The three-day NATO 50th Anniversary Summit in Washington, DC, during April, 1999, brought together 44 heads of state - the largest ever in the United States. The main venue for the summit was the historic Mellon Auditorium that housed the major, high-profile events.

Working closely with the State Department and the White House, Settles Associates conceived of a design for the Mellon Auditorium that would in no way harm the fabric of the building.

The project entailed the auditorium, site of the internationally broadcast reenactment of the original signing of the NATO treaty. This event, on day one, required a large stage and seating for 800. On days two and three, the auditorium was the scene of several large plenary conferences seating up to 44 heads of state at a single table. Two large "green rooms" were refurbished; one as a reception lounge and the other as the President’s receiving area. To accomplish all of the goals, a six-inch raised floor was installed throughout the auditorium, and portal-like structures were fit between the massive columns. These two elements provided for the massive cabling and wiring required and provided platforms for speakers, cameras, cameramen and specially designed flags.

The enormous table was carefully designed to be readily assembled overnight and accommodate a vast array of communications equipment.