Charlotte Murray is head of events for CWT Meetings & Events in London. She has nearly a decade of experience planning events in the city. Here she reveals her favorite local haunts and offers tips for planning meetings in the U.K.'s capital city.
SM: What are some of your favorite venues for events in London?
CM: I love running events for out-of-towners because I get to see the legendary sights of London through fresh eyes. Historic venues, which we Londoners can sometimes take for granted -- such as Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, and the Natural History Museum -- are real show stoppers and are constantly innovating their event spaces. Also, we are lucky to have incredible hotels in London; some of my favorites include the luxuriously grand Corinthia, which has a range of top-class restaurants, bars, and an afternoon tea in sumptuous surroundings; and the ME London by Melia, which has a chic and popular roof terrace with incredible city views. We at CWT Meetings & Events (along with the rest of London) are very excited that the Shangri-La at the Shard is opening in the next few weeks.
SM: What are some considerations to keep in mind when planning an event in London?
CM: Transport. Central London may seem relatively small in terms of square miles, but for first-time visitors it can be tricky to navigate. For example, north Londoners may decline invitations to events in southwest London due to the hour-long cross-city commute this can entail. When planning an event in London, organizers must make sure they find out where their guests will be traveling from, and choose venues in easy-to-access locations. Another quirk of the capital is that just because two places are geographically close, they may be nearly impossible to get to by underground [subway]. The safest bet is to consult Transport for London's handy route-planning tool at
www.tfl.gov.uk, and choose a location where many lines meet. Traveling by road will only be quicker than the underground outside of rush hour.
Also, one obvious but all-too-common pitfall in choosing a venue is timing. Popular London venues are booked far in advance, so work well ahead so you can get the dates that you want. Also be aware of big events such as London Fashion Week and major sports tournaments.
Finally, engage a local meeting planner. Working with an industry expert with local knowledge will allow you to benefit from their close relationships with suppliers and first-hand experience of venues.
SM: What makes London a great meetings city?
CM: London's venues are proud of the rich and vibrant culture of the city, and each area has its own character. Planners can easily find venues to suit the theme of their events and choose from a wide variety of activities. New venues open every week, and the great deal of choice means that planners will find venues to suit any budget. One third of London is reserved for its beautiful green spaces and parks, and these, along with various street markets, museums, and exhibitions, are usually free to enter. London walking tours are also a great way to learn about the city's rich history.
Olympic venues are also now open for events and meetings, so why not take your guests on a tour of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park [the site of the 2012 Olympic Games]? This spring, one of the most exciting areas has opened to the public: the new parklands in the south of the Park. Also, take advantage of world-class sporting venues made famous during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the Aquatics Centre and Lee Valley VeloPark. You could also get a new perspective on London from the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the U.K.'s tallest sculpture.