Planning a Small Conference in London
When you are charged with organising a small conference, there are several things you need to consider when considering conference venues. London is, of course, one of the economic and cultural centres of Europe and is the ideal place to organise a small event; if you're looking for smaller, more intimate conference venues, London has many places that will suit perfectly. In order to ensure a successful event, consider the location as well as the space that is required.
The location
While it may seem to be a simple and logical location for conference venues, London is huge and it can be quite tricky to get the ideal place pinned down. If you're planning to host a small event, selecting a place in the heart of the city is simpler and more cost effective than hosting a massive affair. That's not to say that a prime location beside Covent Garden or on Fleet Street is going to be cheap, but it will be central and easy for your attendees to reach. However, when organising your event, you need to be able to balance the price of the venue with the location and strike a balance; but be aware that one of the benefits of hosting a small event in the capital is the advantage of the attendees being able to experience the city itself, so being out of the centre may not be conducive to that.
The space needed
When organising your conference venues, London has a plethora of spaces to host such events - so make the most of them. Check out the space, make sure that it physically has what you need for the number of attendees, presenters, volunteers and workers so you can be confident it will fit comfortably. Eschew rooms that are way too big for your audience, as they will feel swamped; likewise, ensure you won't be cramped and uncomfortable. Look at the space involved and consider your needs: if you're hosting a technical event, make sure you make allowances for not only the human space they may need, but also take into account the fact you will need to factor in room for all the computers and gadgets. While, of course, it's more about work than pleasure, the views are important too. Though you might not be able to afford to give your attendees stunning views of panoramic vistas over the London horizon, you certainly don't want to keep them locked away in a dark room with no natural light at all. Finding a balance is key.
The location
While it may seem to be a simple and logical location for conference venues, London is huge and it can be quite tricky to get the ideal place pinned down. If you're planning to host a small event, selecting a place in the heart of the city is simpler and more cost effective than hosting a massive affair. That's not to say that a prime location beside Covent Garden or on Fleet Street is going to be cheap, but it will be central and easy for your attendees to reach. However, when organising your event, you need to be able to balance the price of the venue with the location and strike a balance; but be aware that one of the benefits of hosting a small event in the capital is the advantage of the attendees being able to experience the city itself, so being out of the centre may not be conducive to that.
The space needed
When organising your conference venues, London has a plethora of spaces to host such events - so make the most of them. Check out the space, make sure that it physically has what you need for the number of attendees, presenters, volunteers and workers so you can be confident it will fit comfortably. Eschew rooms that are way too big for your audience, as they will feel swamped; likewise, ensure you won't be cramped and uncomfortable. Look at the space involved and consider your needs: if you're hosting a technical event, make sure you make allowances for not only the human space they may need, but also take into account the fact you will need to factor in room for all the computers and gadgets. While, of course, it's more about work than pleasure, the views are important too. Though you might not be able to afford to give your attendees stunning views of panoramic vistas over the London horizon, you certainly don't want to keep them locked away in a dark room with no natural light at all. Finding a balance is key.
