Covent Garden’s most exciting venues announce breakfast showcase

On 26 January 2016, London Transport Museum and London Film Museum are joining forces to present a morning of discovery for curious event planners interested in booking these iconic visitor attractions for future corporate and private events. The two-part breakfast showcase is open to all professional event planners and agencies.

LTM
After completion of a two-year £22.4 million investment and redevelopment project, London Transport Museum offers a modern and dramatic venue for a wide range of events. Located in the heart of Covent Garden under the glass roof and cast iron pillars of the Victorian Flower Market, the original features of this stunning Grade II listed building create an ornate backdrop for the Museum’s contemporary galleries.

The Museum galleries provide a spectacular backdrop for evening receptions and dinner parties, mixing old and new with dynamic displays of iconic posters, vintage vehicles and interactive displays that entertain all evening. Watch in awe as stunning projections of colour and light reveal the complexity of London’s transport networks.

Use the giant central screen to project your own imagery and branding and wow guests upon arrival with themed cocktails such as the Routemaster, Metropolitan Mixture or the Anorak. Enjoy delicious and contemporary style dishes, complimented by discreet, personal service. Then bid your guests farewell with a stylish gift from the Museum shop – the perfect memento of a fabulous event.

The Museum galleries can hold up to 500 people for a drinks reception or 180 people for a seated dinner. Your guests will arrive via the impressive multimedia World Cities Gallery and will have access to the entire Museum.

LFM
Across Covent Garden’s cobblestone Piazza is London Film Museum, currently home to Bond in Motion and a new display called The Cars of SPECTRE, the first UK exhibition of vehicles, props, models and costumes from the latest film release, including amongst others James Bond’s Aston Martin DB10, villain Hinx’s Stunt Jaguar C-X75 and Franz Oberhauser’s Rolls Royce Wraith.

The stunning 15,000 square foot exhibition space, which sits in Covent Garden’s former Flower Cellars, gives clients the opportunity to host a variety of fantastic events surrounded by Bond’s best sidekicks, his cars.

The space is available for exclusive hire with full-day museum closure possible. Inside, the team can cater for any event up to 450 guests and with two entrances on Wellington Street and Covent Garden’s Piazza, the London Film Museum is the ultimate destination for a unique event.

The professional and experienced events team can produce large scale events effortlessly and is on hand to work closely with clients from start to finish, offering advice on everything from catering and lighting to visual effects and staffing.

LFM entrance
London Film Museum is the perfect ‘wow factor’ event destination for spectacular product launches, exhibitions, awards and film premieres, through to more intimate private events like cocktail parties.

The morning showcase event, taking place from 08:30 – 10:00am on Tuesday 26 January, is exclusively reserved for event planners and event agencies. To request your invitation to attend, please email [email protected]. Please note that places will be allocated subject to qualifying criteria.

Event professionals come together to #getxmaslicked at The Westminster Collection’s Venue Showcase

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.

Christmas is coming to 2015 Venue Showcase

 

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Friday 18th September
8:30 – 11:30am
{10-11} Carlton House Terrace, London
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If you still haven’t sorted your mince pies from your figgy pudding then The Westminster Collection’s Christmas themed Venue Showcase is exactly where you need to be. With just a few days to go before Santa arrives for a sneak preview at {10-11} Carlton House Terrace, there is still time to register and everyone who organises events, meetings, parties and dinners is welcome to attend.

Let The Westminster Collection (TWC) take the hard work out of sourcing venues and discover concert halls, indulgent ballrooms, underground crypts, urban warehouse-style spaces, theatrical and themed Christmas banquets, quirky townhouses and ornately decorated societies, exclusive screening rooms, magical diners aboard a ship, riverside terraces and private member clubs. TWC has more than 35 central London venues with the perfect spaces for every occasion.

Fill your boots with dozens of exclusive promotions and incentives, then visit Santa’s grotto to make a Christmas wish in exchange for a gift. Prizes include:

2 tickets to Christmas Carols at the Royal Albert Hall on 19 Dec
Afternoon tea for 2 at the exclusive Army & Navy Club
Tickets to a night of soulful jazz in the underground Crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields
Dinner for 2 at Art Deco styled private members haunt, The Lansdowne Club
Lunch in the Faraday Centre at the newly refurbished IET Venues: Savoy Place

This is a must-attend event if you’re looking to book Christmas and New Year parties and drinks receptions, wanting last-minute offers, or forward planning for conferences, product launches, fashion shows, awards dinners, concerts and more, so register to attend and get on TWC’s nice list this year.

Register for free at http://bit.ly/1XLuwLN and follow @Venues_Wminster #getxmaslicked for updates.

Cavendish Conference Centre to reveal new look at October showcase

Cavendish Conference Centre is hosting a special evening on Thursday 1st October 2015 to let you experience the venue in a light you’ll never before have seen. Corporate event bookers are invited to register now to secure your place. Email [email protected] and join the conversation on twitter via hashtag #CavShowcase15.

The Oxford Circus venue, which scooped the title ‘Best Conference Venue Customer Service’ at the recent Conference Awards 2015, has invested in new technology and updated furnishings in both The Auditorium and the Whittington Suite, which is an ideal space for product launches and AGMs for up to 250 guests. The venue has already welcomed the likes of Blackberry and the Royal Television Society within the newly refurbished spaces.

Dermot Waldron, Operations Director and partner at Cavendish Venues, spoke of the aims of the renovation project: “Our clients are our future and we invest for the future. This major financial investment into what is already a state-of-the-art venue only goes to further enhance the status and service that we provide to our clients – that’s been a winning formula for the last 20 years, which we look to continue for the next 20. It’s a very exciting time ahead for the team at Cavendish Venues. With this development showing our clients to be at the forefront of our ambitions, we make achieving their objectives smooth with the latest amenities so that every event works seamlessly.”

Discover more about Cavendish Conference Centre here.

‘Get Christmas Licked!’ Venue Showcase

Throw on your reindeer antlers and trot on down to 10-11 Carlton House Terrace this September, for festive frolics and good fun with more than 35 of Westminster’s finest venues. This year, Christmas cheer and creative, seasonal theming bring together a selection of unusual, historical, modern and exciting events destinations to inspire and entice.

Special offers, arts and crafts workshops, competitions and giveaways will all serve to introduce you to our wealth of individually unique central London properties, whether it’s late Christmas and New Year parties and drinks receptions you’re looking to organise, or forward planning for conferences, product launches, fashion shows, awards dinners, concerts and more into next year and beyond.

Meet friendly teams from luxury hotels, private members clubs, concert halls, museums and attractions, river boats, modern and traditional conference centres, historic institutes and societies. Enjoy one-on-one discussions in a dedicated and relaxed environment and fill your little black book with great new contacts, venue ideas, theming notes and confirmed diary dates for the personalised venue tours you’ve been able to organise with your new connections.

The Westminster Collection’s annual venue showcase is free to attend, subject to qualifying criteria. Register now! We look forward to seeing you in September.

{10-11} Carlton House Terrace to open new event space The Library

{10-11} Carlton House Terrace is currently undergoing exciting summer refurbishments, with the creation of a new event space, The Library. This room will pair perfectly with the Reading Room adjacent and will feature book lined walls with bright windows overlooking the Mall, St James’s Park and Horse Guards Parade. Events held here will take on an air of royal and parliamentary London, ideal for meetings of up 30, dinners of up to 60 and receptions up to 100 guests, available to hire from mid September 2015.

The Wolfson Room, our largest event space, is undergoing a major refurbishment to remove the currently fixed stage, lectern and screen and replace with sleek, custom-made portable options, providing modern audio visual equipment for conferences and corporate events, accommodating up to 140 in theatre style seating. Upon removal of the equipment, the room will lend itself perfectly to dinners of up to 100 and evening receptions of up to 200. The floor to ceiling windows along the room offer spectacular views of the Royal Park, the Mall, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.

To celebrate these new and improved facilities, the team are planning an evening party for early October where regular and prospective event organisers will be able to view their upgraded facilities and join them for some delicious food and drink.

If you’d like to register your interest in attending this event, please email [email protected] and further information will be sent soon.

Westminster spotlight: Embankment & Westminster

Westminster and Embankment are your iconic ‘picture postcard’ London – the London that’s famous worldwide, with its bounty of landmarks like Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the sprawling banks of the river Thames to admire. It’s where Britophiles and curious tourists flock to sample quintessential Britain. You feel like you’re somewhere buzzing and important when you’re in Westminster; it’s the political decision making hub of the UK. So where better to do business or to host an event that catapults a brand to centre stage?

Historical Haunts…

House of Commons
Perhaps one of London’s most recognised venues is the House of Commons. Unrivalled in its political history it has been a British institution since the 11th Century and is just as impressive today as it has ever been. The House of Commons offers a choice of seven event rooms, with one of the most popular being The Churchill Room (aptly named as many of his paintings hang on the walls) which can seat up to 100 guests for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Recess dates have been announced with new availability between 18 September – 9 October.

Nearest tube: Westminster (5 min walk)

Central Hall Westminster
Ideally located opposite Westminster Abbey is the Grade II listed Central Hall Westminster. Well known as a film location and boasting Europe’s largest domed ceiling, the venue is quite a spectacle. In December 2014 the venue played host to a sold-out concert spectacular which saw Adam Lambert take to the stage with the almighty Queen, showcasing the venue’s vast versatility. With its 22-room portfolio and dedicated team of professionals Central Hall can accommodate between 100 and 2000.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (4 min walk), Westminster (8 min walk)

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
The grandiose Supreme Court of the United Kingdom sits amongst some of the most iconic sights in Great Britain, yet its Gothic architecture means it is impossible to overlook. Packed full with period features such as majestic ceilings, intricate carved beams and an abundance of exquisite stained glass, the venue is oozing with character. The Supreme Court accommodates up to 100 guests for a seated dinner and viewings of the court rooms and Law Library are available on request.

Nearest tube: Westminster (6 min walk)

One Great George Street
A magnificent four-domed Edwardian building sits in the heart of London called One Great George Street, a stone’s throw from Parliament Square. The venue offers a choice of 19 event spaces for between 60 and 400 guests with many of them offering interconnecting doors, allowing you to combine a corporate event with social entertaining.

Nearest tube: Westminster (5 min walk)

8 Northumberland Avenue
Few venues can boast a more central location than 8 Northumberland Avenue, just paces away from Trafalgar Square, however, the venue does not compromise space for location. Boasting a stunning ballroom which English Heritage has described as ‘the grandest example of a Victorian ballroom in existence’, with capacities of up to 500, in addition to five smaller meeting spaces, this Grade II listed building combines your practical needs seamlessly with outstanding aesthetics.

Nearest tube: Charing Cross (3 min walk), Embankment (4 min walk)

Broadway House
Seasoned professionals in delivering proficient, effectual events such as press conferences and ministerial meetings, Broadway House is perfectly equipped to meet even the highest of standards. It sits adjacent to St James’s Park station and here technology is paramount throughout the venue, which offers 12 varying event spaces with tailored packages for up to 100 guests.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (1 min walk)

St James Court
A mere stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace is St James Court hotel, a discreet Victorian masterpiece radiating warmth and sophistication. St James Court offers 17 meeting and conference suites which all come with wireless internet, state-of-the-art technology and video conferencing making it the perfect place to hold a corporate event.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (4 min walk)

 

Meetings for Modern Minds…

etc.venues Victoria
If you are looking for a clean lined, ultra-modern, sophisticated events space then you need look no further than etc.venues at One Drummond Gate in Victoria. Easily accessible and sitting adjacent to Pimlico tube station, the venue is a perfect fit for meetings, conferences and corporate events. The largest space accommodates up to 250 guests and all spaces are equipped with high spec AV kits. Designed to create an engaging and comfortable environment, all the event spaces feature natural light, meaning your event remains as productive and inviting as possible.

Nearest tube: Pimlico (2 min walk)

QEII Centre
A venue that combines a flawless reputation for delivering incredible corporate events with the chance for some sunshine is the QEII Centre. The opportunities within this venue are truly vast and the beautiful interior ensures a slick and professional atmosphere at all times. When the sun does decide to make an appearance, the QEII Centre has some lovely outdoor space, including The Green at the front of the Centre, overlooking Westminster Abbey, where drinks and food can be served. The inside space can accommodate up to 1,300 people in the largest room and there is also a wide range of smaller rooms so you can choose the perfect space for your event, whether it’s an awards ceremony, a conference, a product launch or a sit-down dinner.

Nearest tube: Westminster (8 min walk), St James’s Park (4 min walk)

Church House Conference Centre
An award-winning venue with proven success hosting large scale events such as product launches and award ceremonies, Church House Conference Centre offers its guests a multitude of layout options and their state-of-the-art facilities means that creating the perfect staging, lighting and sound for your event is well within their capabilities. The event spaces can hold more than 600 people and clients can choose from 19 spaces.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (7 min walk), Westminster (10 min walk)

St. James Theatre
St James Theatre holds the title for being the first newly built theatre complex in central London for nearly 30 years. Despite being in its infancy (in theatre terms) the venue has a fantastic reputation and provides a creative and unusual backdrop for many types of event. St James Theatre can accommodate up to 312 guests and the live entertainment space provides an intimate setting for team building days, product launches, small presentations, away days or creative workshops. Take advantage of a Laurent Perrier Champagne reception with 20% off for all events booked before the end of July.

Nearest tube: Victoria (6 min walk)

 

Hospitable Hotels…

Conrad London St. James
A central London hotel boasting everything (and more) that you would expect from the luxury brand, Conrad London St James guarantees high end execution for all their events. If your event calls for something a little quirkier, then the Emmeline Lounge could tick all your boxes. Named after the 19th Century British political activist Emmeline Pankhurst and showcasing mind-warping, multi-dimensional art, the lounge is ideal for intimate or relaxed business meetings and brainstorms, especially if you love a themed afternoon tea.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (1 min walk)

St Ermin’s Hotel
An extensive £30 million pound investment has transformed the four star St Ermin’s Hotel into a contemporary and stylish location for a variety of different events. Priding itself on professional and efficient service, the venue boasts 15 event spaces including three Caxton environments and the antique, book-lined Library.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (3 min walk)

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London – Westminster
Accommodating a multitude of needs, DoubleTree by Hilton sits a walkable distance from both quirky, creative South Bank and London’s financial district. A clever mix of state-of-the-art technology and contemporary comfort, DoubleTree by Hilton truly has something for all. They offer customisable event spaces for up to 200 guests, with a logistics team on site to ensure your event runs without a glitch.

Nearest tube: Pimlico (9 min walk)

The Meetings Show – coming soon!

Visitor registration for The Meetings Show has opened at www.themeetingsshow.com/open. Building on the success of last year, visitors to the show will benefit from an enhanced experience from the moment they walk through the doors at Olympia, London, from 7-9 July.

In particular, the education programme will address issues faced by agencies, corporates, associations, PCOs, AMCs, PAs and key sectors such as healthcare and technology. In addition to the dedicated Association Meetings Conference on 6 July, the education will include keynote sessions, seminars and Meet the Expert roundtables throughout the three days of the show.

With a growing exhibitor list, made up of more than 400 exhibiting companies, visitors will be able to meet with the UK’s largest collection of meeting industry organisations under one roof including: major domestic and international destinations, venues, hotel groups, DMCs, trade associations and suppliers.

Exhibitor highlights include The Westminster Collection on stand G19, London & Partners, Hilton Worldwide, Meet Birmingham, Accor Hotels and Tourism Ireland.

The Meetings Show’s Event Director Steve Knight says: “The Meetings Show is organised by meeting professionals, for meeting professionals, a fact that is demonstrated through both the calibre of our exhibitors and the quality of our education programme. If meetings are key to your business you will find the suppliers you want to see and education designed for your needs at our event.”

Applications for The Meetings Show’s hosted buyer programme are also open. Applicants will be reviewed by a team of expert qualifiers and benefit from scheduled meetings with organisations of their choosing, complimentary travel and accommodation, transportation to Olympia from host hotels and networking venues, as well as a choice of hosted buyer lounges complete with refreshments.

The Meetings Show is the premier event for the UK inbound and outbound meetings industry, organised by Centaur Exhibitions and taking place 7-9 July 2015 at Olympia, London. Organised by meeting professionals for meeting professionals it is focused around a large exhibition, networking opportunities and professional education. Click here to register and book your appointment with The Westminster Collection, where you can find out about our free venue enquiry service spanning more than 35 unique venues within Zone 1 London.

Westminster spotlight: Mayfair & Belgravia

Whether greasing your fingers at trendy munch spots Burger & Lobster or Goodman, or indulging in refined gourmet dining at the likes of Le Gavroche, Benares or Munaro are your personal style, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the well-heeled Westminster districts of Mayfair and Belgravia, which encircle iconic Buckingham Palace and border Hyde Park.

Refined London at its best, these enchanting streets house private estates, secluded gardens, luxury hotels and private members clubs aplenty, creating a destination for designer brands, wealthy residents, fashionable foodies and classy events.

Here are our favourite Mayfair and Belgravia haunts perfect for everything from drinks parties and standing receptions, to product launches, film screenings, private dinners and conferences:

BAFTA - Run Run Shaw TheatreBAFTA 195 Piccadilly
Nestled in the heart of Mayfair above the hustle and bustle of one of London’s busiest streets is BAFTA, home to some of film and television’s most iconic histories. The venue has five event spaces that are all available for exclusive hire, and at certain times of the year the venue can be hired as an entirety allowing the ultimate atmosphere of exclusivity. Accommodating numbers between 50 and 350 BAFTA offers a real versatility for a wide range of events. Within the Princess Anne Theatre space is an incredible state of the art cinema system which can play anything from timeless classics to the latest 3D blockbuster.

 

Athenaeum HotelThe Athenaeum Hotel
Combining the comfort of a family run business with the elegance of a 5* central London location is The Athenaeum Hotel. Located just a stone’s throw from Green Park and adjacent to Buckingham Palace, the venue’s location is truly spectacular. The events spaces range from 20 to 100 delegate capacity making it ideal for more intimate and personal occasions and with fresh fruit, unlimited bottled water and plasma TVs included as standard, The Athenaeum really does go the extra mile to ensure your event runs flawlessly. The venue has also launched a ‘Pick and Mix’ offer for meetings packages allowing you to receive a day delegate rate of £75pp and to enhance your package with a complimentary extra including a complimentary glass of champagne after your event. For more information please visit www.athenaeumhotel.com/events/meetings/piccadilly-pick-n-mix/

The RAF Club BallroomThe Royal Air Force Club
Opened in 1922, The RAF Club is ideally located along the edges of Green Park. A beautiful and historic building, it seamlessly combines fantastic history with contemporary facilities and interiors. Not to be missed at The RAF club is the incredible Badge Corridor containing an unrivaled selection of original squadron badges. The event spaces can accommodate between 20 and 200 guests all with complimentary WiFi and audio visual equipment.

 

 

 

CH Library 006 S Copy

The Chesterfield Mayfair
The Chesterfield Mayfair is a secluded and exceptional hotel with six events spaces catering for 50-150 guests, with an elegant yet welcoming home-away-from-home atmosphere. The Conservatory Room boasts marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows and can seat up to 40 guests. On booking your event you will be assigned your own personal events manager who will guide you through the entire process and allow you to relax and enjoy every moment.

 

 

RIGB_JoannaandMarksWeddingTheatreThe Royal Institution of Great Britain
Grade I listed and established more than 200 years ago The Royal Institution of Great Britain, has history at it’s very core and has been at the forefront of scientific discovery, innovation and communication for two centuries. Sensitively restored it boasts a 440-seat theatre which is available for exclusive hire and throughout its collection of event spaces there are capacities for between 30 and 600, meaning there are endless possibilities when booking an event at The Royal Institution.

 

 

Lansdowne ClubThe Lansdowne Club
If exclusivity is what you are looking for then The Lansdowne Club in the heart of Mayfair has plenty to offer. Built in 1763 before being converted into a social club in 1935, it is now an exclusive members club offering a variety of options for your central London event. Perfect for business or pleasure the spaces on offer can cater for between 50 and 200 guests in a variety of seating styles. The spectacular library seats up to 100 guests and showcases jam-packed bookcases covering the walls, providing a unique vocal point for your event.

 

 

 

 

 

Club_Library_CaledonianClubThe Caledonian Club
Originally built for Hugh Morrison, a wealthy politician and land owner in 1891, The Caledonian Club is a little piece of Scotland in the heart of Belgravia. Showcasing their versatile events spaces, all with a quintessential Scottish flavour, the venue can accommodate between 50 and 250 guests. Function guests access the event using an exclusive private entrance meaning your event has an air of sophistication from the moment your guests arrive.

 

 

Great HallImperial College London (Knightsbridge)
Variety is in no short supply at Imperial College London as it offers more than 200 unique events spaces in the cultural heartland of Exhibition Road. Available for as few as 20 or as many as 620 guests, the options truly are plentiful. The venue is centered in an historic location, surrounded by historic heavyweights such as The Victoria and Albert and Natural History Museums. The Queen’s Lawn space, available for up to 700 people, can be hired as a stand-alone space or paired with The Queen’s Tower which is accessible using a marqueed walkway onto the lawn, bringing the outside in and allowing a spacious and airy feel. Booking a summer party before 15th May entitles you to 15% off with BBQ menus and Pimm’s on arrival. Find out more and visit www3.imperial.ac.uk/conferenceandevents/specialpromotions/summerparties

Central Hall to crowd-source Meet The Future conference content

Central Hall Westminster‘s next ‘Meet The Future‘ event technology conference on 9th June will feature Corbin Ball, writer and specialist with 20 years’ event technology experience, Neuroscientist Dr Beau Lotto and BBC technology journalist Kate Russell, while the rest of the day’s content line-up will be entirely crowd-sourced by delegates.

As part of the registration process, delegates must choose the topics they would most like to see covered in breakout sessions, with the most popular choices forming the basis of the agenda. The leading topics are currently audience engagement, location-based technology (iBeacons, NFC and RFID) and big data.

Maria Schuett, head of marketing at Central Hall and Meet The Future conference producer, says: “Our 2014 event was such a huge success, many felt it would be hard to follow. This year, however, we’re not only giving busy event buyers the chance to experience flash new tech as delegates, but taking the concept a step further and looking at how tech helps us to create better programmes and levels of engagement for organisers. Having Corbin involved is hugely exciting and we’ve got more than a few surprises up our sleeves for the day, so watch this space!”

A limited number of tickets for Meet The Future are available to senior event professionals by visiting www.c-h-w.com/future