Christmas came early last week at {10-11} Carlton House Terrace for The Westminster Collection’s festive themed venue showcase. Event professionals from across London joined 35 of Westminster’s most unique and prestigious venues, including House of Commons and BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, to discover the marketing consortium’s portfolio of spaces for hire and to network, surrounded by the magic of the festive season.

Guests were greeted by a traditional winter scene complete with glistening snow, vintage sleigh and a life-size reindeer, designed by Event Theming and Prop Hire. A themed Christmas breakfast featured mulled ice tea and Christmas pudding and white chocolate lolly pops, provided by caterer Searcys, while gingerbread cookie decorating, a photo booth with cheerful props and the chance to win some amazing prizes, such as two tickets to Christmas Carols at The Albert Hall, kept guests entertained.

No Christmas event would be complete without the man himself and Father Christmas took a break from his busy schedule to add a touch of magic to the day, handing out a selection of prizes and gifts to attendees in return for them making their top wish for their Christmas events and hanging it on the Christmas tree.

Clare Arouche, board director for The Westminster Collection and head of business development at host venue {10-11} Carlton House Terrace, said: “The Westminster Collection’s showcase is the perfect opportunity for events professionals to get together in a friendly and relaxed environment and enjoy face-to-face conversations with a very exciting mix of top central London venues. It’s such a time saver, as you can waste hours searching for venues online. At our showcase you get straight down to business, discovering rates, taking recommendations on ideal rooms for particular event types and making lasting named connections for future event enquiries.”

The Westminster Collection’s annual venue showcase is a one-stop-shop for event organisers looking to expand their venue repertoire and with Christmas fast approaching, it was the perfect opportunity for event professionals to #getxmaslicked by seizing the selection of last-minute deals and exclusive offers presented by venues.