London`s conference, incentive and events industry flexed its creative muscles last month, when Visit London brought in over 250 hosted buyers from across the globe…
London`s conference, incentive and events industry flexed its creative muscles last month, when Visit London brought in over 250 hosted buyers from across the globe in one of the largest business tourism initiatives the city has ever seen.
The US, German, Italian, and French buyers, who represented a cross section of world wide purchasing, from large association meetings to smaller conferences were treated to a showcase of London`s new, hidden and future CI industry.
“Our belief is that the best way to sell London is to get people here, the product then sells itself,” commented, Jane Pendlebury General Manager, Sales, at Visit London. “Already the trips have bought in a combined revenue of over £4.5 million to the capital.”
Creativity is one of the city`s many unique selling points and the Visit London sales teams themed the trip imaginatively. For example, buyers were split into three teams during the course of their visit; the Fashionistas were chauffeur driven across the capital in MPVs; the Cool Dudes enjoyed Duck Tour Vehicles while the Culture Vultures had the charm of a traditional red London bus.
The tour then catered for the three groups` individual needs. Fashionistas were given the opportunity to explore the Il Bottaccio fashion venue, the only official off site venue for London Fashion Week. Meanwhile The Cumberland hotel was the first destination for the Cool Dudes, with a site inspection of its amazing new lobby and meeting space, while Somerset House was the Culture Vultures` first stop.
“London has the most creative events industry in the world; the most diverse venues; and outstanding DMC and production companies,” concluded Jane.
Other venues on the showcase included:
Design Museum, Tower Bridge; La Floridita, Conran`s new Soho restaurant; Veeraswamy, the UK`s oldest Indian restaurant; Kingly Court shopping and private event area; Kempinski Courthouse Hotel; St Martin`s Lane Hotel, official hotel for London Fashion Week; Somerset House; Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; One Aldwych; and Ruby Blue, bar/club/venue.
Comments from the visiting buyers included:
“The event ran extremely smoothly obviously due to some very slick organization,” commented event organiser Christina Vizareli, from Bird & Bird.
“(It was) such a valuable day … very well organised and extremely useful. I came away with so many new ideas and contacts. The visit was a great success and exceeded my expectations,” commented buyer, Felicity Dennis from Partners Group Ltd.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
