Mayor Boris Johnson and Visit London have thrown their support behind the expansion of ExCeL London by adopting it as the capital's International Convention Centre (ICC).
The decision to back ExCeL ends the five-year search for a London ICC, with the capacity to host events of up to 20,000 delegates. ExCeL is currently undergoing a £165m expansion that will add 50 per cent capacity when it's completed in May 2010. It will be renamed as London ICC ExCeL.
Under the privately-funded expansion, a tiered 5,000-seat arena will be built with a banqueting hall for 5,000 and 17 smaller break-out rooms.
London currently lies in 19th position in the International Congress and Conventions Association (ICCA) rankings and the promotional support is designed to propel London into the top ten.
Mayor Johnson said: "London's fighting back. We want to attract more international events and overseas companies to the capital, building on the seven million business travellers that come each year. This £165m investment in the capital's first International Convention Centre at ExCeL London underlines our commitment to offer top quality facilities for business. Add to that a superb range of hotels, a comprehensive transport network and an unrivalled range of attractions for business travellers, London is the place to be if you want to create a successful event."
The launch represents a new era for business tourism in London with the establishment of a business tourism working group in the capital, also with the full support and backing of the Mayor of London.
"Visit London is delighted to support the launch of London's first International Convention Centre venue - ExCeL London. This is a significant and historic moment for the city and marks a new chapter in London's offer as a global events and business destination" adds Sally Chatterjee, Interim CEO for Visit London. "ExCeL London has already proved to be of outstanding benefit to London's business tourism offer. With its new status as the capital's first ICC it will help towards bidding and winning more large conferences and association events in the future."
ICC London ExCeL also represents the first Olympic venue to be completed, some two years ahead of the Olympics and completely privately funded.
Read more news articles
