Looking for corporate event venues in London? We're happy to give you a helping hand. From determining your budget to negotiating with suppliers, it pays to be organised when planning a corporate or business event. Sourcing a great corporate event venue is key as it sets the tone of your event, so make it one of your first priorities. Here at Tagvenue we’ve shortlisted the capital’s most popular venues for corporate events, business meetings, networking events, promotional events, and business presentations. Just hop to our search bar and make your booking today!
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From high-tech conferences in a very professional setting to fun corporate parties and company picnics, corporate event planning requires that you consider a lot of different factors. Be sure you don’t miss anything with these corporate venue hire tips:
How to hire a corporate event venue?
Determine your budget – Decide on your budget to see what kinds of corporate event venues you can hire and what activities you can plan for your business gathering. Setting a budget will also allow you to see how big of an event you can organise and whether you can hire any external providers. Remember that when it comes to corporate event space hire, there are different pricing types, such as minimum spend, hire fee, or a daily delegate rate (DDR).
Pick the date early and send out invitations as soon as possible – Maximise attendance at your event by giving people plenty of advance notice. Remember to add RSVP so you know how many people to expect at your business event. By having a closed guest list ahead of time you will be able to prepare the best experience for all the attendees.
Think about what A/V and conference facilities you’ll need – Remember to provide a projector, mics and speakers, screen, and/or a flipchart if you’re planning to make a presentation. Make sure the audiovisual system is good enough for the kind of corporate event you’re organising. Many professional meeting venues or co-working spots will have such equipment on-site, but if you choose a non-corporate place for your event, make sure the venue has everything you may need. If the place can’t provide necessary amenities, make sure you can bring and use your own.
Choose the right venue type – Depending on the type of the event you’re organising, you should choose the venue accordingly. You don’t want to end up throwing a party in a dull boardroom or presenting your company’s achievements in a noisy bar. London is full of great corporate event venues and thanks to Tagvenue you will find just what your company needs!
Think about party entertainment – How about hiring some brilliant performers to entertain your guests at your corporate gathering? Comedians, musicians, jugglers, and dancers are some of the most popular choices. You can also look for a venue that offers karaoke or other in-house entertainment you could use for your event. Remember that even if you’re organising corporate workshops or brainstorming sessions, a short break may work miracles for your workers’ creative process.
There’s one more thing that all the best corporate events have in common: a great venue. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular types of corporate venues in London:
Types of corporate event venues available in London:
Auditorium – Looking for a place for your company’s AGM? This might be a perfect choice. Auditoriums are an excellent option for bigger groups and professional events involving public speaking, such as annual general meetings, as mentioned above.
Our recommendation:
Theatre at The Royal Institution - a historic venue in the heart of London that’s a great spot for large corporate events. With many other rooms available for hire, an in-house AV team and catering offers this venue is sure to meet all the needs of your event. Guest rating: 4.8/5
Rooftop terraces – Imagine throwing a corporate drinks reception with breathtaking views of London’s iconic buildings. The city’s famous skyline would make a great conversation starter for your colleagues and business partners.
Our recommendation:
The Terrace at Doggett's Coat and Badge - let your guests enjoy the panoramic views of The City while sipping on the selection of drinks. With indoor space available as well, it’s a great corporate event location for all types of corporate events throughout the year. Guest rating: 4.8/5
Bars and pubs – From laid-back pubs to chic cocktail bars, London has it all. These kinds of settings are ideal for company Christmas parties, networking events, and corporate receptions.
Our recommendation:
The Cocktail Lounge at The Parlour - a semi-exclusive space ideal for all cocktail lovers. With a selection of drinks, it’s a great spot for after work drinks, a networking session or just a team outing. Guest rating: 5.0/5
Karaoke – Looking for creative ideas for corporate activities? Karaoke is the perfect choice for a fun team activity that encourages team-building and sparks creativity. Divide your group into opposing teams or organise a talent show to choose your company’s rock star.
Our recommendation:
Karaoke Room at The Chelsea Pensioner - offering a private bar, in-house catering, and over 80,000 songs on the karaoke machine this venue will provide all-night fun for your guests. Ideal for a team-building outing as well as after parties. Guest rating: 4.9/5
Lounges - Usually spacious, but with seating areas and a bar, lounges are great corporate event venues for large groups. Offering plenty of space for circulating, a lounge can be a perfect choice for a networking event or a product launch.
Our recommendation:
Cafe Lounge at Uncommon Borough - with modern design and other meeting spaces available for hire, this venue will make your large corporate event worry-free. You can choose in-house catering or an external one to meet all your guests’ needs. Guest rating: 4.8/5
When choosing a venue for your corporate event, make sure to consider size, price, ease of access, hospitality standards, functionality and suitability for your corporate image or brand safety. Venue marketplaces such as Tagvenue are excellent places to source venues experienced in meeting corporate standards and offering professional facilities.
A corporate event package should provide an event tailored to your particular needs. Packages are generally priced on a per person basis and will cover the cost of the meal. In most packages the meal will usually include a three-course dinner. Unless alternate arrangements for wine or a drink with dinner, drinks are usually charged separately. Entertainment and decoration can also be offered by the corporate event spaces or they may be able to recommend featured vendors who are available at an extra charge.
When choosing a business event space you may hire one that comes with in-house catering, enabling the venue to prepare whatever you need for the event. However, you may be required to hire outside vendors. If you are faced with a strict budget, it is best to ask for cost estimates from a number of venues to decide which option will be cheapest for your event. In either case, it could be wise to check if the conference venue offers a BYOB option. You can enjoy significant savings by providing your own beverages for the event, even if there is a corkage fee.
Venue pricing may vary greatly depending on the day of the week and the time of the day. Sizing and on-site amenities may also influence the pricing. Happily, London offers a variety of cheap corporate event venues! If you decide on a venue with minimum spend expect prices from £500 to £8000. Per hour rates will start from £48. If you want to hire a venue per day or per session prices start at as low as £80. (All data from Tagvenue.)