Face-to-face

The Editor of City AM, Allister Heath, recently announced that: “Internet is the new meteorite that extinguished the dinosaurs.” With the closure of Blockbuster and HMV signalling the death of the high street, the question remains: what role is left for face-to-face business interaction?

People have been predicting the death of business meetings since at least 2005, but conference and exhibition venue ExCeL London, Business Destinations’ Best Meetings and Conference Centre, Europe, 2013, experienced a record year in 2012 and is expecting at least four million visitors to come through the doors in 2013, including its 25-millionth guest.

ExCeL London is expecting four million visitors in 2013, including its 25-millionth guest

ExCeL London CEO David Pegler believes that whilst online conferences may replace some internal meetings, if you want to network, meet potential clients and close deals, you have to meet face-to-face. “You need to meet someone to build a meaningful relationship and for significant, strategic business partnerships, personal relationships are everything.

“For many business leaders the act of physically shaking hands is an important part of building a relationship and agreeing a new deal. The success of ExCeL in the last few years shows that that there is no real alternative to face-to-face meetings for sharing big ideas and making things happen.

“In Britain, we don’t manufacture a great deal anymore, but one thing we are good at is bringing people together. We showed in the Olympics what we could do and we are showing every year how meeting in London in particular can be a real catalyst for
economic growth.”

Personal matters
Psychology Professor Richard Arvey, from the University of Singapore, in a study entitled, ‘Why face-to-face business meetings matter’ found that, “face-to-face meetings have a variety of valuable psychological as well as business outcomes” and “eliminating face-to-face meetings as an option in communicating with employees would be a mistake”. Meeting in person is the best way to facilitate networking, allowing attendees to really engage with each other. It also enables individuals to build trusting relationships and increases the perceived level of transparency – all critical qualities to a successful business venture.

A survey by Forbes Insights of more than 750 business executives found that 84 percent preferred in person, face-to-face meetings and an Ipsos Observer search revealed 61 percent of business owners thought of conferences as a good place to network.

Further, a study by forecasting organisation Oxford Economics found that every dollar invested in business travel directly results in $12.50 in added revenues and $3.80 in new profits. This is clear evidence that business travel directly leads to an increase in both corporate and revenue profits.

Business capital
London is the perfect location for exhibition, conference, meeting or association events. Steeped in history, at the cutting edge of style, a leader in world economies, London is a truly cosmopolitan city and an unrivalled destination for events. London is the natural meeting point for the world’s business networks. It is a leading city in the global economy and a centre of international trade and finance.

If you’re looking for new business partners, investors, customers or sponsorship for your event, you have a wealth of organisations to approach. The city continues to nurture some of the finest research and technology developments in the world, while its influence through medical schools, universities and hospitals is second to none. It is a city of excellence in the fields of medicine, biotechnology, finance and media.

One of the most important reasons for London’s success is its ability to continuously reinvent itself. Change is constant in London and for decades England’s capital has been the launchpad for new fashions and trends. It’s a creative hub where there is always something new to do and see. If it happens, it happens in London first. Hotels, venues, restaurants and attractions constantly update, improve and refresh their offering, so no matter how many times you visit, London always pleasantly surprises.

London, like no other city, is truly global – able to do business with the East in the morning, the Americas in the afternoon, and Europe the whole day through. But London appeals to business in more ways than this – from its 2,500 hotels and over 200 museums and galleries, to some of the world’s best shopping, incredible pubs and bars, and 6,000 restaurants with cuisine from every corner of the globe. London also has the most comprehensive and iconic underground transport system in the world, and is investing billions to further improve it.

These are the reasons why London is such an enduring destination for businesses looking to hold conferences and events. Indeed, seven million business visitors come to London each year; they know that by holding an event there you can expect greater interest and higher delegate numbers. London has outstanding facilities, and experts in every area of business and conferencing.

ExCeL in London
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, recently said: “ExCeL London plays a vital role in bringing business tourism to the capital, generating over £1.6bn in economic impact. The venue’s position as one of London’s premier event venues has allowed the city to compete for some of the world’s leading conventions, exhibitions and events.”

ExCeL London is an award-winning events venue, offering 100,000sq m of flexible event space, including London’s first ever International Convention Centre. This includes a 5,000-seat auditorium, banqueting hall and multi-function conference suites. At ExCeL London every event, whatever the ambition, receives unparalleled attention. Staff genuinely care about what clients do and are committed to helping them achieve great things.

ExCeL works closely with its customers to find the right opportunities for growth and to encourage clients to push themselves in new and different directions. From the venue’s people to its space, ExCeL London knows what it takes to stay ahead, which is why it is always investing in the areas that matter most, so that every event has what it needs to succeed.