London Official Guide 2014 - London & Partners

Tourism &Event ServicesLondon is the world’s best destination forvisitors and events and offers unbeatablesupport for those seeking to organise excitingand rewarding experiences and itineraries.By liaising with London & Partners youcan access talented and professionalcompanies, suppliers and experts, withoutstanding track records of arrangingexciting leisure trips and successfulbusiness events.London was voted Best VisitorDestination by Tripadvisor in 2012 thanksto its great attractions, while the city’sofficial convention bureau – part ofLondon & Partners – tops internationalrankings. Tap into the expertise of thecity’s top itinerary planners, destinationand event companies and ticket agentsto ensure that your London experienceruns smoothly.On-the-ground expertsLondon’s dedicated destination managementspecialists are the key to experiencing thecity. A personalised tour of historic pubs orperhaps a night under canvas at ZSL LondonZoo? These unique moments are onlypossible thanks to experts such as Spectraand Wedgewood, who can give you exclusiveaccess to remarkable one-off experiences.Or let Brook Green arrange its innovativeJames Bond Corporate Challenge for yourclients, enjoying team-building activities asthey explore the city.Tour operators such as Superbreak Mini-Holidays can help with many aspects ofplanning a trip for your clients. Many touroperators can take your party on private tripsof London.The London & Partners teams can assistyou in suggesting experiences for yourguests as well as recommending incomingtour operators and wholesalers that can helpyou to build the very best itinerary.Event wizardsLondon’s event planners can create thegreatest spectacles, as the world saw in2012 – from the Olympic and ParalympicGames’ awe-inspiring Opening andClosing Ceremonies, through to thefantastic shows and events that made upthe Cultural Olympiad.A full gospel choir or an Arabian partyfeaturing snakes and camels is all in aday’s work for London event managementcompanies, such as Awesome Events,which can secure access to incrediblevenues such as the circus-style BloomsburyBig Top. Timebased Events can book someof London’s most coveted spaces, includingthe marquee in Berkeley Square, Mayfair,while Create can wow your guests at thePavilion at the Tower of London. Your visitorscan see the capital in a whole new lightwith Wildgoose Treasure Hunts, which canarrange a hunt around the city on a vintagebus or by traditional London taxi, or try theirnew GPS treasure hunt.London is a foodie hub and the city’s caterersserve some of the finest fare in the world.Try Blue Strawberry, Global Infusion Groupor Zest Caterers, to name just a few. Yourparty can also sample British classics witha twist from Searcys, which also providesaccess to breathtaking venues across thecity including the Gherkin, the BritishMuseum and Inner Temple.Quality essentialsEnsuring your clients touch down and getstarted with minimum fuss is simple thanksto London’s experts. The Post Office shouldbe the first stop for those who need to changetheir currency into sterling: it offers highlycompetitive rates and charges no commission,with branches throughout the capital.For tax-free shopping, Global Blue andPremier Tax Free ensure that visitors get thevery best value in their shopping expeditions.For companies planning an event in London,reclaiming VAT on event expenses can makethe city even better value. London & Partners’expert supplier BRAL can advise onwhether this is possible for you. Seelondonandpartners.com/convention-bureaufor more information.Make sure you have appropriate insurance inplace to help protect your event in the face ofunforeseen circumstances. A tailored HiscoxEvent Insurance policy can help protectagainst the unexpected.Major EventsIf you are planning a major sporting orcultural event, London’s service providers areon hand. Icon, which provided the venue andcity branding for the London 2012 Games,can put its event branding expertise to workon your event, while SMG/YouGov canprovide the consumer insights you needto make it a success.There are many more types of companies youcan connect with in London to ensure yourclient’s trip or event is a success.Whichever service you require, just ask theLondon & Partners teams to recommendvetted, high-quality professionals, or searchthe company listings on our websites.Opposite: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square1 Central Hall Westminster1For full Tourism & Event Services listingssee our websiteslondonandpartners.com/travel-tradelondonandpartners.com/convention-bureau16 londonandpartners.com