Recent Events

December 2008: Credit Crunch Domestic Tourism research

Visit London presented insights from the Credit Crunch Domestic Tourism research on 9 December 2008. The briefing provided a clear indication of the potential effects of the economic downturn on domestic tourism attitudes and behaviours. The event speakers were Visit London Marketing Director Martine Ainsworth-Wells and Visit Britain Director of England Marketing Michael Bedingfield. The event included networking opportunities.

You can download the insights from the Credit Crunch Domestic Tourism research presentation in our Stats and Factsheets section

November 2008: White Christmas

White Christmas, the event industry Christmas party was held at new super-club and Visit London partner, Matter at the O2.

Over 450 clients and partners attended this networking function and were treated to a showcase of some of London’s finest entertainment, event suppliers and hospitality services.

November 2008: Visit London AGM

The Forty Fifth annual general meeting of Visit London was held at the Visit London, offices on 4 November 2008. As per usual a review of the year was conducted and committee/board members were elected. Grant Hearn, Mark Taylor, Michael Lynch, Chris Townsend and Simon Tucker were re-elected as directors of the Company.

October 2008: Counter-terrorism workshop

Visit London organised a workshop on counter-terrorism, run by the Metropolitan Police at the historic library in the Royal Institution of Great Britain. Project Argus is a National Counter Terrorism Security Office initiative, exploring ways to aid businesses in preventing, handling and recovering from a terrorist attack.

The workshop featured a tabletop, multi media simulation of an attack where delegates were faced with a series of questions and dilemmas to resolve, both individually and collectively. The workshop was aimed at managers and assistant managers in businesses located within crowded places in urban settings which included retail and night time economy.

October 2008: Learnings from Beijing

Visit London presented insights from the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games and tourism opportunities for London 2012 at BAFTA on 20 October. The focus was on practical opportunities for partners and the lessons learned from seeing the Olympic Games in action. The event speaker was Visit London Communications Director Ken Kelling, and the event included networking opportunities.

You can download the Learnings from Beijing presentation in our Stats and Factsheets section

September 2008: Autumn Networking

Networking nights provide a platform for partners to meet with event planners from all over the UK. Key clients from the corporate, agency and association sectors attended this function held at the film-themed visitor attraction, The Movieum, at County Hall.

September 2008: Business marketing workshop

Visit London is association with Business Link hosted an interactive marketing workshop on 30 September aimed at owners and marketing, sales, website and PR Managers of the accommodation and restaurant sector.

The workshop aimed to deliver an understanding of current trends and changes in the market, educating people about what marketing tools they can use and provided practical hints and tips on business marketing. The workshop also provided the opportunity to partners to discuss individual marketing problems and work out solutions. The event speaker was Ashley de Safrin, Business Link's specialist Hospitality Business Adviser, who has worked for many years in hotel marketing and sales and also advises restaurants and accommodation providers across London.

October 2008: Educational Forum on Sustainability in the Events Industry

The Educational Forum on Sustainability provided key information on this ever important topic for Visit London partners and members of the events community including the LDA.

Expert speakers included key figures from British Standards, Hotel Carbon index, Carbon Consultancy and former CEO of Friends of the Earth, Charles Secrett.

Approximately 100 people attended this event at the sustainable conference venue, 15 Hatfields near Waterloo.

July 2008: Carnival Summer Party

Visit London teamed up with Confex After Hours to host the first of its networking nights for the UK events industry.

Partners were given reduced rates to Carnival Summer Party held at the cool nightclub 24London. Over 250 clients and suppliers attended to network and do business in a relaxed and fun environment.

July 2008: Summer Party

Visit London held its annual summer party for partners on 3 July at the beautiful College Garden in Westminster Abbey. The stunning location was complimented by a glorious summer evening and was a resounding success. 500 of our partners attended, enjoying drinks, pimms, canapés , a live jazz band and entertainment in a bedouin style tent. The evening also presented a great networking opportunity in a truly convivial atmosphere.

July 2008: Green tourism for London

London Development Authority and Visit London held a Green Tourism for London event hosted by Kew Gardens on their beautiful premises at Cambridge Cottage.

Launched in October 2007, Green Tourism for London is aimed at hotels, guesthouses, attractions and event venues and is the first independently-audited green accreditation scheme for London's tourism businesses. The event was an invitation to our partners to find out how this initiative can help attract more visitors as well as making businesses perform more efficiently and sustainably in the future.

James Bidwell former CEO of Visit London chaired the event which also featured some of the businesses who have joined the programme, and who spoke about the benefits gained from joining the Green Tourism initiative. The evening ended with some valuable networking on the lawns in a fabulous summer setting.

June 08: Educational Forum on Sales Training

Working in association with Eventia, the Event’s industry association, Visit London held a series of networking functions throughout 2008.

The educational forum on full colour selling provided complimentary training on improving sales techniques in uncertain times. Approximately 120 people attended this event at the New Connaught Rooms in Holborn.

April 2008: MPI Rendezvous Europe

Visit London hosted the events industry party of the year at IndigO2. Over 800 events industry clients and suppliers from across Europe were treated to a night of spectacular entertainment including music from Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Norman Jay and Trevor Nelson.

Each year Rendezvous Europe is the key business networking function of The European Meetings and Events Conference, which rotates annually around different cities in Europe. As host city for 2008, London did not fail to impress.