Introduction to London as a Conference Destination

No two events are the same. The best space for your particular event will depend entirely on the specifics of what you have planned. What is the purpose of the event? How many people will be attending? What are their expectations?

Before you start compiling a shortlist of potential London conference venues to choose from, you need to establish your parameters, and work out your most important criteria for determining the suitability of a venue.

If you need a large corporate conference venue to host a reasonable number of attendees, you will naturally need a big enough space to accommodate them. Likewise, if you are planning a small, laid back conference, you may want to hold it in an intimate restaurant, a suite or on an outdoor terrace.

You also need to consider the location. If you are providing a conference for young professionals, you’ll most likely want to choose a venue in a more vibrant area, whereas a conference for CEOs may be better suited to a more upmarket part of London - like Mayfair or Westminster.

It’s also important to consider the date of your conference. The best venues tend to get booked very quickly in London - especially during Christmastime when lots of companies book venues for staff parties - and during the height of summer when businesses hire outdoor venues for staff entertainment. Booking at least three months ahead is recommended, unless your conference is going to be small.

Types of London Conference Venues Available

London is a centre for business and it’s a top choice for anyone planning a conference.

With easy road, rail and air links, it’s simple for most people to get to. Plus, with over one million businesses located within the city, most people won’t have to travel very far if you choose London for your next conference.

It isn’t just London’s status as a financial and business hub that makes it appealing. The city is full of hidden gems; so whether you’re looking for an independent bookshop, a quiet cafe or one of the lesser-known London conference venues, there’s something on offer for everyone. VenueScanner offers a range of corporate conference venues and it’s easy to browse for one that works for your event. Simply use the filters on our website to search for the best venue for your conference.

Location Considerations for a London Conference

One of the best things about London is its public transport network. Transport for London is responsible for administering the city’s transport links and they have made getting around very simple. If you or your attendees have never visited London before, you can get everything you need to travel on your smartphone.

TFL produces its own app that will guide you from A to B and tell you what public transport you need to use. If you have a contactless bank card, that’s all you need for getting around on tubes and buses in London - just remember to tap your journey in and out. If you don’t have a contactless card, you will need to get yourself an Oyster card. You can also use Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay for your journeys.

As far as accommodation goes, while staying in London can be expensive, you can find many choices in the city for a very affordable price. If you have a number of people coming to town for a conference then you might also be able to take advantage of some group savings.

London is also full of some incredible areas to check out. Here are a few of our favourites:

Shoreditch

Shoreditch has long been considered one of the trendiest parts of London and is a buzzing hub where creative professionals mingle in the many unique and quirky spaces on offer.

We have a number of venues for private hire in Shoreditch which are perfect for conferences and meetings with young professionals. Our Shoreditch portfolio also includes a number of venues on the doorstep of Liverpool Street station and the financial district.

London Bridge

Easily accessible from tube and overground trains alike, London Bridge is another prime location for conferences.

The spaces here vary in size, so no matter what type of conference venue you’re looking for, you’ll be spoilt for choice - take your pick between our partner venues including intimate bars, large meeting rooms and outdoor terraces.

City of London

Otherwise known as the capital’s financial centre, this is a top spot for corporate conference venues in London.

Affectionately known by locals as “the square mile”, it may be a constricted area, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be lacking for choice. Ideal for those who want to hold a conference in London with a more corporate setting, you’ll find restaurants, meeting rooms, bars, and entire venues available for hire right here on VenueScanner.

Central London

Here’s the scenario: you’re planning a conference and inviting people who aren’t that familiar with the city. Keeping things central and focusing on areas like Covent Garden, Mayfair, Leicester Square or Westminster might be your best option, especially when you consider the number of different options available on VenueScanner.

Ultimately, though, you’ll be able to find some of the best conference venues London has to offer right here on VenueScanner; whatever your preferences and whatever your needs.

London is a diverse and lively place; there are always things going on outside of the boardroom and the city is a true melting pot of culture and style.

You should have no trouble finding a venue that not only provides a top-class conferencing experience, but which shows off the city to your attendees.

London Conference Venue Capacity and Layout Options

When you’re looking for conference venues in London, one of the key things you need to know ahead of time is how many attendees you plan on having. Picking a venue that is perfect for the size of your conference is key. Too big and it will feel empty. Too small and it can feel cramped. Find a conference venue that can be adapted to your needs. Look for venues where you can change the layout and offer the option for theatre, boardroom, classroom, or u-shape seating option. If you’re planning a big conference, see if you can find a venue that has some breakout spaces if you wish to break into smaller groups at some point during the day.

Essential London Conference Facilities

Some essential things that you’ll need for a conference is a good wifi connection – one that all of your attendees can use. You may need to set up extenders in order for wifi to reach different areas of a building so check that your conference venue can accommodate this. You’ll also want a screen, projector, or tvs so you share resources with attendees. You’ll need a podium and microphone if you’ll have people speaking as well.

If you know you’re going to be serving food or drinks, check beforehand about daily delegate rates or food and drink catering packages. You may be able to save some money by utilising package rates. If you know you’ll have a lot of out of town guests, you’ll also want to sort out some accommodations whether that’s in the conference venue itself, or nearby.

VenueScanner's Booking Process and Support

VenueScanner is the place to find a London conference venue and there are a few ways we can help. Firstly, you can simply browse through our selection of conference venues in London. You can filter by capacity or budget and as you see venues you like, you can add them to your short list. Once you’ve added a few to your list, be sure to send out enquiries to see if the venue can host your conference. You’ll be able to speak directly with venue hosts about all of your needs.

Another way you can use the site is by filling out a Venue Finder form. You’ll enter a few key details like date, location, capacity, budget, and event type. You’ll then be matched with relevant venues. Send them enquiries to start communicating with venue hosts, book site visits, and even secure your conference venue right on platform.

Finally, if you need some extra help, or don’t know where to start, you can use VenueScanner Concierge. This service is totally free to use. You’ll be matched with an account manager who you can brief on your event needs. They’ll find suitable venues that work for your date and budget and liaise directly with the venue hosts. They can arrange site visits for you and even sort contracts. And if you need any extra suppliers, they will connect you with them too!

So, what are you waiting for? Find a London conference venue now!