London Business Event and Conference Venues
Specialists claim that London is home to the widest variety of business event venues across the UK. This includes center dedicated to hosting conferences, hotel ballrooms, and creative spaces for product launches. Finding a space to use for a business event in London is relatively easy. The most difficult part of the process is selecting the most appropriate space for your event.
What We Value About London’s Venues
Most of London’s dedicated conference venues are equipped with built in AV infrastructure. This helps negate the need to hire an additional AV supplier. These venues are also large enough to accommodate breakout sessions and parallel agendas.
With press and clients often being asked to travel specifically for these events, we appreciate that product launches are often catered to by London’s many stylish venues. These venues have an emphasis on photography and presentations and include converted warehouses and riverside spaces.
Networking events, often standing events, are best conducted in the many hotel and bar venues. Though many booking these spaces manage a good flow, the best booking spaces are often quickly reserved.
Gala dinners and award ceremonies are easily conducted in hotel ballrooms. These venues have mastered the routine process of conducting these events, removing the need to explain your event’s requirements.
Cost
London being the most expensive location is expected. Venue hire will differ depending on the location within London, but Birmingham and Cardiff tend to be lower for catering and AV as compared to London. The highest pricing will be for the most accessible venues, which are located at the major stations and will be the most convenient for those attending from outside of London.
Timeframes for booking
Conference-standard venues with high quality AV and Breakout Space tend to be booked out well in advance of the popular autumn conference season (September to November). Especially when specific dates are allocated to your event, a minimum of six months advance notice is the norm for larger bookings. For the popular venues and the busiest periods, even longer will be required.
What to consider
For the highest prices, Central and City of London have the most corporate, conference-standard venues. The most choice is in Central London, which is the most convenient for attendees traveling in from multiple directions.
Riverside and South Bank have venues that can host events with a strong visual focus, which will be impressive if the budget goes that far.
Canary Wharf and Docklands have venues that will be more corporate and focus on conferences. They will be of a similar standard to those in the West End, but are likely to be better value.
Things to Consider Before Booking
- AV requirements in detail. Instead of asking “does the venue have a projector?” you should ask what screens, microphones, etc. they have, and if their team or yours will run it on the day.
- Availability of breakout space if your timetable will require it. Is it extra or included?
- Transport Links. Is the venue realistically reachable for attendees coming from outside of London?
- Consider Accessibility for attendees as well as presenters/exhibitors.
There is a reason why London remains the default choice for many. You need a balanced budget and to plan for something you may need to book well in advance.