London showcases new openings and redevelopments via 29 exhibitors on stand at IMEX America

London has been reporting a bumper year in the meetings and incentives industry, including setting a new exhibitor milestone (29) at IMEX America with the largest presence since the show started in 2011. “IMEX America has been excellent so far. London is proud to have our largest presence ever with 29 partners representing the depth and breadth of our offering,” Josh Novick, vice-president of business development North America at the London Convention Bureau, told CMW. “We have enjoyed reconnecting with our clients and industry colleagues, and we have also had productive business meetings, with a client even requesting a contract on site! London is looking forward to the coming months as we work with our new and existing connections to drive more meetings and incentives into our bustling and evolving city.” Hotels, venues, and destination management companies made up the exhibitor delegation in Las Vegas. The London team was keen to show the destination continues to be an attractive place for hotel launches. Since 2021, a total of 73 hotels have opened their doors in the capital; adding to the existing 1,827 hotels already available in the city. The luxury hotel boom began with the opening of The Peninsula London in September, boasting 190 rooms and suites, as well as six restaurants. And Raffles at the OWO, also opened in September. Built within the walls of The Old War office – famous for Churchill’s speeches from the grand staircase, it underwent a monumental six-year transformation. Debuting with 120 rooms and suites, the hotel is set to become a culinary hub with its nine restaurants and three bars. These new openings follow the launch of a diverse range of properties such as the sustainability focused 1 Hotel Mayfair, the design driven BoTree, and quirky Ruby Zoe. London has currently 297 projects in various stages of development, representing a staggering 27,066 rooms. The Chancery Rosewood, in the mid-century masterpiece on Grosvenor Square that used to be home to the US Embassy, opens next next year. Flagship convention venue ExCeL London is set to be complete its extension in October 2024. The £200m project will see the venue increase its capacity by up to 270,000 sq. ft. The iconic 140-year-old Olympia London is also undergoing a regeneration worth £1.3bn. Building life into the city’s heritage sites, 2025 will see the venue become more than a state-of-the-art conference facility. From a new theatre and music arena to two new hotels, it is set to become a new London hub for culture and creativity. London’s message is also that its ongoing industry developments have helped maintain its position as the leading European city for meetings and events.  The North American market plays an instrumental role in this. Formula E was hosted by ExCel London in July for the third consecutive year, reinforcing London’s commitment to attracting events that promote its sustainability mission. Completion of the high-speed Elizabeth Line on the Underground led to recorded 150 million passengers using it in the first year.  The line has halved the travel time from Heathrow airport to ExCeL London, which is less reliant on the old DLR service. Novick added: “London’s mission is to curate an events landscape that complements our sector expertise and promotes good growth for Londoners. Whilst we are a city that constantly re-invents itself, London still preserves its rich heritage making it a place where it’s easy to both work and play”.  Find the London Convention Bureau Team on Stand E1817 at IMEX America until 19 October.