Farber
Madeline Farber
and
TIME
TIME
By
Madeline Farber
Madeline Farber
and
TIME
TIME
February 26, 2017, 5:02 PM ET
Michelle Obama Governor's Dinner Preview In Washington
WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 22: An empty plate sits next to a menu during the Governors' dinner preview in the White House kitchen on February 22, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Obamas' first formal White House dinner tonight will be an event for the National Governors Association. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images)Pool Getty Images

As the world watches the Oscars Sunday evening, the White House will be hosting its annual Governors’ Dinner.

The black-tie event marks the first major social gathering of the Donald Trump administration, CNN reports. The National Governors Association’s annual meeting and dinner in Washington, which honors the governors of the 50 states, is considered one of the year’s “major events,” Jeremy Bernard, President Barack Obama’s former social secretary, told the network.

Earlier this week, Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that First Lady Melania Trump has helped to lead the gala’s planning. However, her longtime friend Stephanie Winston Wolkoff — who is acting as senior adviser to the First Lady — has been planning the event as well, among others. Wolkoff previously worked as Vogue magazine’s event direct and organized events like the Met Gala, reports CNN.

Trump’s War on Media Fuels Criticism of White House Dinner

“Mrs. Trump looks forward to putting on a phenomenal event, and the First Lady has put a lot of time into this event that’s going to occur in welcoming our nation’s governors to the Capitol,” Spicer told reporters.

Planning for the event has been in the works since President Trump’s inauguration if not before, CNN reports.

“The Governors’ Dinner is an opportunity for the new first lady to usher in a new era of elegant White House entertaining,” Laura Dowling, who served as chief White House floral designer under Obama for six years, told CNN. “I think it’s an exciting time.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

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By Madeline Farber
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