Why You Should Hold Your Next Event in London
Wherever you are based in the UK, or the world for that matter, you should consider holding your next event in London. Event planners from outside the capital are missing out on the exceptional event and conference facilities it has to offer.
‘Why?’ we hear you ask…
As event planners you know exactly what you require from a conference venue and many places local to you can meet these requirements. Yet to take your event to the next level and ensure it has genuine impact, it all comes down to the little extras, the above-and-beyonds, and those wow factor moments. Here are ten reasons why London is the best place to hold your next conference or event:
10 Reasons to Hold your Event in London
1.
Variety of Venues – In London, you have a huge variety of event and conference venues to choose from so you really can find the perfect venue for your business, brand or product. It may be that you want a unique and funky venue that reflects your personality or a purpose-built venue that provides unrivalled facilities and is designed to meet the needs of even the most demanding delegate. With around 2000 events venues in London, there is one out there for you and it will fit like a glove.
2.
Experience – London event venues are nothing without their in-house event teams. The capital attracts the most experienced and talented event professionals from around the world meaning that you will be supported by the best in the business. They will make your life easier by putting your needs first and go that extra mile to ensure you can deliver an exceptional experience for your delegates.
3.
Add-Ons – With event planning, there are always those extras that can help take your event to the next level. It could be an Instagram printer or a professional photographer; a talented A/V technician or spectacular decorations to transform a space. Many venues will have carefully selected partners providing everything from catering to cutting-edge technology, flowers to Twitter walls. You know that in London these will rank with some of the best in the world, allowing your event to shine brighter.
4.
Transport – With five airports and several train stations, London is one of the world’s most connected and accessible cities. It is also an easy city to navigate once you arrive: there’s the ‘London Underground’ subway system, the ubiquitous black taxis and even red buses enabling delegates to get around. The 2012 Olympics improved infrastructure further still, meaning that travel to and around London is better than ever.
5.
Technology – London is a tech centre and this has infiltrated the capital’s event venues. Robust fast Wi-fi, social media engagement, state of the art a/v equipment, as well as video conferencing/web streaming are a given in most London venues. Read our Guide to Event Technology for a flavour of what is now possible, covering everything from wearables to Virtual Reality.
6.
Tourism – The capital is a big hitter in terms of tourist attractions. From Buckingham Palace to the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to the Shard, London mixes a rich and varied history with the contemporary. Once your event is concluded for the day, your delegates will be able to experience a whole host of famous landmarks in walking distance or just soak up that unique London atmosphere.
Based in Bloomsbury, 20 Bedford Way benefits from an incredible array of attractions right on our doorstep. Read our Guide to What to Do in Bloomsbury for inspiration.
7.
Accommodation – One thing that London consistently provides is choice. You are never short of options whatever it is you desire. This is particularly true of accommodation – the capital benefits from a range of options to suit all needs and often located in close proximity to the conference venues.
8.
Entertainment – London is big on entertainment – whether you want to catch a play in the West End or experience an exhilarating live gig, take in some opera or settle in for a session in one of London’s many watering holes – it’s got it covered. The dining options are numerous, the culture is unrivalled and the nightlife is second to none. An event in London does not end with the final session.
9.
Prestige & International Business Centre – Holding an event in London sends out some serious signals, especially if you are based outside of the capital. As a centre for international business, London offers a multitude of opportunities to network and make lucrative business connections. Home to some of the most high-profile companies in the world as well as a huge network of media outlets and journalists, PRs, bloggers and influencers – your event could get you the exposure that takes you to the next level.
10.
Attendance – As an event planner, attendance is one of the biggest areas of concern. Will enough people attend? Will the right type of people turn up? The nature of London as a hub for national and international businesses, means that you have a captive audience and all you need to do is connect with them.
20 Bedford Way – a Unique London Venue
Many people outside of London will understand the benefits of hosting an event in the capital but rule it out due to a fear of exorbitant prices. The truth is that although there are very expensive high-end venues in London, there are also very affordable conference and event spaces too.
At 20 Bedford Way, we understand how tight budgets are and the scrutiny event planners are under so we work with you to find a solution. Our custom-built Logan Hall theatre provides tiered seating to hold a maximum of 910 people, outstanding acoustics and excellent sight lines. It is a fully serviced event space that accommodates business events and conferences at an affordable price.
20 Bedford Way is available for hire throughout the year for a range of events :
- AGMs
- Conferences
- Debates
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Training events
- Arts festivals
- Award ceremonies
- Performances
- TEDx style events
- Product launches
How We’re Connected
Airports
There are five airports that serve London all with connections to the centre.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London Luton Airport (LTN)
London Stansted Airport (STN)
London City Airport (LCY)
Train Stations
Euston Station
Ideal for: the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and Glasgow of Scotland.
Connecting Major Cities: Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow.
Kings Cross Station
Ideal for = Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland.
Connecting Major Cities: Leeds, Newcastle, Hull and Edinburgh.
St Pancras International
Ideal for: Continental Europe with Eurostar;
Connecting Major Cities: Brussels, Amsterdam, and Paris.
Paddington Station
Ideal for: Wales and the South West
Connecting Major Cities: Cardiff, Bristol, Swindon, and Reading.
London Underground Stations
Russell Square, Holborn, Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street tube stations are all a matter of minutes away from 20 Bedford Way, providing easy access to all parts of central London and connections to the UK and Europe.
Contact Us Today
Our events team are waiting to talk to you and answer your questions. Call them on +44 (0)20 7612 6143 or email us on venuehire@ioe.ac.uk.
