About London
Having earned its spot as the third busiest city in the world, London is one of the most toured cities in the UK. Some prominent attractions within the city of London are Big Ben, the London Eye and Madame Tussauds, which millions visit annually.
Even though London is a city that is thought to be visited primarily for tourism purposes, many people visit it for other reasons like business meetings, finding jobs, studying and attending seminars.
People visit networking places in London to interact with each other for different reasons, such as to discuss professions, industries, investment seminars, etc.
Networking Space Options in London
Arranging a networking event can be a little challenging. There’s much to keep in mind for everything to go smoothly. The list below mentions all the required services you will need to consider using for your upcoming networking event.
- Equipment
One of the most important things when organising a networking event is equipment. A networking space has to have microphones, speakers and even projector screens. These help ensure that everyone offers whatever information they have and can make the most of the occasion.
- Venue
Another critical thing to keep in mind would be the venue. An excellent networking space should be easily accessible with all basic facilities. It should also be easily accessible by public transport as London is a big city and many people prefer to use the London tube and bus services. If hosting many people, ample parking spaces should be available for those who prefer to travel by car. Several toilets should be available, including a separate one for the disabled. Make sure to also have a kitchen on hand if you plan to serve refreshments to your honourable guests.
- Refreshments
After a whole lot of socialising, you might want to consider catering for your visitors. Fortunately, London has a fantastic selection of catering companies to choose from. This will help energise everyone and encourage them to further communicate with others.
Networking Space Options in London
- Sound in the City Ltd
Based in Central London since 2007 and with over 100 five-star reviews on Google, they are leaders in the audiovisual equipment hire and event management industry. Personal delivery, set-up and collection by their dedicated team of qualified technicians will take the technical worry out of your hands so you can get on with organising your networking event.
- Kings Place Events
Since opening in 2008, Kings Place has established itself as a leading space for conferences and events, providing in-house catering, AV and production services, from multi-day conferences with exhibition stands to receptions, meetings and dinners. They have good reviews online and claim to be London’s best-connected venue. Kings Cross St Pancras and Euston stations are within easy reach with fast connections to the north, and Europe is within easy reach via the Eurostar terminal in St Pancras station.
- Humdingers
Based in North London, Humdingers Catering offers high-end food for weddings, parties, location catering and corporate events, including banquets and award ceremonies. They also provide catering guidance in the days, weeks or months leading up to your event, so you won't have to worry about what kind of food to serve at your networking event.
Pros and Cons of Networking Spaces in London
Pros
- Transport
London is a big city and has an extensive public transport network. Your guests have many transport options, and arriving at the venue should not be a problem. Every day, millions of people travel by tube, bus, car, and bike to get where they need to be.
- Venue options
The best thing about hosting this event in London is having many venue options. You are sure to find someplace that works perfectly for you. As you probably know, London generates almost a quarter of the UK’s total economic activity and is the wealthiest city in England.
- Green spaces
London, unexpectedly, has many parks, with Richmond Park being the largest and Green Park being the smallest of all the Royal Parks. Parks are a great way to help calm your nerves and fight anxiety and stress. Taking a stroll down one of many of London’s beautiful parks would be a great way to settle down after a long day of learning.
Cons
- Parking
Looking for a suitable parking spot may be challenging in London, especially in Central London. CCTV cameras are everywhere, and you will likely get a parking fine for the slightest mistake. If you must travel by car, it is recommended to use one of many websites to book a parking spot near your destination.
- Costly
London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and although there are countless venues and catering options to choose from, they can be pretty overpriced. A networking event should be well thought out and carefully planned so you don't go over budget and spend more than you initially planned.
- Busy
Another major disadvantage of London is how crowded it is. Being one of the biggest cities in Europe, you're bound to run into tourists all year round. At peak times, you may be unable to find a place to sit on public transport. Car journeys also take longer during rush hours, so it’s crucial to plan trips taking that into account.
Famous Locations in London
- The British Museum
The British Museum is the oldest national museum, founded in 1753. It was first opened to the public in 1759 and still attracts millions of visitors. Located on Great Russell Street, this site would be perfect if you love historical artefacts and ancient architecture. It's free to enter and closes later during the evening, giving tourists plenty of time to roam around and explore.
- The Shard
If you are not a fan of museums, you should visit The Shard. Like the British Museum, entry is free, and it's open for several hours every day, giving you plenty of time to admire beautiful landmarks scattered across London. If measured to the top, it is 310 metres, making it one of Europe's tallest buildings. It took just over three years to build, with work starting in March of 2009 and finally completed in 2012.
- Hyde Park
If you are still not pleased, don't worry as Hyde Park has to be your place. Set right in the heart of London, this park is the largest of all the royal parks. It's highly accessible by public transport and would be the perfect place to clear your mind and escape the noisy, bustling streets of Central London. After a frantic day of socialising, nothing feels better than sitting down and enjoying your own company.