London House, run by The London Development Agency (LDA) has opened in Beijing. It will be home to a series of events during the Olympics aimed at driving international investment and overseas visitors to the capital.
The house at Shi-Cha-Hai will be used as a venue for business seminars and networking opportunities from 7-24 August. It will house press conferences and media opportunities with key UK figures including Mayor Boris Johnson and Chair of London 2012 Sebastian Coe.
Harvey McGrath, Chair of LDA, said: "London House is a unique opportunity to promote London's diverse offer on a world stage as a place to visit, study, invest and do business. We want to maximise the benefits of the Olympics coming to London in 2012 by promoting inward investment and building on our global relationships in vital emerging markets such as China."
The LDA will support a number of events across a range of organisations during the Games. They include a series of Think London business seminars and dinners with Samsung and Bank of China.
Visit London will host an open day highlighting why London is a top tourist and cultural destination, and Film London will showcase the capital’s expertise in post production.
A high-profile Olympic handover celebration will take place at London House on 24 August when London officially becomes the next Host City.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "As the next Host City of the Olympic Games, London's presence in Beijing is a fantastic opportunity for us to gain vital experience for the 2012 Games and will be a showcase to the rest of the world of what London has to offer as a city. I look forward to going out to Beijing and doing my part to promote London as a destination in which to do business, visit and study in and, of course, to receiving the Olympic flag at the handover ceremony."
Key events at London House:
- 07 August - Preview of London House
- 09 August - Think London Dinner in association with Samsung
- 10 August - Film London Showcase of Post production
- 13 August - LDA Seminar on Investing in London's infrastructure
- 14 August - Think London Seminar with Metcom
- 16-17 August - London House "open day" showcase London as a tourist destination
- 18 August - London Borough of Greenwich Seminar on investment
- 20 August - LDA seminar on London as a science technology centre
- 20 August - Study London London Alumni Club
- 20 August - LDA Design for London seminar
- 21 August - LDA Seminar on Olympic legacy
- 21 August - LDA Reception on Olympic Legacy
- 22 August - LDA Reception on Events for London
- 22 August - UKTI Seminar on Creative Industry
- 23 August - Think London lunch with Bank of China
- 24 August - Handover celebration
