London has unrivalled experience hosting large events in unique venues and iconic settings. Its rich history of business and culture has inspired people from all around the world.
Hosting your next corporate event in London allows delegates to experience an open, thriving and invigorating city – the perfect backdrop for innovation, collaboration and fresh thinking.
The London ecosystem
London is a city of creatives who blend industries such as finance, esports, adtech, fashtech and retailtech, and conference venues in London can cater for any industry. It also has world-class life sciences as an anchor of the UK’s Golden Triangle with Oxford and Cambridge.
The UK capital has leading expertise across many sectors and is a powerhouse in finance, smart tech, AI and other frontier areas, with a thriving community of innovative startups.
An epicentre of finance and professional services
In 2023, the UK recorded a trade surplus of £100.7bn in financial services. It plays a key role in areas like international lending, currency exchange, insurance and fintech. The UK is also a leader in green finance, pension management and legal services, attracting significant international investment.[1]
London leads this trend. It’s a key private and investment banking centre, with many international banks like Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan operating in the city.
The capital is also a leader in sustainable finance. In 2024, more than 488 active sustainable bonds were listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), which raised approximately £218bn.
The city is home to more than 170 foreign banks or branches and has a 43% share of the global market for specialty insurance risk classes, including marine and energy.
A top city for startups
London has the largest developer population in Europe, with unique depth across fintech, AI, blockchain and cybersecurity.
With London again voted as a top global ecosystem in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2024[2], it’s a city packed with startup opportunities. Since 2022, London has ranked joint second with New York (behind Silicon Valley), and the UK capital offers endless options to host corporate events for startups and beyond.
A smart city
In 2024, London came second in Europe in the ProptechOS Smart City Index[3]. This means it scored highly in tech infrastructure and connectivity metrics and sustainability, making it a city with strong credentials for corporate meeting and event venues.
London scored 79.9% for smart infrastructure features, including internet connectivity and technological infrastructure, highlighting its suitability for London corporate events and conferences.
Demonstrating technology growth
The city's talent, venture capital scene and global connectivity make it a leading epicentre of innovation and a key location for tech-related events. London is particularly strong in AI, fintech and cleantech. London's AI startups alone raised a record-breaking £3.5bn in venture capital funding in 2024. The city's startup ecosystem was valued at $342bn in 2024, and is home to 67 unicorns.[4]
Iconic landmarks as corporate meeting venues
Whether you’re planning a large or more intimate corporate event, London is home to incredibly versatile venues that will make any event even more memorable, from world-famous palaces and top attractions to luxury hotels and state-of-the-art conference centres.
Discover a selection of the most iconic London venues below. For a full list of exclusive spaces available to hire in the capital, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Five-star hotels
InterContinental London – The O2
Accommodating up to 3,000 people, from board meetings to grand conferences, the InterContinental London – The O2 seamlessly combines cutting-edge facilities with the breathtaking beauty of its surroundings in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Royal Lancaster London
Set on the doorstep of iconic Hyde Park, Royal Lancaster London’s impeccable design combines timeless style and sumptuous comfort. From ballrooms to meeting rooms with space for up to 1,500 people, elevate your event in spaces perfectly blending style, functionality and stunning views.
The Landmark, London
Built in 1899, the five-star Landmark London personifies classic Victorian opulence and ranks among the finest luxury hotels in the capital. Perfectly located in central London, it offers 11 beautiful spaces for corporate meetings, events and incentives for up to 750 guests.
Park Hyatt London River Thames
Nestled along the serene banks of the Thames, Park Hyatt London River Thames stands as a beacon of refined elegance for event organisers seeking superb spaces for up to 600 in fabulous settings, complete with a dedicated events team offering personalised experiences.
London Hilton on Park Lane
With 16 flexible meeting spaces, including one of the capital’s largest ballrooms, London Hilton on Park Lane is one of the most iconic venues to host an event for up to 1,250 people, with spectacular views of Hyde Park and an enviable location close to Buckingham Palace.
Four-star hotels
Park Plaza hotels
Choose from five contemporary Park Plaza hotels in ideal central London locations, from Waterloo and Westminster Bridge (one of the largest hotels in London for accommodation and event space) to Victoria and County Hall, with state-of-the-art business centres and event facilities.
Hilton London Metropole
MICE award-winning Hilton London Metropole offers some of the most versatile ballrooms, breakout suites and meeting rooms in the city, including three huge ballrooms and four uniquely themed bars and restaurants for events of up to 1,350 people.
The Cumberland Hotel
Combining cutting-edge design and comfort just moments away from Hyde Park, the Cumberland Hotel offers 18 meeting rooms and 900 bedrooms, as well as six restaurants and bars, including the Michelin-star Rhodes W1.
Novotel London West
Novotel London West has one of the largest numbers of dedicated events spaces in the capital. Pick from 40 conference, meeting and events spaces capable of hosting functions for up to 2,000 delegates.
Leonardo Hotels
With locations across the city, including Tower Bridge, the City, St Paul's and Heathrow Airport, Leonardo Hotels offer a sophisticated blend of contemporary style and modern flair, with versatile and well-equipped meeting and event spaces.
The Marble Arch Hotel by Thistle
Located just steps from Marble Arch and Oxford Street, The Marble Arch Hotel by Thistle is a great location with 692 bedrooms and spaces for corporate events of various sizes. Choose from 12 flexible spaces, all on the same floor, bathed in natural light and fully equipped with the latest tech.
Three-star hotels
Holiday Inn Express and Ibis Hotels
London is home to a range of contemporary three-star hotels with excellent amenities and event spaces. Holiday inn Express hotels by IHG and Ibis hotels by Accor can be found in all central London locations, as well as off-the-beaten-track neighbourhoods, from Southwark to Whitechapel and the Royal Docks.
Conference centres
QEII Centre
Since 1986, the QEII Centre has been a top spot in London for hosting both local and international events. The venue, situated across from Westminster Abbey, boasts outstanding facilities for large conferences, trade shows and corporate gatherings, accommodating up to 2,500 people.
Kings Place
Overlooking the picturesque Regent’s Canal, Kings Place is a modern space built by award-winning architects. One of its unique features is its state-of-the-art tech and acoustics, making it a perfect venue for music events or for events where tech and audio are a priority. It offers 10 spaces with capacities for up to 400.
The Royal Society
London’s historic Royal Society can host anywhere from 10 to 500 guests across its 12 rooms available for hire. With AV equipment in every room and on-site technical support, it also has a fine-dining catering partner to cater events.
Barbican Centre
With a concert hall, cinema and contemporary meeting spaces for up to 1,950 guests, the Barbican Centre plays host to a range of events, from business conferences and exhibitions to talks, music, theatre and dance. Also a great place to host networking events, it offers event planners complete flexibility in a sought-after location.
Convene
Convene, which includes etc.venues, has 11 venues in first-rate locations across London. Capacities range between 10 to 1,200 across its portfolio. Expert teams provide five-star service and exceptional catering to elevate every meeting, conference or corporate milestone.
Iconic landmarks
Guildhall
With more than 800 years of history, the prestigious Guildhall offers grand halls, medieval architecture and state-of-the-art facilities that make it an elegant setting for high-profile gala dinners, conferences and brand events for up to 900 guests.
Westminster Abbey
Experience Westminster Abbey, a significant site of worship and historic events in British history. The Abbey provides unique heritage spaces of differing sizes and settings to accommodate small groups or larger gatherings, including a bespoke marquee in the gardens for summer events.
IET London: Savoy Place
With its prime location on the banks of the river Thames, IET London: Savoy Place offers breathtaking 180-degree views of the London skyline, as well as modern technology, a rooftop terrace and ample space for events of up to 450 people.
One Great George Street
Housed in a beautiful Grade II-listed building, One Great George Street is a fantastic choice for conferences, meetings and exhibitions for up to 400 guests, with an ideal location just moments from Parliament Square opposite St James's Park.
Emirates Stadium
Offering great flexibility with event spaces and incentive experiences, the Emirates Stadium, the home of Arsenal FC, offers an inspiring setting for events of all sizes, from small, intimate gatherings and dinners to large bespoke conferences and exhibitions for up to 1,200.
Attractions and experiences
Some of London's most iconic and world-renown places are available for private hire.
Please note: these are only available for evening events as they are open to the public during the day.
National Gallery
The National Gallery is one of the world's greatest art galleries, featuring some 2,300 paintings by artists such as Van Gogh and Monet. Hold your event for up to 2,000 guests, with a beautiful view of the London skyline from the Portico Terrace, in the new Sainsbury Wing or surrounded by incredible artwork that has influenced history and culture.
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery has the largest collection of portraits in the world, with more than 220,000 artworks from the eighth century to the present day. This stunning Grade I-listed building can be hired for events of up to 900, which can be hosted within its impressive Victorian, 17th-century, 18th-century and Tudor galleries.
Historic Royal Palaces
Historic Royal Palaces offers unique event spaces and exclusive incentive experiences in iconic royal residences across London, including the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace – giving you the chance to not only wow your guests but also walk in the footsteps of royalty. Capacities range from 300 to 3,000.
FRAMELESS
Experience artworks in a new light as you walk through galleries immersed in the worlds of Salvador Dali, Gustav Klimt or Edvard Munch. Situated in Marble Arch, FRAMELESS can be hired for events of up to 450.
Tate Modern
One of the world’s premier modern art galleries, Tate Modern is located on the waterfront of the river Thames. Housed in a former power station, it can host events for up to 1,200 people in its iconic spaces, including the Turbine Hall.
Tate Britain
Tate Britain features a stunning collection that showcases 500 years of British art, including the largest collection of artworks by JMW Turner. It offers spaces for hire for events of up to 900.
For the full selection of our partner venues, check out the Partner Index 2026 [PDF 1.8 MB].
They are so on top of everything and get so involved with site inspections, negotiations, recommendations, educating me on locations and types of hotels...Elle K Associates
Case Study
Opus Agency
What role did the London Convention Bureau play in your event?
From Fiona and Josh meeting us during our site visits to providing Oyster Cards for the team, and even visiting us onsite, the support of the London Convention Bureau has been incredible.
What does Opus Agency do?
Opus Agency partners with world-shaping businesses such as Salesforce, Microsoft and Dell to create shared experiences that build lasting connections between people and brands. With more than four decades of experience, the agency offers end-to-end event capabilities spanning strategy, creative, content, production, event management, technology and more. As the flagship of The Opus Group, Opus Agency delivers innovative, future-forward solutions from hubs across the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific and beyond. The agency empowers brands to engage, inspire and grow by delivering impactful experiences that drive business results.
What challenge did you present to the London Convention Bureau?
The ongoing challenge we face with London, based on our event experience, is always the hotels. For our 2024 wrap-up, we worked with more than 45 hotels, but about 10 of them were unresponsive, either not returning emails or calls. With the eight-hour time difference, this was particularly frustrating.Our budget wrap-up got delayed because of these issues, and eventually, I had to call Fiona for help. The very next day, Fiona dropped everything, visited every hotel on our list in person, got the answers we needed, and within two weeks, we had final folios from all the hotels.
In what ways did the London Convention Bureau help you plan for your event?
Working with the London Convention Bureau has been an outstanding experience. From Fiona and Josh meeting us during our site visits to staying in touch, providing Oyster Cards for the team and even visiting us onsite, their support has been incredible.What was the outcome?
Over the past two years of hosting our event in London, we've built a strong, lasting relationship. Collaborating with Excel London has been equally fantastic – the venue is undoubtedly one of our most valued partners worldwide. Andrew and Steve are absolute top-notch professionals, and their continued partnership shines through every step of the planning process.The London corporate events welcome
The London Convention Bureau team is here to help you create a world-class experience for your delegates. Corporate events in London have the potential to be outstanding, and we make finding the best venues, hotels and experiences for your event easy. We can also connect you with specialists who can help organise your event.
Our support:
- Sourcing London conference venues and hotels.
- Free, impartial advice about corporate meeting venues, hotels, professional conference organisers and destination management companies.
- Group housing and citywide accommodation.
- Site inspection, planning and execution.
- Visa and ETA guidance plus VAT.
- Sector-specific information.
- Planning a sustainable event.
- Creative ideas for delegate experiences, entertainment and team building.
- Travel advice and group discounts on travel across London.
- Incentive ideas for clients.
New venues and hotels
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