As a collection of leading, multi-purpose venues in central London, our members have a wealth of experience in creating unforgettable experiences for meetings and events. In this blog, we’ll share some of their expert advice to help you discover the very best meeting rooms in London.
Why Finding the Right Meeting Room is Critical
With an abundance of meeting rooms in London to choose from, finding and booking the right one can take a great deal of time, research and careful consideration. It’s a critical stage in your event planning process as the physical and aesthetic environment the meeting room provides can either enhance or detract from the tone of your event.
Whether you organise intimate board meetings, large-scale conferences, product launches or interactive workshops, there are several different factors to bear in mind when selecting a meeting room. The following considerations will help you find the event space best suited to your goals and the delegate experience you’re striving to create, which will ultimately impact your event’s success.
Location: is your preferred venue accessible and easy to reach for your invited guests, including people with physical disabilities or mobility issues? Look out for proximity to transport connections, as well as availability of nearby parking or convenient drop-off points. Within our portfolio, there are over 50 venues with meeting rooms in London, all conveniently situated within the City of Westminster with multiple nearby transport links.
Capacity: as well as choosing meeting rooms based on your delegate headcount, finding spaces that can be easily configured to suit the best seating format and layout is important. Will seating be theatre-style, classroom or boardroom? Will there be additional set-ups required within the room, such as catering and networking break areas, or branding zones for sponsors? Comfort is key for all participants, so this should be prioritised when making your selection.
Amenities and equipment: delegates have increasingly high expectations for the provision of fast and secure connectivity, as well as advanced technical equipment at events. When looking for a hi-tech meeting room, check if the amenities include hybrid event tech, video conferencing facilities, interactive display boards, seamless AV solutions and robust Wi-Fi.
Ambience: creating the right environment will boost productivity, encourage engagement, support collaboration and heighten the overall event experience. Everything from interior lighting levels and natural daylight to temperature control and views from your meeting room will have an impact.
Tips for Booking Meeting Rooms in London
With all the different factors to explore before making a final decision, it’s advisable to start the process as early as possible, especially if you have a fixed date in mind. If you’re short on time, using AI-powered tools and venue booking platforms will speed up the selection process, by researching, benchmarking and shortlisting options based on your brief and budget.
Once you’ve identified a selection of the most suitable venues based on your specific requirements, asking the following questions will help inform your final decision and aid your event planning:
Costings: are venue hire, catering, AV and other ancillary event services charged for separately? Or are day delegate rates (DDRs) available and if so, what do these include? Is a deposit required? What are the terms for cancellation or date change flexibility?
AV: if this is offered In-house, what is the full specification of equipment available?
Catering: does the venue have an onsite caterer, or a list of external approved suppliers to choose from? Is it possible to bring in your own catering or preferred supplier if they aren’t on a recommended list?
Accessibility: your delegates may have a broad range of needs based on physical, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), sensory and cognitive requirements. While it’s important to ensure your preferred venue is fully wheelchair accessible, other key questions to ask include: is braille signage available? Can lighting easily be adjusted for people with sensory sensitivities? Is any assistive technology provided? If not, will the AV system and Wi-Fi support the use of personal electronic aids?
Health and Safety: what protocols are in place at the venue? This could include evacuation procedures, on-site First Aid provisions, health and hygiene guidelines, and what risk assessments, method statements, permits or other documentation is required? Is Security included in the hire fee?
Breakouts: are adjoining spaces available or are there other rooms located nearby that can be used for breakout activities such as catering, networking or working groups?
Rate negotiation: if your preferred venue doesn’t match your allocated budget, it’s worth enquiring about discounted rates for off-peak days or lower season times of the year. If you’re looking to secure a venue for multiple dates, why not ask about a preferential block booking rate? For charity or public sector organisations, concession discounts are often available. And some venues may even be open to contra deals, depending on who your attendee audience is and what sponsorship opportunities are on offer.
How to find a meeting room with Westminster Venue Collection
If you’re looking for meeting rooms in London, Westminster Venue Collection provides a one-stop venue-finding service. Our membership includes over 50 of the most prestigious and sought-after venues and meeting spaces, offering extensive choice, state-of-the-art facilities and show-stopping views of the capital’s most iconic landmarks.
Find venues in Westminster for your next event
Enquiring with Westminster Venue Collection couldn’t be easier thanks to our free, personalised service. Using the search facility on our website, you can save time by creating a shortlist and submitting one event enquiry to multiple venues simultaneously.
Alternatively, send your brief to [email protected] and we’ll match you to the best suited venues with availability for your preferred dates.
Venue Collection
Hire prestigious, unique and unusual London venues and facilities with Westminster Venue Collection.
The Westminster Venue Collection’s venues range from fashionable townhouses and private members’ clubs, to luxury hotels, celebrated attractions, historic institutes and societies.
As a collection of leading, multi-purpose venues in central London, our members have a wealth of experience in creating unforgettable experiences for meetings and events. In this blog, we’ll share some of their expert advice…
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