Some tips on how to choose the right London conference rooms
Are you searching for London Conference rooms? For a major medical congress, corporate party, trade show or a conference, combined with a time-out in the heart of the British capital?
Whatever brings you to seeking event venues in London; you will want to get the most out of your event. Here some tips on how to achieve this.
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Why London?
London is the most strategically located place to meet for any business event. That’s why it is steadily rated as the top European city to do business in. It was created to do trade, with the finest accommodations, services and infrastructures for all the 21st-century entrepreneurs, from abroad and local.
What should you consider when selecting the right event venue for you in central London?
Choosing the right conference venue for your event might be tougher than it seems. Here 5 top tips we recommend you to have a look at before making any decision when researching for a conference room in central London. What makes an event venue more suited than another for a particular show or congress?
1. Location
The venue setting is the first thing you should consider when looking for your ideal event venue. The accessibility of the location is fundamental for your attendees, depending on where they are coming from. Are most people arriving by public transport? If the answer is yes you want to make sure there is a tube station nearby and lots of buses. And don’t forget wheelchair guests too should have easy access to the building and event floor, or have a look at an alternative to stairs especially and accessible toilets. The Event staff and any event planner should also have easy access to the venue.
2.Capacity
Once you chose your location, it’s time to filter the available venues by their capacity. Based on how many attendees you are expecting you will select your event venue. It’s always a good idea to keep some extra room for any last-minute participants. Your event should look busy but not overcrowded. If you keep this in mind you will find the right event venue matching your necessities and giving the best first impression to your attendees.
3.The Layout
The type of event you are hosting defines your event layout. This is also a key element when choosing the right venue in London. The choice is wide and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news is that in the British capital you can find the most original venues on the whole planet. Think about how you want the event to perform.
For example: are participants splitting into groups? In that case, you will make sure there are enough room and assistance from the venue to support you during the live days. Do you need any Speakers/VIP/Media rooms? Any breakout sessions happening that might need separate and smaller spaces? If catering is also involved, are there any anterooms available for them to prepare the food?
4.Audio Visual (AV)
Your event may need AV services depending on its style. This can bring an added value to your event, making it more interactive and efficient. AV services are ideal when you need the audience to interact alongside presentations. The easiest and cheapest solution to this is a simple Q&A with microphone hosts that go around the room. Besides, you could also get support from technological apps, like Twitter Wall. Don’t forget that if you do require an internet connection, you should make sure the service is available with high-speed connectivity and even more importantly, if that is included in the venue hire price or not.
5.Health and Safety
Your event may need AV services depending on its style. This can bring an added value to your event
It is essential to always follow the health and safety guidelines, making sure the event layout is safe for both your guests and staff. The venue needs to be easy to be abandoned in case of an emergency. A professional event venue will make you aware of capacity limits, emergency exits and any extra guidance you should be aware of so that your event won’t be an obstacle to the nearest exit or assembly point. Some venues may have even other special settings such as low capacity due to older buildings or high-level structures, so make sure you run through this with your venue manager.
Now some practical examples of famous venues in London.
London conference services vary from those within Greater London to those in the city centre.
For many event organizers, the ideal venues are those that are easy to reach and close enough to the heart of London for after work hours.
Areas such as Park Lane or London Docklands are perfect- easy to reach, with easy access in and around the city.
Park Lane has several conference hotels such as the Hilton Park Lane, the Dorchester Hotel, Intercontinental Park Lane or the Grosvenor House; all accessible from Hyde Park Corner Underground Station, served by the Piccadilly Line, walking in less than six minutes. You can also walk directly to the main London attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park. A wide choice of buses and Green Park Underground Station is nine minutes walk away from Park Lane, served by the Jubilee, Victoria and Piccadilly lines for quick.
This area also gives you easy access to London most famous attractions such as Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye to make your conference even more appealing to your guests for their post-event free time.
London Docklands is the financial meeting point of the city. This means plenty of meeting rooms, restaurants and good public transport and a wide choice of taxis.
The best hotel for conferences in this area is the riverside InterContinental® London – The O2. Located in the famous Greenwich, it has a ballroom for over 3,000 guests. MBNA Thames Clipper and the Jubilee Underground line offer efficient links to London’s West end and London City Airport.
Choose the right conference rooms to give the best impression to your guests and that special touch to your event.
Every part of London has a different atmosphere so you will choose your conference room based on that too. For example, if your event will be for a small meeting you won’t go to a large venue and vice versa.
When choosing your London venue, always think about other details such as:
- On-site services such as shops and banks
- London airports
- On-site catering
- A local Model & Event Staffing Agency
- Next to London’s main road network – although being outside trafficked areas
- Car parking (easier to find outside the city centre)
- Easy access to central London
- Experienced conference staff
How can you start your search?
Google search is a great place to start. The next step is visiting a few websites and event planning services and how to promote your event with graphic design, a corporate photographer or videographer. Finally, arrange a visit to each selected venue and Event Staffing Agency and meet the team. There is nothing better than standing at the conference venue and imagining your successful event happening or meeting the event staff that will make your event shine.
In conclusion, what are your priorities?
Set a clear list of the objectives you want to achieve organising your event at a specific venue, for a particular subject. Ask yourself if your event is set for interaction among the attendees or rather learning from a speaker. What are the most important factors for your event? Is your event focused on interaction and networking or listening stage presentations? Deciding what you want will help you taking the right decisions and choosing the best event venue in London.