London is home to both towering futuristic-looking skyscrapers and world-famous museums and galleries. It is a city where heritage, history and technology collide to create a unique fusion. London is also the 37th-largest urban area and one the most accessible cities in the world, with six airports, underground metro network, black taxis, and red buses. The city’s rich seams of eye-opening antiquity can be found everywhere. A great many of the city’s buildings – the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Globe Theatre, and Big Ben – are instantly recognisable landmarks.
The capital’s cutting-edge industry clusters make it a vibrant and innovative corporate events destination. London has more than 1,000 diverse venues for MICE events, ranging from blank canvas warehouse spaces and trendy pop-ups to conference centres, purpose-built meeting rooms, and state-of-the-art-auditoriums. Additionally, there are more than 140,000 hotel rooms in the city for all types of budgets.
The glittering nightlife and dining scene of the city is guaranteed to tempt MICE guests to break out of the boardroom. Which is not to say the restaurants lack anything to host business events. Lavish receptions for up to 70 guests can be held among the hand-strung pearl adornments at Pearl Restaurant and Bar in High Holborn, while Moroccan and North African-influenced decor can create a sumptuous setting for groups of up to 140 guests at Kenza.
Cultural venues are also sure to give guests the feeling of a true London experience. The prestigious Royal Academy of Arts is available for events of up to 800 people, while the 100,000-square-metre ExCeL Exhibition Centre has already hosted well over 1,500 national and international events. The Business Design Centre lays claim to being the first all-in-one trade, exhibition, and conference complex in the UK, and features an impressive main exhibition hall of 6,000 square meters. The centre welcomes over 80 exhibitions and 250 conferences every year.
London is also home to an ever-increasing selection of innovative and impressive restaurants that cater to all tastes and budgets. The sheer diversity on offer is what makes London’s dining scene truly extraordinary. With plenty of fine dining Michelin-starred restaurants and affordable quality mid-market restaurants, London is a virtual A to Z of world cuisine. And finally, luxury shops such as Harrods, large shopping centres such as Westfield, and bargain fashions at the city’s markets make London a shopper’s paradise and a mecca for fashionistas.
