13 Days to Do the Impossible: The Goldman Sachs 10K Summit Story

When your event takes over Capitol Hill—and the clock’s ticking—you don’t need a consultant. You need a miracle worker.

An Impossible Deadline with Everything on the Line

In October 2025, Goldman Sachs came to M.C.G. Permit Consultants with an urgent challenge: obtain multiple public space permits for a massive, high-security event—the 10K Small Business DC Summit—in just 13 business days. For context, the typical public space permit timeline through D.C.’s Department of Transportation (DDOT) is 60 days.

This wasn’t your average event. The summit required:

• Multiple Capitol Hill locations, including Constitution Ave., Madison Dr., and Independence Ave.

• 20+ motorcoaches operating near the U.S. Capitol

• VIP logistics coordination

• 6+ federal and local agencies, including DDOT, DPW, U.S. Capitol Police, Smithsonian, and Library of Congress

Oh—and the final insurance paperwork didn’t come in until October 10th, with the event scheduled for October 29-30.

The Solution: Strategic Permitting on Overdrive

M.C.G. Permit Consultants mobilized immediately, deploying a four-phase strategy to compress a two-month process into less than two weeks:

🛠️ Phase 1: Fast-Track Coordination (Days 1–10)

• Submitted complete permit application to DDOT

• Worked directly with DDOT team members to revise site plans and meet public space standards

• Secured approvals from federal agencies with overlapping jurisdiction

🚨 Phase 2: Emergency Implementation (Days 11–13)

• Received final permits at 4:00 PM the night before the event

• Deployed No Parking signs across all locations overnight

• Coordinated directly with DPW to address 24-hour enforcement limitations

• Repaired signage damaged by weather before sunrise

👷 Phase 3: On-Site Execution (Event Day)

• M.C.G. staff were on-site by 6:00 AM

• Real-time parking and traffic coordination with Goldman Sachs’ logistics team

• Adaptive troubleshooting as site conditions evolved

📋 Phase 4: Closeout

• Signs removed promptly post-event

• All agencies notified and permit closure completed

• Full compliance verification submitted

The Results: Zero Fines, Total Success

✅ Permits approved in 13 days (a 78% reduction from the standard timeline)
✅ No citations, no towing, and no disruptions for 20+ motorcoaches
✅ Zero compliance issues across multiple federal properties
✅ $50,000+ in potential fines avoided through proactive DPW engagement
✅ A flawless event despite last-minute permit approval and inclement weather

💬 “You ARE the Wizard of DC. You showed up in a row boat with a life jacket that fit me just right when I was clearly over my head and drowning.”
— Bill DeCollibus, Transportation Logistics Manager, Goldman Sachs

Why It Worked: The M.C.G. Advantage

✔️ Deep Agency Relationships
Over 25 years of experience working with DDOT, DPW, and federal entities enabled M.C.G. to cut through red tape fast.

✔️ Proactive, Daily Communication
Constant coordination ensured city and federal agencies aligned around the compressed schedule.

✔️ On-the-Ground Support
M.C.G.’s physical presence on-site ensured real-time adjustments could be made instantly.

✔️ Expertise in Federal Jurisdiction
Navigating Capitol Police, Library of Congress, and Smithsonian regulations isn’t something you Google—it’s something you know.

✔️ Risk Mitigation
By anticipating enforcement limitations and preparing for worst-case scenarios, M.C.G. shielded the client from costly penalties and reputational damage.

Lessons for Event Planners & Logistics Managers

🕒 Plan for 60 Days… unless you have M.C.G.
Standard DDOT permits require a two-month runway. Rush approvals need strong relationships and fee premiums.

🚧 Enforcement requires notice
DPW needs 24–48 hours to enforce parking zones—plan signage and coordination carefully.

🏛️ Federal locations = higher complexity
Capitol Hill events require coordination far beyond DDOT—build in extra lead time.

✅ Permits aren’t enough
You need boots on the ground to manage compliance and react to real-world conditions.

The ROI: Proof in the Permitting

• 💰 Goldman Sachs Investment: $28,500

• 🚫 Fines Prevented: $50,000+

• ✅ Timeline Compression: 60 days ➝ 13 days

• 🧠 Reputational Value: Immeasurable

• 📈 ROI: 175%+, not including the value of an event executed flawlessly under federal scrutiny

Need to Pull Off the Impossible in D.C.?
M.C.G. Permit Consultants has your back. From public space permits to multi-agency federal coordination, we thrive where others panic.

📞 Call: (202) 729-8272
📧 Email: sayhello@mcgpermits.com
🌐 Visit: www.mcgpermits.com

When the stakes are high and the timeline is tighter than ever, trust the team that gets it done.
M.C.G. Permit Consultants — Your Shortcut Through the Red Tape.