Whether you plan to host a corporate or general interest event, these types of conferences and conventions each have something special to offer. Here’s everything you need to know about each type including their benefits, what types of venues work best, and some bookable examples of London event spaces for your own function.
What it is: Standard conferences revolve around one main theme and include educational speakers as well as hands-on learning opportunities. They also often include related vendors selling goods and services.
What it’s for: Education, networking, and discovering new partnerships based on shared goals.
Best type of venue for this event: Look for a venue with at least one wide, open space for vendor or informational booths as well as a main lecture hall for presentations.
Example venues: Alexandra Palace is large enough for thousands of attendees (196 acres, to be exact) and offers a variety of stylish looking stages to choose from. Congress Centre has 16 different lecture spaces with the kinds of hi-tech tools you’ll need for all your conference presentations.
What it is: Workshops can be hosted independently or as part of a larger conference or convention. When hosted as a standalone get-together, they tend to focus on smaller groups and interactions.
What it’s for: Connecting on a deeper personal level than most larger conferences and conventions and learning about a shared interest in a classroom setting.
Best type of venue for this event: Find a space that is great for both learning as a group and breaking out into smaller discussion circles as needed.
Example venues: Huckletree West’s eclectic and colorful space if perfect for creativity based workshops. Sunbeam Studios offer one large room for main presentations plus two smaller breakout spaces and an outdoor garden which gives attendees plenty of options for brainstorm sessions or quiet reflection time in between speakers.
What it is: Trade fairs are a type of convention that revolves around a single industry. Vendors, speakers, and other activities are all related to shared interests.
What it’s for: Discovering new brands, products, or services, as well as networking with others who have the same professional goals or personal hobbies.
Best type of venue for this event: Trade fairs are a mix of both workshops and traditional conferences in that they use a specific theme, offer educational components in their programming, and provide opportunities for networking.
Example venues: Hackney Town Hall is a natural fit for this event type because town halls are designed for a mix of both business and personal interactions. And it’s easy to see why when you view their naturally lit main hall and regal meeting rooms. Oval Space can handle large groups inside their transformative multi-purpose space as well as small groups in their indoor and outdoor breakout areas.