Going for gold - Business Works

Going for gold

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(c) London 2012
ince the iconic Olympic flag was passed to London Mayor Boris Johnson at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the world’s attention has once again focused on London as the business destination of choice.

With just two years to go before London hosts the biggest event in the world - the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games - the excitement and buzz in London is palpable.

Every month in the capital we’re seeing new venues and hotels opening. Worldrenown restaurants, galleries and bars are making their home here and areas of the city being regenerated into some of the world’s most exciting destinations. It’s an exhilarating atmosphere which will reverberate across the city long after 2012.

Whether it’s finding a venue for a large conference, a bespoke venue for an intimate business dinner or even a breathtaking space for a headline-grabbing stunt - London has it all - the venues, the infrastructure and, most importantly, the people to make it happen.

London is a city which is constantly changing and 2010 has seen a huge number of new venues adding to London’s diverse venue offer. Examples include the new ICC London at ExCeL, the luxurious hotel Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, The Museum of London’s new chic galleries, The Savoy re-opening in October, the new Waldorf Astoria Hotel in London’s Syon Park, Hotel Verta in Battersea and the new outside space at Foreman’s Fish Island. There are literally hundreds of new unique and unusual venues.


Where to get help


Visit London is the city’s convention bureau - we realise the importance of new and up-to-date information and therefore we have a team of dedicated experts who work in our Event Solutions team. The team offers a totally free and impartial venue finding service where they can advise you on the latest venues, check availability and even obtain quotes. Event Solutions is here to ensure that you have the very latest and most cost-effective options and that you deal with a real person who knows London inside-out.


Diverse and free!


London’s strength is its world-class variety. More than 50 major international communities have made London their home and you might hear more than 300 different languages spoken in the capital. With that diversity, there is also an abundance of cultural and creative offerings – from art and music, to food and theatre – London really is a cultural melting pot.

A major benefit of London’s cultural offering is that many of the events and museums in the capital are free – which is a huge cost saving to any delegate and a perfect way to compliment any business programme. Whether it’s watching the Chinese New Year celebrations in China Town, viewing the latest exhibitions at the famous V&A museum or simply watching the street performers in Covent Garden, there is something to offer any budget.


London’s unique cultural offer


London skyline

London is extremely proud of its cultural background and the fact that it has such an abundance of creative and innovative spaces. It’s a city that thrives on culture and supports the artists that take up residence here. Around every corner of London visitors will find new and exciting options – it’s a city of choice, with music, theatre and museums. One evening visitors could be listening to the latest opera at the Royal Opera House and the next they could be sitting in the legendary Dover Street Jazz café, listening to the hushed sounds of a mellow saxophone player.

In terms of theatre, guests can become a ‘groundling’ and watch one of Shakespeare’s plays just as in olden days at the famous Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Or they can be dazzled by the glitz and glamour of one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s show-stopping musicals.

Visitors are also spoilt for choice when it comes to art, exhibitions and museums; there is a range of exhibits to view, from the contemporary at places like Tate Modern, to the stunning and historical with world-renowned exhibitions at the beautifully curated V&A Museum.


Sports Mad


London has some of the most iconic sports venues in the world which make ideal events venues to be used now and in the future to inspire your guests and staff, and give them a chance to soak up the atmosphere which is building up to London 2012.

London also has some of the most iconic cultural venues in the world, which are ideal for events to be used now and in the future. Inspire your guests and staff and give them a chance to soak up the atmosphere in the build-up to London 2012.


Southbank Centre


When it comes to cultural venues, the Southbank Centre is the jewel in the London’s creative crown. It has a variety of auditoria, rooms and spaces that can be hired for diverse events including conferences, AGMs, product launches, awards ceremonies, receptions and private dinners. With so many diverse arts and music events taking place, delegates and guests can soak up the cool cultural vibe.


London Eastside


This is the city’s fastest growing area, especially with the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games taking place in the heart of East London. New venues, hotels and business facilities are opening all the time, offering event organisers a fantastic choice.

One of the newest venues to open is the stunning Forman’s Fish Island which overlooks the London 2012 Olympic Park site and offers a totally unique view of London’s biggest and most extensive regeneration project. The venue offers meetings spaces, a huge events space and smaller more bespoke rooms for private dinners. It also has an amazing roof garden for alfresco events.


Barbican


London

If you’re searching for a London venue which houses cultural diversity, then Barbican is where your search should end! Holding the very prestigious title of Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue, it houses a range of art, music, theatre, dance and education events. It is also home to the London Symphony Orchestra. The building comprises of a prestigious concert hall, two theatres, three cinemas, two art galleries, a library, two trade exhibition halls, five conference rooms, as well as foyers, shops and even a tropical conservatory - perfect for drinks receptions or an unusual meeting.


London Transport Museum


For an iconic space which is truly London focused The London Transport Museum is the ideal choice. The museum is one of the capital’s most distinctive venues where delegates and guests can mingle alongside one of the world’s most famous icons – the London red Route Master bus. From large receptions to intimate dinners, the gallery spaces and Cubic Theatre provide a unique backdrop for business gatherings, parties, product launches, award ceremonies and private celebrations.


Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour


The Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour is set in the exclusive Chelsea Harbour and is London’s only 5-star luxury all-suite hotel. The hotel provides the ideal base from which to explore London.

Meeting facilities include 14 flexible conference and banquet rooms catering to a maximum capacity of 350 guests (reception style). The hotel also offers a luxury floating boat for parties, events, photo shoots, meetings, brainstorm sessions and incentives over the river. This unique touch brings the hotel closer to central London and makes the Wyndham Grand the first and only hotel in the UK with its own boat for added value to clients and guests.


London Eye


Constantly changing and offering new content, the London Eye is a versatile and stunning venue for corporate events. Prefect to soak up London’s cultural cityscape, the London Eye provides a competitively priced and seamlessly organised solution.

There’s so much choice with what to see and do - whether it’s an off-site meeting, an office party, corporate entertainment activity or a large-scale function such as an awards ceremony. New corporate options include a chocolate tasting capsule with organic chocolate brand Green & Blacks or a make-over and pampering with the Powderpuff Girls!


Kings Place


This modern business venue Kings Place ticks all the boxes – a venue for business functions with a creative edge. Built within one of London’s most up-andcoming areas (King’s Cross) and designed by celebrated architects Dixon-Jones, Kings Place brings together creativity and flexibility of space. The venue offers a range of stylish and chic events spaces including a dining venue, a conference and events centre, and an office complex.


Chelsea Football Club


Chelsea Football Club is one of the most versatile, sophisticated and wellequipped sporting events venues in London. It combines hotel bedrooms, an interactive football exhibition and adaptable meeting spaces with football from the most exciting league in the world. Chelsea Football Club’s events destination offers a host of superior event facilities including 21 function rooms and 60 syndicate rooms.

It also has a choice of restaurants including the Marco Pierre White restaurant Marco where team- building and business networking events can be hosted and a five-star spa which offers events delegates or guests a place to relax and unwind.


Lord’s Cricket Ground


Cited as the ‘The Home of Cricket’ Lord’s is one of the most famous and historic cricket grounds in the world. As well as being an iconic sporting destination, Lord’s is also an ideal all year round business and meetings venue.

From the Victorian elegance of the Pavilion to the striking lines of the Investec Media Centre, Lord’s offers a wide range of meeting and events facilities that allow for flexibility and creativity.

Lord’s also offers a number of sportsthemed team building activities including cricket clinics and cricket for beginners. The sporting activities can be built into a days meeting agenda as well an exclusive tour of Lord’s which gives visitors the opportunity see the historic venue and many of the most famous sights in world cricket.

Its excellent location – leafy St John’s Wood in the heart of London – and stunning vistas of the hallowed turf, make Lord’s a unique and popular choice for any event.


If you would like more information on these venues or any others in London then go to:
w: www.visitlondon.com/business




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