[AD] The Top 3 Things To Look Out For When Choosing An Ideal Conference Venue In London

As a London event company, one of the most challenging aspects of planning an event can be venue location. Finding the perfect space that suits your client’s preferences, strikes the right tone, has the available dates, provides necessary accommodations, and several other important factors can be a nightmare for conference organisers. But as any good event agency in London knows, there are specific things to look out for when selecting a venue. For Purple Patch, our top three factors are location, features, and branding. Let’s dive into each one.

Location

Location seems like an obvious thing to consider. But you’d be surprised how many event planners pick a venue with no regard to location, creating a logistical headache for staff and attendees. You’ll want to consider who your attendees are when scouting locations. If they’ll mostly be arriving from outside London, then a venue near an airport or well-connected to public transportation would be ideal.

Thinking about your event guests means considering accessibility. Is there parking on-site? Will parking be available further away, with a shuttle bus to take people to the venue? Think seriously about how attendees, staff, and speakers will get to the physical venue location. If a venue is an enormous hassle to get in and out of, especially for staff dropping off deliveries, then it’s worth rethinking that venue.

Another, more general factor to take into account is the venue atmosphere. What’s the neighbourhood like? Will attendees feel safe coming to this venue? Look around at nearby buildings to see what kind of businesses they are. If the venue is in a more residential area, consider how much noise you’ll make or if you’ll disturb residents with your event. You want the overall atmosphere of the venue to match the theme and branding of the event.

Features

The second big thing for event organisers to consider for venue location is features. What’s available at this venue? Maybe it has a sleek, contemporary design for a conference space but it’s lacking in necessary amenities. Heading to the venue before booking, so you can check out its features is a smart move for any good conference planner.

Things you’ll need to check out include tech and A/V equipment, kitchen access, and reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If you can, bring your A/V team or consultant with you when you tour the venue, so you can be sure it has all the capabilities your event will need.

If you’re planning to cater your conference, then there should be kitchen facilities to prep and serve the food. It should also be extensive enough to host all the catering staff you’ll need comfortably. You should also consider special culinary accommodations like dietary restrictions of some guests and ensure those can be accounted for. Some London venues provide their own catering services for events or recommend certain vendors they work with often. Hiring these vendors could significantly streamline the process for you.

Another accommodation factor to investigate is capacity. Is the venue big enough to hold all your expected conference guests? And does it have wheelchair access or other features for people with disabilities? These features should all be on your radar as you’re selecting your London conference venue.

 Branding

A final consideration for locating the perfect conference venue is branding. Does the space fit with your event’s overall messaging and branding goals? Is there another conference happening in the venue at the same time that might clash with the values of your event client? It’s best to avoid these awkward situations by enquiring beforehand.

Also concerning branding, you should determine if you are responsible for signage and banners throughout the space or if the venue can handle it for you. You may have to fit your advertising materials into certain sizes and frames.

While you’re asking about branding opportunities within the space, enquire about decoration options at the venue as well. Will you be allowed to bring balloons, flowers, lights, or other items that are part of your decorating scheme? The venue’s availability for branding and signage will be important for your client as well.

Final Thoughts on Venue Location in London

With so many venues in such a wide variety across London, there’s sure to be an ideal spot for your conference. To find the best one for your event, follow these three big tips from Purple Patch. We’ve had years of experience as London event organisers, so we’re experts on venue location. With the right approach, you can become a venue expert too!

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