Should I host my corporate event in London?
As a global events agency, we specialise in organising corporate events all over the world, including in the UK.
Recently, we shared our experience of planning a conference in Edinburgh (link to article) and now, since we've just enjoyed working on an epic event in London, we thought it time to share some insights on hosting corporate events in England's capital.
So, here are the pros, the cons, the challenges and the unique benefits of planning a corporate event in London.
Why host your corporate event in London?
Being our own capital city, it can be easy to forget just how much there is to explore here. Not just a thriving business hub, London is also well-known for its arts and culture, with a bustling West End and world-famous museums, galleries and culinary experiences around every corner.
Of course, if the majority of your delegates are UK-based, it’s also the most sustainable choice since travel is typically the biggest carbon contributor for international events. It’s also fairly easy to get around London on public transport or on foot.
You will be spoilt for choice in terms of activities in London and, for a built-up city, there are a surprising number of venues and multiple options for accommodation. However, London - like Paris and Edinburgh - is one of the more expensive cities to host an event in.
So, let’s look at what London has to offer -
Location, location, location
London is an easy place to get to. Those fortunate enough to fly into City Airport can access the Docklands Light Railway service, running trains every 4 to 10 minutes to key city central locations. For delegates flying into Heathrow or Gatwick, it's also possible to get to central London by train in under an hour.
When we manage events in London, we encourage our delegates to walk between venues and activities where possible. Whilst the buses and tubes make getting around London simple, on our site visits we found that it was often quicker and more pleasant to walk. Plus, because London is so full of landmarks, we’d sometimes find ourselves strolling past the Houses of Parliament, the British Museum or other famous places. One thing we at Dynamic Events like to do is give our delegates a walking guide so if they do opt to travel by foot we can put them on the most interesting path.
We also recommend choosing a hotel close to all your activities, which is very achievable in London with some research and planning. You may find that partnering with an events agency, like Dynamic Events, provides this added expertise and saves your team valuable time.
Venues and accommodation in London
As mentioned, London is not an inexpensive location to host an event in and venues and accommodation will probably be a large part of your spend. However, London can host events of all sizes. There are boutique hotels for smaller parties and large hotels designed to cater specifically for very large groups. Remember to keep your eyes on minimum numbers for some venues and hotels though so, this is something to check on when making enquiries.
We would strongly recommend booking well ahead to find the most suitable event spaces and accommodation in London. Again, we stress the advantage of making sure your activities are easily accessible from the hotel to reduce the need to travel around the city – which can be tricky at peak times.
Corporate event activities in London
Delegates have so many options for activities in London. There are an abundance of landmarks and traditional places to visit. However, keep in mind that delegates have most likely experienced London before, so something a bit more original is called for.
We love the food-tasting tours at Borough Market in the daytime and heading to a cabaret club in the evening. For a previous event in London, we took clients to the immersive art gallery Frameless, where we had the most incredible experience feasting on a splendid sit-down meal whilst immersed in the digitised artwork. It was a completely unique experience and one we, as well as the clients and delegates, will be sure to remember. Another activity we planned was afternoon tea (with fizz, naturally) in the park with a marque, croquet and other quintessentially English lawn games. Not only was this a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon but it also allowed clients time for some valuable team bonding.
Finding dining venues in London isn’t challenging. There's a lot of choice, from fine dining to lively restaurants and even cabaret shows with dinner provided. Food quality and hygiene are of a very high standard and reasonably priced.
Is London a sustainable and accessible city for events?
The UK is a dedicated player in the global move to sustainability. We have worked with some great suppliers including our AV supplier, who reuses almost everything, and we worked with the printing company, Sustainable Print, who use only environmentally-friendly materials and implements green business practices. Being sustainable in London is, based on our experience, easier than in many other destinations. Options for greener services are available but not always standard and you’ll often need to ask for information regarding green policies and practices. For comparison, when we worked in Vienna, these were provided as a matter of course.
In terms of travel, more than 50 per cent of London’s black taxis are now ‘green’, public transport is widely available and boats and river taxis offer a unique way to get around the city.
For a city founded by Romans, London offers good accessibility for those with additional needs. In fact, Sage Traveling rate London as one of the best destinations in Europe for disabled visitors. Many of the older buildings have been adapted and there is assistance, when required, on public transport – but do check in advance as not all tube stations have a lift.
Tips for corporate events in London
A few final pointers and notes for planning events in London. British weather is notoriously unpredictable so you should have a wet weather plan.
As an events agency, London venues, activity providers and suppliers are a dream to work with. Highly efficient, you can expect everything to be ready and run to schedule which is always so reassuring when we do our final checks and run throughs with them.
If you're planning a corporate event in London - whether it's a conference, awards ceremony, gala dinner, product launch or other type of corporate event - then we'd love to help you elevate the experience. Our expertise makes Dynamic Events the ideal partner for ensuring your UK event runs smoothly and leaves a positive lasting impression. Get in touch with our team today.
