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Exhibition Centres in London

Find an book the most exclusive exhibition centres in London for your next event

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Here at Canvas we offer you access to some of London’s very best exhibition centres. These versatile offerings are able to accommodate a wide range of different events, from conferences to meetings, and showcases to expos. Some provide the option of intimate spaces that are great for bringing a more personal touch to proceedings, whilst many offer generous open-plan layouts that make them ideally suited to large scale gatherings. With everything from industrial style warehouses to contemporary photographic studios; venues teeming with characterful brickwork and pillars to striking minimalism; large exhibition space to quirky galleries; we believe we can cater to almost any possible style. Better yet, our venues are all to be found in fantastic locations throughout central and greater London, keeping them well within the buzz and excitement of the capital.

First Steps in Organising a Trade Show

Looking to organise a trade show? If there’s a gap in the market for one in your business niche, then it’s a great way to both advertise your company, and the exhibitors who attend. Not only this, but you might make some great sales because of it, and expand your network at the same time. Actually organising a trade show is the difficult part however. It’s tough to understand where to even get started with your planning, which is why we’ve come up with these first steps for you to follow and get the ball rolling.


Step 1: Get A Team Together


First things first. You can’t do everything on your own. A trade show is a massive event, so you need to get a team together. You will need to interview and hire a range of skilled people to handle everything that you either don’t have the right expertise in, or are simply too busy to concentrate on. Someone to handle finance and procurement and a Marketing Manager will be essential. Once you have everyone together, you need to lay out exactly what your vision is for this trade show and get them on board with it as well. If you’re not all on the same page, then organisation will become difficult. Now that you’ve hired others, don’t be afraid to let go of different tasks and trust them to get things done. If you are having regular project meetings, then nothing is going to fall between the cracks.


Step 2: Get Your Main Sponsor


Without a main sponsor, you’re not going to have a trade show. This is the company whose money will be funding the majority of the event, so you need to reach out and get them on board fast. They should be well liked and respected within your industry, so that your potential audience will automatically trust a trade show that is being sponsored by them. As well as this, they will be able to advertise your event to their customers, which will bring in a massive boost in ticket sales. You need to understand exactly what it is that they expect from you in return and stick to that agreement. Promotion for them before, during and after the event is key and all of your branding should feature them prominently.


Step 3: Get a Budget


Without a strong budget, your trade show is unlikely to be successful. You need to factor in how much money you are getting from your sponsor and estimated ticket sales, but you also need to really think about all of the expenses that you are going to accrue.  Putting on a trade show isn’t cheap. There is the venue hire, all of the banners and promotional items, catering, and of course you need to pay your staff as well. This is why it is so important to have someone that is dedicated to balancing the books, getting you the best deals, and is able to tell you when you simply can’t afford something.


Step 4: Get a Marketing Plan


Without a strong marketing plan, your trade show won’t get the audience that it needs to be successful. Not only do you need to attract attendees, you also need to sell exhibitor booths. Without exhibits, there’s no audience. The hardest part is always getting those first few sales. This is where the name of your sponsor will encourage exhibitors to sign up. You can also create urgency by having a discounted rate for the first 20 sellers. Once you have those, others will be much more inclined to join in. When you have a good customer base, emails are a great tactic to sell tickets, as is social media. You need to start marketing early, have a plan, and stick to it. Don’t forget about what happens after the show either!


Step 5: Get a Venue


Once you have a solid plan, and a sponsor on the books, it’s time to find the perfect venue for your trade show. The are lots of exhibition centres for hire in London, so you will be able to visit and choose the one that fits. Consider how you want the layout of the event, the type of trade show that you’re having, and any extras the venue might be able to provide for you. Obviously, it needs to stay within your budget as well, so get a detailed quote from the venues that you are considering before making a final decision. Location is always something that must be considered. While something further away might come in at a better price, you may put off exhibitors and attendees who have to travel to get there.


Step 6: Get Advertising


Implementing this part of your marketing plan, you need to start getting banners made up, and advertising as much as you can around the city. Flyers and direct mail are still a crucial part of any advertising policy so don’t forget about their importance. At the event, you will need as much advertising as you can. Programs should be printed as well as other branded materials for staff to wear and to give out to attendees. Hiring a graphic designer to make everything as professional as it can be is a great idea, although understandably not within everyone’s budget. Social media shouldn’t be abandoned either. Paying for Facebook advertisements can see an increase in your ticket sales, and this should also be taken into consideration.


Once you’ve got your first steps together, the rest will be plain sailing. The key is to have detailed plans and budget so that you know exactly what you’re doing at every stage. Having a great team behind you will mean that you’re not on your own with organising, and they can help you to make your trade show a roaring success.

FAQs Exhibition Centres in London

What type of events can you host at an exhibition centre?

London’s exhibition centres are incredibly popular and people book them for wide range of different purposes and events. Incredibly versatile and accommodating, exhibition centres can be used to host the following events: • Conferences • Meetings • Showcases • Expos • Entertainment • Shows • Competitions • Award ceremonies • Product launches • Conventions When searching for the perfect exhibition centre for your event, it’s important that you visit the space to get a feel of how it will complement your plans and exhibition.



What makes a good exhibition venue?

The vast majority of exhibition venues in London offer generous open-plan layouts that are perfectly suited to accommodating the demands that come hand in hand with large scale gatherings. From industrial style warehouses and contemporary photographic studios through to quirky galleries and colourful modern spaces, a good exhibition venue will be able to accommodate any event. The venue should also be in a central accessible location, offer high-quality dining facilities, such as an on-site kitchen and restaurant and offer flexible pricing packages which can be adapted to meet the demands of your event.



What happens at an exhibition centre?

Exhibition centres can host all sorts of different events. They typically have vast, open spaces and a range of facilities. Most exhibition centres are purpose built, ensuring every inch of space is practical.



What is an exhibition centre?

According the English dictionary, an exhibition centre is “a large building designed for holding exhibitions” And London is home to a whole host of exhibition centres that are used to showcase a wide variety of exhibitions, as well as events. Capturing the buzz and excitement of London, the capital’s exhibition centres are constantly alive with activity and provide the perfect setting to network, exhibit, collaborate, meet and more.



Why do businesses need to exhibit?

Exhibiting is one of the best ways for businesses to showcase their work, build brand awareness, optimise credibility, and connect with potential partners and clients.



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