Top Tips for Hosting a Business Event in London

1. Perfect the Food with Catering Tips for Events in London

Let’s get started with our first tip for events in London, pay attention to the food! There are several excellent event caterers in the city, and our local experts can help you find one that fits your needs. But, here are some other things to keep in mind when choosing an event caterer for your business event in London.

Include some local flavours: We know that London is a melting pot of cultures, and you can get everything from kebabs and curries to sushi and ramen to pizza and pasta but don’t forget to add the quintessential English touch to the menu for your business event in London.

Embrace London’s culinary advantage by adding some local dishes and flavours to your catering menu. From traditional English pies to exotic street food, offering a taste of British cuisine will help make your event in London a great success.

Tea and treats: No one quite loves their tea like the British do, and to host a successful business event in London, you have to add the quintessential British touch with a well-curated selection of teas and tea-time treats.

Help your business event attendees overcome a mid-afternoon slump by setting up a tea station with various blends and letting guests nibble on delectable scones, finger sandwiches, and pastries.

Take dietary restrictions into consideration: To cater to all your event attendees, make sure your event catering menu caters to different dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal options. From vegetarian to vegan meals and from halal to gluten-free meals, it's essential to cater to all dietary requirements. Providing a range of choices will ensure that every guest can enjoy the feast without worries.

Infuse flavour with seasonal produce: One of the best things about hosting an event in London is the access to tons of fresh seasonal produce. Speak with your caterer to create a menu that’s sustainable and delicious by focussing on locally sourced ingredients that are in flavour that season.

Increase networking with interactive food stations: It’s no secret that business events in London are great for networking, so why not take the networking game a notch higher? Elevate the dining experience by setting up interactive food stations.

This can include something as simple as a build-your-own sandwich bar to a gourmet burger station or even a fish and chips counter with a variety of sauces and seasonings. Letting guests customise their meals adds an element of fun and engagement to the event.

• P.S. It’s always a great idea to sample the food a city has to offer before you start planning your event catering menu. Here are a few unique venues for business lunches in London that’ll help you start planning your menu.

2. Advice for Business Events in London: Plan an After-Work

When advising business events in London, there’s one thing we can’t stress enough, and that’s the importance of an after-work.

After all, business events are all about networking, so why not add a fun element to the networking by planning an after-work? Lucky for us, London has several cool after-work event ideas that can really take your business event in the city to the next level.

Cruise on the River Thames:We can’t deny that London is a city with one of the most scenic backdrops in the world. And there’s no better way to take advantage of this than taking your event attendees on a relaxing and scenic cruise along the River Thames.

Whether it’s a sundowner or a dinner cruise, this unique experience with iconic London landmarks as the backdrop will score high points as a memorable experience.

Comedy night bonding: They say laughter is the best medicine so you’ll be happy to know that London boasts an incredible comedy scene. Help your event attendees unwind after a long day of business events with an evening of stand-up comedy where everyone can bond over some hearty laughs.

Historic pub tour:For another bonding experience, treat your event attendees to a historic pub tour where the past and present meet for a unique experience. London has several historic pubs that boast both character and charm,

Organise a pub tour for all your event attendees where you can hop from one iconic establishment to another while enjoying a pint of ale and soaking in the city's rich history.

• Pro-tip:If you enjoy the drinks in London, here are some other cool bars in London you can check out.

Foodie exploration:If all that drinking makes you hungry, we suggest that you gather your event attendees and embark on a culinary journey through London’s many food markets. Whether it's Borough Market's gourmet delights or the eclectic tastes of Camden Market, exploring these foodie havens can be a delightful way to bond over shared flavours.

London walking tours: Another way to explore the city that’s not only about food and drink is to arrange for a London walking tour for your event attendees. Explore the city on foot through themed walking tours. From historical walks to street art tours, there's a tour for every interest. It's an excellent way to learn about London's rich culture while enjoying the company of your colleagues.

• Pro-tip: If you’ve got another idea and would like to host your own after-work, here are some unique venues with breakout rooms in London that you can check out.

3. Stage Design and Decor for Events in London

Our next tip for successful business events in London is all about helping you capture the charm of the city with your stage design and decor. To do this, you need to find the perfect balance between creativity and attention to detail.

Here are some tips to help you create an unforgettable stage setup.

Embrace both the city and event venue’s aesthetic: London is known for its diverse architecture and historical landmarks. Incorporate elements from the venue's surroundings into your stage design. Whether it's incorporating Victorian details or modern London chic, let the venue's aesthetics guide your creative choices.

Include some iconic London elements: Speaking of embracing London’s aesthetic, don’t forget there are some iconic London elements that you should bring to your stage design to really seal the deal.

We suggest including iconic London symbols like red telephone boxes, black cabs, Big Ben, or the London Eye in your stage design. These familiar visuals instantly evoke a sense of the city's identity.

Celebrate the arts with installations: London has a thriving art scene that you can use to amp up the decor for your event in London. Collaborate with local artists to create bespoke art installations that can be integrated into your stage design. This can add a touch of authenticity and local flavour to your event.

Make a sustainability statement:Londoners value sustainability. Opt for eco-friendly stage materials and decor options. Reusable, recyclable, or repurposed elements can show your commitment to both creativity and the environment.

Create an interactive experience with dynamic backdrops: Immersive backdrops are all the rage now, and to host a successful business event in London, it’s a good idea to embrace this. We suggest that you create dynamic and immersive backdrops that transport attendees to iconic London scenes or landmarks. Utilise large screens, projections, or even 3D elements to add depth and dimension.

Don’t forget branding: With any business event in London, it’s important to incorporate branding subtly into the stage design. Customised logos, colours, and graphics can blend seamlessly into the decor while serving the importance of your organisation as a constant reminder to your event attendees.

4. Entertainment Event Advice London to Elevate Your Event

We’ve already spoken about after-work ideas as important event planning advice in London, but it’s not enough to only entertain your event attendees after your business event. Keep them interested during your event with these tips to help you create a stand-out entertainment experience.

Start and end your event with a bang:Start and finish your event with a bang. A dazzling opening act or a grand finale can set the tone for a memorable experience that guests won't forget.

Technology integration:If your business event is rooted in tech (and even if it isn’t!) technology can be a game-changer when it comes to event experiences. Utilise technology to elevate your entertainment by incorporating holograms, augmented reality elements, or interactive projection mapping for a futuristic twist.

Tap into London’s cultural richness: We’ve already mentioned that London is a hub of cultural diversity and artistic expression. Bring some of these rich elements to your business event by including entertainment acts that reflect the city’s art scene.

This could be anything from live music spanning different genres to dance performances that celebrate cultural diversity. Whatever you choose, trust us your event attendees will enjoy it!

• Pro-tip: If your event attendees enjoy live music, give them a chance to perform by organising a visit to one of these awesome karaoke bars in London.

Let the games begin with interactive games: Set a theme for your business event in London and include interactive games or competitions that tie into the entertainment theme. This can create a sense of camaraderie among attendees and keep them engaged.

Keep it personal: There’s no dearth of entertainment ideas for your business event in London, but if you truly want to make your event attendees feel special, you need to tailor the entertainment to the preferences of your event attendees. Whether it's a specific musical genre, a beloved movie theme, or a niche interest, personalised entertainment can make attendees feel special.

5. Marketing Ideas to Plan a Business Event in London

The key to hosting a successful event in London lies in your marketing strategy. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with tips for that as well! Take advantage of the city’s dynamic business landscape and diverse audience with these marketing tips:

Leverage social media:London hasn’t escaped the social media frenzy, and you can use this to your advantage. Create a social media plan and create engaging content on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Use relevant hashtags, share behind-the-scenes insights, and post teasers to build anticipation for your business event in London.

Create an event hashtag: Speaking of hashtags, no event in today’s age is quite complete without a hashtag. Create a unique event hashtag and encourage attendees, speakers, and sponsors to use it in their social media posts, creating a buzz around your event online.

Collaborate with local influencers:Another great way to create a buzz for your business event online is to collaborate with local influencers. Partnering with local influencers, thought leaders or industry experts to promote your event not only lends credibility to your event but also expands your event's reach to a wider audience.

Some cool start-up influencers who are currently trending in London include Nektarios Liolios, Eileen Burbridge, Mike Butcher, Chris Gledhill, and Christian Faes.

Local partnerships:Another collaboration you can’t miss is partnering with local businesses, organisations, or chambers of commerce. Joint promotions and cross-marketing efforts can help expand your event's reach within the city.

Make sure the local partners you approach are in synergy with your business event. For example, if you’re hosting a tech business event partner with local tech companies or startups. They can offer workshops, demos, or even sponsor specific sessions related to their expertise.

Similarly, if you’re hosting a business networking event, partner with local chambers of commerce. They can co-promote the event to their member base and potentially provide access to their network of business professionals.

Offer early bird offers and discounts: London is a city that never sleeps and creating a sense of urgency will really work here. You can do this by offering early bird registration discounts. Limited-time offers can incentivise potential attendees to secure their spots sooner.

Networking previews: Business events are all about networking, aren’t they? Highlight the networking opportunities your event offers. People often attend events to connect with peers and industry professionals, so emphasise the potential value of networking.

Make sure your business event is mobile-friendly: Last, but not least, Ensure your event's website and registration process are mobile-friendly. Many Londoners use mobile devices for browsing and registration.

Wrapping Up

And that’s a wrap on our event planning advice for London to host a successful business event. We hope you’ve found these tips helpful.

Now, we know you’re probably rearing to go and get started in the planning for your business event in London, but before you do, we want to remind you that venues play a huge role in ensuring the success of your event.

Make sure you check out some of these cool event venues in London to give you the perfect backdrop for your event.

You can also check out our guide to event spaces in London to get a feel of what to expect in the city.

Happy planning!

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