Marking its first anniversary this month, the international conference centre (ICC) at ExCeL London has so far contributed over half a billion pounds of economic benefit from delegate expenditure to London’s economy. Playing host to over 50 UK and international large conventions and events, the venue has welcomed nearly 500,000 visitors since opening for business.
Strongly endorsed by The Mayor of London and his official promotional agency for the capital, London & Partners, the ICC has been instrumental in boosting London’s appeal as a leading global events and business destination. Enabling the capital to be more competitive against other major European cities such as Vienna and Barcelona, the ICC has helped London leap up the International Congress & Convention Association’s (ICCA) Statistics report from 16th to 14th.
With 42 future congress events already confirmed to be staged at the venue and a further 50 at various stages of bidding, congress highlights include EULAR and Cisco Live. The largest ever medical event to be held in London, EULAR was attended by over 16,000 delegates, while Cisco Live attracted 6,000 delegates and broke all previous records with increased numbers in attendees, exhibitors and sponsorship.
Kevin Murphy, CEO at ExCeL London explains: “The ICC’s opening marked a new era for London’s business tourism offering. Investing in our event industry’s core infrastructure, the ICC at ExCeL is key to future business growth for the city and the UK economy. Our ambition is to be Europe’s leading convention centre and to transform the capital’s eastside into a centre of excellence and top events destination. Aside from the Olympics legacy, London’s Eastside is a hot bed of investment and regeneration with initiatives like the Siemens Pavilion and London Tech City East turning the city into a leading technology and creative capital.”
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson says: “Seven million business travellers come to London every year, increasing this number boosts not only London’s, but the UK economy. The ICC has proved beyond a doubt that it can do this and do it brilliantly. Its success proves yet again the tremendous value the regeneration of London’s East End will bring increasing the city’s, and in particular the Royal Docks, attractiveness as a place to do business and sharpening our competitiveness on the international stage.”
Tracy Halliwell director of business tourism & major events at London & Partners comments: “As the official convention bureau for the capital, ICC London has given London & Partners the vehicle to deliver further on our promises to be the best city on earth in which to hold major events and conferences. Success over the past year has seen events such as EULAR and Cisco Live enjoy record attendances, bringing in millions of pounds of economic benefit to the city, and as organisers continue to re-book events, we can see how London continues to deliver on its value proposition.”
